Assemblywoman
Inez D. Barron.
Reports to the People
Winter 2009
As the year draws to a close, it is an appropriate time to give thanks and to reflect upon the highlights and accomplishments thus far.
In January, I was seated in the 232nd Session of the Legislature, as the Assemblymember representing the 40th district, including parts of East New York, Brownsville and Canarsie. I am assigned to several committees, including Aging, Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Children and Families, Higher Education, Housing and Social Services. I have been active in crafting legislation, presenting resolutions, mentoring students in Albany, discussing legislation in committee meetings, offering my perspective in Majority Conference sessions, meetings with visitors in the capitol, while meeting and supporting the events of organizations and associations in my home district. Fortunately, I have the capable assistance of Ms. Marcia Chandler in Albany, while the district office is staffed by such capable people as my chief of staff, Ms. Viola Plummer and Mr. Melvin Faulkner, the community liaison, who are there to render daily service to the constituents who come to the office seeking assistance with their particular situations.
As part of the Annual Black, Puerto Rican, Latin and Asian Caucus Weekend I sponsored workshops on Education and the crisis in Darfur.
In recognition of the accomplishments of African American women, I presented a resolution recognizing the life and contributions of Ms. Osceola McCarty. (see inside for details).
I am pleased to share with you news regarding legislation which I authored. My first legislation was the law which extends the financing for private housing and powers of NYC Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to continue to issue notes and bonds for the financing of housing developments. This law allows HDC to continue to assist in the financing of newly constructed and rehabilitated low- and moderate-income housing, as well as to enter into direct loan agreements with developers of such housing in NYC, and conduct joint financing programs with recognized lending institutions.
I also authored legislation regarding preservation of affordable housing at Spring Creek Towers (fka Starrett City) which is described inside this newsletter.
As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), NYC will receive $50 million in stimulus money to replace generators at the 26th Ward Water Pollution Control Plant on Van Siclen and Flatlands Avenues. It will now be incumbent upon us to fight to ensure that our district receives its fair share of jobs from this venture.
As we come to the end of the year, we are facing extremely difficult times. The budget is in a severe deficit. I assure you that as measures are offered to bring the budget back into balance, I will continue to stand strong on your behalf and be the voice that raises the concerns of our community.
In July, Gov. Paterson came to “Starrett City” for a public signing of the law that will help refinance Starrett City and provide an incentive for owners to stay in the Mitchell-Lama program for another thirty years. This law is the result of negotiations between the owners of Starrett City and Senator Sampson, Assemblymember Lopez, Councilmember Barron and me. The law provides protection to tenants so that their rents will not increase to market price, which could be up to three times as much as their existing rent.
Also, at least $40 million and possibly more depending on the size of the loan will be set aside for capital improvements to individual housing units and the important community areas, such as the power plant, garage or recreational facility. Tenants will have more rights, as bi-monthly meetings with owners and elected officials will allow for tenant input on more issues.
The law provides that:
COBRA allows workers and their families who lose their benefits—because of job loss, reduction in hours worked, transition between jobs, death, divorce or other life-altering events—the right to continue their health benefits provided by their group health plan for a limited period of time
The Legislature has passed an amendment to the COBRA benefits law allowing a group of individuals who were covered at the time the law became effective—yet were unable to receive the extension if their benefits expired before their contract was renewed—to continue receiving coverage. The original law passed in June 2009 extended health insurance coverage offered through COBRA, but the timeframe for renewing certain contracts inadvertently disqualified a number of individuals.
The COBRA amendment passed by the legislature:
This chapter amendment ensures that these struggling New Yorkers will have an extension to receive the health benefits they need. For further information contact my office.
The nation is in the throes of declining economic times. Those who are gainfully employed are certainly entitled to the wages for which they have worked. It is critical that these workers be protected. The State has enacted legislation to protect low-wage earners, in such industries as manufacturing, food services, child care, health care, and construction, who are particularly vulnerable to being taken advantage of by their employers.
