189th New York State Legislature

New York state legislative session February 2025 October 2019 December 2024 189th January 1, 1991 December 31, 1992 Lt. Gov. Stan Lundine (D) Ralph J. Marino (R) Mel Miller (D), until December 13, 1991 Saul Weprin (D) from December 16, 1991 61 150 Republican (35–26) Democratic (96–54) 1st January 9 July 4, 1991 2nd January 8 July 3, 1992 3rd July 28 30, 1992 188th 190th The 189th New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 9, 1991, to December 31, 1992, during the ninth and tenth years of Mario Cuomo's governorship, in Albany. Background Under the provisions of the New York Constitution of 1938 and the U.S. Supreme Court decision to follow the One man, one vote rule, re-apportioned in 1982 by the Legislature, 61 Senators and 150 assemblymen were elected in single-seat districts for two-year terms. Senate and Assembly districts consisted of approximately the same number of inhabitants, the area being apportioned contiguously without restrictions regarding county boundaries. At this time there were two major political parties: the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. The Conservative Party, the Right to Life Party, the Liberal Party, the New Alliance Party, the Libertarian Party, and the Socialist Workers Party also nominated tickets. Elections The 1990 New York state election was held on November 6. Governor Mario Cuomo and Lieutenant Governor Stan Lundine were re-elected, both Democrats. The elections to the other two statewide elective offices resulted in the re-election of the two incumbent officeholders: a Republican Comptroller, and a Democratic Attorney General. The approximate party strength at this election, as expressed by the vote for Governor, was: Democrats 2,086,000; Republicans 866,000; Conservatives 828,000; Right to Life 138,000; Liberals 71,000; New Alliance 31,000; Libertarians 25,000; and Socialist Workers 13,000. 22 of the sitting 23 women members of the legislature—State Senators Mary B. Goodhue (Rep.), a lawyer of Mount Kisco; Nancy Larraine Hoffmann (Dem.), of Syracuse; Olga A. Méndez (Dem.), of East Harlem; Velmanette Montgomery (Dem.), of Brooklyn; Suzi Oppenheimer (Dem.), of Mamaroneck; and Ada L. Smith (Dem.), of Queens; and Assemblywomen Barbara M. Clark (Dem.), of Queens; Elizabeth Connelly (Dem.), of Staten Island; Geraldine L. Daniels (Dem.), of the Bronx; Gloria Davis (Dem.), of the Bronx; Eileen C. Dugan (Dem.), of Brooklyn; Aurelia Greene (Dem.), of the Bronx; Earlene Hill Hooper (Dem.), of Hempstead; Rhoda S. Jacobs (Dem.), of Brooklyn; Cynthia Jenkins (Dem.), a librarian of Queens; Helen M. Marshall (Dem.), a teacher and librarian of Queens; Nettie Mayersohn (Dem.), of Queens; Patricia McGee (Rep.), of Franklinville; Catherine Nolan (Dem.), of Queens; Audrey Pheffer (Dem.), of Queens; Cecile D. Singer (Rep.), of Yonkers; and Helene Weinstein (Dem.), a lawyer of Brooklyn—were re-elected. Nancy Calhoun (Rep.), of Blooming Grove; Joan Christensen (Dem.), of Syracuse; Vivian E. Cook (Dem.) of Queens; Deborah J. Glick (Dem.), of Manhattan; Susan V. John (Dem.), of Rochester; and Frances T. Sullivan (Rep.), of Fulton; were also elected to the Assembly. The 1991 New York state election was held on November 5. Three vacancies in the Assembly were filled. Assemblywoman Helen M. Marshall was elected to the New York City Council. On January 28, 1992, Joni A. Yoswein (Dem.), of Brooklyn, was elected to fill a vacancy in the Assembly. Thus the 189th Legislature began and ended with 28 women members, setting a new record. Sessions The Legislature met for the first regular session (the 214th) at the State Capitol in Albany on January 9, 1991;Cuomo Prescribes Austerity, Not Activism by Kevin Sack, in The New York Times on January 10, 1991 and recessed indefinitely in the early morning of July 4.Cuomo's Tax Shift Reflects Fiscal Squeeze by Kevin Sack, in The New York Times on July 5, 1991 Mel Miller (Dem.) was re-elected Speaker of the Assembly. Ralph J. Marino (Rep.) was re-elected Temporary President