Raymond Meier
Encyclopedia
Raymond A. "Ray" Meier was born on October 23, 1952, in Rome, New York
to Alfred and Irene Meier. Mr. Meier served as a Republican
in the New York State Senate
representing New York's 47th district for five terms. The 47th Senate district comprises Lewis County
as well as portions of St. Lawrence
and Oneida
counties.
degree in political science
and a Juris Doctor
degree from Syracuse University
. He is a graduate of Rome Free Academy. He is married to Kimberly Davis-Meier. They have two children.
While serving in the state senate, Meier held outside work as well. He is of counsel
with the Utica law firm of Saunders, Kahler, Amoroso, and Locke. He was a partner in the Rome law firm of McMahon and Grow from 1985 to 1991, and an associate in the law offices of Paul A. Worlock from 1977 to 1983. Meier was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserves in 1974 and served until 1985.
Attorney. In 1978 until 1980 Meier was a legislative counsel to his political mentor, the late Senator James H. Donovan
. From 1980 to 1983 Meier served on the Corporation Counsel for the City of Rome. Meier went on to serve as Oneida County Legislator from 1986 to 1991. In 1991 Meier was appointed to serve out the term of Oneida County Executive John Plumley, who had abruptly resigned. He was later elected to the position.
. That November, Meier would win the general election.
In 1997, Meier served on a joint Senate-Assembly Energy Conference Committee which developed the "Power for Jobs" program, an agreement intended to provide low-cost power to employers in New York State.
Meier was a supporter of the STAR School Tax Relief program which became law in 1997, and was accelerated in 1998. He also sponsored the "innocent spouse" law, which took effect January 1, 1999, to protect citizens from liability for tax bills incurred by an unscrupulous spouse.
In 1997, Meier served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs. He worked to pass legislation giving veterans groups more freedom to spend the money they raise, and sponsored a 1997 constitutional amendment to give active duty military personnel veterans’ credits on civil service exams. The amendment was approved by voters in a statewide referendum. Meier's work was essential in the passing of the veteran’s buyback bill, which permits public employees to obtain up to three years of service credit in the public retirement system for their military service during periods of conflict.
In October 2001 Meier was appointed to the position of Co-chairman of the National Conference of State Legislatures
' TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) Reauthorization Task Force. He testified before the United States Congress
on TANF Reauthorization in April 2002, and served as a Member At-large of NCSL's Executive Committee.
In 2003, he was appointed by Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno to serve as a Co-Chair of the United States Senate
bipartisan Task Force on Medicaid
Reform. The Task Force held roundtable discussions across New York State for more than six months. Meier authored a law requiring the United States Department of Health and Human Services
to apply for a Federal Medicaid waiver to create a pilot program to offer less costly, more appropriate care to Medicaid patients in need of long-term care
.
Meier was chosen as one of only two Republicans in New York State to serve on the Platform Committee for the 2004 Republican National Convention
. He chose not to run for a sixth term, instead running for an open Congressional seat being vacated by Sherwood Boehlert
. Meier lost that race to Democratic D.A., Mike Arcuri
. His senate seat was won by conservative Republican Joseph Griffo
.
to succeed retiring Republican
(GOP) Congressman Sherwood Boehlert
. Meier faced Oneida County, New York
District Attorney
Michael Arcuri of the Democratic Party
for the vacant seat in the 2006 midterm elections on November 7, 2006. On July 14, 2006, Vice President
Dick Cheney
appeared at a fundraising event for Meier, in Utica, New York
. Just over two months later, on September 26, 2006, First Lady of the United States
, Laura Bush
also appeared at a fundraising campaign event for Senator Meier.
After 10 years in the New York State Senate, in a race called a "toss-up" by Congressional Quarterly, Meier lost to Arcuri by nine percentage points.
Rome, New York
Rome is a city in Oneida County, New York, United States. It is located in north-central or "upstate" New York. The population was 44,797 at the 2010 census. It is in New York's 24th congressional district. In 1758, British forces began construction of Fort Stanwix at this strategic location, but...
to Alfred and Irene Meier. Mr. Meier served as a Republican
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...
