Rob Ortt

Ortt was born on May 23, 1979.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/pg/OrttforCongress/about/|title=Rob Ortt for Congress - About|website=Facebook }} He attended St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute in Buffalo and graduated from Canisius College, with a degree in international relations and political science. Ortt and his wife, Meghan, live in North Tonawanda.{{cite news|last1=Ortt|first1=Rob|title=Ortt Reaches Out To Reporter Readers|url=http://niagarafallsreporter.com/Stories/2015/MAR10/Ortt.html|access-date=February 24, 2017|work=Niagara Falls Reporter|date=March 10, 2015}}

In October 2001, Ortt enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in response to the September 11 attacks. From March 2008 until December 2008, he served in the War in Afghanistan where his mission was to serve as a combat mentor/advisor to the Afghan National Police in Kandahar City, the second-largest city in Afghanistan. In recognition of his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the Combat Infantryman's Badge. He achieved the rank of first lieutenant.{{cite news|last1=Prohaska|first1=Thomas J.|title=Ortt sees his military service as key ingredient for state role|url=http://buffalonews.com/2014/10/26/ortt-sees-his-military-service-as-key-ingredient-for-state-role/|access-date=February 24, 2017|work=The Buffalo News|date=October 26, 2014}}

On April 3, 2007, Ortt was appointed to the post of City Treasurer by the Common Council of North Tonawanda, New York. A few months later on November 6, 2007, he was elected to serve a four-year term, which began on January 1, 2008.{{cite web|title=About Robert G. Ortt|url=https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/robert-g-ortt/about|website=nysenate.gov|publisher=New York State Senate|access-date=February 24, 2017}} On November 4, 2008, the town voted to eliminate the position of City Clerk and combined the offices of the City Clerk and City Treasurer to form one position of Clerk-Treasurer, making Ortt the first to hold that title.

From January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014, Ortt served as mayor of North Tonawanda, taking over from Lawrence V. Soos,{{cite news|last1=Michelmore|first1=Bill|last2=Galarneau|first2=Andrew Z.|title=Fiscal stability highlighted in Soos' speech|url=https://buffalonews.com/2009/02/03/fiscal-stability-highlighted-in-soos-speech/|access-date=February 24, 2017|work=The Buffalo News|date=February 3, 2009}} a Democrat.{{cite news|title=Soos files suit over firing from Board of Elections|url=http://buffalonews.com/2015/10/16/soos-files-suit-over-firing-from-board-of-elections/|access-date=February 24, 2017|work=The Buffalo News|date=October 16, 2015}} He was succeeded as mayor by Arthur G. Pappas.{{cite web|title=North Tonawanda|url=http://www.northtonawanda.org/Departments/Mayor_2010.htm|website=www.northtonawanda.org|access-date=February 24, 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Summerson|first1=Mia|title=North Tonawanda welcomes a new mayor|url=http://www.lockportjournal.com/news/local_news/north-tonawanda-welcomes-a-new-mayor/article_1b548ab5-466e-55f7-898e-f568739abc82.html|access-date=February 24, 2017|work=Lockport Union-Sun & Journal|date=January 3, 2015|language=en}}

In 2014, when George Maziarz opted not to run for reelection, Ortt ran for his seat, which Maziarz had held since 1995.{{cite news|last1=Miller|first1=Melinda|title=North Tonawanda mayor sees State Senate opportunity as natural progression|url=http://buffalonews.com/2014/07/15/north-tonawanda-mayor-sees-state-senate-opportunity-as-natural-progression/|access-date=February 24, 2017|work=The Buffalo News|date=July 15, 2014}} The 62nd District covers all of Niagara and Orleans counties, as well as the towns of Sweden and Ogden in Monroe County.{{cite news|last1=Besecker|first1=Aaron|title=Ortt declares victory in 62nd State Senate race|url=http://buffalonews.com/2014/11/04/ortt-declares-victory-in-62nd-state-senate-race/|access-date=February 24, 2017|work=The Buffalo News|date=November 4, 2014}} Ortt was elected to the New York State Senate, defeating Johnny G. Destino, a Democratic attorney from Niagara Falls.{{cite news|title=Robert Ortt elected to State Senate 62nd District|url=http://www.wgrz.com/news/politics/elections/robert-ortt-elected-to-state-senate-62nd-district/272860623|access-date=February 24, 2017|work=WGRZ News|date=November 4, 2014}}

In the Senate, he was named chairman of the Standing Committee on Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities as well as the co-chair the Senate's Joint Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction.