of the Senate. On December 13, 1991, Speaker Mel Miller was convicted of a felony, and thus vacated his seat in the Assembly.Miller Is Found Guilty of Fraud; Speaker Loses Seat in Assembly by Arnold H. Lubasch, in The New York Times on December 14, 1991 On December 16, 1991, Saul Weprin (Dem.) was elected Speaker.Saul Weprin; A Quiet Conciliator by Sam Howe Verhovek, in The New York Times on December 17, 1991 The Legislature met for the second regular session (the 215th) at the State Capitol in Albany on January 8, 1992;At Feel-Good Event, Most Felt Rotten by Calvin Sims, in The New York Times on January 9, 1992 and recessed indefinitely on July 3.Albany Lawmakers End Session Without Acting on 2 Major Issues by Sam Howe Verhovek, in The New York Times on July 4, 1992 In June, the Legislature re-apportioned the legislative districts. On June 24, 1992, the U.S. Department of Justice approved the redrawn districts with one exception.Most of Albany Plan for Legislative Districts Wins U.S. Approval by Sam Howe Verhovek, in The New York Times on June 25, 1992 On June 30, 1992, the New York Court of Appeals also validated the new apportionment.Appeals Court Upholds Albany's Districting Plan by Sam Howe Verhovek, in The New York Times on July 1, 1992 The Legislature met again from July 28Legislators Begin Approving Bills as a Rare Special Session Begins in Albany by Sam Howe Verhovek, in The New York Times on July 29, 1992 to 30, 1992.Albany Approves Fiscal Package for Suffolk and Jobs Bond Act by Sarah Lyall, in The New York Times on July 31, 1992 State Senate Senators The asterisk (*) denotes members of the previous Legislature who continued in office as members of this Legislature. Joseph R. Holland, William J. Larkin Jr., Stephen M. Saland and William R. Sears changed from the Assembly to the Senate. Note: For brevity, the chairmanships omit the words "...the Committee on (the)..." District Senator Party Notes1stKenneth LaValle* Republican2ndJames J. Lack* Republican3rdCaesar Trunzo* Republican4thOwen H. Johnson* Republican5thRalph J. Marino* Republicanre-elected Temporary President6thKemp Hannon* Republican7thMichael J. Tully Jr.* RepublicanChairman of Health8thNorman J. Levy* RepublicanChairman of Transportation9thDean Skelos* Republican10thAlton R. Waldon Jr. Democrat11thFrank Padavan* Republican12thLeonard P. Stavisky* Democrat13thEmanuel R. Gold* Democrat14thGeorge Onorato* Democrat15thSerphin R. Maltese* Conservative16thJeremy S. Weinstein* Democrat17thHoward E. Babbush* Democrat18thDonald Halperin* Democrat19thMartin M. Solomon* Democrat20thAda L. Smith* Democrat21stMarty Markowitz* Democrat22ndVelmanette Montgomery* Democrat23rdChristopher J. Mega* Republican24thJohn J. Marchi* Republican25thMartin Connor* Democrat26thRoy M. Goodman* Republican27thManfred Ohrenstein* DemocratMinority Leader28thFranz S. Leichter* Democrat29thDavid Paterson* Democrat30thOlga A. Méndez* Democrat31stJoseph L. Galiber* Democrat32ndEfrain Gonzalez Jr.* Democrat33rdJeffrey R. Korman* Democrat34thGuy J. Velella* Republican35thNicholas A. Spano* Republican36thSuzi Oppenheimer* Democrat37thMary B. Goodhue* Republican38thJoseph R. Holland* Republican39thWilliam J. Larkin Jr.* Republican40thCharles D. Cook* Republican41stStephen M. Saland* Republican42ndHoward C. Nolan Jr.* Democrat43rdJoseph Bruno* Republican44thHugh T. Farley* RepublicanChairman of Banks45thRonald B. Stafford* RepublicanDeputy Majority Leader46thJohn M. McHugh* Republicanon November 3, 1992, elected to the 103rd U.S. Congress47thWilliam R. Sears* Republican48thNancy Larraine Hoffmann* Democrat49thTarky Lombardi Jr.* RepublicanChairman of Finance50thJames L. Seward* Republican51stThomas W. Libous* Republican52ndRandy Kuhl* Republican53rdL. Paul Kehoe* Republicanon November 3, 1992, elected to the New York Supreme Court54thJohn D. Perry* Democrat55thRalph E. Quattrociocchi* Democrat56thJess J. Present* Republican57thWilliam Stachowski* Democrat58thAnthony M. Masiello* Democrat59thDale M. Volker* Republican60thJohn B. Sheffer II* Republican61stJohn B. Daly* Republican Employees Secretary: Stephen F. Sloan State Assembly Assembly members The asterisk (*) denotes members of the previous Legislature who continued in office as members of this Legislature. Note: For brevity, the chairmanships omit the words "...the Committee on (the)..." District Assembly member Party Notes1stJoseph Sawicki Jr.