George D. Maziarz
Encyclopedia
George D. Maziarz is a Republican
politician from New York State. He currently represents the 62nd District in the New York State Senate
, which includes Niagara County (except for the City of Niagara Falls
), all of Orleans County
, and the western portion of Monroe County
.
, where he was educated in local schools, first at Ascension Academy and then at North Tonawanda High School
, graduating in 1972. Four years later, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Niagara University
.
He was appointed City Clerk in his hometown of North Tonawanda in 1978 at the young age of 25 and he became Niagara County, New York
Clerk in 1989. Six years later, Senator John Daly resigned his seat to become Commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation
, and Maziarz entered the Senate after winning a special election.
He has served as President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas, member of the Board of Directors of the United Way of the Tonawandas, member of the Corporate Advisory Board of DeGraff Memorial Hospital
and Chairman of the popular Canal Festival of the Tonawandas. He is also a past officer and long-time member of Live Hose Co. #4, member of the Niagara County Volunteer Firemen’s Association, Knights of Columbus Council 2535, S.C.O.P.E. and the Niagara University Booster Club.
As of 2011, Maziarz resides in Newfane, New York
with his wife, Beverly.
. In January 1997, Maziarz was named Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, a post which he held through the 2001-2002 session. Legislation from this committee included:
In 2003-2004, Maziarz served as Chairman of the Committee on Tourism, Recreation, and Sports Development.
He previously served as Chairman of the Senate Labor Committee. He currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee
. He also serves as a member of the Rules; Higher Education; Crime, Crime Victime, and Corrections; Environmental Conservation; and Transportation Committees. He voted against same-sex marriage legislation on December 2, 2009; the bill was defeated.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
politician from New York State. He currently represents the 62nd District in the New York State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
, which includes Niagara County (except for the City of Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 50,193, down from the 55,593 recorded in the 2000 census. It is across the Niagara River from Niagara Falls, Ontario , both named after the famed Niagara Falls which they...
), all of Orleans County
Orleans County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 44,171 people, 15,363 households, and 10,846 families residing in the county. The population density was 113 people per square mile . There were 17,347 housing units at an average density of 44 per square mile...
, and the western portion of Monroe County
Monroe County, New York
Monroe County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 744,344. It is named after James Monroe, fifth President of the United States of America. Its county seat is the city of Rochester....
.
Biography
Maziarz is a native of North Tonawanda, New YorkNorth Tonawanda, New York
North Tonawanda is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 31,568 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is named after Tonawanda Creek, its south border...
, where he was educated in local schools, first at Ascension Academy and then at North Tonawanda High School
North Tonawanda High School
North Tonawanda High School or N.T.H.S., is a public high school located in North Tonawanda, New York. N.T.H.S. is the high school for the North Tonawanda City School District.-Spirit Week:...
, graduating in 1972. Four years later, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Niagara University
Niagara University
Niagara University is a Catholic university in the Vincentian tradition, located in the Town of Lewiston in Niagara County, New York. Originally founded by the Congregation of the Mission in 1856 as Our Lady of Angels Seminary, it became Niagara University in 1883. The University is still run by...
.
He was appointed City Clerk in his hometown of North Tonawanda in 1978 at the young age of 25 and he became Niagara County, New York
Niagara County, New York
Niagara County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 216,469. The county seat is Lockport. The county name is from the Iroquois word Onguiaahra; meaning the strait or thunder of waters. It is the location of Niagara Falls and Fort Niagara, and...
Clerk in 1989. Six years later, Senator John Daly resigned his seat to become Commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation
New York State Department of Transportation
The New York State Department of Transportation is responsible for the development and operation of highways, railroads, mass transit systems, ports, waterways and aviation facilities in the U.S...
, and Maziarz entered the Senate after winning a special election.
He has served as President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas, member of the Board of Directors of the United Way of the Tonawandas, member of the Corporate Advisory Board of DeGraff Memorial Hospital
Kaleida Health
Kaleida Health is the largest non-profit health care provider in Western New York. Founded in 1998, the organization supplies the area's eight counties with health services throughout five different hospitals and separate medical centers...
and Chairman of the popular Canal Festival of the Tonawandas. He is also a past officer and long-time member of Live Hose Co. #4, member of the Niagara County Volunteer Firemen’s Association, Knights of Columbus Council 2535, S.C.O.P.E. and the Niagara University Booster Club.
