Martin Golden

Martin Golden
200px Golden in 2012
Member of the New York State Senate from the 22nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 1, 2003
Preceded by	Seymour P. Lachman
Member of the New York City Council from the 43rd District
In office January 1, 1998 – December 31, 2002
Preceded by	Sal F. Albanese
Succeeded by	Vincent J. Gentile
Personal details
Born	(1950-09-22) September 22, 1950 Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Residence	Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Alma mater	St. John's University
Occupation	Police officer
Religion	Roman Catholic
Signature	Martin Golden's signature
Website	www.golden.nysenate.gov

Martin J. Golden (born September 22, 1950) is an American politician from Brooklyn, New York, one of the five boroughs of New York City. Currently a member of the New York State Senate, Golden is a former member of the New York City Council. Golden is currently the only Republican State Senator from Brooklyn, and one of only three Republican elected officials in Brooklyn, along with Nicole Malliotakis, and Daniel M. Donovan, Jr..

Career

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.

From 1998 through 2002, Golden represented the 43rd Councilmanic District in the New York City Council. In the days immediately after 9/11, 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.

Golden has established himself as one of the most influential lawmakers in the City and State of New York. Golden has authored over 75 laws most notably in the areas of public safety, tax cuts, economic development, and senior citizen issues.

Golden worked to strengthen the sex offender registry and expand the DNA databank to include all persons convicted of a felony and certain misdemeanors. In December 2005, Golden sponsored the laws to increase penalties against gun-runners and those that injure or kill police officers. In 2006, Golden wrote a tough law that mandates prison for the possession of a single loaded illegal firearm. 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, Golden delivered a $330 child tax credit for public, private and parochial school students. 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 Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, 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. Golden wrote the law that raised SCRIE from $24,000 to $29,000 for seniors and disabled.

In February 2007, Golden was named Chairman of the Senate Majority Task Force on Critical Choices. 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 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.

In 2011, 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.

In July 2015, Senator Golden made a controversial comment or joke regarding marijuana and same-sex gay marriage. He quoted from the book of Leviticus and falsely stated that same sex marriage and recreational marijuana use were both legalized on the same day in America according to this verse in the Bible. Some gay people were offended by his "joke" regarding gay men being "stoned." Marty Golden has since deleted this comment from an internet website.

Personal life

Golden is the oldest of eight children born to Irish immigrants who settled in Bay Ridge. Marty and his wife, Colleen, have two children, Michael and P.J. Golden attended St. Patrick's and Our Lady of Angels Grammar Schools, New York School of Printing, and John Jay College. He holds an associate degree from St. John’s University.

Golden is a retired New York City Police Officer who received numerous awards during his ten years with the Police Department. Golden was forced to retire in 1983, after suffering a serious injury while making a narcotics arrest. Golden's website claims that his "distinguished career as a New York City Police Officer provided him with the knowledge and experience to make our streets safer."

External links

• Senator Marty Golden Official website.
• New York State Senate: Martin J. Golden

Political offices
Preceded by Sal Albanese	New York City Council, 43rd District 1998–2002	Succeeded by Vincent J. Gentile
New York State Senate
Preceded by Seymour P. Lachman	New York State Senate, 22nd District 2003–present	Incumbent
Preceded by Ruben Diaz	Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aging January 2011–January 2011	Succeeded by David Valesky
Preceded by Bill Larkin	Chairman of the Senate Committee on Civil Service and Pensions January 2011–present	Incumbent