Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan Reports to the People

Assemblywoman
Catherine
Nolan

Reports to the People
SPRING 2006

Dear Neighbor,

The education of our state’s children is a vital part of the future of our communities. During my tenure as your Assemblywoman I have made education a priority. This past February, I was honored and privileged to be appointed by Speaker Sheldon Silver to chair the Assembly’s Education Committee. This important assignment puts me, and our communities, right in the middle of education policy for our state. Over the past couple of months, I have met with New York City Schools Chancellor Klein, New York State Education Department Commissioner Mills, and hundreds of students, parents and teachers, to work on issues affecting our school children. As the mother of a second grader, the quality of our children’s education is an issue that is near and dear to me and I pledge to continue to fight for our neighborhood schools.

I am also continuing my work with local groups to bring a bank to Long Island City, monitor the ongoing construction at the Queens West site, clean up graffiti in Ridgewood, Sunnyside and Long Island City and delivering our fair share of tax dollars back to our neighborhoods. My next newsletter will update you on state grants for our neighborhood groups and institutions and important legislation.

As always, my district offices are here to serve you. Please do not hesitate to contact me. Have a safe and enjoyable summer!

Sincerely,

Catherine Nolan

NOLAN NAMED CHAIRWOMAN
OF ASSEMBLY’S EDUCATION COMMITTEE

I was privileged and honored to be appointed by Speaker Sheldon Silver to the Chairmanship of the Assembly’s Education Committee. The Assembly’s Education Committee is primarily responsible for overseeing educational policies and programs affecting pre-kindergarten, elementary, secondary and adult education. The Committee’s jurisdiction extends to all aspects of the elementary and secondary school children attending both public and non-public schools. Within New York State, there are 704 school districts, including the nation’s largest, the New York City School District. The Education Committee also participates in the process of selecting persons to serve on the New York State Board of Regents.

I am honored and grateful that Speaker Silver had the confidence in me to appoint me to lead this important committee. I look forward to continuing to work with all the schools, parents and students of our community to ensure that our children receive a quality education. As the parent of a second grader, the education of our young people is one of my highest priorities. I look forward to your input.

It was a pleasure to be on hand to help cut the ribbon on the Ridgewood Library’s renovated Children’s Reading Room, which I helped to fund. Joining me from left to right are Thomas Galante, Executive Director of the Queens Library and my colleague, Assemblywoman Patricia Eddington, Chairwoman of the Assembly’s Subcommittee on Libraries..

Legislative budget a victory for New York City children

State Budget Highlights
$1.8 billion more for NYC school construction
$501 million increase in NYC education funding
$25 million more for NYC pre-K
$88.9 million for class size reduction

In a clear victory for New York school children, the Legislative budget fulfills the capital funding requirements outlined in the CFE decision. The Legislature’s capital construction program, EXpanding our Children’s Education and Learning (EXCEL) provides $1.8 billion for New York City capital construction on top of building aid.

The budget also helps the city stretch school construction money further by increasing the cap for the Transitional Finance Authority by $9.4 billion to help fund the cost of New York City’s current capital plan, and secures building aid payments to the city to support the increase.

Record increase in state aid for schools
Our plan includes a record $1.362 billion increase in education funding over last year, including a nearly 7 percent increase in formula-based school aid. New York City schools will receive $501 million more than last year – or $220 million more than the governor proposed. The budget provides additional support for New York City schools, including:

$25 million more for pre-K to help the city to serve an additional 7,500 4-year-olds
continuing $88.9 million for class size reduction grants for overcrowded schools
a $13.8 million increase in aid for students with limited English proficiency
enhancing education

Libraries provide research and resource materials to enhance what children learn in the classroom. To keep New York State libraries up to date, the Legislative budget provides:

$5.7 million to ensure library aid keeps up with local population growth and other rising costs
$14 million for capital projects to help local libraries modernize their facilities and invest in new educational technology

The Legislature also restored cuts to several programs, providing increases over the governor’s budget for New York City of:

$70 million for special education
$10.7 million for Teacher Centers
$1.6 million for the Teacher Mentor Intern Program

I was pleased to join with Senator Hillary Clinton and Congressman Joseph Crowley to call for an investigation into skyrocketing gasoline prices. Joining us from left to right are Lily Gavin, Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce and John Vogt, President of the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce.

I always enjoy when local students travel to Albany to visit.

One of the highlights of the year is the annual Astoria-Long Island City NAACP luncheon. I enjoyed spending time with Borough President Helen Marshall, and Ravenswood’s Dr. Sharon Cadiz.

DISTRICT OFFICE INFORMATION
My district offices are here to serve you. If you have a question, problem or idea, please do not hesitate to call or drop by and we will do our best to try to assist you. Both offices are open Monday through Friday from 9am until 5pm.

61-08 Linden Street Ridgewood, NY 11385 (718) 456-9492
45-25 47th Street Woodside, NY 11377(718) 784-3194
e-mail nolanc@assembly.state.ny.us

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