Presiding Officer

Thomas F. O'Mara

March 23, 2011

PRESIDING OFFICER--The Constitution of the State of New York designates the state's Lieutenant Governor as the President of the Senate and its presiding officer. When the lieutenant governor is unable to attend one of the Senate's regular sessions, Senate leaders appoint a senator to assume these responsibilities for the day. Senator O'Mara, who's serving his first term in the Senate following three consecutive terms as a New York State Assemblyman, presided over the Senate for the first time on Monday, March 21, 2011. In this photo, he's joined by Senate Parliamentarian Jack Casey (r.).

Senate approves legislation O'Mara co-sponsors to allow drug dealers to be charged with homicide: O’Mara, colleagues continue multi-pronged response to heroin and opioid crisis

March 21, 2018

"I agree that we can’t arrest our way out of this crisis, but we shouldn’t hesitate to throw the book at the pushers and suppliers of deadly drugs,” said Senator O’Mara, a member of the Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction.

O’Mara joins colleagues in co-sponsoring 'Communities Heroes Protection Act'

March 21, 2018

“They are doing their jobs in an increasingly dangerous, hostile and, far too often, deadly environment where they are being targeted for violence simply because of the uniform they wear. It cannot be tolerated,” said Senator O'Mara.

Senator O'Mara's weekly column 'From the Capitol' ~ for the week of March 19, 2018 ~ 'Budget adoption process reaches the homestretch'

March 19, 2018

Senator O'Mara shares his weekly perspective on issues facing New York State government.

O’Mara joins call for crackdown on prison contraband, co-sponsors Senate legislation calling for aggressive response

March 15, 2018

“We must take every step to protect correction officers, prison staff, inmates, and overall safety and security within the walls of our prisons," said Senator O'Mara.