Editorial: Re-elect Andrew Raia in 12th Assembly District
Andrew Raia, Smithtown Republican candidate for the 12th Assembly District. (May 24, 2012) Credit: David Pokress
Eastern Huntington, northwest Islip, northeast Babylon
Sometimes it's hard to be a minority party member working in Albany, but Assemb. Andrew Raia, a Republican from East Northport, fills the role about as well as it can be done.
Raia, 44, is seeking his sixth term, and has no opposition. Two years ago he faced a Democratic candidate who did little more than put his name on the ballot in contesting the seat.
Clearly, the district is happy with Raia's service, and it should be. He is a detail-oriented, even wonky worker in the legislature, focusing on complicated issues.
Raia has worked hard to focus attention on some of the abuses of the state's generous Medicaid program, including optional services with overly low co-pays and overspending on transportation for patients. He says that while he and his ally in the fight, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, haven't had as much success as he'd like, the battle will go on.
Locally, he's working on environmental concerns, particularly the nitrogen buildup in Long Island's waters, pushing innovative methods like algae rings and electrolysis of waste water to control the problem.
Newsday endorses Raia.
