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.).

Senator O'Mara's weekly column 'From the Capitol' ~ for the week of June 12, 2017 ~ 'Job openings reflect the skills gap'

June 12, 2017

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

O’Mara co-sponsoring legislation to encourage food industry donations: Calls for tax credit to grocers, others donating surplus food

June 9, 2017

From left to right: Assemblyman Chris Friend, Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, Food Bank of the Southern Tier President Natasha Thompson, Senator Fred Akshar and Senator O'Mara celebrate the Food Bank of the Southern Tier being named "Food Bank of the Year" by Feeding America.

O’Mara and Palmesano welcome Watkins Glen High School students to the Capitol

June 8, 2017

In the Assembly Chamber, from left to right: Senator O’Mara, Travis Durfee, Zachary Burrows, Patrick Madaffari, James Jensen, Haley Dean, Ali LaMoreaux, Isabella Bond, David Armstrong, and Assemblyman Palmesano.

Senate approves legislation O’Mara co-sponsors to encourage local Medicaid fraud investigations

June 8, 2017

“We need to restore the financial incentive for local governments to continue to root out Medicaid abuse, fraud, and waste," said Senator O'Mara.