GOLDEN, Martin J.
Martin J.Golden
Senator Martin J. Golden (R,C) was elected to represent Brooklyn's 22nd Senate District in 2002 and was re-elected in 2004 and 2006. The 22nd State Senate District includes the neighborhoods of Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend and parts of Sheepshead Bay, Borough Park and Midwood.
During his first two terms in the State Legislature, Senator Marty Golden has quickly established himself as one of the most influential lawmakers in the City and State of New York. Senator Golden has authored over 75 laws most notably in the areas of public safety, tax cuts, economic development, and senior citizen issues.
Marty Golden’s distinguished career as a New York City Police Officer, provided him with the knowledge and experience to make our streets safer. Senator Marty Golden worked to strengthen the Megan’s Law sex offender registry and expand the DNA databank to include all persons convicted of a felony and certain misdemeanors. In December 2005, Senator Golden sponsored the laws to increase penalties against gun-runners and those that injure or kill police officers.
In 2006, Senator Golden wrote a tough law that mandates prison for the possession of a single loaded illegal firearm. Senator Golden’s bills were a priority of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Working with a diverse group of parents, educators, clergy and school choice advocates, Senator Golden delivered a $330 child tax credit for public, private and parochial school students. Senator Golden’s diligent efforts secured $11.2 billion in funding to improve New York City Public Schools including a new high school in Sunset Park and many other classrooms improvements to ensure that our students receive a sound basic education.
As one of eight children born to Irish immigrants, Marty Golden knows that working families need tax breaks to help make ends meet. Senator Golden delivered the laws that eliminated the state sales tax on clothing and footwear; secured a $400 property tax cut for New York City residents; and eliminated the personal income tax marriage penalty. As Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, Senator Golden is credited by nationally recognized advocacy groups for championing the rights of senior citizens through the Assisted Living Law of 2004. Under his leadership, a number of significant bills affecting older Americans have been enacted, including a new Elderlaw; the Senior Bill of Rights; Long Term Care Reform, internet posting of retail prescription drug prices and a single EPIC/Medicare prescription drug card. Senator Golden wrote the law that raised SCRIE income eligibility limits for seniors and the disabled. Yet, what distinguishes Marty Golden's career in public service is his emphasis on community service and ability to bring back funding for important community programs including health care, education, transportation, law enforcement and senior citizen programs. Senator Marty Golden sponsors popular neighborhood events like senior citizen days, Halloween walks, Christmas tree lightings, Menorah lightings, Easter egg hunts, summer concerts in the park, summer movie nights, women’s history month, Senator for the day, Asian Lunar New Year, environmental clean ups, district office open house, school trips to Albany, mammograms, prostate screenings, and flu shots for senior citizens. From 1998 through 2002, Marty Golden represented the 43rd Councilmanic District in the New York City Council. As a member of the Council, Marty served on the Committees on Finance, Parks and Recreation, Public Safety and State and Federal Legislation, as well as on the Select Subcommittees on Senior Citizen Centers and the Waterfront. In the days immediately after 9/11, Councilman Golden's office coordinated the shipment of more than 200 truckloads of food, clothing, and materials to the volunteers working at "Ground Zero" and helped to establish the first Community Emergency Response Team (CERT 1 NYC) in New York State. Marty Golden is a former New York City Police Officer who received numerous awards during his ten years with the Police Department. Marty was forced to retire in 1983, after suffering a serious injury while making a narcotics arrest. Marty Golden attended St. Patrick's and Our Lady of Angels Grammar Schools, New York School of Printing, and John Jay College. He is a graduate of St. John’s University. Marty and his wife, Colleen, have two school-age children, Michael and P.J. Standing Committee Assignments 2007: Aging (Chair); Senate Majority Task Force on Critical Choices (Chair); Banks; Codes; Crime Victims, Crime & Corrections; Education; Insurance; Investigations and Government Operations; Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs.