After a red wave on Long Island, who will speak for the region in Albany?

The political ground beneath Long Island shifted this month — and now the region must again find its footing.

The 2022 election left the Island with fewer seats in the Democratic majorities that retained power in both the State Senate and the Assembly, and with a governor who lost Nassau and Suffolk counties by sizable margins.

Now that Long Island has swung back to mostly Republican representation in this election cycle, it must navigate this tricky territory. Our elected officials from both parties will have to find new ways to use their voices and develop coalitions to address the region's needs.

Regardless of party, Long Island officials always had to fight against the tide in the city-centric Democratic Assembly. But in the State Senate, the region has enjoyed a significant presence, from the days when the so-called Long Island Nine featured prominently in the Republican majority and local members held the leader's seat, to more recently, when Democrats attempted to be heard in their majority caucus.

Now, Long Island has just two state senators in the majority — Kevin Thomas in Nassau and Monica Martinez in Suffolk. And the region could lose two Democrats in the Assembly, including long-serving Steven Englebright, which would leave it with eight Democrats in the 22-member Island delegation.

A SUBURBAN COALITION

To maintain Long Island's clout in Albany within that landscape, the Senate and Assembly members must form new coalitions among suburban and other like-minded colleagues. They must have the courage to buck their parties and find bipartisan common ground on funding and policy critical to the region.

Gov. Kathy Hochul faces her own rocky terrain. The election results were a warning: Ignore Long Island at your peril. Both Nassau and Suffolk voted for Republican Lee Zeldin, along with every other Republican challenger for statewide offices.

While Hochul clearly grasps the Island's priorities, she will need to show strong support for them, starting with her State of the State message and presentation of the executive budget in January. Hochul's agenda must emphasize Long Island's economic development, environmental, housing, and other concerns. In many ways, the Island's successes and failures affect the entire state, which stands to benefit from gains in Nassau and Suffolk.

Statewide issues affect Long Island, too. On those broader topics — from criminal justice to spending — local representatives must make the perspectives of their constituents clear.

The local to-do list starts with funding — for schools, roads and public transit, for economic development and housing, and more. The Long Island Investment Fund, which Hochul established during the last budget season, still has money to dole out — a task for the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council and Empire State Development, now chaired by Kevin Law. Those funds should go to game-changing efforts that will boost the Island's economy, especially in such areas as the region's fledgling life sciences and biotech industries. In addition, the state will have to determine where funds from the successful $4.2 billion environmental bond act will go; the Island should be a major beneficiary, from sewer infrastructure and water quality to open space preservation and wetlands restoration.

DIFFERENT TACK ON HOUSING

Then there's housing. Since last year's efforts to supersede local zoning failed, Hochul has to take a different tack to push for more housing to meet the Island's need for more options. Instead of mandating changes, Hochul must focus on providing incentives to local communities so new construction can gain local support.

On transit, state officials should work with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to shore up the agency's dismal financial picture by developing new funding strategies on the operating side and by continuing to encourage riders' returns. Hochul should push the MTA to use its considerable land to jump-start housing at transit hubs.

The state also has several big impending moves specific to Long Island, from determining the future operations and control of the Long Island Power Authority to siting three downstate casino licenses. Approving the New York Racing Association's ability to access state bonds for a new grandstand and clubhouse at Belmont Park also is key.

There's a lot to do. What must not be on the list: leaving Long Island behind.