Assembly Members Farrell and Ron Canestrari welcome President Obama to Albany,

Assemblyman Farrell and many State, Federal and local elected officials joined educators and other members of the public to welcome President Obama to Albany Tuesday for the third visit of his first term in office.

During his remarks, which were delivered at the University at Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, the President credited State officials for their progress on a number of important issues and laid out a five-point "to-do list" for Congress to carry out.

"I want what's happening in Albany to happen across the country," President Obama said.

His five-point plan includes tax credits for companies who create jobs in the United States; ending outsourcing; refinancing for responsible homeowners; clean energy manufacturing; and a Job Corps for veterans, who are experiencing even higher rates of unemployment than civilians.

The President believes it may be possible to reverse the flow of jobs out of the US by ending tax breaks for companies who move jobs overseas, while granting tax breaks to companies who stay in the US. American manufacturers have added 400,000 jobs in the last two years, and it is critically important to keep that momentum, the White House says.

Cutting red tape so hardworking, responsible homeowners who are paying their mortgages can refinance their existing loans to take advantage of today's low rates would also help the economy, the President said. Passing legislation to give employers tax credits for new hires and investments could also help the economy move forward, according to President Obama.

Clean energy manufacturing that relies on innovative technology, such as the technology in use at Albany's College of Nanoscale Science, will move the state of the art forward while reducing America's reliance on foreign sources of energy.

Honoring our commitment to returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans by helping them secure public-sector employment as police or firefighters rounds out the President's plan.

While waiting for the President to arrive, Farrell discussed how funding increases in the 2012-13 State budget have affected education programs with Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari and State University Board of Trustees Chairman H. Carl McCall.

Assemblyman Farrell discusses education funding with Assembly Member Canestrari and SUNY Board of Trustees Chairman McCall.

During that exchange, Farrell related a recent conversation with Congressman Rangel on a subject of great interest in Washington this week -- how interest rates on Federally-subsidized student loans could soon change and how students and families could be harmed as a result.

On July 1, the interest rate on Federally-subsidized college loans could jump from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent without Congressional action. The cost of extending the 3.4 percent rate for one year will be $6 billion. On Tuesday, as the President left Albany, the Senate voted down a plan to close a corporate tax loophole, which would raise enough revenue to continue the lower rate.

During his remarks, the President said like his five-point plan outlined above, it would be better for Congress to take action on this issue now, rather than wait until after November's elections.

At present, some corporations with a small number of shareholders do not pay their fair share of employment taxes on income over $200,000. Closing this loophole could keep interest rates low.

Assemblyman Farrell was recently appointed to serve on the NY Works Task Force, a new committee whose membership has been drawn from the fields of finance, labor, planning and transportation and charged with creating a State-wide infrastructure plan that will more effectively and strategically allocate capital investment funds and spur job creation efforts.

Assemblyman Farrell and Governor Cuomo at a recent event.

"The NY Works Task Force brings together an all-star team to help us coordinate and accelerate billions of dollars in capital investment to rebuild the foundation of the State' economy - our State's infrastructure - and create thousands of private sector jobs," Governor Cuomo said.

"The collective experience of the finance, labor, planning and transportation professionals on the NY Works Task Force, together with the members of our regional economic development councils, positions government to support bold regional economic development strategies across the State. The Task Force will help enable and accelerate major projects across the State with government working as a partner instead of a barrier to business growth and job creation."

"It is a privilege to have the opportunity to serve alongside my colleague Assemblyman Ron Canestrari, who is retiring but will stay on with this Task Force, and its' other prominent and distinguished members," Assemblyman Farrell said. "I look forward to taking part in the dialogue as we craft a new plan to upgrade the infrastructure of our State while helping put its' people back to work."

The Task Force was established as part of the 2012-13 State Budget to fundamentally change the way State agencies and authorities spend taxpayer and commuter funds. Previously, there was no single comprehensive plan to manage the $16 billion in capital expenditures made by 45 State agencies and authorities every year.