* Republican2ndJohn L. Behan* Republican3rdIcilio W. Bianchi Jr.* Democrat 4thRobert J. Gaffney* Republicanon November 5, 1991, elected as County Executive of Suffolk CountySteve Englebright Democraton February 18, 1992, elected to fill vacancyRepublican Wins Assembly Seat in Yonkers in The New York Times on February 19, 19925thPaul E. Harenberg* Democrat6thRobert C. Wertz* Republican7thThomas F. Barraga* Republican8thJohn C. Cochrane* Republican9thJohn J. Flanagan* Republican10thJames D. Conte* Republican11thRobert K. Sweeney* Democrat12thPhilip B. Healey* Republican 13thLewis J. Yevoli* Democraton November 5, 1991, elected Supervisor of the Town of Oyster BayDavid Sidikman Democraton February 18, 1992, elected to fill vacancy14thFrederick E. Parola* Republican15thDaniel Frisa* Republican16thThomas DiNapoli* Democrat17thMichael Balboni* Republican18thEarlene Hill Hooper* Democrat19thCharles J. O'Shea* Republican20thHarvey Weisenberg* Democrat21stGregory R. Becker* Republican 22ndGeorge H. Madison* RepublicanresignedVincent T. Muscarella Republicanon November 5, 1991, elected to fill vacancy23rdAudrey Pheffer* Democrat24thSaul Weprin* DemocratChairman of Ways and Means (1991); elected Speaker on December 16, 1991 25thDouglas Prescott* Republican26thMorton C. Hillman* Democrat27thNettie Mayersohn* Democrat28thAlan G. Hevesi* Democrat29thCynthia Jenkins* Democrat30thJoseph Crowley* Democrat31stAnthony S. Seminerio* Democrat32ndVivian E. Cook Democrat33rdBarbara M. Clark* Democrat34thIvan C. Lafayette* Democrat 35thHelen M. Marshall* Democraton November 5, 1991, elected to the New York City CouncilJeffrion L. Aubry Dem./Lib.on January 28, 1992, elected to fill vacancyBrooklyn and Queens Democrats Win Special Assembly Elections by Lee A. Daniels, in The New York Times on January 29, 199236thDenis J. Butler* Democrat37thCatherine Nolan* Democrat38thFrederick D. Schmidt* Democrat39thAnthony J. Genovesi* Democrat40thEdward Griffith* Democrat41stHelene Weinstein* Democrat42ndRhoda S. Jacobs* Democrat43rdClarence Norman Jr.* Democrat 44thMel Miller* Democratre-elected Speaker; on December 13, 1991, convicted of a felonyJoni A. Yoswein Dem./Lib.on January 28, 1992, elected to fill vacancy45thDaniel L. Feldman* Democrat46thHoward L. Lasher* Democrat47thFrank J. Barbaro* Democrat48thDov Hikind* Democrat49thPeter J. Abbate Jr.* Democrat50thJoseph R. Lentol* DemocratChairman of Codes (1992)51stJames F. Brennan* Democrat52ndEileen C. Dugan* Democrat53rdVito J. Lopez* Democrat54thThomas F. Catapano* Democrat55thWilliam F. Boyland* Democrat56thAlbert Vann* Democrat57thRoger L. Green* Democrat58thElizabeth Connelly* Democrat59thEric N. Vitaliano* Democrat60thRobert A. Straniere* Republican61stDeborah J. Glick Democrat62ndSheldon Silver* DemocratChairman of Codes (1991); Chairman of Ways and Means (1992)Manhattan Assemblyman Wins Ways and Means Chairmanship by Sam Howe Verhovek, in The New York Times on January 8, 199263rdSteven Sanders* Democrat64thRichard N. Gottfried* Democrat65thAlexander B. Grannis* Democrat66thJohn Ravitz Republican67thJerrold Nadler* Democraton November 3, 1992, elected to the 102nd and 103rd U.S. Congresses68thAngelo Del Toro* DemocratChairman of Education69thEdward C. Sullivan* DemocratChairman of Higher Education70thGeraldine L. Daniels* Democrat71stHerman D. Farrell Jr.