Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-19th District) expressed his gratitude to Governor Andrew Cuomo today for directing the Port Authority to conduct a study concerning aircraft noise over Long Island. Ra, who sponsored a similar measure that passed the Assembly and Senate earlier this year, sees this study as crucial to analyzing the detrimental effect the increase in air traffic over Long Island is having on our communities.

“With the massive increase in air traffic over Long Island leading to an unacceptable rise in noise pollution, this study has to happen,” said Ra. “I thank the governor for acknowledging this serious quality of life issue for Long Island residents and calling for a study to be conducted. By better determining the use of certain runways and flight paths and by making available federal funding to remedy this issue, we can make Long Island an even better place to work and live.

“I would also like to thank the work of several other local officials for bringing this issue to light. The leadership of Senators Jack Martins and Kemp Hannon were instrumental in the Senate’s approval of this study. In the Assembly, Michele Titus and Edward Braunstein co-sponsored this study and were also crucial in making this a reality. Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano and Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray have also been outspoken advocates for urging action on this front. Without everyone’s vigilance in working for a better quality of life for Long Island residents, this study would not have been possible.”