NY Works is intended to create for the first time a coordinated infrastructure investment plan to ensure that taxpayer dollars are targeted at the most critical infrastructure and economic development needs. The Task Force will also explore financing for State capital plans and find ways to free up funding to encourage economic activity and job creation.

Assemblyman Farrell meets with activists seeking to preserve the African Burial Ground.

Discovered in 1991 during the construction of a Federal office building at 290 Broadway, the African Burial Grounds cover an estimated six city blocks near City Hall.

The remains of 419 people who had lived in the 17th and 18th Centuries were found, only a fraction of an estimated 20,000 free and enslaved Africans buried there. DNA samples were taken and stored as the remains were moved and re-interred in 2003. It is estimated that the remains of another 200 persons remain on-site, which has been declared a national monument.

Assemblyman Farrell took part in a ceremony to rename "The Jungle" tennis courts May 5.

The former Mayor and other community leaders have formed the David Dinkins Tennis Club at "The Jungle" in order to enhance the tennis playing experience of people who use the courts, while also making a positive impression on the lives of children in the community by collecting school supplies that are donated to the Urban Women’s Retreat.

For the last few years, Assemblyman Farrell has worked with The Jungle Tennis Players’ Association and other local non-profits in search of funding to resurface the tennis courts.

The origins of the name "The Jungle" have been lost to time as all those who were there have passed on. According to local legend, in the 1930s and 1940s the Metropolitan Tennis Club was active in the Sugar Hill area. Clay tennis courts were common at that time, and they were not useable for some time after heavy rains.

Hearing of the hardtop courts at Frederick Johnson Park, the Metropolitan players nicknamed the Frederick Johnson courts the "Concrete Jungle." The nickname was later shortened to "The Jungle" and applied to the entire park.

Assemblyman Farrell meets with a team engaged in a project on the history of the City.

Shown are Dr. Richard Leiberman, Director of LaGuardia and Wagner Archives and also a professor of history; Judge Milton Mollen, former Deputy Mayor to former Mayor David Dinkins; and Jose Orengo, government relations representative for LaGuardia Community College.

Judge Mollen, who continues to work as an arbitrator, has taken on cases related to tenants' rights, insurance coverage, class action lawsuits against major corporations and other important cases since he was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1950. He also led a commission into police corruption (1992-1994) and held five City and State judgeships.

The LaGuardia and Wagner Archives at LaGuardia Community College is a repository of documents as diverse as the papers of Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia and the Steinway piano company. These records have been organized as research documents for middle- and high-school students. See http://www.laguardiawagnerarchive.lagcc.cuny.edu/ for further details.

The group had approached Farrell for help because budget cuts have made it more difficult for them to raise funds to preserve old records, such as those archived in the Wagner and LaGuardia Archives, and to use those records to produce new history books for students. Farrell promised to try to help resolve this difficulty.

Assemblyman Farrell recently joined a number of elected officials and members of the community who came together for an evening to pay tribute to Dave "Coach" Crenshaw, who has been organizing after-school sports for Harlem and Washington Heights children since 1983.

Assemblyman Farrell pays tribute to legendary Harlem-area volunteer "Coach" Crenshaw.

The tribute event was hosted by 280:Dreamers Alumni Association and was held Wednesday, April 2 at Wilson Major Morris Senior Center. Crenshaw’s 280:Dreamers program has always followed the principles of collaboration, sharing and cooperation to uplift each new generation.

Over the years, thousands of Northern Manhattan children have played basketball, flag football and track and field events after school hours under Crenshaw’s watchful eye. Many of those young people were present to share their memories of his programs, and how their lives were affected by his example. Among those to present commemorative proclamations and offer words of thanks were Farrell and City Council Member Robert Jackson.

Assemblyman Farrell and District Leader Al Taylor greet members of the Crenshaw family.

Crenshaw found his calling of working with youth while attending Hunter High School, from which he graduated in 1981. He later followed in the footsteps of his father, Richard (pictured above, to Farrell’s left), participating in or founding community programs to mold young minds.

