Dear Friend,

It’s unfortunate that the people of New York must wait for another late state budget. But there is far too much at risk to pass the governor’s budget as is. I was elected to represent the needs of my constituents, and negotiations are vital to protecting the schools, colleges, hospitals and nursing homes they depend on. Right now we are working diligently to come to an agreement without compromising our position.

The governor is dragging his feet once again instead of seriously addressing a court ruling by the State Court of Appeals that said New York’s education funding system fails to meet the state’s moral and constitutional obligation to provide a sound, basic education. The Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE), has won a crucial decision in the state’s highest court, stating that New York City schools were severely underfunded for years, denying equal access to educational funding. The Assembly will continue to strongly advocate for increased education funds for our New York City schools. I , like other New York City Assemblymen, take this issue very personally. Our children absolutely cannot wait another year for the education they need to succeed—they have no second chances!

Another major issue facing the citizens of our state is funding for quality health care. The Assembly is determined to make quality health care accessible and affordable to all New Yorkers. There is no reason that someone should be denied lifesaving medical treatment because they don’t have proper coverage. Right now my office is working tirelessly to make quality health care a reality for all residents of the fifty-fifth.

Although the state budget is delayed, there are program initiatives that will continue to move forward. Housing programs that my office has established will continue to provide the subsidies and the quality constituent services required to bring affordable housing to the people of the fifty- fifth assembly district.

Remember, there is no better way to develop a strong, effective community than through active public involvement. The first step towards becoming an active participant in our community is to register to vote. Voting is the most important way to make your voice heard on the issues that concern you! Voting is central to the way in which our democracy works. In the past 2000 Presidential election, the presidency was determined by only 500 votes out of the entire state population of Florida. We ask of you to please register to vote, and begin to make a difference today!

Please always feel welcome to write, email, or call my office with any questions or concerns regarding the affairs of our district. I look forward to hearing from you.

Assemblyman Boyland Jr. helped pass a legislative package that makes New York eligible to receive federal funding to modernize the election process through the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA).

Florida’s dysfunctional voting system during the 2000 presidential election highlighted the need to overhaul the nation’s voting process. It’s quite obvious that our election system relies on antiquated equipment. Modernizing and improving our electoral process will ensure voter and encourage broader participation.

HAVA is designed to help states create a uniform, computerized voter registration list and assist states with establishing standardized, electronic voting machines. In order to receive federal funds, each state must design a plan, pass enabling legislation, and appropriate state funds. The process must also include citizen participation and public review.

The Assembly passed a package of legislation that ensures New York’s compliance with HAVA. The package would:

• consolidate election operations at the county level, ensuring elections are run consistently and polling places are adequately staffed with well-trained workers:

• create a computerized, centralized, interactive statewide voter registration list with proper privacy protections—ensuring that voters get in and out of the polls quickly, votes are recorded accurately and voter fraud is prevented:

• ban punch ballots and require the statewide adoption of a single type of electronic voting machine that will be accessible to all citizens—including persons with disabilities and voters with limited English proficiency—and easily audited in order to assure voter confidence;

• provide for an administrative complaint procedure administered by the state board of elections;

• establish basic guidelines to ensure the disabled community has access to polling sites.

It is the Assembly’s goal to adopt a system that works for the voters. We can help increase voter turnout and empower all New Yorkers with a voting process that is reliable and user-friendly. Elections are the lifeblood of our democracy, but they are meaningless without public trust. The Assembly’s package will help ensure voter confidence in New York elections.

Assemblyman William Boyland Jr. and Councilwoman Tracy Boyland have a vision to make the 55th district a world leader in the growing nanotechnology, biotechnology, and information technology sector. Their proposal for the Brooklyn Science, Education, and Technology Center to be located in Brownsville, when finally completed, will enhance the dreams and opportunities of Brooklyn residents for generations to come. The Center of Excellence will incorporate unprecedented resources of science, education, and technology.

Interactive Science and Technology workforce development is designed to introduce the next generation of Scientists, Engineers, Technicians . . .

With a median household income among the lowest in the City, the Center of Excellence will truly provide an economic spark to ignite the local economy. Onsite workforce development and business incubator will produce an abundance of trained workers that will attract industry to flock to the district and be a catalyst for economic growth.

Both students and teachers will profit from extraordinary curriculum opportunities through enhanced science and technology learning experiences. Students from K-12 and of higher education institutions will truly have the future of scientific research and technology at their fingertips. Professional development for teachers, summer school, camp activities, mentoring, work-study, and internship programs are just a few possibilities the Center can provide.

Plan puts emphasis on treating drug addiction while saving money

Assemblymember William Boyland Jr. announced that the Assembly passed a plan to reform New York’s ineffective and outdated Rockefeller drug laws, giving judges the discretion to sentence some non-violent offenders to compulsory drug treatment programs instead of prison.

The plan could save New York as much as $164 million annually, reducing prison crowding while cracking down on violent offenders and treating the cause of drug-related crime.

