Marty Golden: New York State Senator

Police Officer
Marty Golden
in 1980

Senator Marty Golden is the oldest of eight children born to Irish immigrants who settled in Bay Ridge. Marty and his wife Colleen have two children, Michael and P.J.

Marty is a former New York City Police Officer who received numerous citations during his ten years with the Police Department.

He was forced to retire in 1983, after suffering a serious injury while chasing a drug dealer on Flatbush Avenue.

After his retirement from the NYPD, Marty became a local business and community leader, and served on the New York City Council.

Today, Marty Golden represents the 22nd Senate District, which includes the neighborhoods of Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend and parts of Sheepshead Bay, Borough Park and Midwood.

Marty is the Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, where he works to protect senior citizens from violent crime and those who seek to take advantage of the elderly.

Marty has been a champion of increased funding for the EPIC Prescription Drug Program, and fought to protect seniors from rent increases.

In recent years, Marty has emerged as one of the leaders in the fight to give New York parents tuition tax credits they can use at their own discretion for additional tutoring, textbooks and other expenses.

Marty has also worked to make sure that Brooklyn gets its fair share of new jobs and economic growth that comes with development projects.

He and his family live in Bay Ridge.

During his six years as our State Senator, Marty Golden has gained a solid reputation of getting things done for Brooklyn.

In Albany, Marty Golden is respected by Democrats, Republicans, and Independents because he's authored important laws, fought for Brooklyn's fair share of funding and resources, and shown the kind of independent leadership that people respect.

Here are a few of Marty's legislative successes:

Illegal handguns: Senator Marty Golden wrote a tough new law that means jail time for every single illegal firearm. In December 2005, Senator Golden sponsored the laws to increase penalties against gun-runners and those that injure or kill police officers. Golden's bills were a priority of Mayor Bloomberg, and became law in late 2006.

Sex Offenders: Senator Marty Golden worked to expand the state's Sex Offender Registry by posting information about more sex offenders on the Internet and allowing law enforcement to disseminate information about all offenders to the community.

Expanded DNA use: A new agreement pushed by Senator Golden expands the DNA databank to help law enforcement solve crimes and protect victims from dangerous criminals. All persons convicted of a felony and certain misdemeanors will have their DNA included.

New $330 Child Care Tax Credit: Senator Golden delivered a $330 child tax credit by organizing a broad coalition of public, private and parochial school parents, students and teachers. This tax credit will be available for the 2006 taxable year for tutoring, tuition, textbooks and other educational expenses.

Investing In New Schools: Senator Golden scored a tremendous victory for the schools, students, teachers and families of New York City. The state budget agreement includes $11.2 billion in funding to improve New York City Public Schools, including a new high school in Sunset Park and many other classrooms improvements to ensure that our students receive a sound basic education.

Keeping CUNY/SUNY affordable: Senator Golden voted to stop tuition hikes at CUNY and SUNY schools and secured millions for improved facilities at Kingsborough Community College, Brooklyn College, St. Francis College, Polytechnic Institute, New York Tech, and Pratt Institute. And Marty voted for full funding of vital college financial aid programs like TAP, Bundy Aid and EOP/HEOP.

Protecting Seniors: Senator Golden wrote the law that raised SCRIE from $24,000 to $35,000 for seniors and disabled. The full value of the $35,000 exemption is phased in through 2009.

Cutting Gasoline Sales Taxes: To help ease the pain at the pump, Marty voted for a new law that cut the state sales tax on gasoline by 4 cents per gallon.

Billy's Law: Inspired by Billy Albanese of Bay Ridge, a victim of abuse and neglect at a New Jersey facility for mentally disabled youth, Marty's legislation strengthens oversight, control and accountability in the placement of more than 1,400 developmentally disabled children who are in out-of-state programs and facilities.