OPINION: Why I love Marty Golden, and why you should, too
Brooklyn’s only Republican senator can get things done
“There would be virtually no film or television production in New York but for Marty Golden,” according to Steiner Studios Chairman Doug Steiner. “He helped create the production tax credit, and has carried it through the Senate from inception through each of its renewals and expansions. He’s been an absolute godsend for city not-for-profits, and his heart is always in the right place.”
Such a testimonial for Brooklyn’s senior Republican state Senator underlines a regrettable dichotomy in politics today, both locally and nationally: that is, no matter how accomplished a public servant might be in the realm of creating legislation, talking heads on cable and social media pundits judge them on one-liners. Golden was recently a victim of this phenomenon.
Recently Golden found himself in media hot water for an off-hand comment he made about the spread of opioids in New York State. In an article about transportation he added his concern about opioids, in particular fentanyl, by saying “It’s not a ghetto drug. It’s happening to doctor’s kids.”
The impression to uninformed consumers of information was a simple one: ‘Golden say bad thing; Golden not good public servant.’ In fact, because of his unique position in the state Senate as a Republican, Golden might just be the most valuable connection Brooklyn has in Albany.