In May 2015, Ortt, along with John J. Bonacic and Rich Funke,{{cite news|last1=Mckinley|first1=Jesse|title=Dean Skelos, New York Senate Leader, Stands Firm Despite Calls to Resign|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/06/nyregion/dean-skelos-new-york-senate-leader-stands-firm-despite-calls-to-resign.html|access-date=February 24, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=May 5, 2015}} called for Dean Skelos, who was serving as Republican majority leader of the State Senate, to step down. Ortt also expressed support for a motion to replace Skelos as majority leader.{{cite news|last1=Mckinley|first1=Jesse|last2=Kaplan|first2=Thomas|title=Dean Skelos Faces Growing Opposition as Support Wanes Among Republicans|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/11/nyregion/dean-skelos-faces-growing-opposition-as-support-wanes-among-republicans.html?_r=0|access-date=February 24, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=May 10, 2015}} (On May 4, Skelos had been arrested on federal corruption charges.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/05/nyregion/dean-skelos-new-york-senate-leader-and-son-are-arrested-on-corruption-charges.html|title=New York Senate Leader and Son Are Arrested on Corruption Charges|first=Susanne|last=Craig|work=The New York Times |date=May 4, 2015|via=NYTimes.com}})

In July 2016, Ortt and New York Assemblyman Raymond Walter asked New York's comptroller, Thomas DiNapoli, to objectively investigate the state contracting process. Ortt and Walter requested that DiNapoli pay special attention to the Buffalo Billion, a large state investment into job creation in and around Buffalo, New York.{{Cite web|url=https://dailyenergyinsider.com/efficiency/1216-challenges-remain-for-buffalo-billion-project-featuring-major-solarcity-factory/|title=Challenges remain for Buffalo Billion project featuring major SolarCity factory|last=Rozens|first=Tracy|date=2016-07-21|website=Daily Energy Insider|language=en-US|access-date=2016-08-04}}

As a candidate for the Senate in 2014, Ortt indicated that he opposes abortion, except in cases of rape or incest. He stated that he "strongly supports" the other nine pieces of Governor Cuomo's women's equality bills including "tougher equal-pay laws and laws to combat sexual harassment, domestic violence, and human trafficking."

In 2017, Ortt introduced legislation that would cause the 2013 gun control law known as the NY SAFE Act to be repealed in all areas of New York other than New York City.{{Cite web|url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/buffalo/politics/2017/02/2/safe-act-upstate-repeal-ortt-kavanagh-gun-control|title=Proposed Legislation Would Repeal SAFE Act Everywhere But NYC|website=spectrumlocalnews.com|date=February 2, 2017}}

On the EPL/Environmental Advocate's Environmental Scorecard in 2018, Ortt scored a 68, up from a score of 53 points in 2017.{{cite web |last1=Precious |first1=Tom |title=Environmental group grades state lawmakers on voting records |url=https://buffalonews.com/2017/10/12/environmental-scores-high-low-lawmakers/ |website=The Buffalo News |date=October 12, 2017 |access-date=August 24, 2018}} In 2018, Ortt helped pass legislation he sponsored that added geothermal heating systems to the list of financeable heating systems in New York State.{{cite web |title=NYS Politicians Support Renewable Energy |url=http://buffalogeothermalheating.com/nys-senator-patrick-gallivan-senator-robert-ortt-and-assemblyman-sean-ryan-gather-at-local-business-to-support-renewable-energy/ |website=Buffalo Geothermal |date=March 22, 2018 |access-date=August 24, 2018}}

Also in 2019, Ortt voted against the following bills that became law:

