Assemblymember Lavine has the chance to meet with SUNY Stony Brook student and Glen Cove native Tami Gitlin about the critical topic of antisemitism on college campuses. Lavine noting that it's always an honor to be asked to speak to students about pending legislation, especially topics such as this which are so critical as we continue to deal with extremism and the increasing hatred against Jews.

Teaching children to read might be the single most important activity in a child’s education. With that in mind, it is always a privilege for Assemblymember Lavine to return to Connolly Elementary School in Glen Cove, where his wife Ronnie taught for many years, to participate in the PARP (Pick a Reading Partner Program) …

The kids were very attentive as Lavine read to them and he led them in a discussion about the legislative process.

Assemblymember Lavine has the honor of addressing Agudath Israel of America as it held its Albany Advocacy Day. As part of the annual event, community advocates join Agudah staff and board members to meet with legislators and push for key initiatives on behalf of New York’s Orthodox Jewish community. Lavine finds special significance in meeting with this group as he proudly serves as President of the New York chapter of the National Association of Jewish Legislators.

Photo credit: Agudath Israel of America / Moshe Gershbaum

For the second consecutive year, a flag representing the neurodivergent community is flying over the City of Glen Cove. The Neurodiversity Strength flag was raised in a special ceremony in Village Square.The event was coordinated by Assemblymember Lavine and the City of Glen Cove. Lavine was on hand along with city officials and flag designer Josh Mirsky of Jericho. Mirsky, a member of the Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Board, has been working towards making the Neurodiversity Strength flag prominent for raising awareness of neurodiversity across the state. The event coincides with Neurodiversity Celebration Week (March 17-23) followed by Autism Awareness Month in April.



(l-r) Donna McNaughton, Glen Cove Deputy Mayor; Josh Mirsky with his parents; Pamela Panzenbeck, Glen Cove Mayor; Assemblymember Lavine

Assemblymember Lavine congratulates Felicia Thomas-Williams on her election to the New York State Board of Regents. Lavine believes that Felicia’s wealth of experience as a retired educator in the Brentwood School District will benefit students throughout the state.

AARP advocacy volunteers have a very productive meeting with Assemblymember Lavine in his district office. The meeting covered possible legislation that will help make life a little easier for seniors.
(l-r) Andy Poulos, AARP Advocacy Volunteer; Assemblymember Lavine; Marie Biggiani, AARP Advocacy Volunteer; Fred Slade, AARP Advocacy Volunteer

Assemblymember Lavine is privileged to meet Roslyn High School junior Eliza Liebowitz. Lavine’s office makes a donation for kids in need as he presents a citation to Eliza in recognition of her philanthropic efforts on behalf of multiple charities and non-profit organizations.

The Cradle of Aviation Museum hosts a legislative breakfast and Assemblymember Lavine is privileged to attend. The museum in Garden City does an incredible job of paying tribute to the countless historical achievements in the field of aviation and space exploration which took place right here in our area.

A great way to close out Black History Month as the Black National / Pan-African flag is raised for the first time in downtown Glen Cove….

(l-r) Pamela Panzenbeck, Glen Cove Mayor; Marsha Silverman, Glen Cove City Councilwoman; Lela Watson, Founder & President, I Am My Sister; Roderick Watson, Executive Director, I Am My Brother; Assemblymember Lavine; Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, Nassau County Legislator

Assemblymember Lavine expresses his appreciation to the I Am My Sister organization for making this dream become a reality and the community for such a great turnout on a beautiful late winter day.

(l-r) Roderick Watson, Executive Director, I Am My Brother; Lela Watson, Founder & President, I Am My Sister; Assemblymember Lavine; Rev. Roger C. Williams, Pastor, First Baptist Church of Glen Cove

A special moment in Albany for Assemblymember Lavine and colleague Assemblymember Rebecca Kassay who have the privilege of meeting therapy dog Huck! Besides being about as cute as can be, Huck has an important job which is to work with her handler, Port Jefferson EMS Deputy Chief Michael Presta, to provide comfort for patients, EMS providers, and community members exposed to traumatic events.

Planned Parenthood activists from across the state come to Albany to meet with their representatives and advocate for sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice. Assemblymember Lavine is joined by wife Ronnie, a member of the organization, at a rally in the Capitol.

SCO Family of Services meets with Assemblymember Lavine in Albany. Lavine is a steadfast supporter of the organization which delivers vital human services to children, families, adults, and the community to provide them with the necessary tools to achieve success.

(l-r) Bryan Pollack, Director of Government Affairs; Leslie Johnson, Vice President of Communications and External Affairs; Assemblymember Lavine; Nicole L. Weingartner, Director of State Government Affairs, Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP

Assemblymember Lavine teams up with Governor Hochul’s office to sponsor a workshop in Glen Cove to inform immigrants of their rights. Lavine is seen here with Stevens Martinez, Deputy Director for Long Island Intergovernmental Affairs at the event which took place at the Glen Cove Public Library. The following weblink provides more information on a variety of free services that immigrants and the community can access through the Office of New Americans and its many state partners: https://dos.ny.gov/know-your-rights

Assemblymember Lavine visits Hofstra University and speaks to Basia Szydlowski, host of Long Island Community Spotlight on WRHU 88.7 FM. The two had a thoughtful conversation about Lavine's proposed legislation to mandate that the January 6th Trump insurrection be taught in schools.

