“Today, we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation—America’s Semiquincentennial. On this day in 1776, thirteen colonies formally declared their independence from Great Britain, and a new, sovereign nation was born. The United States is the greatest nation in the world because of the exceptional ideals upon which it is built. The promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness remains just as powerful today as it was 250 years ago, when the Declaration of Inde

New York State Assembly Republican Leader Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) today commented on democratic-socialist victories in legislative and congressional primaries, warning that their radical agenda and growing presence in the Democratic party will deepen the state’s fiscal crisis and future prosperity. “New York’s Democratic party is headed in one clear direction—the extreme left. After last night’s primaries it appears socialists are no longer merely a ‘wing’ of the party, th

Assembly Minority Leader Ed Ra with contest winner Gabriella Rodia on Monday, June 22, 2026. Assembly Minority Leader Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) hosted his eighth annual “There Ought to Be a Law” ceremony on Monday, June 22 at Mineola High School, where he recognized 30 semi-finalists selected from 553 entries submitted by fifth-grade students across nine local schools. The annual contest invites students to think critically about ideas they think might make good laws. T

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) will host a ceremony at Mineola High School today at 4:30 p.m. where he will honor the 30 semi-finalists and announce the winner of his 2026 “There Ought To Be A Law” contest. The annual contest invites students to think critically about public policy by proposing ideas they believe could make effective laws. This year, the contest received 553 submissions from students throughout the district. WHO: Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Fran

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) presents a Capitol-flown flag during the Manor Oaks School Flag Day Assembly on Monday, June 15, 2026. In celebration of Flag Day, Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) presented four American flags, each flown over the New York State Capitol, to local elementary schools in the New Hyde Park-Garden City Park School District. Yesterday, Ra attended Manor Oaks School’s Flag Day assembly, where students learned about the symbolism of

“Apparently, Democrats had to pass the State Budget so they could find out what was in it. Today’s overdue release of the state financial plan by the Division of Budget revealed a staggering $277 billion final spending number, $9 billion more than Kathy Hochul and Democrats recently claimed. It’s a sobering reminder of the reckless, irresponsible approach Albany takes when developing its annual spending plan. The entire 2026 budget process was an exercise in dysfunction

“The 2026 legislative session has come to a merciful end – with a sprint to the finish before collapsing under its own failures. In the waning days, Albany Democrats worked to pass laws in the middle of the night that give more help to their own political interest than any practical solutions for New Yorkers. The two-month-late, $268 billion budget left no time for measures to substantially improve the lives of New Yorkers. Democrats spent $14 billion more than last year, wi