Charles Lavine

Charles Lavine is a Democratic member of the New York State Assembly, representing the 13th district, which encompasses parts of North Hempstead and Oyster Bay in Nassau County. He has been serving in this capacity since 2005, following his election in 2004. Lavine has a background in law, having practiced as an attorney and held various positions in local government prior to his tenure in the state legislature. His legislative work has focused on issues such as ethics, education, and civil rights, particularly concerning LGBT rights and gender discrimination.

Early life and career

Charles Lavine was born on August 14, 1947, in Marinette, Wisconsin. He completed his high school education at Marinette High School in 1965. Following high school, he pursued higher education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature in 1969. Lavine later moved to New York, where he attended New York Law School, obtaining his Juris Doctor degree in June 1972.

After completing his legal education, Lavine began his professional career as a staff attorney with the Legal Aid Society of New York, a role he held from 1972 to 1976. This position allowed him to gain valuable experience in legal advocacy and public service. Subsequently, he became a partner in the law firm of Grossman, Lavine & Rinaldo, based in Forest Hills, New York, where he worked from 1977 until 1995. In 1996, Lavine transitioned to private practice as a sole practitioner, focusing primarily on criminal defense.

Lavine has been a resident of Glen Cove, New York, since 1980. He is married to Ronnie Lavine, and together they have two children, Gregory and Andria. His community involvement began to take shape in the early 2000s when he was appointed by Nassau County Executive and Glen Cove Mayor Thomas Suozzi to the Glen Cove Planning Board in 2000. In May 2003, he filled a vacancy on the Glen Cove City Council and was subsequently elected to that position.

Legislative service

Charles Lavine's entry into the New York State Assembly came after a successful campaign in 2004, where he ran in the Democratic primary against a six-term incumbent, David S. Sidikman. Lavine's victory in the primary set the stage for his general election win later that year, marking the beginning of his legislative career. He officially took office in 2005 and has since been re-elected multiple times, continuing to represent the 13th district.

In January 2021, Lavine was appointed by Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie to serve as Chair of the Judiciary Committee. This role places him at the forefront of legislative matters related to the judicial system in New York. In addition to his chairmanship, Lavine is a member of several other committees, including the Committee on Codes, Ethics and Guidance, Rules, and Insurance. His previous leadership roles have included serving as Chair of the Election Law Committee and the Committee on Ethics and Guidance. He has also co-chaired the New York State Legislative Ethics Commission and led a bipartisan task force that developed the Assembly Speaker's Policy on Sexual Harassment, Retaliation, and Discrimination.

Lavine's legislative actions have included significant investigations and reforms. Notably, he led the inquiry into former Assemblyman Vito Lopez regarding allegations of sexual harassment against female staff members, which culminated in a substantial financial penalty imposed on Lopez in 2013.

Policy focus and district

Throughout his legislative career, Charles Lavine has concentrated on a variety of policy issues, particularly those related to ethics, education, and civil rights. His commitment to ethics reform is evident in his leadership roles and the investigations he has spearheaded. Lavine has been an advocate for education, participating in votes to reappoint members to the Board of Regents, the body responsible for overseeing education policy in New York.

Lavine has also been active in transportation-related legislation. In 2009, he was one of the Democratic co-sponsors of a bill aimed at increasing transportation-related fees to support the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, reflecting his engagement with infrastructure and public transit issues.

A strong proponent of civil rights, Lavine has championed legislation supporting LGBT rights, including same-sex marriage. He sponsored a bill to allow same-sex couples the same rights to civil marriage as opposite-sex couples and has consistently supported measures to prevent discrimination based on gender identity or expression. His advocacy for these issues aligns with broader movements for equality and social justice.

In addition to his focus on civil rights, Lavine has supported fiscal measures aimed at balancing the state budget. He backed the extension of a temporary income tax surcharge on high earners, which was initially enacted in 2009, demonstrating his approach to fiscal responsibility and revenue generation for state programs.

As a member of the New York Chapter of the National Association of Jewish Legislators, Lavine also engages in broader discussions about representation and community issues at the state and national levels. His legislative work reflects a commitment to serving his constituents in the 13th district while addressing significant state-wide challenges.