Edward P. Ra - Assembly District 19 |Assembly Member Directory | New York State Assembly

Press Releases

Making Progress For Education In New York State

“I am pleased to have joined my Assembly colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass meaningful changes to the flawed education policies of recent years. The legislation (A.7303-A) would begin to correct many of the unproven reforms that were implemented...

Ra, Long Island Colleagues Urge Congress To Reduce Standardized Testing

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) recently introduced a Legislative Resolution urging support for efforts to reduce the annual testing mandate imposed...

Assemblyman Ra Sponsors Summer Reading Challenge

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) is announcing the 2015 Summer Reading Challenge. This program, sponsored by Ra in conjunction with New York State libraries, is designed to encourage children across the state to continue reading throughout their...

Exclusive Meetings Mean Limited Results

“It is discouraging that the state education department has decided upon a one-time, ‘invite only’ meeting to discuss the highly-controversial teacher evaluation process. Only 200 tickets are being distributed. “By limiting the conversation...

Assemblyman Ra To Host Car Seat Safety Check

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) and the Nassau County Traffic Safety Board will be conducting a car seat safety check to inform parents of the proper installation and care of car seats. This free event will be held Thursday, May 14 from 9:30 a.m....

Ra, Murray Pen Letter To Secretary Of Education Arne Duncan

Assemblymen, and members of the Education Committee, Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) and Dean Murray (R,C,I-East Patchogue) authored a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan following his recent remarks suggesting a withholding of federal aid to...

Ra: Opportunity For Education Reform Blocked By Assembly Majority

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

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

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

“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

“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

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

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

“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

“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

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

“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

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

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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

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...