MICHELLE IS WIDE AWAKE, HARD AT WORK
Microstamping: One of the Most Talked About
Measures of the 2010 Legislative Year
On June 15, Michelle’s microstamping bill, which passed the New York State Assembly in May, fell two votes short of passage in the State Senate. The Senators, who voted no on this measure, sent a clear message to law enforcement officials and victims of gun violence and their families: You Don’t Matter! Despite this setback, Michelle is moving full steam ahead and will continue to fight for the passage of her microstamping bill, which will help police solve more gun crimes.
The New York State Legislature recently passed an education spending plan, which provides a $600 million restoration in school aid and rejects the largest school aid cut ($1.4 billion) by any Governor in New York State’s history. Within hours of passing this plan, Governor David Paterson took to his veto pen and slashed $419 million in education aid for New York’s public schools. In response, Michelle released the following statement condemning the Governor’s veto:
-Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel
Michelle helped doctors lead the movement to overturn the 9.63% HCRA surcharge to radiological and outpatient surgical services. This proposal would have forced many outpatient medical practices to close; would have severely limited patients’ access to care, significantly lengthened wait times for mammograms, cancer screenings and critical imaging, and drastically reduced potentially cost-saving ambulatory surgical procedures. Due to Michelle’s leadership, the HCRA surcharge was rejected from the final state budget.
Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel receives the Friend of Local Government Award from NYCOM. Pictured left to right are (front row) Mayor Barbara Donno, Village of Plandome Manor, Assemblywoman Schimel, Mayor Diana Merenda, Village of Plandome Heights, (back row) City Council President Chuck Lesnick, City of Yonkers, Trustee George Farenthold, Village of Aurora, and Mayor James Gaughan, Village of Altamont.
Since 2008, Michelle has been working with community stakeholders to help revitalize the Village of Great Neck’s business district. Michelle has also helped secure funding for the revitalization of the Port Washington Bay Walk and Albertson Memorial Park (Albertson Triangle).
Michelle has advocated for legislation to help decrease the exorbitant cost of medical liability insurance and to stop the delay tactics used by health insurance companies to reduce or deny payment for necessary patient care. Michelle co-sponsored Assembly bill A.4301, legislation that would permit physicians and other healthcare providers to collectively negotiate contracts with health plans under close state supervision.
Michelle was a vocal opponent of the Governor’s proposal to sell wine in grocery stores. This proposal would have destroyed small wine and liquor stores across the state, negatively impacting our downtowns and main streets. Many stores would have been forced to close, resulting in job loss. Due to Michelle’s efforts, this proposal was rejected from the final budget.
The roles of the Executive and Legislative branches in the state budget process are proscribed by Article VII of the New York State Constitution. In a manner consistent with the Constitution, the Governor sent budget bills to the State Legislature, and the Assembly has fully and finally acted upon such bills. The Governor is not constitutionally empowered to unilaterally restart or reconfigure the state budget process at this time. Article VII §3 of the Constitution expressly precludes Executive submission of any additional or alternative budget bills without “the consent of the legislature” at this time. The Assembly is willing to engage in discussions with the Executive and the State Senate about all fiscal issues.
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The continuation and growth of the State’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program
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Provides reimbursements to public, non-public and parochial schools for the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Mobility Tax (MTA Payroll Tax)
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Allocates CAP reimbursements to non-public schools
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Michelle strongly advocated against the Governor’s proposal to shift 100% of the costs associated with preschool special education to school districts. As a result of her efforts, this proposal was rejected from the final budget
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Restores $49 million for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), rejecting an across-the-board cut to all TAP awards by $75
Michelle co-sponsored a new law to help stimulate economic growth in New York’s communities by allowing municipalities from across the state to receive funds for streetscape improvements, façade renovations, and building rehabilitation.
This past year, Michelle delivered the opening remarks at the New York State Main Street Program’s Administration Workshop in Westbury. The workshop, sponsored by the NYS Department of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR), offered information about grants to not-for-profits and municipalities looking to conduct downtown revitalization projects. Pictured (L to R) are BID President Roy Smithheimer, Great Neck Plaza Mayor Jean Celender, Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel, Great Neck Mayor Ralph Kreitzman, Main Street Program Director Chris Leo, and Deputy DHCR Director Joseph Rabito.
As a result of a new law authored by Michelle, which enables the United States Merchant Marine Academy to finance the construction of a new classroom and student lodging facility, 300 new local jobs will be created.
Pictured (L to R) are Dr. Kevin McBride, Principal of St. Mary’s College Preparatory High School, Mrs. Kristin Lynch Graham, Director of Development and Alumni Relations, Sr. Mariette Quinn, IHM, Assistant Principal for Academics and Director of Admissions, Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel and Mr. Marc de Venoge, School Board President.
Michelle recently marched in the Salute to Israel Parade in Manhattan with the New York State
Chapter of Jewish State Legislators. Pictured (L to R) are Congressman Gary Ackerman,
Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel, Assemblymen Micah Kellner and Charles Lavine, and
State Senator Craig Johnson.
Michelle with Patti Wood, Executive Director of Grassroots Education, and volunteers at the Dodge Family Farm in Port Washington.
Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel volunteering with Boy Scout Troop 80 to help
revitalize the Albertson Memorial Park’s World War II Veterans Monument.
Michelle is one of the most outspoken state leaders supporting a moratorium on hydrofracking, also known as hydraulic fracturing, a method used to create fractures that extend out after drilling for natural gas. There is significant controversy over this procedure, which can release harmful chemicals into New York’s drinking water.
The Green Jobs, Green New York Program: This new law helps tackle our economic and environmental problems head-on by investing in green energy resources, while creating jobs to support this new industry.
Saving Money with Renewable Energies: Michelle co-sponsored the state’s new net-metering law. This policy expands net-metering to allow all utility customers to receive credits for energy they produce through solar, wind and farm technologies.
Encouraging the Use of Reusable Bags: Michelle has introduced legislation (A.9190a) to help encourage the use of eco-friendly bags by requiring store-operators to post signs reminding customers not to forget their reusable bags.
To help reduce some of the most hazardous forms of toxic waste, Michelle has worked tirelessly to implement a statewide electronic waste program. After many years of her advocacy, an electronic waste recycling bill was signed into law.
45 North Station Plaza, Suite 203
Great Neck, New York 11021 • 516-482-6966
E-mail: schimelm@assembly.state.ny.us
Room 324 Legislative Office Building
Albany, New York 12248 • 518-455-5192
