Governor George E. Pataki announced last week that he has nominated Assemblywoman Donna Ferrara (15th A.D.) to serve a seven-year term as commissioner of the New York State Workers' Compensation Board.

"Assemblywoman Ferrara has served the people of Nassau County and New York State with great distinction in the State Legislature and I know she will do an excellent job as a commissioner of the State Workers' Compensation Board," Pataki said. "She is an accomplished legislator and attorney whose extensive knowledge of state government and considerable experience working with local business leaders will serve the board well."

Of the nomination, Ferrara said, "I'm pleased Governor Pataki has nominated me for this important position. I have enjoyed my 12 years serving in the State Assembly and look forward to taking on this new opportunity serving the people of New York."

The nomination, which is subject to confirmation by the New York State Senate, comes less than a month after questions arose regarding Ferrara's full-time residence within the district. In mid-2004 Ferrara sold her Salisbury home and was allegedly renting a house on Walters Avenue in Syosset. However, Oyster Bay Town officials state that Ferrara never lived there, thus sparking controversy over whether or not the assemblywoman was a resident of the district at the time of the election.

As a result, the Nassau County District Attorney Denis Dillon began an inquiry last month into whether or not Ferrara actually resided in the 15th A.D. for a full year prior to being re-elected. According to Katie Grilli-Robles, spokesperson for Dillon, the inquiry, which is a step below an investigation, is still ongoing. "That won't change with the nomination," she said. "If we find anything that we feel warrants further looking into, it will turn into an investigation."

As it stands now, Ferrara, who was elected to her seventh consecutive term as assemblywoman in November 2004, will resign upon the New York State Senate's confirmation of her nomination to the board. As a result, a special election, called by Governor Pataki, must take place within 90 days of Ferrara's resignation.

Anthony Santino, Hempstead Town Councilman and spokesperson for Republican Chairman Joseph Mondello, confirmed Hicksville resident Robert Walker for the Republican ticket. Walker, a Nassau GOP executive and deputy commissioner of the town's parks department, said he is looking forward to the opportunity and appreciative of the Republican endorsement. He is the son of Oyster Bay Town Councilwoman Rose Marie Walker.

Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs said his party has begun the process of screening candidates and will make a recommendation to its executive committee, which makes the final decision. Jacobs added that Old Westbury resident Richard Taubman, who ran against Ferrara in 2004, is a strong possibility as the party candidate. "He ran last time and did very well," said Jacobs. "We are giving that very serious consideration."

The 15th Assembly District - the largest district in Nassau County - is comprised of 40 election districts and communities within the Towns of Hempstead, North Hempstead and Oyster Bay. The district includes Locust Valley, Hicksville, Brookville, Old Brookville, Upper Brookville, Matinecock, Salisbury, Westbury, Old Westbury, Oyster Bay, Mill Neck, East Norwich and Glenwood Landing as well as parts of Glen Head, Jericho, Laurel Hollow, Syosset, Bethpage, Greenvale, East Hills, Woodbury, Muttontown, Oyster Bay Cove, Roslyn Harbor, Plainview and East Meadow.

Ferrara's tenure in the Assembly has been highlighted by many important legislative achievements, including the passage of landmark statewide legislation that prohibited discrimination by insurance companies against breast cancer victims. Additionally, she has been recognized for her significant contributions to crime prevention and victims' rights legislation. In 1996, the Nassau County Police Department named Ferrara Honorary Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

Prior to becoming a member of the State Assembly, Ferrara served as legislative aide for the late State Senator Norman Levy in Albany and as a legislative counsel to State Senator Kemp Hannon. She also served as a deputy town attorney for the Town of Hempstead, where she served as the town's Freedom of Information Officer and worked on economic development and real property tax issues. Ferrara holds bachelor's degrees in English and business from the State University of New York at Albany and received her J.D. in 1984 from St. John's University School of Law. She is a member of the New York State and Nassau County Bar Associations and sits on the Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program's board of directors.