Dear Neighbor,

Sincerely,

Monica R. Martinez
New York State Senator
Fourth Senatorial District

Fall in Focus

Filling Thanksgiving Tables

It is the Season of Giving and I am thankful for Assemblymember O'Pharrow, Legislator Richberg, the Town of Babylon, the Wyandanch Plaza Association, the Albanese Organization, and KGG Enterprises who who partnered with me to provide Thanksgiving meals to 207 families across the township. No one should ever go hungry, and thankfully, we are surrounded by people and organizations in the Wyandanch community who refuse to let that happen.

It was a Fang-tastic Evening

On Halloween, we summoned all the little ghosts, witches, and skeletons for an evening of fun during an annual Trunk or Treat celebration at Geiger Park in Deer Park from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

This free event offered a safe space for kids to enjoy candy, prizes, music, and much more.

Honoring Hispanic Heritage

Hispanic Heritage Month is observed annually from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 to celebrate the pride, strength, and shared traditions that have shaped communities across the United States.  In recognition, I hosted my annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration, where 13 community and business leaders were honored for their outstanding service.  Each honoree’s story reflects the diversity and unity that define our district, and this celebration was a tribute to their lasting impact and the enduring spirit of the Hispanic community.

It was another busy session in Albany and I am pleased to announce that 13 bills have been signed into law so far this year, including:

• S754 – Republic Airport Commission Membership: Simplifies the nomination and appointment process by removing complex residency requirements, eliminating the need for submitting three candidates per vacancy, and standardizing initial terms to four years.
• S2677 – Child Care Services Uniform Tax Exemption Policy: Expands the uniform tax exemption policy to include projects that provide onsite childcare or facilitate new childcare services.
• S7366B – Port Authority Detective Thomas M. Inman Highway Dedication: Dedicates a portion of the state highway system in Babylon, Suffolk County, in honor of Detective Thomas M. Inman, a 9/11 first responder and longtime Port Authority Police officer who died from cancer linked to his work recovery work at Ground Zero.
• S7543A – New Hour for Women and Children LI, Inc. Tax Exemption: Authorizes retroactive real property tax exemptions for New Hour for Women and Children LI, Inc. for the 2022-2023, 2023-2024, and 2024-2025 assessment rolls.
• S7616A – Stony Brook University Housing Lease: Allows SUNY trustees to lease land to the Stony Brook Housing Development Corp. to build undergraduate, graduate, faculty, and staff housing for up to 100 years without public bidding.
• S7620 – Ryder Cup Temporary Medical Licensing: Authorizes out-of-state and foreign-licensed medical professionals to provide services to athletes, coaches, and staff during the 2025 Ryder Cup in New York.
• S7672A – Municipal Cybersecurity and Training: Requires municipal corporations to report cybersecurity incidents and ransom demands, mandates cybersecurity awareness training, and establishes data protection standards for state systems.
• S8024B – Deputy Sheriff Richard Stueber Disability Benefits: Extends 75% accidental disability retirement benefits to the surviving spouse of Deputy Sheriff Richard Stueber, a 9/11 first responder who became permanently disabled from World Trade Center recovery work.
• S8409 – Volunteer Firefighter and Ambulance Worker Property Tax Exemption: Extends the effectiveness of the law allowing local governments to provide property tax exemptions for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers.

With a little less than a month left in the year, the list of bills enacted is expected to grow.

While there is always more to do, I am proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish during 2025 and look forward to continuing to advance forward thinking policies to promote opportunity and improve each New Yorker’s quality of life.

Fired-up

The Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) presented its 2025 Golden Trumpet Award to me in recognition of leadership and unwavering support of New York’s volunteer fire service.

The Golden Trumpet symbolizes a voice that rises above the challenges of uncertainty, and I’m proud to be that voice in Albany as an advocate for our first responders.

Founded in 1872, FASNY represents the interests of the approximately 80,000 volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel in New York state.  For more than three decades, the organization has presented its Golden Trumpet award in recognition of individuals who go above and beyond in advocating for volunteer firefighters, particularly through their work in legislation, policy and public safety.

Carleton Avenue Cheer

I’m excited to kick off the holiday season on Friday, Dec. 12 with our annual celebration in Central Islip, in partnership with The Belmont at Eastview! Bring your family and friends for an evening filled with live performances, sweet treats, community resources, and our Tree, Menorah, and Kinara Lighting Ceremony.

Making Spirits Bright

Santa’s sleigh will make a special stop at Central Islip High School on Saturday, Dec. 20 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 pm, bringing more than 1,000 toys to children on the nice list. The stop is part of my annual Toy Distribution event to ensure no child’s holiday is “Bah, humbug!” regardless of household circumstances.