ALBANY (1010 WINS/AP) -- The Republican minority leader in the New York state Senate, Long Island's John Flanagan, will miss the start of the 2019 session as he seeks help with alcohol dependency -- his second time in two years.Flanagan, who made the announcement Friday, had been the leader of the Senate until Democrats won the majority in November. He first announced that he had sought help with alcohol in August 2017.
He said he recently recognized the need for additional help and is determined to focus on his health for himself and his family. He is expected back in Albany in a few weeks.
Flanagan, in a statement Friday, described his treatment as a "thorough rehabilitation and recovery program," which will cause him to miss the start of this year's legislative session.
"Recently, I recognized the need to seek some additional help to overcome my battle with alcohol dependency, Flanagan said in the statement. "This was a difficult choice, but it is the right one for myself and for my family ... I must now make my health and well-being my number one priority."
He continued, "No man or woman is perfect, but it does not mean we all shouldn't strive for continuous and daily improvement. I will attempt to do that with every fiber in my body. This brief period of time away is necessary for my overall well-being, but will in no way impact my ability to serve my conference or my constituents."
Sen. Joseph Griffo of Rome will fill in as the GOP leader while Flanagan is away.One of his other colleagues, Sen. Catharine Young, commended Flanagan for showing courage in confronting his problem.