It was bittersweet for Assemblymember Lavine to attend the goodbye party at the Glen Cove Senior Center for Rhoda Finer who is moving to North Carolina to be closer to her family. Rhoda and her late husband Arthur did so much for the community including helping to establish the senior center and as founding members of North Country Reform Temple. Lavine wishes Rhoda the best of luck at the event.

Great follow-up at a joint Assembly hearing on public protection to Assemblymember Lavine's bill passed last year enhancing judicial staff privacy. New York State Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas confirming that morale in state courts was up as a result of this legislation.

In his role as President of the New York Chapter of the National Association of Jewish Legislators, Assemblymember Lavine leads a meeting in Albany…

Lavine is also proud to serve this wonderful organization a member of its National Board of Directors.

The Long Island Contractors Association hosts a legislative breakfast in Albany with Assemblymember Lavine in attendance. At the productive meeting, Lavine noted how we must constantly be looking to the future and for ways to boost the economy – especially in times of need. Investing in infrastructure has the dual benefit of generating jobs and helping Long Islanders inconvenienced by aging roads and buildings.

Melissa Rhodes, Grenville Baker Boys & Girls Club Executive Director (top row / far right) joins Assemblymember Lavine in Albany as part of the New York State Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs Advocacy Day. Lavine is proud to support this wonderful organization which does so much for the community.

The North Shore Central School District hosts a productive legislative breakfast. Assemblymember Lavine thanks Superintendent Dr. Christopher Zublionis and all the members of the Board of Education for inviting him to participate. He noted that our children are the lifeblood of the community and that must do everything we can to support this wonderful district and public education.

Assemblymember Lavine joins the Assembly Majority in passing legislation to protect abortion rights in the State of New York. The action comes on the anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision Supreme Court decision which had legalized abortion in the United States before it was recently overturned.

Assemblymember Lavine is honored to sponsor a resolution honoring a true visionary, Cablevision founder Charles Dolan, who sadly passed away on December 28th, at the age of 94. Dolan also was a champion for many charitable causes including the field of pancreatic cancer research.

The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is kept alive in Glen Cove on MLK Day. Assemblymember Lavine joins the Cove City School District and AHRC Nassau at the City of Glen Cove National Day of Service event to benefit NOSH Delivers food pantry.

At her State of the State address in Albany, Governor Kathy Hochul outlined her priority policy initiatives putting families first. Assemblymember Lavine was privileged to attend the speech and meet with several media outlets to talk about what the administration is doing to help everyday New Yorkers get through these challenging economic times.

Assemblymember Lavine joins Governor Hochul and other officials at Westbury Middle School for the announcement of her historic initiative to ensure every student can eat breakfast and lunch for free…

…Lavine expressed appreciation for the governor’s continued commitment to addressing the economic challenges New Yorkers face in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Photo courtesy Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

Assemblymember Lavine returns to Albany for the opening of the new legislative session. Lavine remains humbled at the opportunity to serve the people of the 13th District in the New York State Assembly and expresses appreciation to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for his leadership and for asking him to once again to serve as Chair of the Judiciary Committee and as a member of the committees on Codes, Ethics & Guidance, Insurance, and Rules.

After weeks of collecting toys at Lavine’s district office and other sites Assemblymember Lavine wraps up his 2024 Toy Drive. The drive culminating in the distribution of hundreds of toys for children in need in both Glen Cove and Westbury. Lavine took part in the Glen Cove Equal Opportunity Council toy giveaway which was held in collaboration with Glen Cove Gardens Development. Lavine was among several sponsors of this event in which kids walked away with the toy of their choice and a huge smile on their face. A special moment occurred when Lavine joined EOC Director Irma Jeanty to present bicycles donated by a constituent to the winners of the cookie and gingerbread house decorating contest. Here with gingerbread house winner Jason…

…and Yareli, who won the cookie design contest.The bikes were beautifully refurbished retro bicycles made to look as good as new.

Photo courtesy of Gaitley Stevenson-Matthews

Lavine also welcomed Bishop Lionel Harvey of the First Baptist Cathedral of Westbury to his office to donate toys the church will distribute to families in need during Christmas Eve mass celebrations.

Lavine expressed his appreciation to the community by saying, “Thank you to everyone in and around the 13th Assembly District for your generosity in making this year’s drive such a tremendous success. Families are still struggling in the aftermath of COVID and with the rise in cost of living making it even more crucial that we do everything we can to help those in need. I cannot express in words the happiness I feel when I see the joy on children's faces at these events. It’s something I look forward to every year. In addition to every single person who made a contribution, no matter how big or small, I also want to thank the Bryant Library in Roslyn, Glen Cove Public Library, Oyster Bay-East Norwich Library in Oyster Bay, and Sea Cliff Library for serving as additional collection sites. I also want to wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season.”