John Sabini
Encyclopedia
John D. Sabini is the Chairman of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board, having served in this capacity since August 2008 when he was confirmed by the New York State Senate. Sabini had previously been a member of the New York
State Senate, a Democrat first elected in 2002. He represented parts of Jackson Heights
, Corona
, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst
and Woodside
. He previously represented much of this area as a New York City
Council Member for the years 1992-2001.
Sabini holds a degree from New York University
's College of Business and Public Administration, now known as the Stern School, and attended its Graduate School of Public Administration, now known as the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.
Sabini served as District Administrator for Congressmen James H. Scheuer
and Stephen J. Solarz
. He also served as Director of the State Assembly's Subcommittee on Senior Citizen Facilities. Prior to his election to the City Council, Sabini was Vice President of the MWW Group, a public and government relations firm based in New Jersey
.
.
When joining the Senate, Sabini received several high-profile appointments unprecedented for a new member. He was appointed as the ranking member of the Elections Committee and was the Senate Democratic conferee on a conference committee designed to set up the state's framework to comply with the federal Help America Vote Act
. Sabini was also appointed to the Rules Committee, the first freshman Democrat since 1937 to serve in that capacity.
In 2006, Sabini was appointed as Assistant Minority Leader for Intergovernmental Affairs. He serves as the liaison between the Senate Minority Conference and the Governor's office, the State Assembly, Congress and local governments. Sabini is simultaneously maintaining his ranking membership status on the Transportation and Racing, Gaming & Wagering Committees.
Sabini was also appointed to several high-profile panels in 2006. In February he served as the only New York State representative on a national transportation leadership summit at the White House
. In April he served as the only New York City legislator on Governor Eliot Spitzer
's special panel to determine the future of thoroughbred racing in New York and the operations of Belmont Park
, Aqueduct Race Track and Saratoga Racecourse.
In his first term, he introduced the bill that established by law the Flight 587 Memorial Scholarship, honoring the victims of that flight that crashed on the way to the Dominican Republic
. Recently, he introduced a bill — which also later passed into law — to prevent the scheduling of statewide exams during major religious holidays.
The crisis surrounding the Queens County Democratic Organization following the death of Donald Manes
in 1986 was a defining moment in Sabini's career. Sabini was thrust into the position of County Chairman at the time when scrutiny from the media and federal investigators threatened the future of the party. His success in stepping in to clean up the party earned him glowing editorial support from The New York Times
and Newsday
.
On the City Council, Sabini held the post of Council representative to the City's Commission on Public Information and Communications, a panel seeking ways to improve interaction between New York City residents and city government and increased use of technology. He was appointed Chair of the Council's Subcommittee on Landmarks, Public Siting and Maritime Uses and was chosen for membership on the Council's influential Land Use Committee and on the Subcommittee on Planning, Dispositions and Concessions. In his legislative duties, he introduced and co-sponsored many bills that have helped to improve the quality of life for New Yorkers, including the Aggressive Panhandling bill and the Landmark Notification Law, which requires the commercial tenants doing business in historic districts be informed about their responsibilities under the city's landmarks law.
. He also declined to take a Breathalyzer
.
Sabini pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of driving while ability impaired, concluding a case that began in September when he was pulled over. He paid a $300 fine and agreed to enroll in anti-DWI
classes. His driver's license was suspended for six months.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
State Senate, a Democrat first elected in 2002. He represented parts of Jackson Heights
Jackson Heights, Queens
Jackson Heights is a neighborhood in the Northwestern portion of the borough of Queens in New York, New York, United States. The neighborhood is part of Queens Community Board 3...
, Corona
Corona, Queens
Corona is a densely-populated neighborhood in the former Township of Newtown in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York, United States...
, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst
Elmhurst, Queens
Elmhurst is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens. It is bounded by Roosevelt Avenue on the north; Corona to the northeast; Junction Boulevard on the east; Rego Park to the southeast; the Long Island Expressway on the south; Middle Village to the south and southwest; and Maspeth...
and Woodside
Woodside, Queens
Woodside is a neighborhood in the western portion of the New York City borough of Queens. It is bordered on the south by Maspeth, on the north by Astoria, on the west by Sunnyside and on the east by Elmhurst and Jackson Heights. Some areas are widely residential and very quiet, while others are...
. He previously represented much of this area as a New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
Council Member for the years 1992-2001.
Early life
A lifelong resident of Jackson Heights, Sabini won election to the Community Advisory Board at Elmhurst Hospital at age 16. At 19, he was appointed to Community Board No. 3-Q, where he served until his election to the Council.Sabini holds a degree from New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
's College of Business and Public Administration, now known as the Stern School, and attended its Graduate School of Public Administration, now known as the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.