In my last correspondence, which was written as the Legislature was preparing to vote on budget bills, I provided a quick overview of new legislation Governor Cuomo wished to see pass in conjunction with the budget. These included a plan to reform the process of how teachers’ effectiveness is evaluated. Now that the evaluation reform bill has passed, we are left with the question of what to do with the data that is collected through the modernized evaluation system. Some have argued that teacher data should be posted to the Internet or otherwise be made available to all who have an interest in the subject.

It is the position of myself and the Assembly Majority that while wide public access to information is in most cases a good thing, the fact remains that not everyone who seeks this information would use it for the positive purposes for which it was collected. Therefore, we hold that some restrictions are proper.

The Assembly is concerned that some members of the press, after getting teacher evaluation data, may twist the facts in order to paint a distorted and disturbing picture, whether that be of individual teachers, certain schools, or the public education system as a whole. These distortions would run counter to the purpose of collecting the evaluation data, which is to help students. We believe that while parents have every right to see their child’s teacher’s data, limits should be established. Discussion of this important issue continues, and we hope to reach a fair and equitable resolution in the near future.

During the last few weeks, as I do every year at this time, I am in the process of meeting with the commanding officers of the New York Police Department precincts in our Assembly district (the 30th, 32nd, 33rd and 34th Precincts). The subjects of our discussions include, but are not limited to, motorcycles racing in the streets, noise from bars and outdoor cafes, and noise in our parks especially during evening hours.

I recently met with Deputy Inspector Ruel Stephenson of the 30th Precinct. And on Friday, April 27, I met with Deputy Inspector Naomi Aice of the Manhattan North Command’s School Safety Division (shown at right). It was a productive and cordial conversation, and other meetings are scheduled soon. I look forward to working with Deputy Inspector Aice and other public safety officials in order to help keep the peace this summer and preserve the quality of life in our community.

On March 24 Speaker Silver introduced legislation, which I wholeheartedly support, to amend State Election Law to create a system of publicly financed elections similar to New York City’s system. Under the terms of the Speaker’s bill, every $1 given by a small donor will be eligible for $6 in matching funds, for contributions of up to $250. Candidates who accept public financing would also be required to participate in at least one debate, and State tax forms would be amended to allow the public to contribute $5 of their State tax return to the pool of funding that would pay for the public campaign matching funds. This issue has never been more important because, following an important recent US Supreme Court ruling on campaign finance, we must fight to make sure that the voices of moneyed interests and their lobbyists do not drown out the voices of common people who are crying out for help and justice.

On March 23 I attended the first in a series of public hearings called by my colleague, Assembly Member Keith Wright, who chairs the Assembly Labor Committee, on a proposal to increase the State minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.50 per hour. This hearing, which was held in the Harlem State Office Building, was followed by hearings in Syracuse and Buffalo. It was interesting and informative to hear the input offered by workers and owners of small businesses in the community. Among those who testified was James Parrott, chief economist of the Fiscal Policy Institute, who shared with us that nine out of every 10 minimum-wage workers are adults, not young people, and two-thirds of these people work full-time, not part-time. These facts will be important to remember as we try to pass this important and long overdue proposal.

Also on my agenda are plans to help members of the public receive the community benefits they were promised when Columbia University proposed its’ Manhattanville expansion, as well as the promises made by the City when the MTA several years ago planned to rebuild the Mother Clara Hale Bus Depot.

I recently met with members of a group called Harlem Survival, who are shown at right. These concerned members of the community approached me to ask for my help in seeking the proper fulfillment of these promises. As both of these major projects have moved forward, many have complained that the access to new jobs is not what we had been led to believe. Job training programs are available, but for those who complete the training, there is no guarantee of a job in the future.

Others have complained that the few jobs available are unskilled, low-paying jobs.

In the coming weeks I will be holding more meetings to see what can be done to correct this problem. In these difficult times, with unemployment still a major problem among members of our community, I will continue to stand up and work for the people of our community and what we have been promised.

Assemblyman Farrell and Rabbi Joseph on the Assembly floor.

