Philip Boyle

Philip Boyle
Member of the New York State Senate from the 4th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 1, 2013
Preceded by	Owen H. Johnson
Member of the New York State Assembly from the 8th district
In office February 2006 – January 2013
Preceded by	Thomas Barraga
Succeeded by	Michael J. Fitzpatrick
Member of the New York State Assembly from the 8th district
In office 1994–2002
Preceded by	John Cochrane
Succeeded by	Thomas Barraga
Personal details
Born	(1961-07-21) July 21, 1961[1] Bay Shore, New York[1]
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Victoria Ryan[1]
Residence	East Islip, New York[2]
Alma mater	UNC at Chapel Hill SUNY at Albany Albany Law School
Profession	Lawyer
Website	Official website

Philip M. "Phil" Boyle (born July 21, 1961)^[1] is a member of the New York State Senate, representing the 4th District. He previously served in the New York State Assembly representing the 8th Assembly district, which includes West Babylon, Babylon, West Islip, Bayshore, Islip, East Islip, and Great River.

Biography

Boyle attended SUNY at Geneseo and then completed his undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning a Political Science degree in 1983. He received a Master of Public Administration degree from SUNY at Albany and a law degree from Albany Law School, both in 1987.^[1][2]

After serving on the staff of former U.S. Representative Rick Lazio, Boyle was first elected to the state Assembly in 1994, and did not seek reelection in 2002, honoring a term-limits pledge. He returned to the state Assembly after winning a special election on February 28, 2006.^[2]

Boyle was a delegate for John McCain being one of the few New York elected officials to endorse McCain before the primaries where most endorsed Rudy Giuliani. He served as a delegate for NY in 2012 and was among the first to endorse Mitt Romney.

Philip Boyle is a founding partner in the law firm Steinberg & Boyle LLP, located in East Islip, New York. He is an active volunteer firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician in the Great River Fire Department. Boyle is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Sierra Club. He and his wife Victoria Ryan live in Bay Shore, New York.^[2]

Standing Committee Assignments

• Committee on Economic Development^[2]
• Aging Committee (Ranking Member)
• Codes Committee

Legislative Accomplishments

Boyle is considered a fiscally conservative member of the New York State Legislature, voting and advocating for reduced government spending in Albany. His primary focus has been to lower the tax burden on all New Yorkers, particularly focusing on lowering school property taxes. As a member of the Assembly Committee on Codes, Boyle also led in efforts to enhance New York State’s use of forensic technology such as DNA to both convict the guilty and exonerate the innocent.^[2] He is also among the highest rated members of the legislature on environmental issues, consistently receiving high score and endorsements from conservancy groups such as the League of Conservation Voters, The Sierra Club and the EBL.^[3]

Taxes

Boyle worked across party lines including along with the Cuomo Administration restructuring of the New York State tax code in 2011. Over his 14 year tenure, Phil Boyle has fought for lower taxes by:

• Successfully fighting to eliminate the onerous MTA tax on local employers.
• Lowering taxes for the middle class to the lowest rate in over 50 years.
• Controlling local property taxes voting for the 2% cap on school district spending.
• Sponsor of the “New York State Property Taxpayers Protection Act” to limit the property tax burden on homeowners and businesses.
• Sponsored legislation to lower the state’s sales tax on gasoline.
• Voted to exempt clothing and shoes from state sales taxes.

State Spending & Fiscal Accountability

As an identified fiscal conservative, Boyle has consistently voted against wasteful state spending. His record includes:

• Sponsoring legislation to impose a spending cap, limiting how much the state can spend, and to increase the size of the state’s “rainy day fund” to avoid future tax increases.
• Advocating that the State pass on-time and balanced state budgets.
• Supporting Governor Cuomo’s plan to consolidate state agencies and save taxpayer’s millions.
• Supporting welfare reform including work requirements.

Environment

Boyle has consistently proclaimed his personal commitment to the protection of Long Island’s natural resources. His statement acknowledging a recent high ranking by the environmental group ABL Boyle said, “Protecting the environment and working to defend New York’s natural resources is paramount to ensuring the good health, well-being and prosperity of all who live on Long Island.” His environmental legislative record includes:

• Sponsoring legislation to encourage the development of solar power as an alternative energy source.
• Voting for legislation to safeguard precious freshwater wetlands which protect Long Island’s drinking water.
• Voting for legislation to require the state to purchase environmentally “green” products.

Gun Control

• Voted in favor of the Cuomo Administration's New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act of 2013 which has been criticized by Second Amendment activists as "restricted the rights of law-abiding New York residents." Senator Boyle has since cosponsored legislation (S.3948) which, if passed, would repeal the SAFE ACT. Citing the rush under which that law was passed, lack of public comment in the process and problematic and possibly illegal language in the original bill, Senator Boyle stated that its passage was a mistake and "a good leader admits to a mistake and works to rectify it." ^[4]

2012 New York State Senate race

After 40 years service in the New York State Senate from the 4th Senatorial District, Owen Johnson announced his retirement on July 16, 2012.^[5] Boyle received the Republican, Conservative and Independence Party nominations to run for the open seat and launched his campaign in early August 2012. He received Senator Johnson's endorsement shortly thereafter.^[6] On November 6, 2012, Boyle was elected to the Senate with 53% of the vote.

In addition to the endorsement of the popular sitting Senator, Boyle's bid for the open seat received numerous endorsements from a broad range of organizations, individuals and unions including:^{[7][citation needed]}

• NY League of Conservation Voters
• Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association of NYC
• International Brotherhood of Teamsters Joint Council 16
• New Yorkers For Growth
• Sierra Club
• New York State Nurses Association
• Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association
• New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
• Suffolk County Police Conference
• Business Council of NY State
• Uniformed Firefighters Association-FDNY
• Local 246, SEIU Automotive/Mechanical.

Election results

• February 2006 special election, NYS Assembly, 8th AD^[8]

Philip M. Boyle (REP - IND - CON - STR)	...	6,253
Ernie Mattace (DEM - WOR)	...	3,228

• November 2006 general election, NYS Assembly, 8th AD^[9]

Philip M. Boyle (REP - IND - CON)	...	19,088
Dennis M. Cohen (DEM)	...	12,261

• November 2008 general election, NYS Assembly, 8th AD^[10]

Philip M. Boyle (REP - IND - CON)	...	29,449
Elizabeth A. Bloom (DEM - WOR)	...	19,198

• November 2010 general election, NYS Assembly, 8th AD^[11]

Philip M. Boyle (REP - IND - CON)	...	23,751
Janice A. Sweet (DEM)	...	9,714

• November 2012 general election, NYS Senate, 4th SD^[12]

Philip M. Boyle (REP - IND - CON)	...	51,259
Ricardo Montano (DEM)	...	45,837

References

External links

• New York State Senate: Philip Boyle