Neighbor News
Gary Port: Ra is Stuck in the Past
New York State Assembly member Ed Ra isn't taking the pandemic seriously
West Hempstead, NY - New York State Assembly member Ed Ra isn’t taking the pandemic seriously, and seems like he’s stuck back in time, says Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Gary Port, Ra’s challenger in the 19th State Assembly District.
“Ed’s been in office too long, and he’s gotten too comfortable. He’s pretending that this is October 2019, not October 2020,” Port says. “He wants to reopen businesses and schools right away, without being careful and taking the pandemic into consideration. This is a dangerous time for our nation, but Ed seems like he’s stuck in a time warp - he’s pretending that the Titanic never hit the iceberg.”
Port says that Ra and the Republican Party have failed to address the economic shortfalls that the COVID-19 pandemic has created. If elected to the Assembly, he says, he’ll work to change that. He believes the state needs to do a better job helping small businesses. As a small business owner himself, he feels the effects of the pandemic personally.
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Port believes that more stimulus checks should be given to small business owners and working-class Long Islanders. “One or two checks is not enough - the virus is still punching us in the gut, and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) should stay funded for as long as the pandemic rages,” he says. “If the federal government refuses to do their job, the state should step up. The Assembly should make sure no New Yorker goes broke because of COVID.”
Port also says that the state should focus on road work and infrastructure projects during the pandemic. “Folks are still staying home, and traffic is still low. We’ve got potholes all across the island that need to be filled, and a third track on the LIRR that needs to get finished,” he says. “Now is the time. If elected, I’ll push for an increased focus on infrastructure.”
Find out what's happening in Garden Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Port is a veteran, a small business owner, a proud public school parent, and a resident of West Hempstead. The 19th District covers a significant section of Nassau County, including Mineola, New Hyde Park, Garden City, Carle Place, Brookville, Franklin Square, and West Hempstead.
You can follow Gary on Twitter.com/GaryPort19, like him on Facebook.com/GaryBPort,
or check out his website, www.garyportforassembly2020.com.
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