Assembly Republicans, including David McDonough (R, 19th A.D.), vice chair of the Assembly Minority Task Force on Sex Crimes and Violence, launched a petition drive to help get a civil confinement law passed in New York State. They rallied at a June 27 press conference in Mineola. The legislation has passed the Senate for years and Assembly Republicans are confident Governor George Pataki will sign the bill into law once it passes his desk. FULL STORY

Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy recently met with Joe Reekie of Floral Park, Floral Park Trustee Gerard Bambrick, Linda Dersch of Floral Park, Tom Bock of the New York Port Authority and Bill Huisman, director of the Aviation Development Council in her Garden City office. McCarthy invited representatives from the Village of Floral Park and the aviation community to discuss airplane noise issues. Floral Park Mayor Phil Guarnieri and Steve Kelley of the Federal Aviation Administration also attended the meeting. FULL STORY