William Colton headshot

Assemblymember

William Colton

Assembly District 47

Welcome Letter

Dear Neighbor,

Welcome to my Website! You can use this site for updates on the work that I am doing within our community and the work that I do while I am at the State Capitol in Albany.This site is a great tool to use to become a more informed and active citizen at the state and local level.The telephone numbers to my offices, as well as my personal e-mail address, can be found on this website.My hardworking Brooklyn and Albany staff members are always happy to help you with your questions and concerns.

I believe that the key to a successful and prosperous state always starts in the community.I am here to be your voice at the state government level and fight for the common goals that we all share as responsible and engaged citizens.

The single most important issue we face year after year is providing for the education of our children.Educating our children is best investment the state can provide, as it provides hope and opportunity for our youth, while ensuring the continued strength of our great cities and state.

Taking care of our community’s senior citizens and other neighbors on fixed incomes is a priority of mine.This includes the annual fight for affordable and quality healthcare.I am dedicated to making sure our seniors can purchase their prescription drugs at our neighborhood pharmacies, without having to make drastic sacrifices to other vital necessities that define a happy and fulfilled life in our golden years.

Fighting for affordable housing in our communities is another top priority of mine.Years ago I fought to stop landlords from neglecting to repair aging apartment buildings, while raising rents on their working-class residents.Now, I am fighting for stronger rent regulations and the improvement of SCRIE benefits, so that we can continue to keep our elderly and working-class citizens in their homes and communities.

As a member of the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee and former Chair of the Legislative Commission on Solid Waste Management, I am actively involved in the preservation of our environment.I understand that a clean environment means clean water to drink, clean air to breathe, and better health for our community and wildlife.

Please feel free to explore my website and read my legislation and my issue papers that I have posted.I look forward to listening to your thoughts and suggestions, and working with you to make our community and state reach its full potential.

Biography

Assemblymember William Colton

William Colton was elected to the New York State Assembly in November 1996, representing the 47th Assembly District, consisting of the neighborhoods of Bensonhurst, Gravesend, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights and Midwood. He has been a lifelong resident of his district, where he married his wife, Mary, and has two stepchildren, Jennifer and Joseph. He was educated at St. Athanasius School and graduated from Cathedral Prep., the minor seminary of the Diocese of Brooklyn. In 1968, he received a B.A. degree in Urban Education from St. John's University. He also was awarded an M.S. degree in Urban Education from Brooklyn College. In 1978, he graduated from St. John's School of Law with a J.D. degree.

William Colton worked as a public school teacher for eleven years, serving as a UFT Chapter Chairperson for six of those years. While teaching, he attended law school in the evening and he was admitted as a lawyer in New York State in 1979.

Long active in community and civic affairs, William Colton was co-founder and organizer of the Bensonhurst Tenants Council, an organization that was instrumental in preserving the neighborhood by saving dozens of apartment buildings from becoming slum buildings. He also was active in numerous community issues, including improving transit, as a founder of the Bensonhurst Straphangers Committee; fighting for more monies for schools in Districts 20 and 21; serving as the attorney in the successful lawsuit to stop the re-opening of the Southwest Brooklyn Incinerator; fighting for numerous community improvements, such as traffic lights, sewers, vermin and rodent extermination; and assisting in the organizing of community projects, such as Project Option to work for cleaning up of commercial shopping areas, among others.

Mr. Colton has also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Verrazano Lodge of the Order of the Sons of Italy, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Cardinal Stritch Knights Corporation of the Cardinal Stritch Knights of Columbus Council.

William Colton has been the recipient of numerous community awards, including Outstanding Teacher of the Year in PS 56, the United Federation of Teachers of District 13 Political Action Award, the Civic Service Award from the Building Maintenance Education Program of NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the Meritorious Civic Service Certificate from the New York City Division of Preservation and Anti-Abandonment, the Outstanding Community Service Award from the Bensonhurst Tenants Council and the 1996 Man of the Year Award from the Bensonhurst West End Community Council.

Since being elected to the State Assembly he has also received awards from Aidone Social Club, Association of Assistant Principals, St. Athanasius Youth Program, Avenue M Block Association, Brooklyn Italia, Eastern New York Amateur Soccer Association, Ezra’s Torah Society, Federation of Italian American Organizations, Jewish Holocaust Survivors, Most Precious Blood Sports Program, New York Junior Tennis League, the Tenants of 8700 25th Avenue and the New York Conference of Italian-American Legislators.

He was appointed Chair of the Legislative Commission on Solid Waste Management and currently serves as Majority Whip.

Standing Committee Assignments 2013-14: Correction; Environmental Conservation; Governmental Employees; Labor; Ways and Means.

District Map