Jack Martins

Senator Jack M. Martins
Member of the New York Senate
from the 7th district
Assumed office
January 2011
Preceded by Craig M. Johnson
Personal details
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Paula[1]
Children four[1]
Residence Mineola, New York[1]
Alma mater American University
St. John's University School of Law[1]
Profession lawyer, politician
Website Official website

Jack M. Martins is a Republican member of the New York State Senate, representing the 7th district[1] located in Nassau County, New York, which includes the communities of Albertson, Carle Place, East Williston, New York, Elmont, New York, Floral Park, Franklin Square, Great Neck, Hicksville, New York, Manhasset, Mineola, New Hyde Park, Old Westbury, Port Washington, Stewart Manor, Westbury, New York, and Williston Park.

Early life and education

Martins is a first-generation American, born to parents who emigrated from northern Portugal in the 1960s. He was raised in Mineola, graduated from Chaminade High School, received a bachelor's degree in political science from American University in 1988, and a Juris Doctor from St. John's University School of Law in 1991.[2]

Political career

Martins was elected Mayor of the Village of Mineola in 2003. During his eight years as Mayor, Martins instituted a debt management plan, encouraged economic growth and passed balanced, fiscally-responsible budgets. During a difficult economic time, when most governmental entities were struggling, the Village of Mineola operated on solid fiscal ground while seeking ways to expand its tax base. He led the development of the Village's first ever comprehensive master plan [3] which received a Smart Growth Award from Vision Long Island.[4] During his tenure, Martins was named one of Long Island Business News' "Top 40 Under 40." [5] Martins won election to the New York State Senate in 2010 as the representative for the Seventh Senate District.

As a Senator, Martins supported numerous tax relief measures; he voted for the law creating New York State's property tax cap, voted to cut income taxes for middle class homeowners, voted to repeal the MTA payroll tax for small businesses and schools, and continues to support repealing the tax in its entirety.[6][7]

He has authored laws reducing busing costs for school districts;[8] creating a truss notification system to improve safety for volunteer firefighters;[9] establishing a new state fund to help homeless veterans;[10] enhancing law enforcement’s ability to investigate opioid prescription fraud; and expanding education provided to children about the dangers of heroin and other illegal drugs.[11]

Martins has repeatedly led Long Island's 31 state legislators in the number of bills sponsored which were ultimately passed by both houses of the State Legislature.[12][13]

Martins has also been highly critical of the New York State Education Department's implementation of Common Core [14] and called for the resignation of the State's Commissioner of Education for cancelling public forums on the issue with parents and teachers.[15]

In 2011, Martins voted against the Marriage Equality Act, which the Senate passed 33-29. roll call

Martins has been vocal about urging officials to take action in response to incidents of anti-Semitism against students and faculty on CUNY campuses [16] [17]and has sponsored legislation that would prevent New York from entering into a state contract or investment with those seeking to economically harm Israel or other American allies through boycotts. [18]

Martins currently serves as Chairman of the Senate's Labor Committee [19] and Co-Chair of the Senate's Task Force on Workforce Development.[20] He previously chaired the Senate's Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business Committee and the Senate's Local Government Committee.[21] In addition to Chairing the Labor Committee, Martins is currently a member of the following Senate Committees: Finance, Health, Insurance, Transportation, Energy & Telecommunications, Banks, Civil Service & Pensions, Corporations, Authorities & Commissions, and Social Services.[22]

Personal life

Martins is a member of the County Seat Kiwanis Club and the Long Island Portuguese Lions Club.[1] Senator Martins was honored as the 2012 Portuguese Man of the Year during Nassau County's first ever public event recognizing the Portuguese Community on Long Island.[23] He and his wife Paula have four daughters.[24]

Election results

Jack M. Martins (REP - IND - CON - Tax Revolt Party (TRP)) ... 40,465
Adam M. Haber (DEM - WFP - GRE - Women's Equality Party(WEP)) ... 31,552
Jack M. Martins (REP - IND - CON - Tax Revolt Party (TRP)) ... 58,039
Daniel S. Ross (DEM - WFP) ... 53,987
Jack M. Martins (REP - IND - CON) ... 42,928
Craig M. Johnson (DEM) ... 42,477

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Jack M. Martins: Biography". New York State Senate. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  2. ↑ Kerr, Kathleen (December 4, 2010). "Martins leaving Mineola for Albany". Newsday. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  3. ↑ [hhttp://www.mineola-ny.gov/Pages/MineolaNY_WebDocs/FinalCompPlan.pdf "Comprehensive Master Plan for the Village of Mineola"] (PDF). November 2005.
  4. ↑ "Village of Mineola Honored for Master Plan". Mineola American. 23 June 2006.
  5. ↑ "40 Under 40 Awards 2007". Long Island Business News. 2 January 2007.
  6. ↑ Walter, Geoffrey (15 December 2011). "How Do You Spell Relief? T-A-X C-U-T-S". Mineola Patch.
  7. ↑ Santa, John (9 February 2012). "Martins leads MTA tax repeal initiative". New Hyde Park Herald Courier. The Island Now.
  8. ↑ Nash, Jackie (25 October 2011). "Schools cut bus costs, rev up savings". LI Herald.
  9. ↑ O'Reilly, Anthony (25 September 2014). "Cuomo signs bill to protect firefighters". The Island Now.
  10. ↑ Brodsky, Robert (31 December 2014). "New year brings new laws for Long Island residents". Newsday.
  11. ↑ "Senator Martins Announces Legislative Agreement on Measures to Combat Heroin & Prescription Drug Epidemic". June 19, 2014.
  12. ↑ Roy, Yancey (30 June 2014). "Martins tops LI delegation in bills passed, ranks second overall". Newsday.
  13. ↑ Jacques, Rich (18 July 2013). "Report: Martins Tops All LI Lawmakers in Getting Two-house Bills Passed". Port Washington Patch.
  14. ↑ "Emotions High At Common Core Forums On Long Island". CBS New York. 13 November 2013.
  15. ↑ "Resume Common Core forums: Martins". the Island Now. 17 October 2013.
  16. ↑ "State Sen. Martins: No place in colleges for people who want hate". Varney & Co. 18 March 2016.
  17. ↑ Lipsky, Seth (9 March 2016). "New York’s leaders must stand up to anti-Semitism at CUNY". New York Post.
  18. ↑ Gormley, Michael (20 January 2016). "Senate acts first to boycott companies that boycott Israel". Newsday.
  19. ↑ "Senate Republicans Name New Committee Chairs". Politico New York. 22 January 2015.
  20. ↑ "Senate creates workforce development task force". Legislative Gazette. 24 March 2015.
  21. ↑ "Martins Takes Over Senate Commerce Committee, His Second Chairmanship". Newsday. 21 March 2014.
  22. ↑ "Senators and Committees". 13 January 2016.
  23. ↑ Tedesco, Richard. "County Honors Martins on Portugal Day". Williston Times. The Island Now. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  24. ↑ Epstein, Reid J. (December 20, 2010). "Appeals court backs Martins State Senate win". Newsday. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  25. ↑ "General Election Results, State Senate: November 4, 2014" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. December 15, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  26. ↑ "General Election Results, State Senate: November 6, 2012" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. December 31, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
  27. ↑ "General Election Results, State Senate: November 2, 2010" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. December 13, 2010. Retrieved April 12, 2011.

External links

New York State Senate
Preceded by
Craig M. Johnson		 New York State Senate, 7th District
2011–present 		Incumbent
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