Senator Martin J. Golden (R,C) was elected to represent Brooklyn’s 22nd Senate District in 2002. 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.
Senator Marty Golden has established himself as one of the most influential lawmakers in the City and State of New York. Senator Golden has authored over 222 laws most notably in the areas of public safety, tax cuts, economic development, and senior citizen issues.
Marty Golden is a retired 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’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.
The oldest 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 was 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 from $24,000 to $29,000 seniors and disabled.
In February 2007, Senator Golden was named Chairman of the Senate Majority Task Force on Critical Choices. Senator Golden and Task Force members advanced a wide array of important legislative initiatives including: the death penalty for cop killers; Granny’s Law to punish criminals who assault senior citizens; an Airline Consumer Protection Bill of Rights; and a number of measures to help reduce the tax burden on New Yorkers, strengthen our economy and create new jobs.
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.
From 1998 through 2002, Marty Golden represented the 43rd Councilman District in the New York City Council. 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.
In 2011, Senator Golden was selected by Majority Leader Dean Skelos to serve as the Senate’s Representative to the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) Capital Program Review Board. The Board is responsible for overseeing and approving the MTA’s five year capital spending programs.
Because of his leadership on a myriad of issues facing New York State, Senator Skelos appointed Golden Chairman of the Republican Conference Steering Committee for the 2013-14 Legislative Session.
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 children, Michael and P.J.
Standing Committee Assignments 2013: Civil Service & Pensions Committee (Chairman); Select Committee on Science, Technology, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (Chairman); Aging, Banks; Codes; Finance; Health, Insurance; Investigations & Government Operations; and Veterans.
