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| Affiliation | Democratic |
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| Name | Martin Connor |
| Address |
Brooklyn, New York , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | None |
| Born |
March 03, 1945
(79 years)
|
| Contributor | nystate63 |
| Last Modifed | nystate63
Aug 14, 2005 06:56pm |
| Tags |
Catholic -
|
| Info | Martin Connor was first elected to the Senate in a special election in 1978 and has been re-elected every two years since then.
Over the years, Senator Connor has fought against efforts to dismantle New York's health care system, and has opposed proposals to cut vital medical care and other human services for children, the elderly and disabled. He has also battled to keep higher education affordable and accessible for low and middle-income families and was instrumental in the creation of a State college tuition savings program and tuition tax credit.
In addition, Senator Connor has been a vigorous supporter for the advancement of human rights and has worked to address issues of concern to women and minorities. He has been a leader in the battle for electoral reforms that will make it easier for New Yorkers to participate in the political process, reduce the influence of special interest money in campaigns, and provide a level political playing field. In the area of consumer protection, Senator Connor has received national notice for his efforts to regulate the use of fragrance samples in magazines.
Other issues of particular concern to Senator Connor include efforts to improve public education throughout the State, reduce crime, and provide greater fairness in tax policy -- as evidenced by Senator Connor's successful efforts to make New York's School Tax Relief (STAR) program more equitable for seniors and homeowners throughout the State. He has also been a leader in the ongoing effort to completely eliminate the so-called "marriage penalty" in New York's personal income tax law, and to provide new tax relief to families and businesses.
An attorney, Senator Connor served as Minority Leader for eight years, representing the Senate Democratic Conference in State budget and public policy negotiations, and overseeing appointments to the Senate's standing committees, state commissions, and other public bodies. As Democratic Leader, Senator Connor created numerous special Senate Democratic Task Forces to conduct in-depth studies of selected legislative issues such as the Task Force on the Uninsured, which was instrumental in pushing the Legislature to enact the Family Health Plus Program.
With Senator Connor's advocacy and bipartisan cooperation, the Senate enacted a tougher gun control law, passed hate crime legislation, the elimination of sales tax on clothing and footwear, an increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit, and laws to enable more seniors to participate in the Elderly Pharmaceutical Drug Program.
Throughout his years in the Senate, Senator Connor has served at various times as a member of the Senate Minority Task Forces on Jobs; Federal/State Relations; and Women's Issues; and as a member of the Legislature's Commission on Public Management Systems. He is also a founding member of the Senate's Puerto Rican and Hispanic Task Force. As Minority Leader, Senator Connor was an ex-officio member of all senate standing committees and the ranking minority member of the Rules Committee.
Born in 1945 in Trenton, New Jersey, Senator Connor attended parochial schools, graduating first in his class from Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. In 1967, he graduated from Catholic University of America with a B.A. in Politics, and in 1970, received his law degree from the Catholic University of America School of Law, where he served as an editor of the Law Review. During law school, Senator Connor worked part-time in the Office of the General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board, and later, as law clerk to the House Counsel of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Between 1970 and 1974, Senator Connor was associated with White & Case, a large Wall Street law firm, where he practiced corporate and anti-trust law. In 1974, he joined the Office of the General Counsel of Xerox Corporation where he practiced anti-trust law. From 1975 to 1977, Senator Connor maintained a law practice in Brooklyn, but left private practice when he was appointed an Assistant Counsel to the State Comptroller. He resigned that position upon his election to the Senate.
A resident of Brooklyn Heights, Senator Connor is married to Christine Silber. He is the proud father of three.
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