New York State government, like the Federal government, has three branches: the Executive, the Legislative and Judicial. The Executive branch is comprised of the Governor, the State Agencies under his or her command, the Attorney General and the Comptroller. The Legislative branch is made up of the sixty-two member Senate and the one hundred and fifty member Assembly. The Judicial branch is made up of the New York Court of Appeals and lower courts. To learn more about New York State’s Government, read this.

Candidates running for the following offices were invited to participate in the New York Transportation Survey:

Governor

4-year term
Foremost, the Governor signs or vetos laws passed by the Legislature. The Governor also drafts a budget each year that's then revised by each house of the Legislature and a negotiated bill is passed. The Governor is the head of New York State agencies, including the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Transportation. The Governor also appoints key figures in the transportation scene, including the head of the MTA, and six of the twelve member Port Authority Board of Commissioners. Lastly, the Governor can weild tremendous influence over policy through public appearances The Governor may introduce bills without sponsors under Article VII of the New York State Constitution.

Assemblymember

2-year term
Each Assemblymember represents an average of 128,652 New Yorkers.
Assemblymembers may introduce legislation, participate in or lead committees. There are 150 members of the State Assembly and the presiding officer is the Speaker.

Senator

2-year term
Each Senator represents approximately 306,072 New Yorkers (although some districts are higher or lower).
The State Constitution mandates a minimum of 50 Senators, but the current number stands at 62. The presiding officer of the Senate is the Lieutenant Governor, who only votes in the case of a tie on organizational or procedural matters. The next in line is the President pro tem, chosen by the Senate from its own membership. Individual Senators may introduce Legislation and participate in committees.