Former New York State Assembly Majority Leader Jim Tallon has died, according to public officials.
Tallon served in the New York State Assembly for 19 years and represented Binghamton and parts of Broome County. He was majority leader from 1987 to 1993, was chair of the Assembly Health Committee from 1979 to 1987 and served as Assembly speaker for three days in December 1991.
In a statement, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli said Tallon was a mentor to him and leader on health care issues.
New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie also issued a statement calling him a true public servant who fought to ensure care for our most vulnerable:
Assembly Member Donna Lupardo, who currently represents some of the same area Tallon did while in office, also sent a statement:
After his time in the Assembly, Tallon joined the United Hospital Fund and later chaired the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured.
He also served as a member of the New York State Board of Regents until 2017.