Elizabeth O'C. Little

Elizabeth O'Connor "Betty" Little is a New York State Senator. A member of the Republican Party, she was first elected in 2002. She serves in the 45th Senate District, which includes all are part of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Warren and Washington Counties. Little was born in Glens Falls, and currently resides in Queensbury.

On Tuesday November 7, 2006 Little won reelection to the Senate by an overwhelming margin garnering close to 70 percent of the vote. In recent years Little has expressed interest in running for U.S. Congress in New York's 20th congressional district.

History

Prior to her election to the State Senate in November 2002, she served in the New York State Assembly for seven years where she was a member of numerous committees and task forces. Senator Little first entered public service as a member and later Chair of the Town of Queensbury Recreation Commission. In 1986 she was elected to serve as an At-Large Supervisor to the Warren County Board of Supervisors for the Town of Queensbury, where she served on numerous boards and committees, including the Warren County Recycling Advisory Committee which she organized and chaired, and as County Budget Officer in 1990 and 1991.

Little is a graduate of St. Mary's Academy and the College of Saint Rose with a degree in Elementary Education. A former teacher and realtor, Senator Little is the mother of six children; Elizabeth, David, Robert, Thomas, Carolyn, and Luke, and the grandmother of ten.

Awards

Little has received numerous Awards and distinctions during her years of public service.

• 1992, Libery Bell Award for Community Service
• 1997, Adirondack Girl Scouts Women of Distinction Award
• 2000, New York State Federation of Republican Women, Woman of the Year Award
• Adirondack Regional Tourism Council, Public Sector Partnership Award
• 2005, New York State Farm Bureau "Circle of Friends"
• The Community Health Association of New York, Legislative Leadership Award
• 2006, Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce, "North Country Champion Award".

Ratings from Special Interest groups

Little has maintained a conservative voting record in the State Senate. In 2005, she supported the positions of the Conservative Party of New York State 76% of the time.

Abortion

In 2004, Little was endorsed by the New York State Right to Life Committee, and NARAL Pro-Choice America has considered her voting record on reproductive issues to be anti-abortion most years. In 2000, Little received a 0% rating from NARAL.

Gay Rights

Little's supported the Empire State Pride Agenda 40% of the time in 1998 and 33% of the time in 2000.

Environment

Little generally advances economic interests over environmental issues as they affect the Adirondacks. In 2006, she proposed legislation that affects the authority of the Adirondack Park Agency. According to North Country Public Radio, Little's changes would give "local governments more control over development, shortened the APA's time-frame for reviewing projects, and (eliminate) the Agency's oversight over campgrounds. According to Adirondack Council's executive director Brian Houseal, "if the legislature approves this bill, the Adirondack Park Agency might as well close the doors and hang a 'for sale' sign on the front of the building." Little received the lowest rating in the Senate from the environmentalist group Environmental Advocates of New York during the 2005 session .

Gun Control

Little received an A from the National Rifle Association in 2004 and a 0% from anti-gun advocacy group New Yorkers Against Gun Violence in 2002. Representing the Adirondack Mountains, a prime area for funting and outdoor sports, she has been a strong advocate for the rights of hunters and sport fishermen.

Other issues

Little has won popularity in her district through strong advocacy for economic development and jobs. This has included funding for the development of Plattsburgh International Airport, support for crossborder commerce with Quebec, enhanced cell phone service in unserved areas of her district, enhanced funding for local colleges and workforce development.

She has also been a leader in the New York State Senate in various efforts to reduce property taxes and promote government efficiency. This includes creation of a program of state grants incentivizing local governments to share or consolidate services.

References

External links

• Senator Little's web site
• State Senate Bio