ASSEMBLYMAN BOYLAND'S CREDIT CARD BILL SIGNED INTO LAW

Assemblyman William Boyland Jr. is pleased to announce that on November 16th, Governor George E. Pataki signed Assembly Bill A9719-A into law. This measure, which is sponsored by Assemblyman Boyland, will prohibit the deluge of credit cards on public and private colleges in New York State and require some consumer education.

Nine other states- Arkansas, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Virginia, and West Virginia- have passed similar restrictions on college campuses this year alone.

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 has ballooned from $900 in 1990 to $2,100 today.

Before the signing of A9719-A, credit card companies had no regulation in New York State from marketing on college campuses, with colleges often getting a cut. This new law will end marketing techniques often used by credit card solicitors, such as free gifts for sign-ups, junk mail in dorm mailboxes, and bookstore shopping bags containing credit card applications. The law will also call for colleges to create an official credit card marketing policy which may include: registration of on campus credit card marketers, limiting credit card marketers to specific dates and specific areas on campus as designated by the college, prohibiting credit card manufacturers from offering gifts to a student in exchange for completing an application, and informing students about good credit management practices. The new law will not prohibit college students from possessing credit cards, but will help control an alarming trend of college student credit card debt.

"This new law will put safeguards in place to ensure that New York's colleges and universities do not allow the unregulated marketing of credit cards on campus, and help students avoid the errors in judgment that they could end up paying for many years later," Governor Pataki said.

In May, Assemblyman William Boyland wrote a letter on behalf of the Parent Teacher Association of Public School 73 to the Department of Transportation requesting additional traffic controls at the intersection of MacDougal Street and Rockaway Avenue. The PTA had growing concerns over the intersection's relative closeness to the schools proximity. They felt that additional street markings or the implementation of a traffic light was needed in order to adequately alert motorists.

Borough Commissioner Lori Ardito responded promptly, stating that the Division of Signals and School Safety would submit its recommendation for improvements to the intersection. The completed study would not be available until classes resumed in the fall.

In October, the Commissioner informed Assemblyman Boyland that the Department's investigation of the intersection recommended the installation of a traffc signal. In addition, the Department has already upgraded markings on the pavement and plans to add additional traffic controls. The installation of the signal is tentatively scheduled to be completed by February 28, 2005.

In additional news, we are pleased to inform you that the Department of Transportation has approved the go ahead for a traffic signal to be installed at the intersection of Howard Avenue and Park Place. Installation is tentatively scheduled to be completed by March 31, 2005. In the interim, a temporary All-way Stop control will be installed. Assemblyman Boyland wants to personally thank the local residents who expressed their concern over this intersection in a fall advisory council meeting.

The Senate's override of the governor's minimum wage hike veto opens the door to a better future for millions of New York's hardest workers. Our state's woefully inadequate minimum wage will incrementally rise from $5.15 to $7.15 per hour, improving the standard of living for the working poor.

In August, I helped the Assembly override the governor's veto and it's good news for working families that the Senate finally followed suit. The governor's call to wait for the federal government to raise the minimum wage would have denied a fair wage to too many for too long. It's worth noting the governor- who earns $179,000 a year, or roughly $86 an hour- was trying to close the door of opportunity on someone making $5.15 per hour, or less than $11,000 a year.

The phase-in legislation will increase the minimum wage to $6.00 per hour on January 1, 2005; $6.75 per hour on January 1, 2006; and $7.15 per hour on January 1, 2007. Food service workers receiving tips will also see yearly wage increases under the plan. The tip minimum wage will climb from $3.30 to $3.85 per hour on January 1, 2005; $4.35 on January 1, 2006; and $4.60 on January 1, 2007.

A study by the Economic Policy Institute found that 68 percent of the workers who will directly bene?t from the increase are adults. In addition, women account for 60 percent of those earning less that $7.25 per hour, and of those, almost half have children to clothe and feed. Young students struggling to pay for college in the face of rising tuition costs will also bene?t.

I strongly believe we should reward people who work hard everyday to support their family, but struggle to survive living paycheck to paycheck. For years, the Assembly voted to raise the minimum wage, only to see the governor and Senate stymie the legislation. Now that the Senate has done the right thing and overrode the governor's veto, this measure will pay a fairer wage for hard work and reignite the American Dream for millions of deserving New Yorkers.

CHECK 21

The Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act (Check 21) was signed into law on October 28, 2003, and became effective on October 28, 2004. Check 21 is designed to foster innovation in the payment system and to enhance its efficiency by reducing some of the legal impediments to check clearing. Check 21 has radically changed the way in which Checks are processed and it also has implications for you the consumer. So what should you know about your checks?

• Checks are being processed more quickly these days, reducing float time. Faster processing means that when you write a check, the money may be deducted from your account sooner. Be sure you have enough money in your account at the time you write a check so you don't risk bouncing checks and incurring charges.

• The items listed on your checking account statement may look different from one another. Some items may be listed by check number, and others may be listed by the name of the company you paid. Always review all of the charges listed on your account statement to make sure they match your receipts or records.

• Some consumers get their canceled checks back in their account statements. Banks that return canceled checks can now charge a fee for that service.

• Some banks will now not return checks at all. Consumers who need a canceled check to prove that they made a payment can ask for copies of their checks. Some banks charge a fee for these copies.

• If you have questions about how your checks are processed, contact your bank, savings and loan, or credit union.

Provided by the U.S Federal Reserve

If you have any further questions or concerns over the implications of check 21, feel free to receive additional information in the district office.

