Avella (D)

On the Issues

Endorsements

Record in Office

Currently: NYS Senator for the 11th District (2010-Present)

Previous Work: City Council (D-19) (2002-2009)

Education: BA, Hunter College-CUNY

On the Issues

• Budget↓

  Introduced legislation in 2011 to keep the "millionaire's tax" through 2012, yet amend it so that:

  • only those who are actual millionaires are taxed at the 8.97%
  • those who make over $250,000 are not taxed at higher rates, so as not to impact "tens of thousands  of businesses that report business income through personal income tax"
  • NYS takes in an additional $4.2 billion. Albany Business Review

• Economy↓

  Introduced legislation "to provide stricter oversight of federally-chartered banks by the State Department of Fi94pxcial Services (DFS)." Press Release

• Education↓

  Arranged funding:

  • $2 million for renovations to a Queens College teaching laboratory. Forum News Group
  • $705,000 for yearlong after-school programming to be administered by Project BOOST, for schools in State Senate District 11 to provide tutoring and museum trips. Queens Chronicle

• Election Reform↓

  Introduced legislation to increase state legislators' terms from two years to four. This legislation passed the State Senate. Press Release

• Environment↓

  "[T]he most pressing [environmental issues facing NYS] are the related concerns of our continued dependence on fossil fuels and hydrofracking natural gas. New York State must be a leader in fostering and actively pursuing the development of new and environmentally sound energy options. What this means is we have to move away from promoting harmful energy options like hydrofracking of natural gas." NY League of Conservation Voters' Eco-Politics Daily

  "[T]he specific legislation that is currently at the top of my priorities list:

  • Hydrofracking - including keeping dangerous fracking fluids and drill cuttings out of our state for purposes of disposal or processing (Bill #S448)
  • Child Safe Products Act (Bill #S4614 - Sen. Boyle)
  • Standing for Individuals to bring legal action in regard to the State Environmental Quality Review (Bill #S675)
  • Prohibiting Cadmium-Added Products in jewelry, toys or ornaments (Bill #S6729)
  • Prohibiting Microbeads used in Cosmetic Products (Bill #S7018 - Sen. Grisanti)
  • Ivory Ban in NYS (Bill #S7040)" NY League of Conservation Voters' Eco-Politics Daily

  "I am currently actively working on the noise and air pollution in relation to the increase in air traffic from the two major NYC airports in Queens - JFK and LGA.

  In addition, I am also fighting for reclamation of the waterfront, stopping illegal dumping on planned development sites." NY League of Conservation Voters' Eco-Politics Daily

  Sponsored legislation to require that residents are charged only for water they use, eliminating the 49 cent daily charge that is paid to NYC:

  • "Charging residents only for the water they use would both provide an incentive to conserve water and ensure fairness for those who don't use a lot of water."
  • "I personally think that government has to be fair and if it will cost a little more money in the budget, so be it." Queens Chronicle

  Filed a lawsuit to prevent construction of a shopping mall in Willets Point on property within Flushing Meadows Corona Park, within the Citi Field parking lot:

  • "The city simply does not have the authority or the right to seize this parkland for these nonpark purposes without the consent of the state Legislature. ... Parks belong to the people and not to private developers."
  • "We are asking you [Mayor Bill De Blasio] to intercede and stop this project from happening and set a precedent that we believe is the law of this city and this state, that you just cannot give away parkland." Queens Chronicle

  Opposes hydrofracking and praised the NYS Court of Appeals decision to uphold the rights of municipalities to prohibit hydrofracking through local zoning ordi94pxces. Press release

• Housing↓

  Supports tax relief for small homeowners: "The city has been hit with increasing taxes each year and it's hit the hardest on owners of one-to-three-family households. ... Co-ops and condos have to be treated the same as everyone else. It's unfair to not give the same tax breaks to small property owners and it's about time they got one." Times Ledger

• Recreation and Culture↓

  Filed a lawsuit to prevent construction of a shopping mall in Willets Point on property within Flushing Meadows Corona Park, within the Citi Field parking lot:

  • "The city simply does not have the authority or the right to seize this parkland for these nonpark purposes without the consent of the state Legislature. ... Parks belong to the people and not to private developers."
  • "We are asking you [Mayor Bill De Blasio] to intercede and stop this project from happening and set a precedent that we believe is the law of this city and this state, that you just cannot give away parkland." Queens Chronicle

• Transportation↓

  Encouraged the MTA and unions to negotiate rather than escalate to a strike, but called for the MTA to have a contingency plan in case of a strike. Press release

  "I am currently actively working on the noise and air pollution in relation to the increase in air traffic from the two major NYC airports in Queens - JFK and LGA.

  In addition, I am also fighting for reclamation of the waterfront, stopping illegal dumping on planned development sites." NY League of Conservation Voters' Eco-Politics Daily

  Regarding bill 6496, to reduce the speed limit in NYC to 20 mph: "The concern I have about the way the current bill is constituted is making it the default 20 miles per hour across the entire city, and making communities then have to petition the city to raise the speed limit in certain areas, whether it's Northern Boulevard or Queens Boulevard, back to 30 miles per hour. I actually met with [Families for Safe Streets...], and I basically told them the same thing. It's so difficult to get the Department of Transportation to approve anything these days, I can't see making communities go back to them to get a speed limit which they already have on major thoroughfares. I'm in total agreement of lowering the speed limit around schools, on quiet residential streets, but I think this is not a cure-all to the problem itself, and I think we need to have a much more comprehensive approach." Streetsblog

Endorsements

Organizations: New York League of Conservation Voters; Communications Workers of America; Service Employees International Union 1199; International Union of Elevator Constructors; Plumbers Union Local 1; Retail Workers Union; Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union; Independent Democratic Conference; Uniformed Firefighters Association of NYC; Empire State Pride Agenda; The Patrolmens Benevolent Association; Sergeants Benevolent Association; Sierra Club; Citizens Union; The Queens Ledger/Queens Examiner; Local 246 SEIU Automotive/Mechanical; Motor Vehicle Operations Union Local 983; Uniformed EMTs, Paramedics & Fire Inspectors – Local 2507, FDNY; Fire Alarm Dispatchers Benevolent Association, FDNY; New York State Troopers; Council of Administrators and Supervisors; Nassau County Sheriff's Correction Officer Benevolent Association; Public Employees Federation; New York State Supreme Court Officers; New York State Nurses Association; Clean Up Jamaica; NYS Nurses Association; NY Daily News

Individuals: New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio; Congressman Steve Israel

Record in Office

NYS Senate Committee Assignments: Chair, Social Services Committee; Vice-Chair, Environmental Conservation Committee; Member  of the Transportation, Education, Codes, Housing, NYC Education, Insurance, Judiciary and Banks Committees

NYC Council Committee Assignments: Chair, Zoning and Franchises Committee

Independent Democratic Conference Membership: