Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski Reports to the 94th Assembly District December 2007 |
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New Law Increases Penalties It seems that every year we hear of several new tragedies involving innocent New Yorkers being injured by drunk drivers. Just recently, the Rockland Journal News reported on an off-duty New York City police officer whose life will never be the same after injuries suffered at the hands of a drunk driver. In an effort to deter this abhorrent behavior, Assemblyman Zebrowski and the State Assembly passed a new law (Ch. 345 of 2007) adding the new crimes of aggravated vehicular assault and aggravated vehicular homicide to felony driving while intoxicated crimes. |
9/11 Responders Are Eligible For Workers’ Comp But There Is A Deadline To Apply – August 13, 2008 |
Anyone who aided in the rescue, recovery, or cleanup efforts at the World Trade Center on or after 9/11 should register before August 13, 2008, with the NYS Workers’ Compensation Board. Registering by that date will preserve your right to file a workers’ compensation claim in case you ever get sick as a result of your efforts at that time. Rockland County has many residents who qualify to register. Not only is the county home to many NYC police officers, fire fighters, and EMT workers, but many others—many of them volunteers—who also unselfishly responded to help with the 9/11 disaster. Information on this program is available from the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) hotline at 1-866-982-2556 or online at www.nycosh.org.
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Zebrowski Proposes Law in Response Assemblyman Zebrowski authored a sweeping package of reform legislation in response to the Long Island incident where a doctor recklessly reused vaccination instruments and infected patients with infectious diseases including Hepatitis B, C and HIV. In most cases the exposed patients were not notified of their exposure for close to three years. The issue hit home for Zebrowski, whose father passed away from complications associated with Hepatitis C. Zebrowski teamed up with Senator Morahan to introduce legislation that among other things would provide criminal penalties and mandate license revocation for such reckless actions by a doctor, and mandate that the Department of Health notify patients who were exposed as soon as practical. |
Assemblyman Zebrowski picked up where his father left off, seeking additional ways to help Haverstraw taxpayers deal with increases levied as a result of the Mirant tax challenge. One of his first bills that was signed into law by the governor altered the tax ratio, avoiding another enormous tax increase above and beyond the increases that already hit homeowners. In addition, Assemblyman Zebrowski and Senator Morahan have teamed up to seek emergency state aid designed to help taxpayers. Both lawmakers have been working with North Rockland business leaders to lobby the governor and other leaders. |
Zebrowski Bill Would Allow Parents With tens of thousands of dollars in student loans himself, no one knows the costs associated with college and graduate school better than Assemblyman Zebrowski. Despite enormous tuition bills, the costs of mandatory textbooks continue to rise, often times in excess of $500 per semester. In an effort to help defray these costs, Assemblyman Zebrowski has teamed up with Senator Tom Morahan to draft a bill that provides an income tax deduction for the costs of textbooks. |
Assembly Tackles “Human Trafficking” Problem The State Assembly along with the Senate passed legislation, signed into law by the governor, that targets “human trafficking.” Human trafficking involves the enslavement of people against their will by means of force or threat for the purpose of sexual or labor exploitation. In some cases, physical force is used. In other cases, false promises are made regarding job opportunities or marriages in foreign countries. Shockingly, many of the people end up in our own neighborhoods performing sexual acts for the profit of a larger operation. Under current law, prosecuting human trafficking is difficult because existing statutes, such as kidnapping and coercion crimes, are generic, making it difficult for prosecutors to effectively charge these offenders. The bill strengthens law enforcement’s ability to combat human trafficking by defining and targeting this act. This landmark legislation creates strong criminal sanctions for those who engage in sex or labor trafficking. Additionally, the measure provides victim assistance and services to those who fall prey to human trafficking. |
No matter what your feelings on the mayor’s congestion pricing plan, Assemblyman Zebrowski was determined that Rocklanders have a chance to weigh in on the proposal. Zebrowski teamed up with Assemblyman Ellen Jaffee to bring to Rockland two members of the panel that will help make decisions on the plan. Zebrowski and Jaffee let Rocklanders both express their opinions of the plan and explain to panel members the unique commuting challenges Rocklanders face. |
In an effort to make their offices as accessible as possible to constituents, Assemblyman Zebrowski has teamed up with Clarkstown Town Clerk David Carlucci to hold mobile office hours. Their first session will be January 27 at the Shop Right in New City, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. |
Visiting Albany?
Assemblyman Zebrowski enjoys welcoming constituents to the New York State Capitol. If your group is planning on visiting Albany, call his office in advance to schedule an appointment with him. Guided tours of the New York State Capitol are available seven days a week. If you are interested in a guided tour, call the Office of General Services—Visitor Assistance at (518) 474-2418 for tour times. Additional information is available online: http://assembly.state.ny.us/tour |
Zebrowski Assists Residents on Federal Issues
Assemblyman Zebrowski has helped numerous Rocklanders express their concerns with with two controversial issues affecting our county:
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Brochures Available Call the office of Assemblyman Zebrowski if you are interested in receiving any of these brochures:
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