Studies show that workplace violations are more severe and widespread in the low-wage labor market. Workers are paid less that the minimum wage, are not paid the legally required overtime rate and are victims of “tip” theft. Often times workers who complain to their bosses or report them to government agencies suffer some type of illegal retaliation—firing, suspension, pay cuts or threats to call immigration authorities.
New legislation now protects low-wage workers in the following ways:
At the time of hire, employers must also notify each employee of his or her regular and overtime pay rate and how it is calculated.
We know that all workers are at risk for workplace violations at the hands of their employers. Now, low-wage workers can rely on legislation such as this to ensure that they are protected under the law.
Pursuing and achieving higher education degrees is a step towards improving the individual circumstances as well as the community conditions. Certainly, the decision to seek a college degree is the first step. Then, there is the overwhelming consideration as to how to finance all the costs associated with attaining the degree.
The State legislature has passed a law that protects our students and their money from the unscrupulous practices of predatory lending by making it illegal for banks and colleges to earn unreasonable profits at the expense of students. College students can protect themselves by becoming familiar with the “Students Bill of Rights” and the “Questions To Ask Financial Aid Officers and Lenders When Seeking Financial Assistance”. To obtain a copy of the pamphlet you may contact my office, visit my webpage at the assembly web site, or go online to www.oag.state.ny.us
A law, called “Leandra’s Law” establishes a new felony that applies to any person operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (that means a blood alcohol content of 0.08) whose ability is impaired by alcohol and/or drugs who has child passengers 15-years-of-age or younger. Penalties are up to 4 years in prison and/or $5,000.00.
Also, under our legislation, a sentencing court will have no choice but to mandate that every person sentenced for any DWI offense - with children in the car or without children in the car - must have ignition interlock installed on their cars as a requirement for conditional discharge, probation or parole.
Effective November 24, 2009, children under age 8, who are passengers in a motor vehicle, must sit on a booster seat. This legislation was enacted to protect young children who are often not big enough to be adequately secured by a lap and shoulder belt, which is designed for adults. Young children can suffer life-threatening injuries in a crash. Booster seats reduce injury by fifty-nine percent (59%).
It is a widely acknowledged fact that breastfeeding is the healthiest feeding option for newborns and infants. Breastfeeding has long-term benefits for both child and mother. It is inexpensive, natural and relatively easy. The legislature has a new law which includes:
We all remember the devastation to the Gulf region communities resulting in loss of life and property, when the federal, state, and local municipalities and agencies did not respond in a timely fashion to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. To assist families and individuals with an appropriate response to disaster situations, New York State has established NY-Alert. Beginning January 2010, NYS will provide warnings about emergency situations, inclement weather events and threats. Notice can be sent to your home phone, cell phone or e-mail. Alerts are tailored to meet the particulars of each incident. This real time notification will augment your own preparedness plans for emergency situations. Parents will be able to receive notice regarding school closings and health alerts. For further information about how to sign up, contact my office; or call 888-697-6972; or visit www.nyalert.gov.
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that issues financial assistance to lower income families and senior citizens to help with a household’s heating costs.
Regular benefit applications are being mailed to all households that received a HEAP benefit in 2008-09. In addition, HEAP applications for households that did not receive a HEAP benefit last year are now available.
Regular HEAP benefits are based on income, the primary fuel source – such as oil, gas, propane or kerosene, and number of household members who are under the age of 6 or age 60 and older, or who are permanently disabled.
HEAP also provides emergency benefits to New Yorkers who are facing a heat or heat-related energy emergency and do not have the resources available to resolve the crisis. The emergency benefit component of the 2009-10 HEAP program is also open and emergency HEAP applications are available.
For more information about HEAP, including how to apply:
Call the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s (OTDA) toll-free hotline at (800) 342-3009, or visit the OTDA Web site at www.otda.state.ny.us/main/heap/.