Sabini served as District Administrator for Congressmen James H. Scheuer
James H. Scheuer
James Haas Scheuer was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from New York. He was also affiliated with the Liberal Party of New York.-Family and education:...
and Stephen J. Solarz
Stephen J. Solarz
Stephen Joshua Solarz was a United States Congressional Representative from New York. Solarz was both an outspoken critic of President Ronald Reagan's deployment of Marines to Lebanon in 1982 and a cosponsor of the 1991 Gulf War Authorization Act during the Presidency of George H. W...
. He also served as Director of the State Assembly's Subcommittee on Senior Citizen Facilities. Prior to his election to the City Council, Sabini was Vice President of the MWW Group, a public and government relations firm based in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
.
Career
When the newly configured 13th Senate District was unveiled in the Spring of 2002, Sabini became a candidate who amassed broad support within the Democratic Party. In 2004 and 2006 he became the Democratic nominee and was unanimously re-elected in the general electionGeneral election
In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
.
When joining the Senate, Sabini received several high-profile appointments unprecedented for a new member. He was appointed as the ranking member of the Elections Committee and was the Senate Democratic conferee on a conference committee designed to set up the state's framework to comply with the federal Help America Vote Act
Help America Vote Act
The Help America Vote Act , or HAVA, is a United States federal law which passed in the House 357-48 and 92-2 in the Senate and was signed into law by President Bush on October 29, 2002. Drafted in reaction to the controversy surrounding the 2000 U.S...
. Sabini was also appointed to the Rules Committee, the first freshman Democrat since 1937 to serve in that capacity.
In 2006, Sabini was appointed as Assistant Minority Leader for Intergovernmental Affairs. He serves as the liaison between the Senate Minority Conference and the Governor's office, the State Assembly, Congress and local governments. Sabini is simultaneously maintaining his ranking membership status on the Transportation and Racing, Gaming & Wagering Committees.
Sabini was also appointed to several high-profile panels in 2006. In February he served as the only New York State representative on a national transportation leadership summit at the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
. In April he served as the only New York City legislator on Governor Eliot Spitzer
Eliot Spitzer
Eliot Laurence Spitzer is an American lawyer, former Democratic Party politician, and political commentator. He was the co-host of In the Arena, a talk-show and punditry forum broadcast on CNN until CNN cancelled his show in July of 2011...
's special panel to determine the future of thoroughbred racing in New York and the operations of Belmont Park
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905...
, Aqueduct Race Track and Saratoga Racecourse.
In his first term, he introduced the bill that established by law the Flight 587 Memorial Scholarship, honoring the victims of that flight that crashed on the way to the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
. Recently, he introduced a bill — which also later passed into law — to prevent the scheduling of statewide exams during major religious holidays.
The crisis surrounding the Queens County Democratic Organization following the death of Donald Manes
Donald Manes
Donald R. Manes was a controversial Democratic Party politician from New York City. He served as borough president of the New York City borough of Queens from 1971 until just before his suicide in 1986.-Career:...
in 1986 was a defining moment in Sabini's career. Sabini was thrust into the position of County Chairman at the time when scrutiny from the media and federal investigators threatened the future of the party. His success in stepping in to clean up the party earned him glowing editorial support from The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
and Newsday
Newsday
Newsday is a daily American newspaper that primarily serves Nassau and Suffolk counties and the New York City borough of Queens on Long Island, although it is sold throughout the New York metropolitan area...
.
On the City Council, Sabini held the post of Council representative to the City's Commission on Public Information and Communications, a panel seeking ways to improve interaction between New York City residents and city government and increased use of technology. He was appointed Chair of the Council's Subcommittee on Landmarks, Public Siting and Maritime Uses and was chosen for membership on the Council's influential Land Use Committee and on the Subcommittee on Planning, Dispositions and Concessions. In his legislative duties, he introduced and co-sponsored many bills that have helped to improve the quality of life for New Yorkers, including the Aggressive Panhandling bill and the Landmark Notification Law, which requires the commercial tenants doing business in historic districts be informed about their responsibilities under the city's landmarks law.
Drunk Driving incident
On November 6, 2007 Albany police pulled Sabini over; Sabini subsequently failed a Field-sobriety testDrunk driving (United States)
Drunk driving is the act of operating and/or driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs to the degree that mental and motor skills are impaired...
. He also declined to take a Breathalyzer
Breathalyzer
A breathalyzer or breathalyser is a device for estimating blood alcohol content from a breath sample...
.
Sabini pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of driving while ability impaired, concluding a case that began in September when he was pulled over. He paid a $300 fine and agreed to enroll in anti-DWI
DWI
DWI is an acronym which means:* Driving while intoxicated, see Driving under the influence* Driving while impaired* Danish West Indies* Diffusion-weighted imaging, a technique used in magnetic resonance imaging* Drinking Water Inspectorate...
classes. His driver's license was suspended for six months.