Lifelong Levittown resident Kathleen Murray, elected to the New York State Assembly in a special election in February 1998 is currently seeking her second full term in office. According to Murray some really big steps have been made both legislatively and on the local level during her tenure in office and she hopes to continue those strides if re-elected.

Legislatively, Murray points to increased income eligibility for the EPIC program, thus giving greater coverage to the elderly for their prescriptions; the repeal of the marriage penalty tax; the repeal of the estate and gift tax; and the continuation of the STAR program, which Murray notes helps seniors stay in their homes and in their communities, as being among the top initiatives that the Assembly has taken this past year. Murray noted that one of her goals, if re-elected, is to expand the pharmaceutical program even further, to help more seniors but also to help the uninsured.

One of the areas that the Legislature has dealt with that is particularly close to Murray's heart is education. She serves as the chairperson of the minority's task force on education and has held 13 roundtable discussions around the state to discuss how the new educational standards are affecting children. The report of the task force's findings has been cited by the Board of Regents as they discuss the implementation of the new state standards. Murray is also very pleased that this year, for the fourth straight year, there have been recorded increases in state aid to school districts. One of her goals, if re-elected is to make sure that Long Island is getting its fair share of those increases. In addition Murray is pleased that this year the state Legislature was able to approve programs that would make it easier to pay for a college education, namely an increase in the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), the institution of the Tuition Savings Program which would allow people to deduct up to $10,000 spent on college tuition from their state taxes, and the College Savings Program whereby NYers can put away up to either $5,000 or $10,000 (depending on whether they are single or married) in a College Tuition Savings Account, which can be taken right off that person or couple's state income taxes. Murray noted that the College Tuition Savings Account is also good because it is a good nest egg for the child that has to be used for education.

The environment is also an important area, noted Murray, because the 19th Assembly District takes in Jones Beach and the only landlocked community is Levittown. Every other community in that district is on the water. In this same vein, Murray said that finding out the effect that MTBE has on the water table is what prompted her to sponsor Legislation creating a task force on MTBE. This task force studied the environmental and health effects that MTBE has on the water table and made recommendations to the legislature and the governor. The School Pesticide Notification Law, requiring schools to make parents aware of any pesticide spraying at least 48 hours before it occurs, was also an important environmental piece of legislation according to Murray.

Environmental issues are something that Murray vows to continue her work on if re-elected. "I'm always looking to shore up and strengthen legislation which helps our air and protects our water tables," said Murray. She added, "When we look at the beautiful natural wonders we have on Long Island we know that we have to be environmentally sensitive and we really have to be aggressive in protecting ourselves and our children and the beautiful natural elements that we have right here on the Island." She stated that there is no way a state legislator with a district such as hers can not be sensitive to environmental concerns. "It's not just through necessity, it's through conviction," said Murray. "I really want to continue to be aggressive on the legislation that we pass in protecting ourselves and our environment."

On a more local level, one of the accomplishments of which Murray is most proud is the Hempstead Turnpike Revitalization Project, the groundbreaking for which was held last month. This $10 million project involves the beautification of the Hempstead Turnpike corridor from the Wantagh Parkway to the Bethpage State Parkway. "This has been the cornerstone of my local work for the Levittown community," Murray said. "As a native of Levittown I've been really interested and really deeply concerned about beautifying Hempstead Turnpike. It's been an eyesore, in my opinion, and I made a vow to myself that if I were ever to become a public official I would really try to push some sort of beautification program." When she became the first native Levittowner to be elected to the Assembly she went to work putting that vow into action and worked very closely with the Department of Transportation to make sure that project was planned with the best interests of the community in mind. Murray also was involved in revitalization projects in Merrick, Bellmore, Freeport, and Baldwin. She said that the team effort between the chambers of commerce and local government needed in order for these projects to go forth has been part and parcel of a theme she has worked on since entering office.

In addition to the turnpike beautification, Murray has also helped the Levittown community through various state grants including one to VFW Post 9592 which funded, making their facility handicapped accessible. She also, with the help of former Councilwoman Linda Reed, helped secure grants for various programs in the Levittown Vocational Center so they could update and upgrade their equipment.

Recognizing that Levittown is a working community, Murray noted that it is important that the state Legislature be mindful of the fact that despite the need for an increase in programs, taxpayers only have so much money to give.

Murray is very active in the Levittown community. Among other involvements throughout her district, she is a member of the Kiwanis, the Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 9592, a eucharistic minister and lector at St. Bernard's Church, a member of the Levittown Historical Society and a member of the LPOA.

Although she is pleased with the legislative initiatives that were passed this year, Murray said that is not the most important aspect of her job as an assemblywoman. "My constituent services are what I feel is the cornerstone of what I do as a state representative. I know that when someone calls my office, they have a problem and need a solution and so when I can provide a resolution to a problem, I know that the bottom line is that I've helped one person and that, in my opinion, is absolutely the most important aspect of my job. Helping my constituents in whatever problem they are experiencing, to me, is the best measure of my success in the job," concluded Murray.