John Bonacic

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John Bonacic (born June 14, 1942 in New York City) is the Republican New York State Senator from the 42nd District (All or parts of Delaware, Sullivan, Orange, and Ulster Counties). Bonacic was first elected in November 1998.

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[edit] Current Senate Committee Memberships

Bonacic currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing, Construction & Community Development. He is also the Co-Chair of the Senate Task Force on Health & Wellness and is the Senate's Representative on Governor Pataki's Small Cities Advisory Committee. He is also a member of the Senate's Budget Sub-Committee on Housing, Agriculture, Environmental Conservation, and Transportation.

In addition, Senator Bonacic serves as a member of several other Senate committees, including: Tourism, Recreation & Sports Development; Judiciary; Local Government; Commerce, Economic Development & Small Business; Banks; Codes; and Labor.

[edit] Legislative Focus

Senator Bonacic is recognized as an independent leader within the Senate. From nearly his first day in the Senate, he has challenged the conventional thinking of the long-time Majority on issues relating to healthcare, property tax reform, and government reform. Bonacic was the Senate sponsor of the Women's Health and Wellness Act, legislation so significant it was featured nationally on NBC Nightly News and has been called the most comprehensive women's healthcare law in the nation.

Bonacic was also the first voice within the current Senate membership to articulate a series of arguments against the current property tax system. He held statewide hearings in 2003 that led to the development of property tax reform legislation. That legislation, while supported in the Senate, was not brought to a vote in Assembly Committees, which are controlled by downstate Democrats. In addition, he offered legislation to remove the property tax, at local option, on primary residential property. That concept was picked up and passed in the Senate in 2006; again, without any action in the Assembly - which has ignored the property tax problem.

[edit] Education

Bonacic received his Bachelor of Arts Degree at Iona College in 1964, majoring in Economics. He received his Doctorate of Law at Fordham University School of Law in 1968.

[edit] Resume

  • Counsel to the Law Firm of Bonacic, Krahulik & Associates, LLP
  • Assistant District Attorney for Orange County
  • Began his political career in 1972 when he became an Orange County Legislator. He was re-elected to this post four times, serving a total of 17 years.

[edit] Memberships, Associations

  • member of both the Orange County Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association
  • admitted to practice law in the State of New Jersey

[edit] Sources

Preceded by
Mary McPhillips		 New York State Assembly, 94th District
1990–1992		 Succeeded by
Nancy Calhoun
Preceded by
Nancy Calhoun		 New York State Assembly, 95th District
1993–1998		 Succeeded by
Howard Mills III
Preceded by
Charles D. Cook		 New York State Senate, 40th District
1999–2002		 Succeeded by
Vincent Leibell
Preceded by
Neil Breslin		 New York State Senate, 42nd District
2003 – present		 Incumbent