Though it took far too long for members of Congress to do the right thing for New York, I applaud the House for voting to approve federal aid to help us recover from Hurricane Sandy. So many in my Lower Manhattan community, from business owners at the South Street Seaport who were wiped out, to residents still displaced from uninhabitable buildings, are still reeling from the aftermath of the storm. This aid package will provide vital assistance to business and property owners while helping us to strengthen and rebuild infrastructure. I urge the Senate to quickly pass this bill so that we can finally get the relief we so urgently need.

In the wake of the devastating and unprecedented damage caused by Superstorm Sandy, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) today announced a bill (A-2287)) to create the Homeowners Bill of Rights to protect hard hit families from unscrupulous actions by insurance companies. He also announced a second bill (A-1092), sponsored by Assemblyman James Skoufis (D-Woodbury), requiring insurance companies to promptly process claims resulting from storm damage.

It is morally reprehensible that the House Republican leadership refused to take up the Sandy relief aid bill last night, a package with strong bi-partisan support in the Senate. As Governor Cuomo said, to abandon thousands of people devastated by a disaster is wrong and disgraceful. Many areas up and down the east coast, including much of my lower Manhattan district, have been damaged. And now, because of trivial political maneuvering, people and families will continue to suffer.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) today introduced legislation (A.39) to provide property tax relief to New York City home owners and businesses in the wake of the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy. The New York City Hurricane Sandy Assessment Relief Act, if adopted by New York City, would allow property owners that experienced catastrophic damage as a result of Hurricane Sandy to apply for property tax assessment reductions according to a sliding scale.