"I love it," says New York State Senator Craig Johnson, when asked about his first seven months representing the state's 7th Senate District. His large district, which includes Great Neck, is an all-encompassing job, and the senator was a wealth of knowledge as he met with the Anton Newspapers editors last week. He touched on issues affecting all parts of the district, and offered up-to-the minute responses to very local questions, such as the sewer diversion problem, which has plagued Great Neck for several years. He delved into the diversion issue and the now companion issue of special districts and consolidation, a topic currently making headline news all over Nassau County.

Senator Johnson, a member of the New York State Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness, said that, first, before consolidation decisions are made, "we have to look at actual savings." He said that each special district must be considered, determining how much would be saved by consolidation and how consolidation would affect the residents. In some instances, the senator said, consolidation might save only a very small amount of money, while it could also negatively impact on residents. "Now we have local control for local service," he emphasized.

For the Village of Great Neck's Water Pollution Control District and for the Great Neck Water Pollution Control District, they have just gone through years of determining whether to combine, to rebuild each plant, or to divert both to Nassau County's Cedar Creek on the South Shore. Surrounded by problems, including issues over grants, the two districts were facing a decision deadline as Senator Johnson began his term this past winter. He moved quickly to help to successfully extend the deadline ahead, enabling the two sewer districts to have the time to make their decisions (each to rebuild their own plants).

And at this point in time, Senator Johnson is still dedicated to working to help obtain the grants that are now crucial for both the village and the district to move ahead with rebuilding plans. "I will do all I can to help get the necessary grants ... to help reduce the tax burden," Senator Johnson stated.

The senator went on to explain that the prospect of diverting the sewage to Cedar Creek has not really been discussed enough; he noted that it has not been brought to the Nassau County legislators for the South Shore, to determine what they thought of possible impacts.

Senator Johnson also stated that, with any consolidation possibilities, not only must the savings and impact be carefully considered, but he believes that the residents must be the ones to vote and decide. "We must look at ways to save money without losing local control," he said. And, one example of how to do this, he said, is the possibility of districts (such as maybe water districts) getting together and using a town attorney, possibly for issues such as those touching on the environment. Districts could also possibly pool to get insurance, too, he added.

And as the senator continued to discuss ways of saving money, he said that he had supported more state aid for local school budgets, and he was instrumental in getting more such state aid for Long Island school districts. "I helped them get their fair share," he said. Senator Johnson ensured that an extra $25 million in state aid went to schools in the 7th Senate District. "We got the most on Long Island," he said.

As for funds for school districts, Senator Johnson made note of the problem with the schools "constantly seeing unfunded mandates." The example he used was the state requirement for calculators for Advanced Placement calculus. The calculators, he said, if mandated by the state, should be paid for by the state, not by the schools.

Senator Johnson also said that with the bulk of local tax bills attributed to school districts, possibly the state should "look at a cap." He then stated that the state might also need "to look and see if property tax is the right way to fund schools." He admitted that he did not know the answer to this, but he did say it should be looked at.

Asked about congestion pricing (New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's proposal for a high toll for driving into the city at specific locations at specific times), Senator Johnson is firmly against this idea. "It's a commuter tax," he said. He went on to explain that his opposition also stems from the fact that some commuters really have no access to mass transit and must drive. The senator fears that this "tax" would hurt middle class workers who must drive to work in Manhattan, and, as well, would hurt those with service companies who come to the city for work and who would pay an even higher toll. Then, he added, the toll would be passed on to the public, which is wrong, in his view.

The claim that the air would be cleaner and safer with this tax, and fewer cars, also does not sit well with Senator Johnson. According to the senator, traffic congestion all day long is mainly from taxicabs and "the big black cars" that are for hire and will not pay this tax. This congestion, he said, could become even worse.

"There are a lot of flaws (in congestion pricing)," Senator Johnson stated. He noted, too, that Long Island would receive no monetary benefit from congestion pricing, and could cause many problems, such as over-crowded trains and parking problems at Long Island train stations. "This is a tax and a money grab," said Senator Johnson, adding, "and it's a burden for residents in the 7th District."

Although Craig Johnson knows that a commission to study the congestion pricing issue has more members for the plan than against it, he is in there, as ever, fighting for his residents. And Senator Johnson said that, although he loves "being home" in his district, "meeting with residents ... helping them solve their problems," he would love to see more time in Albany. "Six months is not enough," he said. With so many issues at stake, he would be happier with more special sessions to deal with each problem.

"I'm ready to go back," said Senator Johnson.