How does a bill become a law in the New York State Legislature? Assemblyman Thomas P. DiNapoli (D-Great Neck), who represents the 16th Assembly District, is one of 150 Assembly members and 62 Senators who make up the state legislature. Each year about 14,000 bills are introduced. Of these, 2,000 are acted upon and about 800 are signed into law. The governor has the power to veto any bill he chooses, but the veto can be overridden by a two-thirds vote from both the Assembly and the Senate.

As an Assemblyman, DiNapoli drafts, analyzes and votes on proposals that affect the 16th Assembly District and all New Yorkers. The proposed law's journey starts as a "bill" which is introduced in the Legislature. The bill can have many sponsors or it can have only one sponsor. A bill will usually have a separate Assembly and Senate sponsor.

Before it is passed by the Legislature, various committees (smaller groups of legislators) examine and analyze the bill before it is put on a calendar so it can be voted on by the full membership of the Assembly or the Senate. After being approved by both houses the bill is delivered to the Governor where it must be acted upon within 10 days. The governor can sign the bill into law, allow the bill to become law without his signature, or he may veto the bill.

Besides acting on bills, the legislature is hard at work in an effort to achieve an on-time budget for the state.

"Last year for the first time in more than two decades the state budget was enacted on time," said DiNapoli. "I'm looking forward to another on-time budget which addresses the needs of the people of the state."

Joint legislative public hearings will be held through Feb. 16, followed by a revenue forecast scheduled to be released by Feb. 27. The Assembly and Senate are expected to adopt their budget plans by March 13. Differences in the plans adopted by each house will be resolved by Joint Legislative Conference Committees from March 14 through March 24. The joint legislative budget bills are expected to be passed by the Assembly and Senate from March 27 through March 31.

Thomas P. DiNapoli (D-Great Neck) and schools in the 16th Assembly District are opening their hearts to the Assemblyman's annual Valentines for Vets project.

"The students have given from their hearts to make veterans' lives better," said DiNapoli. "Their consciousness has been raised about the important role that veterans have played in our nation's history."

Members of the community can participate by sending a Valentine or donating items that our veterans could use. Donations can be dropped off at the Assemblyman's District Office at 11 Middle Neck Road, Suite 200 in Great Neck. The Valentine Day goodies will be distributed at the State Veterans Home in Stony Brook and at the Northport VA Medical Center.

Suggested items include cards, large-print paperback books or crossword puzzles, note cards, stamps, patriotic caps or T-shirts, disposable cameras, socks, slipper socks, sweatpants, sweatshirts, travel size toiletries, men's winter hats, gloves and scarves.

"Valentines for Vets shows veterans and their families that they have not been forgotten and that our society still appreciates the sacrifices they made to keep our country free and secure," said DiNapoli.

For questions on donations, please call Judi Bosworth at Assemblyman DiNapoli's office at 482-6966.