Former New York Senator Carl Marcellino Passes at 83

Former State Senator Carl Marcellino passed away this week in New York, where he served in the legislature for over two decades.

Marcellino was elected to the New York Senate in 1995, following a special election.

He first made a name for himself in the legislature as an environmental champion, serving as chair of the Environmental Conservation Committee from 1995-2008. Among his many environmental accomplishments, Marcellino sponsored a landmark Brownfield/Superfund Reform Law as well as legislation to phase out MTBE – a major contaminant of groundwater – from gasoline (leading to a federal law passed in 2005).

A 22-year educator before joining the Senate, Marcellino also later served as Education Chair in the New York Senate. As chair, he oversaw efforts that led to $2 billion in new education funding as well as the elimination of New York’s Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) policy.

At The Council of State Governments, Marcellino was a familiar face and a respected leader among leaders. He was CSG East’s co-chair in 2002 and went on to serve as CSG National Chair in 2015. A member of the Executive Committee since 2000 and a member of the Annual Meeting Committee since 2002, Marcellino was also a long-time chair and respected regional leader on the CSG East Energy and Environment Committee.

Marcellino is survived by his wife Patricia and their two children, Jean and Carl, as well as several grandchildren. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy of public service.