Edward P. Ra headshot

Assemblyman

Edward P. Ra

Assembly District 19

Press Releases

Ra: Opportunity For Education Reform Blocked By Assembly Majority

Apr 21, 2015
Today, Common Core reform legislation (A.3656) sponsored by Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) was taken up by the Assembly Education Committee. Earlier this year, Ra, the ranking minority member on that committee, re-introduced the measure to help...

Ra, Murray Call On NYS Education Department To Release Test Refusal Numbers

Apr 15, 2015
Today, Assembly Committee on Education members, Assemblymen Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) and Dean Murray (R,C,I-East Patchogue), called on the New York State Education Department (SED) to release the number of students who refused to participate in the state’s...

Ra Invites Community Members To Meet And Greet

Apr 13, 2015
Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) is hosting a community Meet and Greet on Wednesday, April 29 from 7 to 8:45 p.m. at the Gold Coast Library Annex. The Library Annex is located at 40 Railroad Avenue in Glen Head. Ra is welcoming individuals to...

Budget Driven By Misguided Priorities

Apr 1, 2015
“I am greatly disappointed that the budget process was conducted in a business-as-usual manner. Large components of the enacted budget, especially the education reform measures, seriously missed the mark. Regretfully, we missed a valuable opportunity...

Ra Calls for APPR Discussion to Be Driven By Education Stakeholders

Mar 27, 2015
“The current Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) element of the teacher evaluation process has proven to be flawed, time and time again. I stand by my initial opposition to APPR, as many of my concerns with the system have since come to fruition....

Bank Settlement Funds Should Be Used To Improve Infrastructure

Mar 24, 2015
Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) today called for a portion of funds from a recently-disclosed bank settlement to be used for local infrastructure projects on Long Island. Ra said he was disappointed with the lack of infrastructure funding provided...

Ra Announces Scholarship Opportunity For New York Students

Mar 17, 2015
Today, Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) announced that the New York Conference of Italian-American State Legislators is now accepting applications for four $2,500 scholarships to be awarded in June at Italian-American Day. Scholarship winners must...

Taking Necessary Steps To Protect New York’s Women

Mar 16, 2015
“Today, we took a critical step forward for the women of New York State. I applaud my colleagues in the Assembly for unanimously passing this important piece of legislation to end human trafficking in our state. For far too long the separate planks...

Ra: Assembly Budget Falls Short For New York

Mar 12, 2015
“The Assembly Majority put forth a budget resolution today, and while it contained some positive measures, it did not do enough to advance the current condition of our state. I was pleased to see that the Assembly and Senate majorities did not link...

Ra Urges Newly Elected Board Of Regents Members To Revitalize New York’s Education System

Mar 11, 2015
Following yesterday’s Board of Regents elections, Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) is optimistic that the new candidates will bring much-needed, fresh perspectives to our education system. Seven members, including four new members, were confirmed...

Shedding Light On The Capitol

Mar 4, 2015
“The residents of New York State deserve to be represented by a government founded on integrity, honesty and transparency. Today, my colleagues and I called for reforms that would ensure that becomes a reality. These common-sense measures would shed...

Ra Joins In Advocacy For New York’s Small Businesses

Mar 3, 2015
Today, Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) joined members of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) for New York State Small Business Day in the state Capitol. The NFIB is America’s leading small-business advocacy organization...

Long Island Minority Urge Gov. Cuomo To Release School Aid Numbers

Feb 23, 2015
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Today, Assemblymen Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square), Al Graf (R,C,I-Holbrook), Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) and Dean Murray (R,C,I-East Patchogue) held a press conference regarding the governor’s decision to withhold important school aid information. All...

Standing Up For Our Military Families

Feb 17, 2015
Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) is calling for passage of legislation that would remove bureaucratic barriers that currently prohibit spouses of military personnel from obtaining licensing needed for employment. Under current law, New York requires...

New Speaker Means Opportunities For New York

Feb 3, 2015
“I am optimistic that today’s election of Carl Heastie as speaker means new beginnings for New York. For far too long, attempts to implement reform have been blocked unilaterally by our leadership and those with too much power. It is time to rid Albany...

Ra, Long Island Education Committee Minority Members Call For School Aid Runs To Be Released

Jan 23, 2015
Yesterday, Assemblymen Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square), Al Graf (R,C,I-Holbrook), Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) and Dean Murray (R,C,I-East Patchogue) sent a letter to New York State Budget Director Robert Megna requesting that “school aid runs” be disclosed....

Ra Congratulates Franklin Square’s Newest Eagle Scout

Jan 6, 2015
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On Monday, January 5, Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) joined Scoutmaster Charles Gripaldi, members of Troop 93 and their families for an Eagle Scout Award Ceremony. This ceremony honored Franklin Square’s newest Eagle Scout recipient Ryan George...

Ra Reappointed As Ranking Minority Member Of The Education Committee

Jan 5, 2015
The 2015 Legislative Committee assignments were recently announced, and Assemblyman Ed Ra (R –Franklin Square) is proud to share that he has been reappointed as Ranking Minority Member of the Education Committee. “I have been fortunate to serve...

Time To Scrap APPR And Return Control To Local Districts

Dec 30, 2014
“While I was very disappointed with Gov. Cuomo’s decision to veto his own legislation, which would have provided a ‘safety net’ to prevent teachers from being held responsible for the State Education Department’s failed implementation of Common...

King Resignation An Opportunity For New Direction At SED

Dec 11, 2014
“The resignation of Commissioner King is an opportunity for a fresh look at the current reform agenda and the challenges facing New York’s public schools. I am hopeful that the Board of Regents will keep in mind the lessons learned from the struggles...