Rabbi Joseph works as Vice president of Yeshiva University, which is in Assemblyman Farrell’s Northern Manhattan district. In addition to serving as Chief of Staff to Yeshiva President Richard M. Joel, Rabbi Joseph directs Yeshiva’s leadership incubator, the Presidential Fellowship in University and Community Leadership, and is a part of several task forces focused on increasing creativity and innovation.

His formal education also includes fellowships at Harvard's Institute of Higher Education and New York University's Wagner School of Public Administration, sponsored by the Muelhstein Foundation and UJA Federation NY.

After growing up in Montreal and completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania, Rabbi Joseph received rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. At the same time that he was ordained, he also earned a Master's degree in Jewish Philosophy at the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies.

Assembly Members Farrell and Linares at a recent meeting in Congressman Rangel's office.

Among the topics that were discussed was the ongoing negotiations on how to keep student loans affordable. On July 1, the interest rate on Federally-subsidized Stafford loans is set to jump from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. To continue the lower rate for one year will cost $6 billion, and several proposals are on the table to pay for the extension. Members of the Senate's Republican caucus on Tuesday blocked legislation to pay for the extension by closing a corporate tax loophole.

At present, certain corporations with a small number of shareholders do not pay their fair share of employment taxes on income over $200,000. Closing this loophole could cover the cost of keeping subsidized-loan interest rates low.

Farrell, Linares and Rangel remain in touch as the legislative sessions continue in Albany and Washington.

Farrell met with WHLD's Kofi Boateng and Donald Notice.

Attending the meeting at Farrell's District Office were Kofi Boateng, who was recently hired as Executive Director of West Harlem Local Development Coalition, and Donald Notice, who sits on the organization's Board of Directors.

The organization was founded to oversee a package of benefits offered to the community by Columbia University which is expanding its Northern Manhattan campus. The representatives discussed Farrell's hopes and priorities for the $76 million Columbia University has allocated for the benefit of the West Harlem community.

Assemblyman Farrell met on April 20 with Cecil Bell, Denzel Bell and other members of Harlem Survival.

Recently, some in the community have expressed concern that, while members of the community have been given access to job training programs associated with these major development projects, they do not have access to high-paying skilled employment.

During the meeting, Assemblyman Farrell asked the Harlem Survival representatives for a formal statement expressing their concerns, which he will pass on in search of answers.

Deputy Inspector Stephenson, who was assigned to command the precinct last year, was briefed by Farrell on past efforts to tamp down park noise and keep the peace among park neighbors. Farrell has asked earlier precinct commanders to maintain adequate police presence in the park during the hours it is open to the public and to have the park closed and locked by 9 p.m. nightly.

Similar meetings with the commanders of the NYPD's 32nd, 33rd and 34th Precincts, which fall within the 71st Assembly District, have been requested. Please watch this space for updates.

NYAGV, a not-for-profit founded in 1995, works with youth in schools including Community Health Academy in Washington Heights to educate them about the consequences of gun violence and to prevent gun-related injuries and deaths. On Wednesday, April 25, members of the group traveled from Manhattan to Albany to meet with Assemblyman Farrell and other lawmakers.

Assemblyman Farrell has pledged his support to New Yorkers Against Gun Violence. Pictured are Jackie Rowe Adams, Dorothy Payne, Tracy Andrews, Sarah Stewart, Patricia Bowles-Simmonds, Ella B. Thomas, Otissa Dillad and Herman Arnold.

"As we saw as recently as yesterday, when a young woman in my district tragically lost her life to a criminal armed with an illegal handgun, the problem of gun violence in our communities has not gone away," Assemblyman Farrell said. "While I commend the New York Police Department for their efforts to keep armed criminals off our streets, it is clear that we must pass new laws in Albany to give the police the tools they need to keep our neighborhoods safe."

A key item on NYAGV's legislative agenda is their opposition to a Senate bill that is similar to Florida's notorious 2005 "Stand Your Ground" law. This law allows armed persons to open fire on a perceived threat, whether they are in their own homes or on the street, and does not obligate them to make any effort whatsoever to avoid a shootout as the law has required for generations.

