At her State of the State address in Albany, Governor Kathy Hochul outlined her priority policy initiatives putting families first. Assemblymember Lavine was privileged to attend the speech and meet with several media outlets to talk about what the administration is doing to help everyday New Yorkers get through these challenging economic times.

Assemblymember Lavine joins Governor Hochul and other officials at Westbury Middle School for the announcement of her historic initiative to ensure every student can eat breakfast and lunch for free…

…Lavine expressed appreciation for the governor’s continued commitment to addressing the economic challenges New Yorkers face in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Photo courtesy Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

Assemblymember Lavine returns to Albany for the opening of the new legislative session. Lavine remains humbled at the opportunity to serve the people of the 13th District in the New York State Assembly and expresses appreciation to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for his leadership and for asking him to once again to serve as Chair of the Judiciary Committee and as a member of the committees on Codes, Ethics & Guidance, Insurance, and Rules.

After weeks of collecting toys at Lavine’s district office and other sites Assemblymember Lavine wraps up his 2024 Toy Drive. The drive culminating in the distribution of hundreds of toys for children in need in both Glen Cove and Westbury. Lavine took part in the Glen Cove Equal Opportunity Council toy giveaway which was held in collaboration with Glen Cove Gardens Development. Lavine was among several sponsors of this event in which kids walked away with the toy of their choice and a huge smile on their face. A special moment occurred when Lavine joined EOC Director Irma Jeanty to present bicycles donated by a constituent to the winners of the cookie and gingerbread house decorating contest. Here with gingerbread house winner Jason…

…and Yareli, who won the cookie design contest.The bikes were beautifully refurbished retro bicycles made to look as good as new.

Photo courtesy of Gaitley Stevenson-Matthews

Lavine also welcomed Bishop Lionel Harvey of the First Baptist Cathedral of Westbury to his office to donate toys the church will distribute to families in need during Christmas Eve mass celebrations.

Lavine expressed his appreciation to the community by saying, “Thank you to everyone in and around the 13th Assembly District for your generosity in making this year’s drive such a tremendous success. Families are still struggling in the aftermath of COVID and with the rise in cost of living making it even more crucial that we do everything we can to help those in need. I cannot express in words the happiness I feel when I see the joy on children's faces at these events. It’s something I look forward to every year. In addition to every single person who made a contribution, no matter how big or small, I also want to thank the Bryant Library in Roslyn, Glen Cove Public Library, Oyster Bay-East Norwich Library in Oyster Bay, and Sea Cliff Library for serving as additional collection sites. I also want to wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season.”

Glen Cove High School welcomes Assemblymember Lavine for a conversation with student delegates selected to represent the Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican / Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute. The students spoke to Lavine about pending legislation and his remarkable career in Albany. They are excited to get the opportunity to visit the New York State Capitol in the spring where they’ll get a first-hand look at how the legislative process works.

(l-r) Allen Hudson, Glen Cove High School Principal; Assemblymember Lavine; Laura Rodriguez, Student Delegate; Marcela Flores, Student Delegate; Jabier Escobar, Student Delegate; Donnifer Francisco, Glen Cove High School Spanish Teacher

Photo courtesy of Glen Cove City School District.

Assemblymember Lavine, Chair of the Judiciary Committee, joins legislative colleague Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi, Chair of the Committee on Children and Families in presiding over a public hearing examining access to supervised visitation programs. At the hearing Lavine said we must do everything we can to protect innocent children caught up in situations involving domestic violence, drug abuse, and other types of antisocial conduct.

The Plainview-Old Bethpage School District hosts Assemblymember Lavine and other elected officials at a legislative breakfast at Howard B. Matlin Middle School in Plainview… 

Photo courtesy of Plainview-Old Bethpage School District

Lavine expressing his appreciation to POB Schools Superintendent Dr. Mary O’Meara and the Board of Education for inviting him to participate in this very thoughtful and productive conversation on the state of our schools.

As a proud advocate of public education, Lavine looks forward to returning to Albany soon to begin discussions on a budget which will enable area schools to provide our students the support they deserve.

Assemblymember Lavine has an informative and fun visit to Amber Court Assisted Living Communities Westbury location. During a tour of the facility, it was obvious to him how much the administrators and staff care about the residents and cater to their individual needs…

… Lavine shows the residents he’s more than just an ordinary politician as he belts out a rendition of ‘American Pie’ during Karaoke time.

There are very few people like Assemblymember Lavine's dear friend and community activist Sharlene Waterman who, no matter what challenges she is confronted with, somehow manages to think of her neighbors in her beloved Westbury. So when his office was ready to donate turkeys, it was Sharlene who reached out and ran through the list of those that needed it the most. Lavine wishing a Happy Thanksgiving to those like Sharlene who embody the spirit of this giving holiday.