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...
representing New York's 47th district for five terms. The 47th Senate district comprises Lewis County
Lewis County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 26,944 people, 10,040 households, and 7,309 families residing in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile . There were 15,134 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile...
as well as portions of St. Lawrence
St. Lawrence County, New York
St. Lawrence County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 111,944. The county seat is Canton. The county is named for the Saint Lawrence River, which in turn was named for the Catholic saint on whose Feast day the river was discovered by...
and Oneida
Oneida County, New York
Oneida County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 234,878. The county seat is Utica. The name is in honor of the Oneida, an Iroquoian tribe that formerly occupied the region....
counties.
Background
Meier holds a Bachelor of ArtsBachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
and a Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
degree from Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
. He is a graduate of Rome Free Academy. He is married to Kimberly Davis-Meier. They have two children.
While serving in the state senate, Meier held outside work as well. He is of counsel
Counsel
A counsel or a counselor gives advice, more particularly in legal matters.-U.K. and Ireland:The legal system in England uses the term counsel as an approximate synonym for a barrister-at-law, and may apply it to mean either a single person who pleads a cause, or collectively, the body of barristers...
with the Utica law firm of Saunders, Kahler, Amoroso, and Locke. He was a partner in the Rome law firm of McMahon and Grow from 1985 to 1991, and an associate in the law offices of Paul A. Worlock from 1977 to 1983. Meier was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserves in 1974 and served until 1985.
Political career
Meier’s political career began in 1975, when he unsuccessfully ran for the Oneida County Legislature. From 1977 to 1978, he served as Deputy Onondaga CountyOnondaga County, New York
Onondaga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 467,026. The county seat is Syracuse.Onondaga County is part of the Syracuse, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area....
Attorney. In 1978 until 1980 Meier was a legislative counsel to his political mentor, the late Senator James H. Donovan
James H. Donovan
James H. Donovan was a New York State senator for Oneida county. He began the Parents as Reading Partners program .-External links:* -References:...
. From 1980 to 1983 Meier served on the Corporation Counsel for the City of Rome. Meier went on to serve as Oneida County Legislator from 1986 to 1991. In 1991 Meier was appointed to serve out the term of Oneida County Executive John Plumley, who had abruptly resigned. He was later elected to the position.
Oneida County Executive
During his time as Oneida County Executive, from 1991 to 1996, he proposed six straight balanced budgets. Meier eliminated a $9 million deficit and built a $13 million fund surplus.47th District, New York State Senate
In 1996, then Senator of the New York State’s 47th district, and fellow Republican, William Sears, announced his retirement. It was then Meier decided to pursue a higher office and campaign for the vacant seat. Meier was opposed by third-party candidate, Donald J. Thomas, who was endorsed by the New York State Right to Life PartyNew York State Right to Life Party
The New York State Right to Life Party was founded to oppose the legalization of abortion in New York in 1970. The party first made the state ballot in the 1978 gubernatorial election, where its candidate Mary Jane Tobin won 130,000 votes...
. That November, Meier would win the general election.
In 1997, Meier served on a joint Senate-Assembly Energy Conference Committee which developed the "Power for Jobs" program, an agreement intended to provide low-cost power to employers in New York State.
Meier was a supporter of the STAR School Tax Relief program which became law in 1997, and was accelerated in 1998. He also sponsored the "innocent spouse" law, which took effect January 1, 1999, to protect citizens from liability for tax bills incurred by an unscrupulous spouse.
In 1997, Meier served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs. He worked to pass legislation giving veterans groups more freedom to spend the money they raise, and sponsored a 1997 constitutional amendment to give active duty military personnel veterans’ credits on civil service exams. The amendment was approved by voters in a statewide referendum. Meier's work was essential in the passing of the veteran’s buyback bill, which permits public employees to obtain up to three years of service credit in the public retirement system for their military service during periods of conflict.
In October 2001 Meier was appointed to the position of Co-chairman of the National Conference of State Legislatures
National Conference of State Legislatures
The National Conference of State Legislatures is a bipartisan non-governmental organization established in 1975 to serve the members and staff of state legislatures of the United States...
' TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) Reauthorization Task Force. He testified before the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
on TANF Reauthorization in April 2002, and served as a Member At-large of NCSL's Executive Committee.