"All we have to do to see the outcome of 'shoot first and ask questions later' laws is to turn on the evening news. These Wild West ideas have no place in New York or any other state, and I will fight to keep them off the books," Farrell said.

To report an illegal gun in New York City, call 1(866) GUN-STOP.

As has been reported, the leadership of the Assembly and Senate are in talks with Governor Cuomo to draw up a plan of action regarding data that will be collected during the new process of teacher evaluations called for in a reform bill recently passed by the Legislature. While some are calling for teacher data to be available to anyone who wishes to see it, the position of the Assembly majority is that certain restrictions would be proper. While it is clear that parents of students should have full access to data pertaining to their child's teacher, we also believe it is clear that not everyone who is interested in this data is inclined to be fair-minded.

The Assembly is concerned that some members of the press may, after getting hold of teacher evaluation data, there are some who might twist the facts in order to paint a distorted and disturbing picture, whether that be of individual teachers, certain schools, or the system as a whole. These discussions have been ongoing for several weeks now, and we hope to reach a fair resolution soon.

On Friday, March 30, in my capacity as Chair of the Ways and Means Committee I debated and helped pass budget bills that finalized a $132.6 billion spending plan for Fiscal Year 2012-13, which began Sunday, April 1. These budget bills, which are the product of an accord the Assembly, Senate and Governor Cuomo had reached earlier in the week, completed the budget early for the first time since 1983 and on time for the second year in a row. Though details were agreed to in the final days, work on the budget actually began in December.

On Monday, March 12, after a period of debate, both the Assembly and Senate passed their own "one-house" budget bills, which were not identical. To reconcile differences in their respective bills, on Tuesday, March 13, members of the Assembly and Senate met in the first of a series of General Conference Committee meetings. Ongoing negotiations during the following weeks led to an agreement that the Assembly, Senate and Governor Cuomo could all support. The Governor had also asked for other items that he wanted to be passed in conjunction with the budget.

The Neighborhood Preservation Program, a program I started in the 1970s which the Governor had proposed eliminating this year, has been restored to the tune of more than $10 million, plus an additional $4.2 million for the Rural Preservation Program. Last year, these programs were funded at $8.48 million and $3.54 million respectively.

On March 15, during an all-night session, the Legislature passed a series of bills which may bring about historic reform relating to many key responsibilities of government. These included a bill intended to change the process of legislative redistricting, which follows the US Census by drawing new State legislative district lines. The intention is to equalize the population in each district. The proposed change will give an independent commission this responsibility, as opposed to the Legislature. Changing the process will require a Constitutional amendment that must pass the Legislature again during our next session, and then go before the public as a referendum.

We fought for and won provisions in a new law expanding the State's DNA Databank that guarantee defense attorneys will have access to DNA evidence following a court order. The Databank will include samples from all felons and most misdemeanants but persons convicted of minor marijuana possession charges will not have to submit DNA. The expanded law also allows defendants who have been convicted of a crime to petition the courts for access to evidence held by prosecutors, and if they cannot pay to obtain this evidence, the State will pick up the expense for them.

The new law also allows judges to order evidence be tested against the DNA Databank. Broadening the pool of DNA data available presents the opportunity to close open cases and to prevent offenders from committing new crimes. At the same time, opportunities to exonerate the wrongfully convicted will be made stronger.

The budget legislation provides $20.3 billion for education, including $805 million in new funding that was promised last year, $75 million of which is for New York City schools. This 3.9 percent increase in education funding is matched by an increase in funding for health care programs. We were able to eliminate the State share of sales tax on clothing purchases under $110, easing the cost of living for families even more. Overall, the budget is a 1.9 percent increase over 2011-12.

Budget restorations include $239 million in expense-based school aid, more funding for SUNY and CUNY including campus child care centers, and a restoration of $30.6 million to the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program. The budget fully funds increases to the public assistance grant, which is set to rise by 5 percent this summer and again in the fall.

