Republican incumbent Steven Labriola is seeking re-election to his seat in the 12th Assembly District. The assemblyman, who is also running on the Independence and Conservative lines, is hoping this election will award him a fourth term in office.

Labriola has a master's degree in government, politics and public administration from St. John's University. He worked as director of operations for the Town of Oyster Bay before his election to the Assembly six years ago.

If re-elected, Labriola said one of his top priorities would be fighting for the passage of a bill to put the most dangerous pedophiles and rapists in secure mental health facilities after they have been released from prison. "We already have Megan's Law, which notifies the community about these offenders' whereabouts," Labriola said. "This is the next logical step for us."

According to Labriola, the US Supreme Court has ruled it is not a violation of the Constitution under the double jeopardy clause, and several states have already adopted the law. "There is a small but dangerous percentage of Level 3 offenders released back into the community that are more than likely to commit their crimes again," Labriola said. "They destroy children's lives, they destroy women's lives. There is no cure."

One local project Labriola said he would like to see reach completion is traffic improvement along Sunrise Highway in Massapequa, commonly referred to as the Sunrise Corridor. "This heavily congested area has a very high accident rate," Labriola said. "I have already got the Department of Transportation to commit to several million dollars in improvements. Working with State Senator Charles Fuschillo and Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto, we have presented a plan to the public. Now it is a matter of making the plan acceptable to the community."

Another local project that Labriola is interested in is the Liberty Superfund site in Farmingdale. "I'd like to see the transfer of property go through, the cleanup well on the way to completion. Ultimately, I'd like to see the site become a productive property for the township, as well as the community.

Labriola said he sees the rebuilding of New York's infrastructure and economy in the wake of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center as one of the biggest issues affecting New York today. "I'd like to get the state back on track while continuing the STAR program and maintaining our commitments to education and health care," Labriola said. "We expect that next year will be a difficult year. The full effect of September 11 will be felt. We expect a shortfall in revenue, and health care and education comprise more than half of the state's general fund. If we can get through the next year without cuts to programs we are already committed to, that would be a great accomplishment."

Labriola added he would look for other ways to stimulate revenue for the state, such as the tax on cigarettes and Powerball gambling.

The 12th Assembly District, which includes the Massapequas, Plainedge and South Farmingdale, was recently redistricted to include areas of Levittown, Island Trees, North Wantagh and part of Seaford.

"They have added quite a few residents to my district, so I've been working very hard in those areas trying to get to know people and hoping that they will support me," Labriola said.

His qualifications and experience are what he feels sets him apart from the competition. "I understand the legislative process. I know how to get things done for people. I know what levers to pull in government. I have the ability to work efficiently and effectively on behalf of the people," Labriola said. "These are times that would really call for an experienced person because next year is going to be a difficult year."

Stanley B. Bergman, a resident of Levittown for over 25 years, is making his first run for public office by seeking election to the 12th Assembly District. He has been an auditor for the Nassau County Comptroller's Office since 1994, and has served as president of his union's unit there since 1999.

A product of the New York City public school system, with a masters degree in accounting from C.W. Post of Long Island University, Bergman has received endorsements from the Civil Service Employees Association and the United Auto Workers, Region 9A, because of his over 10 years as a union activist. He is also endorsed by the National Organization for Women in recognition of his consistent commitment and support for issues such as pay equity and reproductive freedom, and his stand against workplace discrimination and domestic violence.

Bergman said he decided to run for office because he felt there were certain issues that needed to be addressed that "... weren't being addressed by the current cast of characters."

Bergman said he sees the budget as the most important issue affecting New York today. He said he would support state tax reform that would raise the highest-earning income bracket from $85,000 to $200,000 and tax higher wage-earners more to help pay for education and other programs now borne by local municipalities.

"Over the past 10 years we have been giving tax breaks to the most wealthy," Bergman explained. "Anyone who makes over $85,000 a year, regardless how far over, he or she stills pays the same rate, where 10 years ago it used to be different. The state had plenty of money because everyone was paying his or her share. Now the more wealthy people aren't paying their fair share and the state has no money. It has to borrow or pass on the responsibility to the local municipalities."

Bergman also supports raising the hourly minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.75; requiring any employer receiving state aid or a state contract to pay their employees a living wage of $10 an hour with health benefits or $11.50 without benefits; increasing the maximum payout in workers' compensation benefits; and better prices for prescription drugs through negotiations by the state.

One of the local issues that Bergman calls his "crusade" is to encourage Long Islanders to rethink the Department of Transportation's $5 billion LITP2000 transportation plan, which he claims will turn roads like the Southern State into expressways.

"The plan, which calls for allowing commercial traffic on many roads where it has previously been restricted, would involve redoing the bridges, taking away some of the green space, and putting up noise abutment walls. The air pollution would greatly increase."

Bergman has pledged not to rest until the plan places greater emphasis on "much needed" public transit. This has earned Bergman an endorsement from the Long Island Progressive Coalition.

"I am strongly against the LITP2000 plan," Bergman said. "I've been talking to a lot of people on the street about it and everyone I talk to seems to agree with me that it's not the best idea for Long Island."

Bergman said his financial background, along with the fact that he is just a "regular working citizen," make him an ideal candidate for the position. "I know what the challenges are that working people have, being a working person myself. I know where the frustrations are and where the relief is needed. And my district is made up of working class communities."

The 12th Assembly District is comprised of the Massapequas, Plainedge, South Farmingdale, and Island Trees, as well as parts of Bethpage, Levittown, North Wantagh and Seaford.