In 2003, he was appointed by Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno to serve as a Co-Chair of the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
bipartisan Task Force on Medicaid
Medicaid
Medicaid is the United States health program for certain people and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, and is managed by the states. People served by Medicaid are U.S. citizens or legal permanent...
Reform. The Task Force held roundtable discussions across New York State for more than six months. Meier authored a law requiring the United States Department of Health and Human Services
United States Department of Health and Human Services
The United States Department of Health and Human Services is a Cabinet department of the United States government with the goal of protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services. Its motto is "Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America"...
to apply for a Federal Medicaid waiver to create a pilot program to offer less costly, more appropriate care to Medicaid patients in need of long-term care
Long-term care
Long-term care is a variety of services which help meet both the medical and non-medical need of people with a chronic illness or disability who cannot care for themselves for long periods of time....
.
Meier was chosen as one of only two Republicans in New York State to serve on the Platform Committee for the 2004 Republican National Convention
2004 Republican National Convention
The 2004 Republican National Convention, the presidential nominating convention of the Republican Party of the United States, took place from August 30 to September 2, 2004 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York...
. He chose not to run for a sixth term, instead running for an open Congressional seat being vacated by Sherwood Boehlert
Sherwood Boehlert
Sherwood "Sherry" Louis Boehlert is a retired American politician from New York. He represented upstate New York in the United States House of Representatives from 1983 until 2007. Boehlert, a Republican, was considered to be a member of the party's moderate wing. In 2003, Utica Union Station was...
. Meier lost that race to Democratic D.A., Mike Arcuri
Mike Arcuri
Michael Angelo "Mike" Arcuri is the former U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Democratic Party. He lost re-election on November 2, 2010, to Republican Richard L...
. His senate seat was won by conservative Republican Joseph Griffo
Joseph Griffo
Joseph A. “Joe” Griffo of Rome, New York is currently a New York State Senator representing the 47th district. The 47th district encompasses all of Lewis County, most of Oneida County, and St. Lawrence County.-Early life:...
.
Election for the 24th Congressional District, New York
On March 20, 2006, Senator Meier announced he would run for U.S. Congress in New York's 24th congressional districtNew York's 24th congressional district
The 24th Congressional District of New York includes all or parts of Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Herkimer, Oneida, Ontario, Otsego, Seneca, Tioga and Tompkins counties.This district is currently represented by Republican Richard L...
to succeed retiring Republican
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...
(GOP) Congressman Sherwood Boehlert
Sherwood Boehlert
Sherwood "Sherry" Louis Boehlert is a retired American politician from New York. He represented upstate New York in the United States House of Representatives from 1983 until 2007. Boehlert, a Republican, was considered to be a member of the party's moderate wing. In 2003, Utica Union Station was...
. Meier faced Oneida County, New York
Oneida County, New York
Oneida County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 234,878. The county seat is Utica. The name is in honor of the Oneida, an Iroquoian tribe that formerly occupied the region....
District Attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
Michael Arcuri of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
for the vacant seat in the 2006 midterm elections on November 7, 2006. On July 14, 2006, Vice President
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
Dick Cheney
Dick Cheney
Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney served as the 46th Vice President of the United States , under George W. Bush....
appeared at a fundraising event for Meier, in Utica, New York
Utica, New York
Utica is a city in and the county seat of Oneida County, New York, United States. The population was 62,235 at the 2010 census, an increase of 2.6% from the 2000 census....
. Just over two months later, on September 26, 2006, First Lady of the United States
First Lady of the United States
First Lady of the United States is the title of the hostess of the White House. Because this position is traditionally filled by the wife of the president of the United States, the title is most often applied to the wife of a sitting president. The current first lady is Michelle Obama.-Current:The...
, Laura Bush
Laura Bush
Laura Lane Welch Bush is the wife of the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush. She was the First Lady of the United States from January 20, 2001, to January 20, 2009. She has held a love of books and reading since childhood and her life and education have reflected that interest...
also appeared at a fundraising campaign event for Senator Meier.
After 10 years in the New York State Senate, in a race called a "toss-up" by Congressional Quarterly, Meier lost to Arcuri by nine percentage points.