With your help we were able to halt the MTA fare hike and keep fares at $2 a ride. Single ride fares will remain at $2 through 2009. Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny will continue to look into ways of increasing state funding to the MTA to offset the projected budget shortfalls in the future so that raising fares on hard- working New Yorkers is a last resort.

Mitchell-Lama Bill Signed Into Law

Governor Spitzer has signed a bill introduced by Assemblyman Brook-Krasny that would mandate a standard form and procedure for the casting of proxies or absentee ballots in any matter requiring a shareholder vote at a Mitchell-Lama building. By requiring a standard form and procedure for the casting of proxies or absentee ballots, these housing companies may better regulate the voting procedure and, consequently, make it more equitable and less prone to disputes. We are able to institute a uniform code of proxy and absentee voting to ensure that corruption plays no role in shareholder elections.

New York City Class Size Reduction Update

The State Education Department has issued a chart with the breakdown of CFE money going towards reducing classroom sizes in our community public schools for 2008:

CRACKING DOWN ON SEXUAL PREDATORS

This year he supported enacted laws to toughen penalties for heinous sex crimes, to create the crime of predatory sexual assault, to eliminate the criminal statute of limitations for class B felony sex crimes and to expand the criminal DNA database for convicted criminals.

ESTABLISHING A TOUGH CIVIL COMMITMENT LAW

Brook-Krasny also voted to pass a civil commitment law to keep dangerous sexual predators off our streets, even after their prison terms. The law requires treatment while in civil commitment, an annual review of their status and intensive supervision for those offenders not civilly confined.

Fighting identity theft

Assemblyman Brook-Krasny is fighting to protect New Yorkers from identity theft. He has fought for tough laws that:

• Allow consumers to “freeze” their credit reports to guard against identity theft (Ch. 63 of 2006); and

• Allow the attorney general to bring civil action against “phishers” who use the Internet claiming to be legitimate in order to steal your identity (Ch. 64 of 2006).

Safety tips to protect your identity

Protect your Social Security number and only provide it if you are confident the source is secure, legitimate and reputable.

Shred and destroy any unwanted documents that contain personal information, including credit card offers.

Receive a free credit report

Monitor your credit for free from all three credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and Transunion, by ordering reports online at www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228 or by printing an Annual Credit Report Request form at www.ftc.gov.

Eliminating junk mail

To opt out of pre-approved solicitations for five years or permanently, call 1-888-5OPTOUT or visit www.optoutprescreen.com. You may reverse your decision anytime.

Middle Class STAR Property Tax Rebate – You MUST Apply!

Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny’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 December 31, 2007. Call our office for application assistance.