William F.
Boyland, Jr.
reports to
the people
June 2006
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Assemblyman William F. Boyland, Jr. reports to the people June 2006 |
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Dear Friend, I have great news! New York State has passed an on time budget for the second year in a row, proving that last year’s passage was no fluke. For over twenty years, New York State was plagued with late budgets that damaged our state’s credit rating and financially burdened our municipalities. Historic reforms in New York’s government in the past two years have truly opened up the budget process, bringing an efficiency and accountability that has been missing for decades. I believe we can and must have an on time budget each year. This year’s passage of an on time budget that meets the needs of all New Yorkers demonstrates that we are moving in the right direction without sacrificing substance. The people of the 55th district will benefit tremendously from this year’s budget. I am pleased to announce that this budget begins to address the inequity in school funding New York City received over the past decade. The state, finally adhering to provisions in the CFE decision, is allocating $1.8 billion for new school construction and an additional $500 million in operational funding. That is a record $1.36 billion increase in education funding over last year! These new funds will give our children every resource available to help them compete in the global economy. In addition, working families will see increased tax relief with the elimination of sales taxes on clothing under $110, the introduction of the Empire State Child Tax credit, elimination of the marriage penalty, and increases in STAR. The budget negotiations may have come to a culmination, but I will still be working diligently throughout the year to secure the resources that the people of the 55th district deserve. I hope that this newsletter is very informative. Please contact me about any questions or concerns you may have regarding the affairs of our district. I look forward to hearing from you.
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Assemblyman Boyland Introduces School Safety Zone Initiative |
This comprehensive program directly targets safety concerns at secondary schools throughout Brownsville. Assemblyman Boyland believes that all students should be able to learn in a safe environment. Safety concerns and classroom disruptions interrupt the learning process, denying the chance for a quality education. This is unacceptable and Assemblyman Boyland wants to truly make sure each child feels they are in a safe learning environment. The School Safety Zone program will involve the New York Police Department (NYPD) having a presence in Brownsville school districts 16, 17, 19, and 23. Police officers will patrol on foot around schools in these districts from 7-10 am and 2-4 pm. Assemblyman Boyland believes in the talented officers of the NYPD and knows their presence will increase school safety throughout Brownsville. He hopes that this program will be a model for other districts in Brooklyn that have been dealing with similar school safety concerns. Assemblyman Boyland urges parents to inform their children to talk to the school safety NYPD officers near their school whenever they feel unsafe. |
Advisory Council Meeting This is your opportunity to publicly voice your concern on problems facing our community. We hope to see you there! |
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Legislative budget a victory for New York City children |
The budget also helps the city stretch school construction money further by increasing the cap for the Transitional Finance Authority by $9.4 billion to help fund the cost of New York City’s current capital plan, and secures building aid payments to the city to support the increase. Record increase in state aid for schools Our plan includes a record $1.362 billion increase in education funding over last year, including a nearly 7 percent increase in formula-based school aid. New York City schools will receive $501 million more than last year – or $220 million more than the governor proposed. The budget provides additional support for New York City schools, including:
Enhancing education Libraries provide research and resource materials to enhance what children learn in the classroom. To keep New York State libraries up to date, the Legislative budget provides:
The Legislature also restored cuts to several programs, providing increases over the governor’s budget for New York City of:
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| Legislature Rejects SUNY and CUNY Tuition Hikes |
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Assemblyman Boyland Encourages Children and Parents to make an Arrive Alive pledge |
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To encourage children of the 55th district to read this summer, Assemblyman Boyland wants to extend an open invitation to parents and children to participate in the 2006 Boyland Reading Challenge. Children who meet the minimum of reading at least 15 minutes a day for 40 days during July and August will be rewarded for their initiative with a New York State Excellence in Reading Certificate. Assemblyman Boyland hopes that this reading challenge will make an impact on children to pursue lifelong learning. For further details about the 2006 Boyland Challenge, please call or stop by the office. Good luck! |
| 2006 Summer Youth Police Academy |
The Academy begins July 10 and
New York City residents, attending school between the ages of
www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/dcca/youthpa.html *Provided by the NYPD |
| TAX NEWS |
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Assemblyman William Boyland Helps bring Assemblyman William Boyland is proud to announce that the Legislature has passed a state budget that cuts taxes by $1.6 billion this year and $2.5 billion next year. He worked hard to ensure that the tax cuts in this year’s budget were targeted to those who needed them most. The governor’s plan would have sent most of the benefits to the wealthiest New Yorkers. The bipartisan budget passed by the Legislature provides working families, seniors, and homeowners real tax relief. “This budget makes a statement that we are going to relieve the tax burden on those New Yorkers who make up the backbone of this state,” Assemblyman William Boyland said. “The families of the 55th district will benefit from the tax breaks by keeping more of their hard-earned money.” Budget ends sales taxes on clothing Rejecting the governor’s proposed sales tax increase on clothing, the Legislature passed a budget that will permanently end the state’s four percent sales tax on clothing and footwear under $110 beginning April 1st. New York City shoppers will save an estimated $230 million this year. Statewide, the savings will be over $600 million this year. The ending of the sales tax on these items will not only save working families money on buying necessary clothing, but help New York’s retail businesses compete with neighboring states which already exempt state sales taxes from clothing purchases. Ending the sales tax on clothing and footwear under $110 will give shoppers more incentive to shop here in New York. Also, since New York City has already exempted clothing and footwear purchases from local sales taxes, these purchases will be truly tax free! The Empire State Child Tax Credit The Legislature has passed its Empire Child Tax Credit program, which will provide a maximum benefit of $330 for each child between ages 4 and 17 for every family in the state. The result will be $600 million in tax relief for New York families. Unlike the governor’s proposed child tax credit, which would have been limited to only a small number of school districts, every family in the state no matter what district they reside in will qualify for the credit under the Legislature’s plan. Families with children in public, private, or charter schools will all equally qualify for the child tax credits. The Legislature hopes that the Empire State Child Tax Credit will help New York families face the financial challenges associated with raising children. Property Tax Relief New Yorkers will reap $750 million in property tax relief in this year’s budget, including a cost of living adjustment to Enhanced STAR, which will save seniors an additional $72 million a year. In addition, the New York City STAR Personal Income Tax credit will be raised to $115 for single filers and $230 for joint filers, saving NYC residents $210 million annually. Other tax relief components in the bipartisan budget
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Assemblyman Boyland honors district musician before the General Assembly.
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Assemblyman Boyland and colleagues honor William Carthan with the Thomas S. Boyland
Award for Community Service.
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Assemblyman Boyland Welcomes you to a Front Row Seat In The State Capitol |
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Televised Assembly sessions continue Assemblyman Boyland’s effort to open up state government Beginning this session, New York State Legislative Proceeding—unedited gavel-to-gavel coverage of both the Senate and Assembly—has appeared on Cablevision on channel 116. Expanding the televising of sessions is another example of the Assembly’s ongoing efforts to reform and improve the way business is done. Conference committee meetings and basic information about legislators also has been broadcast. Budget hearings are also being aired, bringing state government into the living rooms of residents across the state. Additionally, the Assembly will continue live coverage of sessions via the internet (Click here for more information), which has been available for the past four years. Expanding cable television coverage will help even more New Yorkers stay informed on the issues that affect their lives. So be on the look out for Assemblyman William Boyland on channel 116 and watch him fight in a live broadcast for the resources that the people of the 55th district need! |
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Back |
Assemblyman Boyland meets with the NYPD to discuss the School Safety Zone Initiative.
Assemblyman Boyland with children of the 55th AD in the State Capitol.