Senator Martin J. Golden (R,C) was elected in 2002 to represent Brooklyn’s 22nd Senate District, that includes Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend and parts of Sheepshead Bay, Borough Park and Midwood.
He has established himself as one of the most influential lawmakers in the city and state, authoring more than 222 laws, most notably in the areas of public safety, tax cuts, economic development, and senior citizen issues.
A retired New York City police officer, he received numerous awards during his 10-year law enforcement career. He retired in 1983, after suffering a serious injury while making a narcotics arrest.
He worked to strengthen the Megan’s Law sex offender registry and expand the DNA databank to include all persons convicted of a felony and certain misdemeanors. He sponsored the laws to increase penalties against gun-runners and those that injure or kill police officers. He also wrote a tough law that mandates prison for the possession of a single loaded illegal firearm.
Working with a diverse group of parents, educators, clergy and school choice advocates, he delivered a $330 child tax credit for public, private and parochial school students. Senator Golden’s diligent efforts secured $11.2 billion in funding to improve New York City public schools including a new high school in Sunset Park and many other classrooms.
The oldest of eight children born to Irish immigrants, he knows that working families need tax breaks to help make ends meet. He has delivered the laws that eliminated the state sales tax on clothing and footwear; secured a $400 property tax cut for New York City residents; and eliminated the personal income tax marriage penalty.
From 1998 through 2002, he represented the 43rd District in the New York City Council. In the days immediately after 9/11, his office coordinated the shipment of more than 200 truckloads of food, clothing, and materials to the volunteers working at Ground Zero and helped to establish the first Community Emergency Response Team (CERT 1 NYC) in New York State.
He attended St. Patrick’s and Our Lady of Angels Grammar Schools, Both Bay Ridge; New York School of Printing, John Jay College, and St. John’s University. Marty and his wife, Colleen, have two children, Michael and P.J.