• The Reproductive Health Act, an abortion rights bill;{{Cite web|url=https://buffalonews.com/2019/01/22/long-stalled-abortion-bill-passes-new-york-legislature/|title=Long-stalled abortion bill passes New York Legislature|date=January 22, 2019|work=Buffalo News}}{{Cite web|url=https://auburnpub.com/blogs/eye_on_ny/women-s-health-matters-cuomo-ny-lawmakers-ok-abortion-rights/article_5e051230-1e97-11e9-b5c5-cb9da113c038.html|title='Women's health matters': Cuomo, NY lawmakers OK abortion rights bill|first=Robert|last=Harding|website=Auburn Citizen|date=January 23, 2019 }}
• The New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act;{{Cite web|url=https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/s6599|title=NY State Senate Bill S6599|date=June 18, 2019|website=NY State Senate}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2019/07/18/cuomo-signs-historic-climate-change-legislation|title=Cuomo Signs Historic Climate Change Legislation|website=www.ny1.com|date=July 18, 2019}}
• The Driver's License Access and Privacy Act (also known as the Green Light Bill), which made driver licenses available to undocumented immigrants;{{Cite web|url=https://abc7ny.com/5350821/|title=New York lawmakers pass bill to allow driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants|date=June 18, 2019|website=ABC7 New York}}{{Cite web|url=https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2019/06/18/governor-andrew-cuomo-signs-green-light-bill/|title=Gov. Cuomo Signs 'Green Light Bill' Granting Undocumented Immigrants Access To Drivers' Licenses|date=June 18, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/s1747/amendment/b|title=NY State Senate Bill S1747B|date=June 10, 2019|website=NY State Senate}} and
• The Jose Peralta New York State DREAM Act, which gave undocumented students the opportunity to receive state-funded financial aid for college.{{Cite web|url=https://news.wbfo.org/post/nys-acts-provide-college-aid-undocumented-immigrants|title=NYS acts to provide college aid for undocumented immigrants|first=Karen|last=DeWitt|website=news.wbfo.org|date=January 24, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/s1250|title=NY State Senate Bill S1250|date=January 11, 2019|website=NY State Senate}}

In 2010, Republican Asm. Robert Castelli first proposed joining the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).{{cite web |last=McGhee |first=Moira K. |date=26 February 2025 |title=What Are the Nurse Licensure Compact States? (Updated February 2025) |url=https://www.vivian.com/community/career-resources/nurse-compact-states/ |website= |publisher=Vivian Health |access-date=13 May 2025}}{{cite web |author= |date=20 April 2010 |title=New York Assembly Bill A10762 |url=https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?Actions=Y&Committee%26nbspVotes=Y&Floor%26nbspVotes=Y&Summary=Y&Text=Y&bn=A10762&default_fld=&term=2009 |website=New York State Assembly |publisher=New York State Legislature |access-date=13 May 2025}} Sen. Ortt has consistently and repeatedly introduced bills to join the compact, and the Democratic-led committees have consistently withheld them without a vote.{{cite web |last=Dollinger |first=Marilyn L. |date=2 December 2022 |title=Nurse Licensure Compact Information |url=https://www.anany.org/news/nurse-licensure-compact-information/ |website= |publisher=American Nurses Association of New York |access-date=13 May 2025}}{{cite web |author= |date= |title=Higher Education Committee, New York State Assembly |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Higher_Education_Committee,_New_York_State_Assembly |website=Ballotpedia |publisher=Lucy Burns Institute |access-date=13 May 2025}} Opposition from unions like the New York State Nurses Association and National Nurses United argue that joining the compact would lower state licensing standards, undermine union protections, and fail to address the root causes of the nurse staffing crisis such as wages, working conditions, and enforcement of staffing laws.{{cite web |last=Kane |first=Pat |date=Fall 2023 |title=Lowering Nurse Licensing Standards Won’t Solve the Nurse Staffing Crisis — But Could Harm Patient Care |url=https://www.nysna.org/news/ny-nurse-fall-2023/lowering-nurse-licensing-standards |website=NY Nurse |publisher=New York State Nurses Association |access-date=13 May 2025}} Democratic Gov. Hochul's Commissioner of Health McDonald testified in support of joining the compact in 2023.{{cite web |date=28 February 2023 |title=Joint Legislative Hearing In the Matter of the 2023-2024 Executive Budget on Health |url=https://www.nysenate.gov/transcripts/269 |website= |publisher=New York State Senate |access-date=4 May 2025 |quote=I think it's long since time for New York to do this.}}