An appropriation of $6.5 billion will fund unemployment insurance, and the budget also finalizes plans for the State to cover increased Medicaid costs, saving local governments an estimated $1.2 billion over five years. Also included is $34.3 million to maintain the right of spousal refusal, so seniors whose ailing spouses require long-term care will not be at risk of losing assets.

Businesses owned by women and minorities who wish to contract with the State will find a helping hand has been extended, as funds have been allocated to support these companies and track the business they are doing with the State, data that will be useful in the future. Capital projects, including road and bridge maintenance, are funded at aggressive levels, as is State support for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Under the 2012-13 State budget, $4 billion has been provided to support the MTA, a 5 percent increase from the previous year.

Legislation passed by the Assembly included a second Constitutional amendment, this one allowing for the creation of up to seven casino-type gaming facilities Statewide. A bill that will specify where these casinos may be sited should be introduced and debated in the near future. This amendment will also have to be passed again by the Legislature and then a public vote.

Assemblyman Farrell and colleagues announce new bills to enhance the rent laws.

The bills, which took a major step forward today when they were reported out of the Assembly Housing Committee, are summarized below.

Assemblyman Farrell is scheduled to meet Friday, April 20 with Deputy Inspector Ruel Stephenson of the New York Police Department's 30th Precinct. Among the topics likely to be discussed are noise in Riverside Park and the effect on the quality of life in the neighborhood.

Below is a letter from Farrell to Deputy Inspector Stephenson requesting the meeting. Correspondence with the commanding officers of the 32nd, 33rd and 34th Precincts will be posted in tis space during the coming days.

Assemblyman Farrell discusses topics of concern with Deputy Inspector Stephenson during the City's response to a major water main break in Northern Manhattan, Summer 2011.

HERMAN D. FARRELL, JR.
Assemblyman 71st District

Room 923
Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248
(518) 455-5491
(518) 455-5776 FAX

THE ASSEMBLY
STATE OF NEW YORK
ALBANY

CHAIRMAN
Ways and Means Committee

COMMITTEES
Rules
Black & Puerto Rican Caucus

Dear Deputy Inspector Stephenson,

It has long been my habit, at the time when the winter usually loosens its' grip on our City, to reach out to your predecessors who have commanded the 30th Precinct to discuss issues we are all likely to grapple with as the warm-weather months approach.

As you know, some of my constituents who live in the apartments overlooking Riverside Park complain about the loud stereos, yelling, and other noise coming from the parking lot.

In the past, my staff and I have worked very well with your predecessors as we have done with you. We have found that maintaining an adequate police presence throughout the day and closing the park gates at 8 p.m. has proven effective at dealing with the noise.

Today, the mercury topped 80 degrees but, as I was in Albany, I am not sure if the parking area was filled during the evening hours and it appears we will go from an easy winter to an early summer. Because of this I would like to meet with you in the near future to discuss plans for the summer.

A member of my staff may have, or will, be calling to set up a meeting at your earliest convenience to discuss the noise problems that unfortunately come with this beautiful park and other matters of concern that have taken place in the Precinct.

At the monthly meeting of the Friends of Riverbank State Park, which is scheduled to be held in the Park's recreation room at 10 a.m. tomorrow, April 14, topics of conversation are likely to include a new State plan to perform $5.2 million in upgrades to Park infrastructure.

Assemblyman Farrell joins Reginald Magwood and L. Ann Rocker of Riverbenk State Park at a recent meeting of the Friends of Riverbank State Park.

Just over a week ago, Assemblyman Farrell joined Governor Cuomo to announce a new round of NY Works projects would include capital improvements at Riverbank State Park. In total, under the State Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget that was approved March 30, $83 million in State funds will be used to leverage a $143 million investment in public parks around the State.

At Riverbank, the $5.2 million investment will be used to replace the deteriorating artificial turf playing field and gymnasium floor, improve the skating rink, replace the deteriorating boiler system and rehabilitate other park infrastructure.

The Friends of Riverbank State Parks' monthly meetings are chaired by L. Ann Rocker and include reports on parks projects delivered by Riverbank's administrative staff. Please check back next week for more news on the subject.

