NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
STEVE COL�N
REPUBLICAN
BACKGROUND:
Col�n, 28, of Brentwood, also is running on the Conservative line. He has a
master's degree in government and politics from St. John's University and
another in public policy from Stony Brook University. He works as a program
coordinator for Youth Enrichment Services, an Islip-based organization that
counsels at-risk teenagers. He also is an adjunct professor at local colleges.
This is Col�n's first bid for elected office.
ISSUES: Col�n says he wants to create more "work force housing" on Long
Island to combat the "brain drain" of young adults leaving for career
opportunities and affordable housing elsewhere. He says he will be responsive
to voters' needs and hold regular meetings with constituents. He has said he
wants to change Albany's culture, including its propensity for delivering
budgets late. "We need representatives that are not a part of that
dysfunctional system," he said.
PHILIP RAMOS
DEMOCRAT
BACKGROUND:
Ramos, 48, of Central Islip, also is running on the Independence and
Working Family lines. He is seeking his second term. Ramos is a former Suffolk
County police officer and once worked as an aide and emergency medical
technician at Pilgrim State Psychiatric Hospital.
ISSUES: Ramos said he's delivered $39 million in extra funds to local
school districts, $1.2 million for a technology center to teach children
computer skills and $40,000 for an anti- gang initiative. Ramos touts his
record of working with foreign governments - including those of El Salvador and
Guatemala - to bring more services to residents in Central Islip and
Brentwood, including helping to establish a Salvadoran consular office in his
district. He said having a representative from the Assembly's majority party
serves the district well. "For a community that has been ignored for so many
years ... voting for a Republican would be a disservice," he said.
About the job
Member of the New York State Assembly
Term: 2 years
Salary: Base salary of $79,500; members of the Assembly also receive
stipends ranging from $9,000 to $41,500 for holding committee or party
positions.
Duties: Represents one of 150 districts. Helps shape the state budget and
can introduce and sponsor legislation, resolutions and constitutional
amendments.