On March 22, 2017, Ortt, along with his predecessor George Maziarz, was indicted by a grand jury on corruption charges.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/23/nyregion/robert-ortt-george-maziarz.html|title=New York State Senator Robert Ortt Is Charged With Violating Election Law|last=McKinley|first=Jesse|website=New York Times|date=March 23, 2017}} Ortt was charged with three counts of offering a false instrument for filing; he pleaded not guilty.Robert Gavin, [http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/State-Sen-Robert-Ortt-ex-Sen-George-Maziarz-to-11022344.php Ortt, Maziarz plead not guilty in AG investigation: GOP senator charged in job scam; predecessor with campaign-cash payoff], Albany Times Union (March 24, 2017). Prosecutors alleged that Republican officials had approached Ortt about running for mayor of North Tonawanda in 2009. However, taking that position would have reportedly involved a $5,000 pay cut for Ortt. According to prosecutors, Synor Marketing, a public relations firm, created a no-show job for Ortt's wife, Meghan; the Niagara County Republican Committee allegedly paid $21,500 to Synor that was to be paid to Meghan Ortt.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesunion.com/allnews/article/Judge-dismisses-indictment-of-Sen-Rob-Ortt-11251374.php|title=Albany judge dismisses indictment of Sen. Rob Ortt|first=Matthew|last=Hamilton|date=June 27, 2017|website=Times Union}}

File:(02-03-22) NYS Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins & NYS Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt.jpg

On June 27, 2017, all charges against Ortt were dismissed by Judge Peter A. Lynch. Judge Lynch ruled that there was no evidence that Ortt had known that the Niagara County Republican Committee was the source of the payments made to Meghan Ortt.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/27/nyregion/judge-dismisses-charges-against-new-york-senator-robert-ortt.html|title=Judge Dismisses Charges Against New York Senator Robert Ortt |work=The New York Times |last=McKinley |first=Jesse |date=June 27, 2017 |access-date=March 31, 2018}} Lynch did not rule that then-New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman had prosecuted Ortt in bad faith or presented inaccurate evidence to the court.{{cite news|url=https://www.cityandstateny.com/articles/politics/new-york-state-articles/the-thin-line-between-justice-and-politics.html |title=Witch Hunt: The thin line between justice and politics |work=City & State New York |last=Sondel |first=Justin | date=November 10, 2017 |access-date=March 31, 2018}}

Ortt was named Minority Leader of the New York Senate on June 19, 2020 after incumbent John J. Flanagan announced his resignation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wivb.com/news/your-election-headquarters/sen-ortt-elected-senate-minority-leader-after-gallivan-withdraws/|title=Sen. Ortt elected Senate Republican Conference Leader after Gallivan withdraws|work=WIVB.com|date=June 19, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://buffalonews.com/2020/06/19/ortt-set-to-become-new-state-senate-minority-leader/|title=Rob Ortt named state Senate minority leader; pledges to be 'voice of opposition'|work=Buffalo News|date=June 19, 2020}}

On August 17, 2019, Ortt announced that he would seek the Republican nomination for the United States House of Representatives in New York's 27th congressional district.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wgrz.com/article/news/local/state-senator-rob-ortt-to-run-for-27th-district-congressional-seat/71-4fe77e86-a4f0-46b7-8488-2e1c68100c76|title=State Senator Rob Ortt to run for 27th District Congressional seat|website=WGRZ|date=August 17, 2019}} The incumbent representative in the district, Republican Chris Collins, was arrested on federal insider trading charges in 2018.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/08/politics/chris-collins-indicted-insider-trading/index.html |title=New York Republican Rep. Chris Collins indicted on insider trading charges |website=CNN.com |last1=Ordin |first1=Erica | last2=Vazquez |first2=Maegan |date=August 8, 2018 |access-date=August 20, 2019}} Ortt did not receive the Republican nomination, and he ended his congressional campaign on February 11, 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.niagara-gazette.com/news/local_news/ortt-bows-out-of-ny-27th-congressional-race/article_a0e41b79-232e-50c2-be45-03873e249b77.html|title=Ortt bows out of NY-27th congressional race|last=Hoffman |first=Connor |website=Niagara Gazette |date=February 11, 2020|access-date=September 30, 2020}}

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Category:1979 births

Category:Canisius University alumni

Category:City and town treasurers in the United States

Category:Living people

Category:Mayors of places in New York (state)

Category:Republican Party New York (state) state senators

Category:People from North Tonawanda, New York

Category:St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute alumni

Category:Candidates in the 2020 United States House of Representatives elections

Category:21st-century members of the New York State Legislature