* Democrat72ndJohn Brian Murtaugh* Democrat73rdDavid Rosado* Democrat74thHector L. Diaz* Democrat75thJohn C. Dearie* Democrat76thAurelia Greene* Democrat77thRoberto Ramirez Democrat78thGloria Davis* Democrat79thGeorge Friedman* DemocratDeputy Majority Leader (1992)80thG. Oliver Koppell* DemocratChairman of Judiciary81stStephen B. Kaufman* Democrat82ndLarry Seabrook* Democrat 83rdTerence M. Zaleski* Democraton November 5, 1991, elected Mayor of YonkersMike Spano Republicanon February 18, 1992, elected to fill vacancy84thCecile D. Singer* Republican85thRonald C. Tocci* Democrat86thRichard L. Brodsky* Democrat87thPeter M. Sullivan* Republican88thGregory P. Young* Democrat89thHenry William Barnett* Rep./Cons.90thVincent Leibell* Republican91stGeorge E. Pataki* Republican92ndAlexander J. Gromack Democrat93rdSamuel Colman* Democrat94thJohn Bonacic* Republican95thNancy Calhoun Republican96thLawrence E. Bennett* Democrat97thDonald H. McMillen Republican98thRichard I. Coombe* Republican99thNorman E. Greig Democrat100thNeil W. Kelleher* Republican101stMaurice D. Hinchey* Democraton November 3, 1992, elected to the 103rd U.S. Congress102ndJohn Faso* Republican103rdArnold W. Proskin* Republican104thRichard J. Conners* Democrat105thPaul D. Tonko* Democrat106thRonald Canestrari* Democrat107thJames Tedisco* Republican108thRobert A. D'Andrea* Republican109thJames P. King Republican110thChris Ortloff* Republican111thBill Magee Democrat112thJohn G. A. O'Neil* Republicandied on December 10, 1992113thAnthony J. Casale* Republican114thH. Robert Nortz* Republican115thDavid R. Townsend Jr. Republican116thRalph J. Eannace Jr.* Republican117thFrances T. Sullivan Republican118thMichael J. Bragman* Democrat119thJoan Christensen Democrat 120thMelvin N. Zimmer* Democratresigned on July 31, 1991Joseph A. Nicoletti Democraton November 5, 1991, elected to fill vacancyNY Assembly 120 Special https://web.archive.org/web/20160304112415/http://electionsinfo.net/elections.php?electionID=370543 March 4, 2016 at ElectionsInfo.net121stHarold C. Brown Jr.* Republican122ndClarence D. Rappleyea Jr.* RepublicanMinority Leader123rdRichard H. Miller* Republican124thJames R. Tallon Jr.* DemocratMajority Leader; Acting Speaker from December 13 to 16, 1991125thMartin A. Luster* Democrat126thGeorge H. Winner Jr.* Republican127thDonald R. Davidsen* Republican128thMichael F. Nozzolio* Republican129thFrank G. Talomie Sr.* Republican 130thRobert L. King* Republicanon November 5, 1991, elected as County Executive of Monroe CountyDavid Van Varick Rep./Cons.on February 18, 1992, elected to fill vacancyKing, Kehoe Push Van Varick in the Fairport–Perinton Herald–Mail on February 12, 1992 131stSusan V. John Democrat132ndJoseph D. Morelle Democrat133rdDavid F. Gantt* Democrat 134thRoger J. Robach* DemocratDeputy Majority Leader; died on September 29, 1991Joseph Robach Democraton November 5, 1991, elected to fill vacancyNew York State in The New York Times on November 7, 1991135thJames F. Nagle* Republican136thJohn W. Hasper* Republican137thR. Stephen Hawley* Republican138thJoseph T. Pillittere* Democrat139thMatthew J. Murphy Jr.* Democrat140thRobin L. Schimminger* Democrat141stArthur O. Eve* Democrat142ndRichard R. Anderson* Republican143rdPaul Tokasz* Democrat 144thWilliam B. Hoyt* Democratdied on March 25, 1992Sam Hoyt Democraton May 5, 1992, elected to fill vacancyVetter ready to run again in the fall The Buffalo News May 11, 1992 http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-22402163.html https://web.archive.org/web/20150924190647/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-22402163.html September 24, 2015 HighBeam Research subscription Buffalo, NY usurped145thRichard J. Keane* Democrat146thFrancis J. Pordum* Democrat147thThomas M. Reynolds* Republican148thVincent J. Graber Sr.* Democrat149thPatricia McGee* Republican150thWilliam L. Parment* Democrat Employees Clerk: Francine Misasi Notes Sources The 1990 Elections: New York; The Legislature; G.O.P. Adds to Senate Majority While Democrats Keep Control of Assembly by Kevin Sack, in The New York Times on November 7, 1990 Members of the New York State Assembly 1991 at UCSF library 189 Category:1991 establishments in New York (state) Category:1992 disestablishments in New York (state) Category:1991 in New York (state) Category:1992 in New York (state) Category:1991 U.S. legislative sessions Category:1992 U.S. legislative sessions