Dean Murray for New York State Senate 3rd District

Every legislative body needs someone like Dean Murray. He's the one wagging his finger, the persistent scold, the person who reminds you about following process, the one who won't let go of an important issue until it's solved.

It's a typical role for someone in the minority party, as Murray's Republicans are in Albany, but he also has been able to get things done by partnering with Democrats.

In his first term, Murray, 60, a former assemblyman from East Patchogue, worked with Kevin Thomas (D-Levittown) to get passed Angelica's Law, which decreased from 10 to five the number of driver's license suspensions needed to charge someone with a felony for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. The law was named for Angelica Nappi of Holbrook, who was 14 when she was killed by a driver who had more than five previous license suspensions. Murray also teamed with Sen. Julia Salazar (D-Brooklyn) to successfully pass a measure to allow Suffolk County police, firefighters and EMS personnel to carry and administer lifesaving epi-pens to reverse cases of anaphylactic shock.

Angelica's Law reflects Murray's interest in substance abuse issues, like drunken and drugged driving and the fentanyl and opioid epidemic. One bill he is sponsoring would put xylazine, also known as tranq and an increasing factor in drug overdose deaths, on the list of depressants designated as controlled substances. He also is concerned about what he says is a "huge increase" in drivers who have been using marijuana fleeing from accidents they were involved in. When pot was legalized, Murray says penalties for leaving the scene of a fatal accident should have been increased; he's written legislation to boost that from a Class E felony to a Class B felony with a minimum sentence of 10-to-15 years.

Like many lawmakers, Murray hears from constituents concerned about affordability. And like many lawmakers, he says "there's no easy fix." His grab-bag of suggestions includes municipalities and agencies hiring more people to reduce overtime and cut costs, switching to a hybrid sales/state income tax to fund schools, and giving the state comptroller more oversight to unearth waste in state contracts.

Murray also would like to reform the state's judicial selection process so lawmakers vote on individual appointments, rather than a batch of nominees all at once. And he is urging his constituents to approve the Suffolk County water quality referendum on the ballot.

Given the breadth of his interests and initiatives, perhaps it is no surprise that Murray would like to see a longer legislative session in Albany. It typically ends in June. "I have no problem with a fall session," he said, "the world doesn't stop turning."

Murray's opponent, Democrat Michael L. Conroy, is not actively campaigning.

Newsday's editorial board endorses Murray.