“Today, the governor began outlining a broad, ambitious agenda. Some of his ideas are commendable. However, it’s important to remember that our state was facing a multi-billion dollar budget deficit even before COVID-19 rocked our economy and decimated...

Last week, the Assembly convened a special session to vote on an extension of the eviction and foreclosure moratorium for tenants and homeowners. I knew the bill was incomplete. My colleagues and I drafted an amendment that would provide the same protections...

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) participated in a local Holiday Toy Drive that proved to be very successful. Ra, along with others in the community, was able to fill two full ten-foot U-Haul trucks with toy donations. The toys were given to the...

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) is pleased to announce that Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay has re-appointed him as the ranking Minority Member on the Ways and Means Committee. The committee vets all legislation with a fiscal impact to the...

Anyone with a mailbox can tell you this was an intense election cycle in our community. That’s the way it was all over the country. After the polls close, however, elected leaders need to get back to work. That means listening to each other, that means...

This has been an exceptionally difficult year. Our region was the epicenter of a global pandemic. This spring, we experienced real suffering and heartbreak on a scale that’s still difficult to process. We’re still dealing with the lingering public...

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) is pleased to announce that legislation creating a statewide volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention task force has been signed into law by the governor. Ra cosponsored the legislation in the Assembly. “The...

Recently, Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) provided over 60 takeout meals to local veterans and their families during his annual “Heroes for Heroes” event. It was a socially distanced variant of his annual veterans’ BBQ. Ra, his office...

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) and Assemblywoman Melissa Miller (R,C,I-Atlantic Beach) are sponsoring legislation to strengthen the oversight capacity of the Long Island Office of the Public Service Commission and amplify ratepayer voices by the...

This week, Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) partnered with the Village of Mineola and the New York Blood Center to host a needed community blood drive at the Mineola Community Center. “I want to thank everyone who came out to help their neighbors...

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) today announced that his annual ‘Heroes for Heroes’ picnic honoring veterans will offer takeout meals this year in an effort to promote public health and comply with the latest COVID-19 guidance from the...

Earlier this week, our nation recognized the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). President George H.W. Bush signed the landmark bill into law on July 26, 1990. It’s one of the most transformational pieces of legislation...

“In 2014, New Yorkers went to the polls and approved a referendum that would prevent one party from dominating the redistricting process. It appealed to their sense of fairness. There’s a word for one party drawing district lines without fair-minded...

Since the tragic killing of George Floyd by disgraced police officers in Minneapolis, Americans are discussing issues regarding race, law enforcement and criminal justice with renewed passion and openness. Many of these discussions have been productive....

“The administration’s claim that their March 25 order requiring nursing homes to accept COVID-19 positive patients was not a significant factor in the tragedy that unfolded is incredibly hard for me to believe. It underscores why further investigation...

It’s not unusual for the governor to encounter opposition to one of his policy proposals. However, when he recently questioned the long-term viability and practicality of in-classroom learning in schools across the state, the reaction was swift,...

Recently, Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) held a plaque presentation ceremony at his District Office to honor Jacob Tabari, the winner of his 2020 Video Challenge. This year’s challenge was titled “The Struggles of High School.” Jacob...

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) believes the Assembly Majority should refocus the purpose and scope of upcoming hearings on the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “When the Majority repeatedly wants to use state...

Assemblywoman Melissa “Missy” Miller (R,C,I-Atlantic Beach), Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh (R,C,I-Ballston) and Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) are teaming up to advocate for the safe and responsible reopening of group home visitation...

This week, Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) honored Kaitlyn Goldman, the winner of his annual “There Ought to Be a Law” contest. The contest tasks local students with devising a legislative solution to a problem facing our society. Over...