Michael Gianaris

Michael Gianaris
Member of the New York Senate
from the 12th district
Assumed office
2011
Preceded by George Onorato
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 36th district
In office
2001–2010
Preceded by Denis Butler
Succeeded by Aravella Simotas
Personal details
Born (1970-04-23) April 23, 1970[1]
Astoria, Queens[1]
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Clare Cusack (divorced)
Residence Astoria, Queens[1]
Alma mater Fordham University
Harvard Law School[2]
Profession politician
Website Official website

Michael N. "Mike" Gianaris (born April 23, 1970)[1] is an American politician from Queens, New York. He represents New York's 12th State Senate district, which includes the Queens neighborhoods of Astoria, Long Island City, Sunnyside and parts of Woodside, Maspeth, Ridgewood and Woodhaven. He is the second Greek-American to be elected to the New York State Legislature after Dean Skelos.

Early life and education

Gianaris was born in Astoria and is the son of Nicholas and Magdalene Gianaris. He graduated from New York City public schools P.S. 84, Junior High School 141 and Long Island City High School. He received a B.A. summa cum laude in economics and political science from Fordham University and earned a law degree from Harvard Law School.[2]

Career

First elected to the Assembly in 2000, Gianaris had previously served as Associate Counsel to the Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection, Governmental Operations, Veterans Affairs, and Agriculture and Markets of the New York State Assembly. He also served as an aide to former Queens Congressman Thomas Manton, and aide to former Governor Mario Cuomo's Queens County Regional Representative, and as a member of Queens Community Planning Board 1 and Legal Counsel to the United Community Civic Association.

In the Assembly, he worked on government reform issues, sponsoring measures to improve the efficiency and productivity of state government, including a proposal to reform the legislative redistricting process that the New York Times called “the real key to reform” in Albany.

Gianaris authored public safety measures, including the state’s first major anti-terror law after September 11, 2001. His Energy Security Act, enhances security at the State’s power plants and transmission centers. This approach was expanded to include other critical infrastructure sites throughout New York.

Gianaris is responsible for improvements in efforts to protect communities from sexual predators as well as added protection for pedestrians from stray voltage from manhole covers and electrical boxes. He supports tougher sentences for drunk drivers and other criminals.

Gianaris supports the reform of utilities such as Consolidated Edison to instill greater accountability to the public and wrote the state’s Clean Energy Law, which encouraged the private sector to utilize modern technologies to reduce pollution while increasing productivity.

In September 2007, he was named one of City Hall's "40 under 40" for being a young influential member of New York City politics.[3]

Personal life

He is divorced and resides in Astoria.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Legislative Preview: Meet The New Members". The Capitol. Manhattan Media. January 6, 2011. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  2. 1 2 "Michael Gianaris: Biography". New York State Senate. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  3. ↑ Rising Stars 40 Under 40: Michael Gianaris, City & State, September 17, 2007.

External links

New York Assembly
Preceded by
Denis J. Butler		 New York State Assembly, 36th District
2001–2010 		Succeeded by
Aravella Simotas
New York State Senate
Preceded by
George Onorato		 New York State Senate, 12th District
2011–present 		Incumbent


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