Not even in office for a month, New York State Senator Craig Johnson took time to talk to the Great Neck Record. He is busy and he is enthusiastic about the work before him. "From day one, I rolled up my sleeves and addressed the issues I campaigned for," the senator stated.

For starters, Senator Johnson is really enjoying the budget process. "It's negotiating, it's give and take ... and I'm really enjoying this, just being included in the process, " he said. The senator said that the legislature is "digging deep, working to cut property taxes." In order to do this, the plan is to reduce the growth in Medicaid and then be able to "push it (the extra funds) over to a property tax cut."

Senator Johnson then touched on one of his first official acts, a discussion concerning the controversial Third Track project. The senator already met with MTA Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Lee Sander, and Long Island Rail Road Acting President Raymond Kenny to talk about the process.

When the Record spoke with Senator Johnson, last Monday, Feb. 26, he was already talking about a bill concerning diesel power generation, a bill that had just been adopted that very day. This bill calls for a limit on the ability to use diesel power generation in areas that are at risk with the environment. The senator assured, though, that such diesel power generation, even if limited in use in specific areas, would still be available in emergency situations.

Up in Albany three days a week, in the legislative building, Senator Johnson quickly received three impressive committee appointments. First, he noted, he was appointed a ranking member of the Environmental Conservation Committee. This, he says, "is a testament for to my hard work in the Nassau County Legislature, protecting the environment." This county work, he said, "will pay off in Albany."

The senator is equally proud of his appointment to the Local Government Committee. This appointment, he said, probably has a lot to do with the fact that his seventh senatorial district includes 33 villages and many special districts.

The third appointment is to the Ethics Committee, where Senator Johnson believes that this appointment came through following all of his work to carry out reforms.

In addition to his workload as a working state senator, the new senator is also in the process of staffing his offices and finding a new district office. He is in Albany three days a week and that office is well on its way; the senator may be reached there at 518 455-2622. All phone calls will be answered promptly, Senator Johnson assured.

As for a district office, he is still looking. For this downstate office, he emphasized that he is off to a great start, having appointed Great Neck's Rafe Lieber as chief-of-staff. "Rafe is phenomenal," the senator said, adding, "he brings so much to the table." The process of finding a district office is fairly complicated; for one thing, it must be ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) compliant.

When asked if he is limiting his office search to his home community, Port Washington, Senator Johnson was quick to state that he has no such limitations. "I represent the entire area; Great Neck," he emphasized. "I'm here for everyone."

As he said when campaigning, Senator Johnson reiterated that Great Neck is important to him and that he will "be around here," He added, "Remember, I married into Great Neck; my wife, Liz (Kase) is a Great Neck girl."

Craig Johnson, upbeat and thrilled with his new position, said that he is "really just honored" to be state senator, and to "succeed Michael Balboni and continue in that tradition."

And Senator Johnson again stressed that "Great Neck and the other areas put their trust in me; I'm here for them."

The 7th Senate District encompasses the entire Town of North Hempstead. It also includes the communities of Elmont, Floral Park, South Floral Park, Stewart Manor, Bellerose, Bellerose Terrace, Franklin Square, and part of Hicksville.