Assemblymember Lavine participates in a public hearing on the New York Power Authority’s Renewables Draft Strategic Plan at Suffolk Community College in Brentwood. As we continue to deal with the very real problem of climate change, we must maintain and improve renewable energy generation projects to maintain an adequate and reliable supply of electric power and energy and support New York State’s renewable energy goals.

Congratulations to all who were honored at the Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce Gala at Crescent Beach Country Club in Bayville. Assemblymember Lavine proudly attended and handed out citations to the honorees, including the New Business Award winner, Hello Beautiful owner Danielle Vollkommer.

Best of luck to Christopher Moll, artistic director of North Shore Village Theatre and Jazz Hands Children’s Theatre following his announcement of a new community performing arts space right in the heart of downtown Glen Cove. The theater is expected to open in the spring and will host performances by his company in addition to various other types of entertainment.

Westbury Union Free School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tahira A. DuPree Chase hosts the 'Superintendent's Tea' at Westbury Public Library. The event providing an opportunity for the community to be updated on the many ways this wonderful school district is making improvements to provide the best possible educational experience for our children….

…Assemblymember Lavine especially enjoyed listening to the Powell’s Lane Elementary School choral group and meeting them after the event.

A special night for Assemblymember Lavine and wife Ronnie at the Tilles Center on the LIU Brookville campus. In addition to enjoying a performance by the amazing Kristin Chenowith, Lavine was proud to announce a $15,000 state grant to help this gem of arts and culture continue to provide first-rate shows and performances for people of all ages to enjoy.

Assemblymember Lavine is proud to attend the Tribute and Honor Foundation Salute to Veterans Concert in Glen Cove. The concert included a special tribute to Korean War veteran and volunteer firefighter Vinnie Martinez Sr. At the event, Lavine expressed his appreciation to all veterans for their service and sacrifice for our great country.

News 12 Long Island Power and Politics Managing Anchor Rich Barrabi welcomes Assemblymember Lavine to his show. The two had a thoughtful discussion about efforts by some to politicize the state’s regionalization plans and touched on the hot topic of congestion pricing.

Glen Cove icon Carol Rubin celebrates her 103rd birthday at The Regency Assisted Living and Assemblymember Lavine is there to join the party. What more is there to say about this incredible woman who has dedicated so many years to the community? Lavine presents his dear friend Carol with a citation in recognition of this remarkable occasion.

Assemblymember Lavine speaks at the Veterans Day ceremony in Glen Cove. At the event Lavine presented a citation to Vietnam Veteran Thomas McMahon, thanking the Glen Cove native for his personal sacrifice and paying tribute to all of the brave men and women who risked their lives to defend our freedom and democracy.

A moving tribute in Glen Cove to Vincent ‘Vinnie’ Martinez, featuring the unveiling of a plaque and commemorative stone celebrating the 40th anniversary of “Vinnie’s Island,” the green space he transformed and has lovingly maintained for decades. The event fittingly coinciding with Veterans Day as we recall Vinnie’s service to our country in the Korean War in addition to his work as a volunteer firefighter.

At the ceremony it was an honor for Assemblymember Lavine to present his good friend Vinnie with a citation in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the community.

Assemblymember Lavine joins outgoing Jericho Schools Superintendent Henry ‘Hank’ Grishman (far left), students, and administrators for the announcement of $350,000 in state grant funding he secured… 
(photo courtesy of Jericho Public Schools)

The money covers the cost of recently installed porticos at the front entrance to Jericho High School and Middle School along with various other educational needs.

The Life Enrichment Center at Oyster Bay hosts a special tribute to veterans…

In his remarks, Assemblymember Lavine notes how fitting that it comes in the aftermath of a tumultuous election: “This is what these brave heroes fought and died for all those years ago. The freedom to speak our minds and choose our leaders. We must always remain united, remembering that we are all American – regardless of who we voted for,” Lavine said.

A captive audience of social studies students interacts with Assemblymember Lavine at ESPOIR’s ‘TALK’ seminar at Westbury High School. Lavine sharing his knowledge and answering great questions on many topics including how zip guns have become ghost guns and what he and the legislature and governor are doing to regulate them.

The Glen Cove Senior Center hosts a summit to tackle the problem of affordable housing, with a particular focus on the plight of low-income seniors. Assemblymember Lavine is honored to serve as a panelist, mentioning the commitment he, along with Governor Hochul, and the Assembly Majority, has to providing the resources all New Yorkers need so they can find or maintain a home and live comfortably in our great state.

Governor Kathy Hochul is joined by Assemblymember Lavine and others in New Hyde Park for a huge economic and healthcare-related announcement.  At the event, the governor unveiled plans for ‘New York BioGenesis Park’ - a groundbreaking cell and gene therapy innovation hub which will drive economic growth, attract top talent, and revolutionize patient care statewide. Lavine thanked the governor for her continued commitment to investing in Nassau County and Long Island.