SOLVING UTILITY PROBLEMS

Ms. T. called Assemblywoman Weinstein after being notified by her gas provider that her service would be shut off due to an outstanding balance. Ms. T., a homeowner and caregiver for a disabled sibling living in the same house, could only afford to pay a set amount with her current income. Assemblywoman Weinstein was able to call her home heating provider and arrange for a low payment plan that suited her special needs.

	Assemblywoman Weinstein Helping You!
	Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein often assists constituents to resolve a variety of problems.

WATER BILL PROBLEM

Ms. N. came to the Assemblywoman seeking help in lowering her outstanding water bill that she felt was extremely high. The Assemblywoman immediately contacted the Department of Environmental Protection to investigate the matter. Erroneous charges were discovered and Ms. N. saw her water bill reduced to $800 from the original $1,100.

HELPING SENIOR CITIZENS

When Mr. H.’s Medicaid card arrived in the wrong name, he came to Assemblywoman Weinstein for assistance. She contacted the Medicaid office and expedited the name change. The problem then continued for his wife, who uses her maiden name – she received a new card with her husband’s last name. Another call was placed, resolving the second problem.

SOLVING CONSUMER PROBLEMS

Assemblywoman Weinstein was contacted by several constituents after a furniture store, having taken their deposits, abruptly went out of business before delivering their furniture. After much effort, Assemblywoman Weinstein located the store owners and obtained a return of their deposits.

CUTTING BUREACRATIC RED TAPE

Ms. K. contacted Assemblywoman Weinstein after her own efforts to resolve financial issues with her co-op purchase, were unsuccessful. She was being billed by DEP and ECB for the entire co-ops violations and fines of over $10,000. In addition, NYC Finance was threatening to put a lien on her property since there was no record of real estate transfer tax being paid, despite having given the check at closing. After Assemblywoman Weinstein contacted the attorney, he determined the title company had never paid the tax. It was then promptly paid. Helene Weinstein also resolved the billing mistakes with DEP and ECB and Ms. K.’s credit was restored.

Help for Small Property Homeowners and Tenants

Opening of New Housing Court Part Assemblywoman Helene E. Weinstein and her colleague Assemblyman Alan Maisel, join Chief Administrative Judge Ann Pfau, New York City Civil Court Administrative Judge Fern Fisher, and Councilman Lewis Fidler to announce opening of a Small Building Part in Kings County Housing Court.

Small Building Part Opens in Kings County Housing Court

The new court part is the first trial court in the state devoted solely to handling litigation between landlords and tenants of one and two family homes.

The goal of the Small Building Part is to directly address the unique factors that lead to disputes between tenants and owners of one and two family homes by proactively attending to the complexities of these cases. The possibility of a homeowner losing their primary source of income, as a landlord of a small building, or losing your home, as a tenant can be both stressful and frightening. This new part was created to give special attention to these issues, and to meet the particular needs of these tenants and owners.

Caribbean Women’s Health Association (CWHA) Honors Assemblywoman Weinstein Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein was CWHA’s Guest of Honor at their 25th Anniversary Dinner. The Assemblywoman was presented with an Award of Appreciation which read “Your contribution has enhanced the health and well-being of the Caribbean community in New York City.” (l. to r.) Dr. Marcia Bayne Smith, Boardmember; Dr. Marilyn John, Executive Director; Audrey Phillips Ceasar, CWHA Chairperson; and Brooklyn Deputy Borough President and CWHA Co-Founder Yvonne Graham.

Russian-American Citizen Celebration Day Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein spoke to a crowd of newly inducted Russian-American Citizens at the Civic & Voter Education Initiative's Russian-American Citizen Celebration Day. The event was part of the NYC Board of Election’s Voter Awareness Month. The Assemblywoman presented new citizens with congratulatory citations. Other participants include, Olga Ivnitzky, Brooklyn Coordinator for LOREO, and Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny.

