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Democrats vying to replace retiring Rep. Steve Israel in Tuesday’s primary made their final pitches to voters in a Thursday night Queens debate short on personal jabs but long on explanations why each is the best choice.

Along with promoting their biographies and political experience during the debate at North Shore Towers, a luxury gated community near the Nassau-Queens border, the four candidates in attendance also answered questions about gun-control, immigration, health care, and the price of a fair minimum wage.

The winner of Tuesday’s primary will face State Sen. Jack Martins (R-Old Westbury) in November.

Anna Kaplan, a North Hempstead councilwoman from Kensington Village, who escaped Iran as a political refugee, said she was the best candidate in the...| read more ››

A bill moving quickly in the Legislature’s final days would create a New York Climate Action Council to push solar, wind and other renewable energies through state spending.

One innovative new effort under the bill would be to use solar-powered heat pumps to use ground water to help heat residential buildings including public housing.

The measure sponsored by Assemb. Steven Engelbright (D-Setauket) passed the Democrat led Assembly just over a week ago mostly along party lines, with many Republicans opposed. The bill now awaits action in the Senate, where it has some powerful sponsors.

The bill would create a 23-member council of representatives from state agencies to create greenhouse gas reporting requirements, set emissions limits, and spend the state Environmental...| read more ››

Legislation introduced in Albany would protect marine mammals and sea turtles like this one shown at the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation on Aug. 19, 2015. (Credit: Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation)
Three Long Island lawmakers have introduced a bill that would create a marine mammal and sea turtle protection zone around Plum Island and two other environmentally sensitive eastern Islands, but a fishing group wants assurances it won’t limit fishing.

Assembs. Steve Englebright (D-Setauket), Fred Thiele (I-Sag Harbor) and Sen. Kenneth LaValle (R-Port Jefferson) introduced the legislation June 1. It would create a protection area from the high-water mark on the shore outward to 1,500 feet around Plum Island, Great Gull Island and Little...| read more ››

Peter Magistrale, a 24-year-old accountant and Democrat who says he’s ready to tackle corruption in Albany while closing tax loopholes that could translate to relief for middle class taxpayers, is challenging incumbent Sen. John Flanagan for his seat in the state’s 2nd District.

Flanagan, of East Northport, a Republican and majority leader of the senate, was first elected to the seat in 2002.

His challenger, Magistrale, of St. James, announced his campaign last week, filing nominating petitions with New York State Board of Elections on May 17. The Hofstra University graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting in 2012, and a master’s degree in taxation the next year.

While he said experience is, no doubt, important, Magistrale said he values...| read more ››