I hope we’ve finally learned after 30 years that if we want to fight drugs and drug crimes, we first have to fight addiction. Treatment is a much more effective tool than incarceration in a lot of circumstances, and this measure gives the criminal justice system the power to find the most appropriate sentence.

Drug treatment is 15 times more effective than mandatory-minimum sentences in reducing serious crimes committed by drug offenders, according to a Rand Corporation study. Chief Administrative Judge Jonathan Lippman has estimated that graduates of drug court diversion programs commit two-thirds fewer crimes than offenders who are simply incarcerated.

Many New York City minority families have been disproportionately affected by the Rockefeller drug laws, which are among the harshest mandatory-minimum drug laws in the nation.

Almost every person—94 percent—incarcerated under the Rockefeller drug laws are African-American or Latino, even though they make up less than a third of New York’s population. And that’s despite the fact that all races use drugs at about the same rate. "Every New Yorker deserves fairness and justice, and we have to make sure they get it," Assemblyman William Boyland Jr. said.

In addition, Assemblymember Boyland noted that the Latino and African-American communities have been disproportionately impacted by the spread of drug-related diseases through the sharing of needles. Reforming the Rockefeller drug laws will also help us address the twin epidemics of drug abuse and HIV/AIDS.

On April 26, 2004 , the 55th district held its inaugural "Brownsville Night Out," featuring Universoul Circus in Prospect Park. Assemblyman William Boyland Jr. bought out the entire show for all the Day Care Centers and Senior Centers within the 55th district. Assemblyman Boyland Jr. was the honorary ringmaster for the event. He felt privileged to hand out T-shirts and buttons to all those who attended. Assemblyman Boyland Jr. wants to personally thank all who turned out for the spectacular show. We hope to see you again next year!

Just because school is out doesn’t mean we have to stop learning or reading. Studies have shown that children who continue to read during the summer perform better in school in the fall.

To encourage our children to continue reading during the summer, I have set up the Summer Reading Challenge. The first step is to stop into my District Office and pick up a brochure calendar. It will then be you and your child’s goal to read together each day in July and August, marking the calendar each time. When there are 40 or more days marked off, fill out the back of this brochure and return it to the District Office.. Your child then will be presented with a New York State Assembly Excellence in Reading Certificate.

This bill would set standards regulating the marketing of credit cards on college campuses.

Bill A9719A, introduced by Assemblyman William Boyland Jr., has been gaining unprecedented support among Legislators on Capitol Hill. On June 22, A9719A passed both the NYS Senate and Assembly houses. Presently the bill awaits ratification from Governor Pataki.

This bill would set standards regulating the marketing of credit cards on college campuses. Claritas Inc., a market research firm, recently published a report estimating that approximately 67 percent of all college students hold credit cards—an increase of 24 percent since 1990. The firm also found the average balance due on a college student’s credit card account has gone up 134 percent—from $900 in 1990 to $2,100 in 1995. Credit card industry experts and bankruptcy lawyers say it’s part of an alarming trend in which college students charge up enormous balances and then go bankrupt when they can’t pay. This phenomenon is due to credit card companies turning to college campuses for new markets. Credit card companies are teaming up with colleges and luring students into a false sense of financial security. For their service, the college receives a percentage of money in exchange for helping companies merchandise them . Currently, there is no statute prohibiting a college institution from merchandising credit cards.

The state presently offers numerous financial aid programs to assist students in need. These programs offer a much lower rate of interest. This legislation does not prohibit a college student from obtaining a credit card. Rather, it reemphasizes the mission of these institutions—developing the minds of society’s future. These institutions were created for the specific purpose of enlightening students in diverse matters of public concern. They were not created to become merchandising agents for private lending institutions. Although these colleges may receive a fee for their involvement, doing so sets a dangerous precedent.

The William F. Boyland Scholarships will be awarded to two students in the amount of $2000 each starting in the Fall of 2004 at Medgar Evers College in honor of his father, former Assemblyman William F. Boyland, Sr. Information is currently on the School’s Web site and will be circulated to all students. Potential scholarship candidates must meet the following criteria:

• G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher
• Brooklyn Resident
• Majoring in Education, Business, or Economics

Education majors must write an essay explaining how they will use their degree to improve the educational system in New York City.

Business and Economic majors must write an essay on how they will use their degree for public service. The deadline for submissions is July 31st. All scholarships will be awarded in the fall semester.

Essays should be submitted to:

"Today’s prison inmate receives comprehensive medical care while they serve their time in our correctional institutions. Chronic illnesses, drug addictions, and HIV / AIDS are all treated by trained medical staffs. However, when an inmate with an illness is released, they often have no immediate medical coverage. Many treatment programs require a systematic prescription schedule, whether daily or monthly, and interruption will negate the effectiveness of such programs. Filing for the health insurance program known as Medicaid can be difficult for released inmates since they are given no formal instruction. For individuals with diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, the delay in receiving coverage from Medicaid can be life threatening. Our new legislation, A11073, would require officials in correctional facilities to provide information to instruct and assist certain inmates in applications for Medicaid at least 90 days prior to their release. This will help ensure that inmates will receive the medical care they need upon their release," said William Boyland Jr.