The Assembly and Senate have reached agreement on an important first step towards reforming New York's ineffective and outdated Rockefeller drug laws. While this bill is a good beginning, additional reforms are needed to give judges the discretion to divert non-violent addicted offenders to treatment programs as an alternative to prison, expand drug treatment opportunities and make additional sentencing reforms.

The new bill would:

• Replace current indeterminate sentencing standards, whereby a sentence range is specified, with determinate sentences of specific length followed by a period of "post-release supervision."

• Moderately reduce sentences for certain first-time and non-violent offenders.

• Increase sentences for some classes of offenders with prior violent felony convictions.

• Make some non-violent offenders eligible for less costly community-based substance abuse programs sooner.

Statistics have shown that many persons of color have been disproportionately affected by the Rockefeller drug laws. Ninety-four percent of those under the Rockefeller drug laws were African-American or Latino, even though they make up only 32 percent of New York's population. This timely first step towards reforming of the Rockefeller drug laws ensures we begin to deal with the drug problem more effectively, that we fight drugs and crime- not the victims of addiction and poverty.

Take Preemptive Measures This Holiday Season

Assemblyman William Boyland wants to encourage parents to stay vigilant in the type of toys they purchase for their children this holiday season. According to the United States Public Interest Group, at least 150 children choked to death on children's products between 1990 and 2003. Any toys containing small parts or balloons are potential choking hazards that could be fatal to young children. Often these toys are not properly labeled. Another often over-looked threat to your child's welfare is toys that can damage your child's hearing. It is advised to parents, that if your child plays with a toy that makes noise, that you should put tape over the speaker. These are just a few tips this holiday season to safeguard your loved ones. Happy Holidays!

The New York City Police Department is looking for the most qualified men and women to join the ranks of the greatest Police Department in the world.

The New York City Police Department Recruitment Section will provide free tutorial sessions to all candidates throughout the five boroughs. Candidates can call 212-RECRUIT, or visit their website at www.nyc.gov/nypd. Candidates may also apply for the exam online at the same website.

The New York City Independent Budget Office recently released its fiscal report summarizing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's 2005 Budget and Financial Plan. The MTA is facing a budget deficit of $695 million in 2006, which may grow to $1.2 billion by 2008, despite proposals for fare and toll hikes. The agency attempted to soften its financial problems by refinancing most of its debt in 2002. This remedy allowed for some short term savings, but the MTA's financial problems in the coming years have yet to be resolved.

In the past years, the MTA has relied on debt restructuring and additional state aid to close budget gaps and avoid fare increases. Continuous use of these options doesn't address the "fundamental imbalance between revenue and expenditures." The IBO suggests that the authority consider new revenue sources such as tolls on the East River and Harlem River bridges and reintroducing a commuter tax.

In 2005, the MTA has proposed administrative and service cuts of over $200 million. This includes closing 49 full-time and 115 part-time subway booths, reducing off peak bus service, and terminating the G line at Court Street permanently. For 2006, the MTA proposes eliminating 33 New York City transit bus routes, abandoning 4 branches of the LIRR, and deceasing evening, night and weekend subway service. There is also the possibility of a fare increase in 2006.

The IBO's report estimates that closing the projected gaps would require an annual increase of 10% in fare and toll revenues. Transit advocates suggest this increase should come from government assistance. Overall, ridership has increased on average on both MTA bus and subway services; this could be attributed to rising fuel costs at the pump. The MTA also has made great strides in improving the physical condition of their carriers.

NURSING HOME
REIMBURSEMENT TASK FORCE

New York State's Nursing Home Reimbursement Task Force has issued a report that outlines problems with Medicaid's compensation program for nursing homes. The report illustrates that a gap now exists between the amount nursing homes receive in government reimbursement and what homes actually spend to care for Medicaid patients. Inadequate Medicaid reimbursement payments are one reason for the closing of 13 facilities in the last two years.

According to the task force's findings, the Medicaid reimbursement payments that nursing homes receive are based upon a compensation system that factors costs from 1983, when the system was first developed. New York State has a Medicaid gap of $562 million, second only in the nation to New Jersey. This gap not only affects the elderly, but patients seeking short-term rehabilitation, treatment for AIDS, head trauma and other ailments. The task force highlights that major changes will need to be made to the New York State Medicaid program to insure that nursing homes can continue to provide the quality care that New Yorkers deserve.

The Nursing Home Reimbursement Task Force consists of the New York State Health Facilities Association (NYSHFA) and the New York Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (NYAHSA). Together the groups represent over 600 New York Nursing Homes.

New York City Department of Transportation
Division of Bridges
Reconstruction of the Liberty Avenue Bridge Over the Long Island Railroad

On Wednesday, November 10, 2004, work began on the Liberty Avenue Bridge over the Long Island Railroad. The general hours of construction will be Monday through Friday 7:00AM-3:30PM. The reconstruction will be accomplished in a single stage that will require the bridge to be fully closed: therefore Liberty Avenue between Junius Street and Van Sinderen Avenue is closed. Detour route signs have been posted.

Detour Directions

• Eastbound - (Toward Pennsylvania Avenue) from Liberty Avenue south on Junius Street to Glenmore Avenue, east on Glenmore Avenue to Williams Avenue, north on Williams Avenue to return to Liberty Avenue

• Westbound - (Toward Mother Gaston Boulevard) from Liberty Avenue south on Hinsdale Street to Sutter Avenue, west on Sutter Avenue to Powell Street, north on Powell Street to return to Liberty Avenue

The completed project will have a new superstructure including a new deck, curbs and sidewalks, chain-link fence and street lighting.