On Friday, March 30 in my capacity as Chair of the Ways and Means Committee I debated and helped pass a package of budget bills that finalized a $132.6 billion spending plan for Fiscal Year 2012-13, which began Sunday, April 1. These budget bills, which are the product of an accord the Assembly, Senate and Governor Cuomo had reached earlier in the week, completed the budget a few days early for the first time since 1983 and on time for the second year in a row. Though details were agreed to only recently, work on the budget actually began in December.

During the final days of 2011, the Legislature returned to Albany to pass a major overhaul of the State tax code. This tax reform legislation allowed for a tax cut on middle-class families while at the same time raising taxes on wealthy New Yorkers, effectively extending the "millionaire's tax" which would have expired on December 31. Because the Assembly, Senate and Governor had to agree on revenue forecasts as part of this tax reform bill, this meant that we had reached consensus on revenue available for the Fiscal Year 2012-13 budget, a major part of the overall plan. Not only had we helped close an anticipated deficit for the coming year, it allowed us to keep our promise that we made last year to increase spending on health and education programs.

On Monday, March 12, after a period of debate, both the Assembly and Senate passed their own "one-house" budget bills. These "one-house bills," while similar, were not identical which they must be to be sent to Governor Cuomo for his signature. To reconcile the differences in their respective bills, on Tuesday, March 13, members of the Assembly and Senate met in the first of a series of General Conference Committee meetings. Ongoing negotiations during the following weeks led to an agreement that the Assembly, Senate and Governor Cuomo could all support. The Governor had also asked for other items that he wanted to be passed alongside the budget itself.

On March 15, during an all-night session, the Legislature passed a series of bills which may effect historic reform relating to many key responsibilities of government. Likely to have the most longstanding impact is legislation that is intended to change the process of legislative redistricting, which follows the US Census by drawing new State legislative district lines. The intention is to equalize the population in each district. But changing the process can only be done through a Constitutional amendment that must pass the Legislature again during our next session, and then go before the public as a referendum. If this referendum passes, the State Constitution will be amended to relieve the Legislature of the responsibility of drawing new district lines.

Legislation passed by the Assembly included a second Constitutional amendment, this one allowing for the creation of up to seven casino-type gaming facilities Statewide. A bill that will specify where these casinos may be sited should be introduced and debated in the near future. This Constitutional amendment will also have to be passed by two successive Legislatures before it goes before the public. On March 15 we also passed pension reform which will affect future State employees but by law cannot affect anyone now working in State government.

We also passed a historic expansion of the State's DNA Databank to include all felonies and most misdemeanors. Persons convicted of minor marijuana possession charges will not have to submit their DNA to the Databank. My colleague Assemblyman Joseph Lentol and others fought for and won provisions in the new law that guarantee defense attorneys will have access to DNA evidence following a court order. It also allows defendants who have been convicted of a crime to petition the courts for access to evidence held by prosecutors, and if they are not capable of paying to obtain this evidence, the State will pick up the expense for them.

Previously, there was no provision of State law that laid down these requirements. The new law also allows judges to order evidence be tested against the DNA Databank. Broadening the pool of DNA data available presents the opportunity to close open cases and to prevent offenders from committing new crimes. At the same time, opportunities to exonerate the wrongfully convicted will be made stronger.

Overall support for education programs in the 2012-13 budget totals $20.3 billion, including $805 million in new funding that was promised last year, $75 million of which is for New York City schools. This 3.9 percent increase in funding for public schools is matched by a similar increase in funding for health care programs.

As we have discussed in the past, these and other programs were cut as State government dealt with funding shortfalls caused by the Wall Street crash of 2007 and the economic decline that followed. This new budget, which recognizes the ongoing weakness in the economy, is structured in such a way as to provide for the most vital needs of the State and its' people while increasing only 1.9 percent. I am happy to announce that we were able to do away with the State share of sales tax on clothing purchases under $110, easing the cost of living for families even more.

