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. Assembly members serve two-year terms without term limits.

The Assembly convenes at the State Capitol in Albany.

The Speaker of the Assembly presides over the Assembly. The Speaker is elected by the Majority Conference followed by confirmation of the full Assembly through the passage of an Assembly Resolution. In addition to presiding over the body, the Speaker is also the chief leadership position, and controls the flow of legislation and committee assignments. The minority leader is elected by party caucus. The majority leader of the Assembly is selected by, and serves at the pleasure of, the Speaker. The current Speaker is Democrat Sheldon Silver of the 64th Assembly District (New York City-Lower Manhattan). The Majority Leader is Ronald Canestrari of the 106th Assembly District (parts of Albany, Rensselaer and Saratoga counties). The Minority Leader is Republican Brian Kolb of the 129th Assembly District (parts of Cayuga, Cortland, Onondaga and Ontario counties and all of Seneca County).

New York (/njuː ˈjɔrk/; locally IPA: [nɪu ˈjɔək] or [nuː ˈjɔɹk] ( listen)) is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. New York is the 27th most extensive, the 3rd most populous, and the 7th most densely populated of the 50 United States. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east. The state has a maritime border with Rhode Island east of Long Island, as well as an international border with the Canadian provinces of Ontario to the west and north, and Quebec to the north. The state of New York is often referred to as New York State to distinguish it from New York City.

New York City, with a population of over 8.1 million, is the most populous city in the United States. Alone, it makes up over 40 percent of the population of New York state. It is known for its status as a center for finance and culture and for its status as the largest gateway for immigration to the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, New York City is also a destination of choice for many foreign visitors. Both the state and city were named for the 17th century Duke of York, James Stuart, future James II and VII of England and Scotland.

York (local ⁱ/ˈjɔːk/) is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence. The city offers a wealth of historic attractions, of which York Minster is the most prominent, and a variety of cultural and sporting activities.

The city was founded by the Romans in 71 AD, under the name of Eboracum. It became in turn the capital of the Roman province of Britannia Inferior, and of the kingdoms of Northumbria and Jorvik. In the Middle Ages, York grew as a major wool trading centre and became the capital of the northern ecclesiastical province of the Church of England, a role it has retained.

In the 19th century York became a hub of the railway network and a confectionery manufacturing centre. In recent decades, the economy of York has moved from being dominated by its confectionery and railway-related industries to one that provides services. The University of York and health services have become major employers, whilst tourism has become an important element of the local economy.

Legislative Assembly is the name given in some countries to either a legislature, or to one of its branch. The name is used by a number of member-states of the Commonwealth of Nations, as well as a number of Latin American countries.

A number of colonies in the British Empire were given a degree of involvement in running their own affairs by the creation of a representative body, often named the Legislative Assembly. Typically the Legislative Assembly was partially or wholly elected by popular vote; this was usually in contrast with the other chamber of the legislature, called the Legislative Council, whose membership was generally either nominated by the Governor, or indirectly elected. Conflict between the two chambers frequently led to the Legislative Council being reformed, or even abolished outright, thus leaving the Legislative Assembly as either the more powerful chamber in the parliament, or the only one.

The modern-day Legislative Assembly in a Commonwealth country, either as a national or sub-national parliament, is in most cases an evolution of one of these colonial legislative chambers.

Steven John McLaughlin (born October 2, 1971) is a former American college and professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) and the Arena Football League. He played college football for the University of Arizona, earned All-American honors and won the Lou Groza Award. A third-round choice in the 1995 NFL Draft, he played for the NFL's St. Louis Rams, as well as five different Arena League teams over an 11 year career.

McLaughlin was born in Tucson, Arizona. After playing soccer growing up, he attended Sahuaro High School in Tucson, and played for the Sahuaro Cougars high school football team.

While attending the University of Arizona, McLaughlin played for the Arizona Wildcats football team from 1990 to 1994. As a senior in 1994, he won the Lou Groza Award awarded annually to the outstanding college placekicker in America. He was also recognized as All-Pac 10 and consensus first-team All-American.

The St. Louis Rams selected McLaughlin in the third round (82nd pick overall), and he played for the Rams for a single season in 1995. He appeared in eight games, attempted 16 field goals and completed eight of them; His first official FG was a 27 yarder against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau field in the 4th Quarter. The Rams won the game 17-14 and McLaughlin was given the game ball. He also made a field goal in the final minute as the Rams went on to beat the Chicago Bears 27-24 in the first meeting that year. He was a perfect 17-of-17 on points after touchdowns. He was signed by the Atlanta Falcons in (1996) and the Baltimore Ravens in (NFL Year|1997)