Michaelle C. Solages for Assembly District 22

Michaelle C. Solages is ascending in the Assembly’s firmament, and is now chair of the body’s Local Governments Committee and the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus. That puts her in a key position, where, she said, she wants to help the Long Island delegation “galvanize and organize” to “get much more than we’ve been getting,” from funding universal pre-K to making sure the region’s perspective is heard and its needs addressed.

Solages, 41, suggests finding new ways to “modernize” the tax cap to deal with inflationary pressures, but doesn’t think anything will happen immediately.

A “big win” for the Elmont Democrat came with her bill this year that prevents utility companies from passing on lobbying costs to ratepayers, instead requiring shareholders to foot the bill. Now, Solages wants to take a hard look at the state Public Service Commission ratemaking process to avoid what she calls “blanket” rate increase approvals. But Solages is also focused on her constituents’ high Liberty Water bills, noting that she attends every South Nassau Water Authority meeting and hopes for a faster process to municipalization.

Solages’ persistence and commitment have served her well in successfully navigating difficult negotiations, especially in terms of economic development like the remake of Belmont Park and its extensive property. This year, she worked to find a location and plan for the promised Elmont community center, which is moving forward. Now, Solages hopes to play a big role in the revitalization of Valley Stream, which won a state $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant this year. “I’m not going to squander an opportunity,” she said.

She feels similarly about the future of the Southern State Parkway. Exit 15 ramps have been upgraded; Exit 13 is underway. She’s focused on Exits 17 and 18, but also has bigger aspirations of creating a “highway priority zone” that would need more traffic control and enforcement, and seeking new ideas to fix the troubled roadway. “It’s my passion project,” Solages said.

Valley Stream Republican Robert G. Inzerillo is a Valley Stream public safety officer, and a security officer for local arenas and stadiums. Inzerillo, 64, who also coaches and directs a baseball program, said he’d focus on youth development and public safety. He said he wants to provide more resources for state and local police, increase state patrols on the Southern State, coordinate with utilities when road work is done, and make sure gender identity-related issues aren’t taught in school.

Solages has become a significant voice for Long Island. The region needs her in Albany.

Newsday Opinion endorses Solages.