New York State Senate facts for kids

Quick facts for kids New York State Senate
New York State Legislature
Type
Type	Upper house
Leadership
President	Kathy Hochul (D) Since January 1, 2015
Senate Majority Leader	Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D) Since January 2, 2019
Senate Minority Leader	Rob Ortt (R) Since June 28, 2020
Structure
Seats	63
Political groups	Majority      Democratic (40) Minority      Republican (21) Vacant: 2      Vacant (2)
Length of term	Two years
Authority	Article III, New York Constitution
Salary	$120,000/year + per diem
Elections
Last election	November 3, 2020
Next election	November 8, 2022
Redistricting	Legislative Control
Meeting place
Senate Chamber at New York State Capitol, Albany

The New York State Senate is like one half of New York's main law-making group, called the New York State Legislature. It works with the New York State Assembly, which is the other half. The Senate is often called the "upper house." Its members are chosen by voters for two-year terms. There's no limit on how many times someone can be elected.

As of 2014, there are 63 seats in the Senate. These members represent different areas of New York State.

Who Leads the Senate?

The New York State Senate has important leaders who help guide its work. Here are some of the main leaders:

Democratic Party Leaders

The Democratic Party members in the Senate have their own leaders:

• Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Temporary President and Majority Leader
• Michael Gianaris, Deputy Majority Leader
• Liz Krueger, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee
• Neil Breslin, Vice President Pro Tempore
• Brian Benjamin, Senior Assistant Majority Leader
• Tim Kennedy, Chair of Majority Program Development Committee
• Jose Serrano, Chair of the Majority Conference
• Brad Hoylman, Assistant Majority Leader on Conference Operations
• Gustavo Rivera, Assistant Majority Leader on House Operations
• Kevin Parker, Majority Whip
• Toby Ann Stavisky, Majority Conference Vice-Chair
• Velmanette Montgomery, Majority Conference Secretary
• Joseph Addabbo, Majority Deputy Whip
• John Liu, Majority Assistant Whip
• Roxanne Persaud, Chair of the Majority Steering Committee
• Todd Kaminsky, Liaison to the Executive Branch
• Leroy Comrie, Deputy Majority Leader for State/Federal Relations
• Shelley Mayer, Deputy Majority Leader for Senate/Assembly Relations
• Monica Martinez, Assistant Majority Leader on Intergovernmental Affairs

Republican Party Leaders

The Republican Party members in the Senate also have their own leaders:

• Rob Ortt, Minority Leader
• Joseph Griffo, Deputy Minority Leader
• James L. Seward, Ranking Member of the Finance Committee
• Kenneth P. LaValle, Chair of the Senate Minority Conference
• Andrew J. Lanza, Minority Whip
• Elizabeth Little, Assistant Minority Leader for Policy and Administration
• George A. Amedore, Assistant Minority Leader for Conference Operations
• Patrick M. Gallivan, Assistant Minority Leader for Floor Operations
• Michael H. Ranzenhofer, Vice Chair of the Senate Minority Conference
• Patricia Ritchie, Secretary of the Senate Minority Conference
• Joseph E. Robach, Assistant Minority Whip

Who Are the Current Members?

Here is a list of the current members of the New York State Senate, showing which district they represent and their political party.

* First elected in a special election.

Images for kids

• 

  The Senate Chamber inside the New York State Capitol building in Albany.

See also

In Spanish: Senado de Nueva York para niños