Because under the State Fiscal Year 2012-13 budget the same amount of money is to be spent in a smarter way, proposed cuts were not actually made in the final budget. These restorations include $239 million in expense-based school aid, more funding for SUNY and CUNY including campus child care centers, and a restoration of $30.6 million to the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program. The budget fully funds increases to the public assistance grant, which is scheduled to rise by 5 percent this summer and again by 5 percent in the fall.

An appropriation of $6.5 billion will fund unemployment insurance benefits, and the budget also finalizes plans for the State to shoulder increased Medicaid costs, freeing localities from this cost and saving local governments an estimated $1.2 billion over the next five years. Also included is $34.3 million to maintain the right of spousal refusal, meaning that seniors whose ailing spouses require long-term care will not be at risk of losing vital assets.

Businesses owned by women and minorities who wish to contract with the State will find a helping hand has been extended, as funds have been allocated to support these companies and track the business they are doing with the State, data that will be useful in the future. Capital projects, including road and bridge maintenance, are funded at aggressive levels, as is State support for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Under the 2012-13 State budget, $4 billion has been provided to support the MTA, a 5 percent increase from the previous year.

The Neighborhood Preservation Program, a program I started in the 1970s which the Governor had proposed eliminating this year, has been restored to the tune of more than $10 million, plus an additional $4.2 million for the Rural Preservation Program. Last year, these programs were funded at $8.48 million and $3.54 million respectively. This, I am sure, will be welcome news to our friends and neighbors who are fighting to save their homes. Other housing rehabilitation and foreclosure prevention programs were also saved, affirming the State's commitment to preserving affordable housing in Northern Manhattan and other communities.

Assemblyman Farrell on Friday debated and helped pass a package of budget bills that flesh out a $132.6 billion spending plan for Fiscal Year 2012-13, which began Sunday, April 1. These budget bills, which are a product of an accord the Assembly, Senate and Governor Cuomo reached earlier in the week, completed the budget process early for the first time since 1983.

Assemblyman Farrell debates budget legislation on Friday, March 30, 2012.

"After several years of cuts, I am happy to say that we will at last be able to undo some of the damage caused by the Great Recession," Assemblyman Farrell said. "I commend Governor Cuomo for keeping the promise he made last year and releasing $805 million to our schools, including $75 million that has been set aside for New York City schools."

Overall support for education programs in the 2012-13 budget total $20.3 billion. This 3.9 percent increase in funding for public schools is matched by a similar increase in funding for health care programs. These and other State programs were cut as State government dealt with funding shortfalls forced by the Wall Street crash of 2007 and the economic decline that followed.

This budget, which recognizes ongoing weakness in the economy, is structured in such a way as to provide for the most vital needs of the State and its' people while staying below the self-imposed spending cap of 2 percent called for by Governor Cuomo. Because the same amount of money is to be spent in a smarter way, proposed cuts were not actually made in the final budget.

These restorations include $239 million in expense-based school aid, more funding for SUNY and CUNY including campus child care centers, and a restoration of $30.6 million to the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program. The budget fully funds increases to the public assistance grant, which is scheduled to rise by 5 percent this summer and again in the fall.

An appropriation of $6.5 billion will fund unemployment insurance benefits, and the budget also finalizes plans for the State to shoulder increased Medicaid costs, freeing localities from this cost and saving local governments an estimated $1.2 billion over the next five years. Also included is $34.3 million to maintain the right of spousal refusal, meaning that seniors whose ailing spouses require long-term care will not be at risk of losing vital assets.

Businesses owned by women and minorities who wish to contract with the State will find a helping hand has been extended, as funds have been allocated to support these companies. Capital projects, including road and bridge maintenance, are funded at aggressive levels, as is State support for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Under the 2012-13 State budget, $4 billion has been provided to support the MTA, a 5 percent increase from the previous year.

The Neighborhood Preservation Program, which the Governor had proposed eliminating this year, has been restored to the tune of $10 million. Other housing rehabilitation and foreclosure prevention programs were similarly saved, affirming the State's commitment to preserving the stock of affordable housing in Northern Manhattan and other communities.