Preceded by Frank Padavan Name Tony Avella Party Democratic Party Alma mater Hunter College Education Hunter College | Political party Democratic Spouse Judith Avella Preceded by Michael Abel Role American Politician Succeeded by Dan Halloran | |
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Constituency Queens: Bayside, College Point, Auburndale, Beechhurst, Whitestone, Bay Terrace, Robinwood; parts of Flushing, Douglaston, Little Neck, Glen Oaks Born October 27, 1951 (age 72)
Astoria, Queens ( 1951-10-27 ) Residence Whitestone, New York, U.S. Similar People John Liu, Toby Ann Stavisky, Paul Vallone, Mark Weprin, David Weprin | ||
Ny state sen tony avella walking off stage in protest at ny muslim parade
Anthony Avella Jr. (born October 27, 1951) is an American politician and Democratic State Senator from the 11th New York Senate district. Avella was a member of the New York City Council from the borough of Queens from 2002 to 2009. He represented the 19th Council District, which includes the mostly affluent neighborhoods of College Point, Whitestone, Bayside, Little Neck, Douglaston, Floral Park, Beechhurst, Malba and Auburndale.
Contents
- Ny state sen tony avella walking off stage in protest at ny muslim parade
- Ny state senator tony avella pension risk protection legislation press conference
- Public service history
- Legislative concerns on the City Council
- New York State Senate
- References
Avella served as the Chair of the Zoning and Franchises Subcommittee and was a member of five other Council committees: Higher Education, Housing and Buildings, Fire and Criminal Justice Services, Land Use, and Veterans. He was the founder and Chair of the first Italian-American Caucus of the Council. He opted not to run for a third term of the City Council (which was allowed by a bill passed in early 2009), in order to run in the 2009 Democratic primary for mayor of New York City. He received publicity for his stances in favor of animal rights and against overdevelopment, but was defeated by Bill Thompson.
He is a graduate of Hunter College of the City University of New York. A lifelong Queens resident, he currently resides in Whitestone with his wife, Judith Cashman.
On November 2, 2010, Avella defeated incumbent district 11 New York State Senator Frank Padavan. On November 26. 2012, Avella announced he would enter the race for Queens Borough President. On August 14, 2013, he dropped out of the race.
Senator Avella announced that he will run for Mayor of New York in 2017 for a second time. On May 4, 2017, Senator Avella announced that he was suspending his campaign for Mayor saying, "I will continue to be the State Senator from Queens and represent the interests of Queens in Albany where I was able to get 13 bills signed into law last year. I will not stop fighting against the current Mayor, or anyone who tries to slow the progress of our great borough and city. I will continue to pass progressive legislation, fight to make New York more affordable, and ensure that the government works for everyone."
Ny state senator tony avella pension risk protection legislation press conference
Public service history
Avella's public service career began over 20 years ago as an aide to New York City Council member Peter Vallone, Sr. He served as an aide to Mayors Ed Koch and David Dinkins, and as Chief of Staff to the late State Senator Leonard Stavisky and his widow, Toby Stavisky, later a State Senator herself.
Legislative concerns on the City Council
Avella's historic "Demolition by Neglect" bill was signed into law by the mayor in February 2005. This legislation enables the Landmarks Preservation Commission to prevent the destruction of New York City's landmarks by property owners. The legislation was supported by 46 preservation and civic groups, including the Landmarks Conservancy, the Historic Districts Council, and the National Historic Trust.
In 2005 Avella forwarded a bill proposing that the Department of Transportation increase the operational duration of four public bus companies operating in his area. The bill would allow for the smooth integration of the private lines with the MTA, and was signed into law in May 2005.
New York State Senate
First elected to the State Senate in 2010, Avella, as a freshman senator, was appointed ranking member of the Cities and Environmental Conservation Committees, and has served on the Education, Aging, Banking, and Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committees.
He currently serves as the Chair of the Children and Families Committee, Vice Chair of the Environmental Conservation Committee, and is a member of the Banks, Cultural Affairs, Educations, Elections, Housing, Insurance, Judiciary, Transportation, NYC Education, Insurance, and Libraries Select Committees. He is also Chair of the Senate Task Force on the Delivery of Social Services to New York City, the first-ever task force of its kind.
In 2014, Avella joined the Independent Democratic Conference, a group of Democrats who have a power sharing agreement with the New York State Senate Republican Conference.