PROTECTING CO-OP RESIDENTS

This November, Assemblywoman Weinstein co-sponsored a town hall meeting to address concerns residents of Philip Howard, Mansfield Gardens and Kings Village have regarding control and management of their co-ops. Representatives from the State Attorney General’s office and HPD attended and we are now working on problem solving.

Additionally, Assemblywoman Weinstein, as chair of the Assembly’s Judiciary Committee is sponsoring legislation to increase staffing at the New York State Attorney General’s Real Estate Finance Bureau (REFB) to increase their ability to respond to complaints, enforcement and redress for housing consumers. Due to the increase in new co-op and condo plans, REFB has re-assigned attorneys and paralegals previously handling enforcement and mediation matters to review new filings.

National Night Out Against Crime Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein joined the NYPD's 63rd and 69th precincts, community residents and civic associations to celebrate National Night Out Against Crime. National Night Out heightens crime and drug prevention awareness and strengthens neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.
Yeshiva Tiferes Yisroel Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein often visits schools within her district. On a recent visit to Yeshiva Tiferes Yisroel – Chofetz Chaim, Assemblywoman Weinstein discussed school safety issues with school administrator Rabbi Rosenshein.		Glendale Civic Association Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein joins Glendale Civic Association President Sharon Borno to honor children showing academic excellence at the Glendale Civic Association block party.
Brooklyn Philharmonic at P.S. 206 Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein recently visited with music students at P.S. 206. The Assemblywoman funds a program in conjunction with the Brooklyn Philharmonic that teaches public school students to play classical instruments.		Assemblywoman Weinstein Marches For Diabetes Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein joins students, parents and teachers at P.S. 52 in Sheepshead Bay as they walked to support Diabetes research. The Assemblywoman secures annual funding for the school’s early literacy program.

MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE CRISIS –
PREDATORY LENDING

Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein along with Councilman Lewis Fidler and other local elected officials sponsored a town hall meeting on predatory lending and the mortgage foreclosure crisis to help homeowners protect themselves.

Earlier this year, Assemblywoman Weinstein convened the first of several Assembly hearings examining subprime lending practices, ways the state can help those facing foreclosure, and necessary steps to prevent a similar crisis in the future.

Glenwood Houses Cleanup Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein joins Carolyn Walton, President Glenwood Tenants Association, in cleaning up graffiti found at Glenwood Houses as part of the Clean Slate Program. The program is made possible with state funding from the Assemblywoman and run by the local community organization Millennium Development. It assists homeowners and small businesses in cleaning up and painting over graffiti.

WEINSTEIN SECURES
TAX REFUNDS FOR CONSTITUENTS
Refunds available even if you do not file a regular return!

You too may be entitled to a New York City tax refund, as long as you resided in New York City for even one month last year. Helene Weinstein’s office assisted 622 residents who did not file a r egular return in obtaining over $84,500 in refunds by completing the special NYC-210 form. (If you file a regular tax return, your tax refund is already included.)

• To be eligible for the tax refund, you must have lived in New York City for part of the year and not be claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer’s federal return.

• Depending on the number of months you lived in New York City, the refund can be as much as $230.00 for a married couple or a surviving spouse ($290.00 in 2008).

• You can file for past years – the deadline for 2004 is April 15, 2008.

Contact Helene Weinstein’s office for help in filing for your refunds.

It’s Your Money, Don’t Forget About it!

Assemblywoman Weinstein’s Office
can provide important information for homeowners and tenants.
Call to request any of the following brochures:

• Co-ops In New York City: What Every Tenant Should Know...

• The Homeowner’s Guide

• Tenants’ Rights: Information on...

• Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer

HELENE WEINSTEIN CAN HELP YOU OBTAIN A SENIOR HALF-FARE METROCARD

Helene Weinstein brings the MTA's Half-Fare MetroCard Bus to the community office at 3520 Nostrand Avenue on the third Thursday of every month.

Upcoming dates:
January 17th, 2008
February 21st, 2008
March 20th , 2008
10:30 am to 12:00 noon

Apply now for a senior (65+) or Disabled Half-Fare MetroCard.