Edward Hennessey: 'I Have a Reputation as a Tax-Fighter'

Democrat Edward Hennessey is running for re-election in the 3rd Assembly District. He is being challenged by Republican Dean Murray. The 3rd Assembly District includes Bellport, North Bellport, Brookhaven, Medford, Yaphank, Mastic Beach, and parts of Mastic, Shirley, Patchogue, Holtsville, Gordon Heights, Farmingville, Middle Island and Ridge. See a district map here.

Submitted by Edward Hennessey:

In 2012 I was elected to represent the 3rd Assembly District and am now running for re-election. I grew up in Mastic Beach, attended William Floyd High School and have lived and worked on Brookhaven’s South Shore for 40 years. I am very familiar with the communities which I serve not only because I grew up here but also because I served these communities as a Brookhaven Town Councilman for 12 years.

I am a practicing attorney in Shirley where I chose to locate my law practice to work with people I know and grew up with and have enjoyed serving as your Assemblyman for the past two years for the very same reason. In that time, I have been productive and effective for the 3rd AD.

As your NYS Legislator, I have been compelled by two imperatives: crafting smart legislation and bringing home resources that will help people and communities be safer, stronger, and more vibrant. To me, it is about quality of life: cleaning up our neighborhoods and waterways, bolstering and improving our schools, making our roadways safer and more conducive to community living.

I sponsored legislation to significantly increase penalties for hit-and-run drivers. The problem has reached epidemic proportions on Long Island. I intend to pick up this legislation on my return to Albany. I also sponsored the no-texting-while-driving legislation. Again, it is a matter of safety on our roadways. The main goal of the law is to train young people, the biggest offenders who as the next generation are the most open to learning new and better behaviors. The legislation is based on how we became a nation of drivers who buckle up for safety.

I have advocated hard for schools:

· Secured an additional $33 million in school aid over the past two years for the six school districts in the 3rd AD and $1.4 million in discretionary funding for these districts. While the 2% tax cap has been designed to give taxpayers some relief, it has also been hard on school districts who have had to deal with the tough economic times. Discretionary funding enables our schools to save programs and staff.

· Sponsored legislation to eradicate the Gap Elimination Adjustment funding claw-back that has cost school districts on LI $1.5 billion in state aid over four years, burdening local taxpayers. My legislation, co-sponsored by Members of both parties, helped to fuel the Governor’s decision to restore these funds faster, a process that began this year.

· Sponsored legislation to restore the $1.2 million clawed back from South Country in building aid that should have come to the district for solar installations. That legislation passed both houses of the legislature and was vetoed by the Governor. It is clear to me that other school districts will take on green initiatives like this and should be rewarded for it. The State Ed claw-back is unfair. I intend to address it on my return to Albany.

· Sponsored legislation to remove the gag order placed on teachers who administer Common Core testing. It holds teachers to an agreement not to speak about the test and its contents to anyone. I also voted to delay the testing on Common Core and support dismantling parts of Common Core that do not work…..for anyone. I believe it can be done. Control of curriculum should be local and we should “go back to the future” when it comes to how we assess children, teachers and schools. There was a time when it was done well and far more humanely.

I have also secured a $150,000 increase over two years in funding for roadways; secured funding for a pollution mitigation pilot program to protect waterways; secured $1.5 million in funding to address housing blight and improve parks; secured $100,000 for Bellport Village to assist its downtown revitalization efforts; secured $150,000 in municipal funding for Mastic Beach Village, and passed legislation so they will receive this vital funding consistently in the future; and am working with Tri-State Transportation Campaign to make our roadways safer, smarter and more user-friendly.

I have a reputation as a tax-fighter and in the past two years have helped to pass two budgets that reined in spending, cut taxes, and provided tangible property tax relief for residents. I also voted 93 times against tax increases.

At heart, I am a problem-solver, a consensus-builder, and I feel as if I have only begun to fight for the people of the 3rd AD. For these reasons I respectfully seek your support on November 4.

Candidates running for office are encouraged to send letters to the editor, and a photo, explaining why they believe voters should elect them. Email photo and letter to ryan@patch.com