John Sabini

New York State Senator John D. Sabini, a Democrat first elected in 2002, represents parts of Jackson Heights, Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst and Woodside. These neighborhoods form one of the State Senate's most ethnically diverse districts, with more than 200 countries of origin represented. He previously represented much of this area as a New York City Council Member for the years 1992-2001. He resigned in 2008 when Governor David Paterson appointed him Chairman of the Racing and Wagering Board.

When the newly configured 13th Senate District was unveiled in the Spring of 2002, Sabini became a candidate who amassed broad support within the Democratic Party. In 2004 and 2006 he became the Democratic nominee and was unanimously re-elected in the General Election. His success is attributed to his legislative and community experience, strong advocacy for government reform and persistent efforts to bring fair amounts of funding and government services to his district.

When joining the Senate, Senator Sabini received several high-profile appointments unprecedented for a new member. He was appointed as the ranking member of the Elections Committee and was the Senate Democratic conferee on a conference committee designed to set up the state's framework to comply with the federal Help America Vote Act. Senator Sabini was also appointed to the prestigious Rules Committee, making him the first freshman Democrat since 1937 to serve in that capacity.

In 2006, Senator Sabini was appointed as Assistant Minority Leader for Intergovernmental Affairs thanks to his many years of experience at the federal, state and city levels of government. In this leadership role, he is serving as the liaison between the Senate Minority Conference and the Spitzer administration, the State Assembly, Congress and local governments. Senator Sabini is simultaneously maintaining his ranking membership status on the Transportation and Racing, Gaming & Wagering Committees.

Senator Sabini was also appointed to several high-profile panels in 2006. In February he served as the only New York State representative on a national transportation leadership summit at the White House. In April he served as the only New York City legislator on Governor Eliot Spitzer's special panel to determine the future of thoroughbred racing in New York and the operations of Belmont Park, Aqueduct Race Track and Saratoga Racecourse.

Education has also been one of Senator Sabini's priorities during his tenure, and he has delivered for his diverse constituency in this area. In his first term, he introduced the bill that established by law the Flight 587 Memorial Scholarship, honoring the victims of that tragic flight that crashed on the way to the Dominican Republic. Recently, he introduced a bill--which also later passed into law--to prevent the scheduling of statewide exams during major religious holidays.

A lifelong resident of Jackson Heights, Senator Sabini has made it his mission to improve the quality of life in his community. This calling began at the early age of 16, when Senator Sabini won election to the Community Advisory Board at Elmhurst Hospital. At 19, he was appointed to Community Board No. 3-Q, where he served until his election to the Council.

Senator Sabini holds a degree from New York University's College of Business and Public Administration, now known as the Stern School, and attended its Graduate School of Public Administration, now known as the Wagner School.

Before becoming an elected official himself, Sabini served as District Administrator for Congressmen James H. Scheuer and Stephen J. Solarz. He also served as Director of the State Assembly's Subcommittee on Senior Citizen Facilities. Prior to his election to the City Council, Senator Sabini was Vice President of the MWW Group, a public and government relations firm based in New Jersey.

The crisis surrounding the Queens County Democratic Organization following the death of Donald Manes in 1986 was a defining moment in Senator Sabini's career. A district leader since 1977, he was thrust into the position of County Chairman at the time when scrutiny from the media and federal investigators threatened the future of the party. His success in stepping in to clean up the party earned him glowing editorial support from The New York Times and Newsday.

On the City Council, Sabini held the post of Council representative to the City's Commission on Public Information and Communications, a panel seeking ways to improve interaction between New York City residents and city government and increased use of technology. He was appointed Chair of the Council's Subcommittee on Landmarks, Public Siting and Maritime Uses and was chosen for membership on the Council's influential Land Use Committee and on the Subcommittee on Planning, Dispositions and Concessions. In his legislative duties, he introduced and co-sponsored many bills that have helped to improve the quality of life for New Yorkers, including the Aggressive Panhandling bill and the Landmark Notification Law, which requires the commercial tenants doing business in historic districts be informed about their responsibilities under the city's landmarks law.

For his 2007-2008 term, Senator Sabini has vowed to continue pressing for changes in the way Albany works in order to make it more responsive and relevant to the needs of all New Yorkers.

Drunk Driving incident

On November 6 2007 Albany police pulled over the state senator. A field-sobriety test was administerd and he failed the Field-sobriety test. He also declined to take a Breathalyzer.

Sabini pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of driving while ability impaired, concluding a case that began in September when he was pulled over. He paid a $300 fine and agreed to enroll in anti-DWI classes. His driver's license was suspended for six months

External links

* [http://www.nyssenate13.com/ Official Web site - www.nyssenate13.com]