The quality of our lives can depend upon who governs us.
Qualities such as integrity, sincerity, compassion and intelligence characterize the trust that develops between constituents and an elected official. One such person is state Sen. Anna Kaplan, who has demonstrated all of those important qualities that she has brought forth since her election in 2018.
Anna has built upon a stellar career and has served admirably. First as a trustee of the Great Neck Public Library, followed by her election to the North Hempstead Town Board and a member of the North Hempstead Board of Zoning Appeals.
Ultimately, in 2018 she was elected to the New York State Senate’s 7th District and became the first candidate for New York State office to be endorsed by former President Barack Obama.
She is like a laser beam that zeroes in on important issues sharing information and energetically works to enact legislation to benefit her constituency. While it is gratifying to have legislation enacted, however, it is within the jurisdiction of a legislator to push for the needed legislation.
Anna has been front and center regarding issues that are of deep to concern to her and her constituents. The following are examples of her legislative efforts. They are far reaching, multifaceted and focused on protecting humanity.
They include important information regarding the pandemic, gun safety and domestic violence protective measures, small business initiatives, voting rights, Holocaust awareness, anti-hate symbol legislation, climate change and Women’s Reproductive Rights.
During Covid’s early outbreak, her daily newsletter was a welcome and important source of information for the many issues that faced our community. Gun safety is one of Anna’s major concerns. Her energetic efforts included the sponsorship of the recent “ghost guns” legislation. Also, Sen. Kaplan introduced legislation extending a moratorium on small business and evictions to protect small business owners and landlords’ additional hardship created by the pandemic.
She advanced a legislative package to protect domestic violence survivors and human trafficking. She was a sponsor of the New York John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act. Sen. Kaplan believed that it was important for students to learn about the Holocaust. Consequently, in a joint sponsorship with Nily Rozic, (D-Fresh Meadows) they enacted Holocaust Education bills. The advent of hate symbols produced a bill by the lawmaker banning those symbols. Kaplan co-sponsored the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which requires an 85% reduction in gas emissions by 2050. Her agenda includes strong support of the Reproductive Health Act.
Valuable concerned leadership is the personification of Sen. Anna Kaplan. During her tenure, she has earned our respect and our vote. Please join me by adding your vote on Aug. 23 to Sen. Kaplan’s re-election. Given her past accomplishments, there is no doubt that she will continue to focus her efforts on maintaining the best quality of life for all her constituents.
Lois Schaffer
Great Neck