As of 2011, Maziarz resides in Newfane, New York
Newfane, New York
Newfane is a town in Niagara County, New York, USA. The population was 9,666 at the 2010 census. The name was suggested by an early settler.The Town of Newfane is in the north-central part of the county, north of the City of Lockport.- History :...
with his wife, Beverly.
In the New York State Senate
Senator Maziarz has held several leadership positions in the New York State SenateNew York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
. In January 1997, Maziarz was named Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, a post which he held through the 2001-2002 session. Legislation from this committee included:
- Enactment of a major expansion to the state’s Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage Program (EPIC) which increased income eligibility, reduced annual fees and lowered co-payments for prescription drugs for New York’s seniors.
- Passage and enactment of the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Protection Act which protects New Yorkers, particularly seniors, from the deceptive telemarketing acts and practices.
In 2003-2004, Maziarz served as Chairman of the Committee on Tourism, Recreation, and Sports Development.
He previously served as Chairman of the Senate Labor Committee. He currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
. He also serves as a member of the Rules; Higher Education; Crime, Crime Victime, and Corrections; Environmental Conservation; and Transportation Committees. He voted against same-sex marriage legislation on December 2, 2009; the bill was defeated.
Legislative Accomplishments
Since being elected to the State Senate, Maziarz has a legislative record in a variety of policy areas. These laws include:- Sponsored Megan’s Law, which created New York's sex offender registry and tracking system. He sponsored and supported numerous other laws that have worked to strengthen penalties against sex offenders, including bill #S00011B,
- Sponsored the Assisted Living Reform Act. The law included proper consumer protections, including a resident’s bill of rights, and provided for criminal penalties for those operating unlicensed “look alike” facilities. Bill Number S7748
- Sponsored legislation allowing New York to join the Great Lakes-St Lawrence River Basin Compact.Great Lakes CompactThe Great Lakes--St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact is a legally binding interstate compact among the U.S. states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The compact details how the states manage the use of the Great Lakes Basin's water...
The Great lakesGreat LakesThe Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
contain 95% of all of the freshwater in North AmericaNorth AmericaNorth America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, and this legislation created stronger rules and regulations for any water withdrawal from the Great LakesGreat LakesThe Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
. Bill Number S4324-B
- In 2008 and 2010 sponsoring and co-sponsoring the net-metering bills, which allows a utility customer who generates their own electricity to receive a credit to their bill for the energy produced. The laws that were adopted in 2008 and 2010 expanded this practice to allow schools, municipalities, businesses and large farms to take full advantage of this practice as well. These laws have led to the increased development of more wind, solar, biomass and biodiesel power generation throughout New York State. Bill Numbers S7171-B; S8481; S6700
- Sponsored a bill to help the unemployed who is on unemployment to withhold part of their benefit from each check. Bill Number S7737
- Senator Maziarz co-sponsored the green residential building code program which allowed incentive payments to contractors who adopted energy efficient building methods and materials. He was also a sponsor and strong supporter of New York’s Green Jobs/Green New York law that offers financing and incentives to residents to make their homes more energy efficient. Bill Number S5888
- Sponsored the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act, which for the first time offered New York residents clear protections from the deceptive and unfair practices used by some telemarketers. The law includes requirements that all telemarketers be bonded and registered with the Department of State. It also prohibits any access to a customer’s financial accounts without written authorization as well as other important protections. Bill Number S8116
- Co-Sponsored legislation for volunteer firefightersFirefighterFirefighters are rescuers extensively trained primarily to put out hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, to rescue people from car incidents, collapsed and burning buildings and other such situations...
that extend the same benefits for lung ailments to volunteers as are available to professional firefighters. Bill Number S3701
- Sponsored laws to help those that volunteered to help with the relief effort after 9/11. Another significant law allows school district employees to be authorized to take paid leave to assist in disaster relief operations, and another that allows for volunteers injured or disabled as a result of participating in the rescue efforts at the World Trade Center to apply for workers compensation benefits.
- New York State’s labor laws and protections. These have included laws to hold companies accountable for violating the state’s asbestos laws and regulations, as well as a law that required the Department of Labor to issue regulations to protect child performers from abusive practices.
- Creating many local laws to promote and develop assets in the Niagara area including the Erie CanalErie CanalThe Erie Canal is a waterway in New York that runs about from Albany, New York, on the Hudson River to Buffalo, New York, at Lake Erie, completing a navigable water route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. The canal contains 36 locks and encompasses a total elevation differential of...
, Niagara Wine Trail and Old Fort Niagara.