• Airline Passenger’s Bill of Rights – First in the nation, Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights to provide passengers stranded on airplanes at New York airports with basic amenities to make their wait more tolerable. The bill also creates a new Airline Consumer Advocate Office to help passengers report air travel service problems.

• Clothing and Footwear Sales Tax eliminated – Currently, in NYC, clothing and footwear costing less than $110 is exempt from City and State sales tax. Under this new law, starting September 1st, all clothing and footwear, regardless of price will be exempt from the City’s 4% sales tax.

• Anti-Leafleting Bill – New York City residents are deluged with menus and fliers callously dumped on their doorsteps, in their lobbies and in their vestibules. Despite signs posted on doors prohibiting leaflets, residents continue to be inundated. This bill will make owners and managers of restaurants and other commercial establishments liable for dumping menus and advertising fliers on private property.

• Cracking Down on Sexual Predators – The rise in the use of the Internet has led to a dramatic increase in the use of computers to perpetrate crimes against children. Predators of children use computers to lure children into sexual acts. The new law makes the dissemination of indecent materials in writing to a minor, through a computer communication, a crime.

As a champion for New York’s public schools, Helene Weinstein has made a difference in the lives of our students. This year, Helene Weinstein helped deliver the largest increase in state education funding in New York City’s history. The new funds can be used to lower class sizes, provide academic support services, and help modernize New York City classrooms.

Assemblywoman Honors Deserving Graduating Student Assemblywoman Weinstein spoke to a packed crowd of students and teachers at P.S. 251’s graduation. Every year Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein presents a NYS Assembly Certificate of Merit and US Savings Bond to a deserving graduate at each local school.		Assemblywoman Honors Deserving Graduating Student Assemblywoman Weinstein spoke to a packed crowd of students and teachers at P.S. 206's graduation. P.S. 206 receives funding from the Assemblywoman to ensure continuation of their music education program with the Brooklyn Philharmonic.
Assemblywoman Visits Kings Bay Y Day Camp Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein had an opportunity to talk to and hear from children attending King’s Bay Y’s Day Camp. Assemblywoman Weinstein recently secured funds for repairs to the Y’s roof and obtained a capital grant to renovate the men’s and women’s locker rooms and bathrooms and make them handicapped accessible.		Assemblywoman Honors Local Girls Yeshiva Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein spoke to a crowded room of proud parents and teachers at Yeshiva Lev Bais Yaakov’s 10th Anniversary Dinner. The Assemblywoman presented school administrator, Rabbi Shmiel Deutsch with an Assembly Citation for his dedication and commitment to his staff, student body, and their parents.

PROTECTING HOMEOWNERS – SUBPRIME MORTGAGES

Assemblywoman Weinstein convened the first of several Assembly hearings to examine Subprime Lending Practices and to determine how the State can help those facing foreclosure. Many subprime mortgage lenders have preyed on financially-strapped borrowers by offering a low introductory interest rate for the first few months, followed by a sharp increase after the introductory period expires. It is estimated that tens of thousands of subprime mortgages in New York will end in foreclosure, leaving many homeowners and their families dispossessed.

East 57th Street Block Party At East 57th Street Block Association’s Annual Block Party Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein presented a NYS Assembly Citation to Morgan Gabriel, President, as Board members Doris Wilson and Janice Reid looked on. Also, on hand were relay race participants waiting on mark, set to go.		Weinstein and Director of Caribbean Women’s Health Association Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein met with Dr. Marilyn John, the new Director of the Caribbean Women’s Health Association discussing ways to assist our communities. Assemblywoman Weinstein provides funding to assist the organization in providing services, in particular, citizenship assistance.
Nottingham Civic Association Recognized Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein presented a NYS Assembly Proclamation to Helen Rosen, President of the Nottingham Civic Association at their 85th Anniversary luncheon. Assemblywoman Weinstein supports Nottingham Civic and has secured funds that help keep their Civilian Patrol Car in running order. Other elected officials on hand to celebrate the event were Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz and Congressman Anthony Weiner.		Assemblywoman Weinstein and JCC Leaders Distribute Holiday Food Packages Assemblywoman Weinstein joined Ilene Marcus, Chief of Staff for Metcouncil, Rabbi David Cohen, Metcouncil’s Senior Executive Consultant as well as representatives from Health Plus and leaders of Jewish Community Councils citywide, for the annual free turkey distribution kick-off at Metcouncil’s food pantry in Flatlands, Brooklyn. The pantry distributes food to the homeless, those in crisis and the elderly year round.

WEINSTEIN COMBATS HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Governor Spitzer Signs Human Trafficking Law Assemblywoman Weinstein, who helped negotiate the human trafficking bill, looks on as Governor Spitzer signs it into law.

The Assembly successfully enacted a new law that criminalizes Human Trafficking, the enslavement of people against their will by means of force or threat for the purpose of sexual or labor exploitation and provides assistance to victims.

This new law will:

• Impose a mandatory prison sentence on perpetrators who profit from prostitution by engaging in sex trafficking

• Add a new crime “labor trafficking” with a penalty of up to 7 years in prison

• Make it illegal for travel-related businesses to facilitate the patronizing of prostitution

• Place those convicted of sex trafficking on the sex offender registry

• Provide supportive services: temporary housing, medical, mental-health and drug-addiction treatment and services from the Crime Victims Board to sex trafficking victims.

Middle Class STAR Property Tax Rebate – You MUST Apply!

Assemblywoman Weinstein’s Office can help you apply for the 2007 NYS Middle Class STAR Rebate Program enacted by the legislature this year. This is in addition to the NYC $400 tax rebate you may also receive. Property owners who receive the basic STAR exemption on their property will be sent an application form by the State. You MUST Apply by returning that form or filling out your application online or you will not receive your rebate!

Senior citizens who are property owners and receive an enhanced STAR exemption on their property will receive a rebate check automatically. For seniors with enhanced STAR, no application is required.

You must apply no later than November 30, 2007. Call our Office for application assistance.

Flatlands Civic Association Meeting Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein recently spoke to the attendees at a Flatlands Civic Association meeting as Secretary Eve Kiley looked on. The Assemblywoman often visits civic associations to inform those in attendance of programs and services offered in her community office.

Join the hundreds of your neighbors who have already received their Non-Driver IDs at Helene Weinstein’s Community Office.

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will be returning to Weinstein’s Office on:

Thursday October 11th, 2007

Apply for a Non-Driver’s I.D. Card
Renew Your Driver’s License
Appointments are required – No Walk-Ins!

Call to Schedule (718) 648-4700

Helene Weinstein brings the Senior Half-Fare MetroCard Bus to the Community Office at 3520 Nostrand Avenue on the third Thursday of every month.

Upcoming dates:
September 20th, 2007
October 18th, 2007
November 15th, 2007
10:30 am to 12:00 noon

Apply for the Senior Half-Fare MetroCard and receive one on the spot.