The NYS Mortgage Credit Certification will enable qualified first-time homebuyers the right to claim a federal tax credit equal to twenty percent (20%) of the annual mortgage interest costs. This credit is in addition to the $8,000 tax credit the federal government is offering. Only fixed rate mortgages are eligible. Participants must keep the house as their primary residence and the loan cannot be refinanced. If you are a perspective homebuyer purchasing your first home, I encourage you to explore this option. For more information contact my office or visit www.nyhomes.org.
The flu is spread from person-to-person and, occasionally, by touching something with the virus on its surface. Precautionary measures for both seasonal flu and swine flu include:
Starting Sept. 1, 2009, New York parents can cover unmarried children up to age 29 who are not eligible for Medicare or employer-provided coverage (Ch. 240 of 2009). Previously, coverage ended at age 19 or when the child, up to age 23, graduated from college. In some rare cases college students were covered up to age 25.
Under the new law, families, rather than the employer, may have to pay the premiums, but the rates are much cheaper than an individual plan. These young adults who were dropped from their family insurance plans account for 31 percent of uninsured New Yorkers.
New York is in the grip of an ever widening foreclosure crisis. East New York homeowners are the objects of the unscrupulous greed of predatory lenders who in many cases engaged in fraudulent practices to entrap unsuspecting homebuyers. Homeowners of all economic groups are suffering from the situation created by financial institutions and are facing the loss of their homes and are in preforeclosure situations.
My office has been involved in assisting at least thirty-four individuals with their situations regarding foreclosure. Thanks to the dedicated staff, not one person has been foreclosed. Through working in partnership with the various government offices such as the US Attorney, the NY Attorney General and the Queens District Attorney, we have been able to forestall any such action until clear and legal procedures are established. It appears that lenders have not always been honest and forthright in dealing with prospective homebuyers.
We caution homeowners and perspective buyers to assess fully and accurately their financial situation; to determine the true value of the home; and the finances associated with the purchase and maintenance of the home, specifically tax assessments, interest rates, insurance costs and other fees. Be sure to look at the bottom line and beware of any final “balloon payments.” Be sure that your lawyer is solely committed to you and is not compromised by representing any interests beside yours.
Would you really want to use the lawyer furnished by the seller?
The nation is facing an economic crisis that has many people falling deeper into debt. Here is some suggestions about how you can make a plan to help relieve some concerns about your situation and help you to manage you debt.
Take control
Research your options
Consider credit counseling agencies, which are often not-for-profits that offer financial guidance for a small fee or for free. If you decide to work with a credit counseling agency, follow these guidelines:
Be aware
The efforts and accomplishments of African-American women are all too often overlooked and the need to recognize their commitment is worthwhile, meaningful and long overdue. The Legislative Body is justly proud to celebrate the life and accomplishment of caretaker, businesswoman, and philanthropist, Oseola McCarty. She was born in Wayne County, Mississippi and moved to Hattiesburg as a child. While in the sixth grade, her aunt was hospitalized and later needed home care, so Oseola quit school never to return. She would later become a washerwoman, a trade she would continue until arthritis forced her to quit in 1994.
Overtime Oseola accumulated savings with assistance of a local attorney, for whom she had done laundry and a bank’s trust officer. In 1995, at the age of 87, Oseola set out the future distribution of her estate; she set aside 10% for her church, 10% for each of her three relatives and 60% for The University of Southern Mississippi. She stipulated that the funds should be used for students, preferably those of African-American descent who could not otherwise attend due to financial hardship. She remains the school’s most famous benefactor. This remarkable woman of humble beginnings and a menial occupation amassed an estate worth $150,000.
Every ten years the federal government takes a detailed count of the entire population living in the United States. This is the event that seeks to count every single person. In February of 2010, you should receive a census form. It has only 10 questions for you to answer. Please be sure to complete your survey and mail it back.
The Census Data is important for many reasons: