Michael Cusick
Encyclopedia
Michael J. Cusick is a New York State legislator
who represents the New York State Assembly
's District 63, which is located within Staten Island, New York. He is a Democrat
.
). He has two brothers, one older and one younger. Cusick is a 1987 graduate of Monsignor Farrell High School
where he was a standout on the cross-country and long distance track teams.
Shortly after graduating from Villanova University
in 1991, Cusick began his career as a Special Assistant to former President of the City Council Andrew J. Stein. He served as the office representative for the Borough of Staten Island and worked on issues regarding incineration and waste management alternatives.
Prior to his 2002 election, Cusick served as the Chief of Staff to former Staten Island Assemblyman Eric Nicholas Vitaliano
, managing staff and overseeing the assemblyman’s Albany and Staten Island offices. He was instrumental in researching and developing statewide legislation, including the law to close the Fresh Kills Landfill. Cusick was also Vitaliano’s representative to local and statewide civic, professional, and union organizations on legislative and community issues.
Cusick then served as Director of Constituent Services for U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer. His duties included serving as Senator Schumer’s liaison to New York State elected officials, as well as various federal agencies. In addition, he managed the day-to-day operation of the senator’s New York City office.
. In 2005, he sponsored legislation that allowed New York City to eliminate its share of the sales tax on clothing and footwear (Chapter 285 of 2005). In 2006, he supported a budget that eliminated the tax statewide. In 2008 Cusick introduced legislation that would make it a crime to protest or disturb in any way a funeral or memorial service.
's scandals, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee expressed interest in Cusick as the Democratic nominee.
Legislator
A legislator is a person who writes and passes laws, especially someone who is a member of a legislature. Legislators are usually politicians and are often elected by the people...
who represents the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
's District 63, which is located within Staten Island, New York. He is a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
.
Background
Cusick is the son of the late New York State Supreme Court Justice Peter P. Cusick and Miriam "Mimi" Cusick. He has been a lifelong resident of Staten Island (he currently lives in Silver Lake, Staten IslandSilver Lake, Staten Island
Silver Lake is the name of both a reservoir and an adjacent neighborhood on Staten Island, one of the five boroughs of New York City, USA.Located inside Silver Lake Park, the first city park to be established on Staten Island, Silver Lake was created in 1917 when water was brought there from the...
). He has two brothers, one older and one younger. Cusick is a 1987 graduate of Monsignor Farrell High School
Monsignor Farrell High School
Monsignor Farrell High School is a Catholic secondary school located in the Oakwood section of Staten Island, New York. Opened in 1961, the school was named in honor of Monsignor Joseph Farrell, a prominent Catholic priest, as well as a religious, political and community leader on Staten Island.The...
where he was a standout on the cross-country and long distance track teams.
Shortly after graduating from Villanova University
Villanova University
Villanova University is a private university located in Radnor Township, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
in 1991, Cusick began his career as a Special Assistant to former President of the City Council Andrew J. Stein. He served as the office representative for the Borough of Staten Island and worked on issues regarding incineration and waste management alternatives.
Prior to his 2002 election, Cusick served as the Chief of Staff to former Staten Island Assemblyman Eric Nicholas Vitaliano
Eric Nicholas Vitaliano
Eric Nicholas Vitaliano is a federal judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York....
, managing staff and overseeing the assemblyman’s Albany and Staten Island offices. He was instrumental in researching and developing statewide legislation, including the law to close the Fresh Kills Landfill. Cusick was also Vitaliano’s representative to local and statewide civic, professional, and union organizations on legislative and community issues.
Cusick then served as Director of Constituent Services for U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer. His duties included serving as Senator Schumer’s liaison to New York State elected officials, as well as various federal agencies. In addition, he managed the day-to-day operation of the senator’s New York City office.
Political views and status
Since his election in the fall of 2002, Cusick has authored or sponsored several Bills. In 2003, he authored a law creating a moratorium on building in the area of the Mid-Island Blue Belt (Chapter 84 of 2003). He authored legislation requiring notice to neighboring landowners of an application to build on wetland areas. In 2006, he helped pass a budget that increased school aid by $500 million dollars over the previous year. The budget also included a down payment of $1.8 billion to renovate and expand city schools. Cusick has sponsored laws to reduce the rising cost of living on Staten IslandStaten Island
Staten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
. In 2005, he sponsored legislation that allowed New York City to eliminate its share of the sales tax on clothing and footwear (Chapter 285 of 2005). In 2006, he supported a budget that eliminated the tax statewide. In 2008 Cusick introduced legislation that would make it a crime to protest or disturb in any way a funeral or memorial service.
Future in politics
In the wake of Rep. Vito FossellaVito Fossella
Vito John Fossella, Jr. is a U.S. Republican politician from the state of New York who formerly represented the state's 13th Congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives for six terms, from 1997 to 2009 serving as the lone Republican from New York City. Fossella, a Staten Island...
's scandals, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee expressed interest in Cusick as the Democratic nominee.