Dear Friend:

Thank you once again for allowing me to share some of the work I have been doing as your representative in the State Assembly.

My colleagues in the Legislature and I have been working toward resolution of the 2010 - 2011 New York State budget. We face a difficult negotiation but have already made great progress. Please see the item below under "Albany Update" for some of our challenges and goals.

The February blizzards left over 200,000 New Yorkers without power and other utilities for days, and over a week in some extreme cases. As Chairman of the Assembly's Standing Committee on Energy, it was my duty to try to uncover some of the causes of extended outages, and provide a forum to discuss solutions. Read more below as to why I called a hearing to help prevent a similar occurrence.

As always, I look forward to serving you both in the Capitol and locally, so be sure to contact either of my offices if there is anything at all we can help you with. Please share this information with your family, friends and neighbors!

If you know of anyone who would like to be included on our recipient list, please send their email address to cahillk@assembly.state.ny.us and just put "subscribe newsletter" in the subject line. I hope to see you soon.

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Assemblymember Cahill, Chair of the Assembly Energy Committee, held a hearing April 23, 2010 regarding the power outages that left hundreds of thousands of people in the Hudson Valley Region without utility service for prolonged periods of time after two severe winter blizzards. The Committee heard testimony from representatives of the Public Service Commission, Consolidated Edison, Orange and Rockland Utilities, Central Hudson Gas and Electric, New York State Electric and Gas and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

"The February storms left too many households without power for too long. Lives were put at risk and people deserve to know what can be done to prevent similar events in the future," said Assemblymember Cahill. "Winter storms are a fact of life in our region and our electric grid has to be able to withstand the stress they bring. It is critical that the State, utilities, local governments and emergency responders remain vigilant in preparing, coordinating and executing outage prevention and response plans."

To read more about the purpose of this hearing, click HERE

Assembly Passes Pension Reform To
Reduce School Costs For Taxpayers

On April 12, 2010 Assemblymember Kevin Cahill announced the passage of a measure designed to give school districts budgeting flexibility for 2010-2011. The bill will also help avert layoffs and may free up positions for younger teachers. Pension reforms passed last year, combined with an early retirement incentive passed by the Assembly (A.10065A) will reduce school personnel costs and ease the burden on property tax payers.

For full details of this Legislation, please click HERE

Working To Pass A Responsible State Budget

In this difficult economic climate, many states across the nation are turning to drastic measures to curtail budget expenses. Assemblymember Cahill and his Legislative colleagues are engaged in tough budget negotiations that will allow New York to weather the current fiscal storm.

The Assembly has advanced a fiscally sound plan to close an estimated $9 billion deficit while restoring some of the Governor's cuts to education, health care, state parks and college tuition assistance. The Assembly budget also protects future generations by adopting changes that would effectively cap spending for this and coming years.

"My colleagues in the Assembly and I have passed a fiscally responsible and balanced state budget proposal that will enable New York to avoid the extreme actions that have crippled other states," said Assemblymember Cahill. "Our plan maintains vital services without increasing taxes. We stand ready to make the tough decisions that need to be made in order keep our state's finances on track. I encourage all New Yorkers to call their State Senators and ask them to get back to work with the Assembly on passing a sound and expedient state budget."

To learn more about highlights of the Assembly's 2010-11 budget proposal, please click HERE.

Protecting Local Business Owners

On April 5, 2010, Assemblymember Cahill joined local businesses, independent wine sellers and public safety advocates to rally against Governor Paterson's proposal to allow the sale of wine in grocery stores. The event, organized by New Paltz Regional Chamber of commerce, was part of the final push to stop the measure before the 2010-11 State Budget is passed.

The Governor included the plan in his 2010-11 Executive Budget, stating it would generate $300 million in revenue for the state through taxes and fees on liquor licenses. This number is an overestimation and assumes that every grocery and convenience store in New York will apply for a liquor license within the next year. The proposal was not included in the budget resolutions passed by the State Assembly or the State Senate.

"Allowing wine in supermarkets, big box stores, convenience stores and gas stations may have sounded like a good idea to some, but to me it is little more than a one-shot gimmick to create an illusion that our state budget would be in balance," said Assemblymember Cahill. "It would drive small merchants to shutter their doors."

To read more about this issue, please click HERE.

Cahill Welcomes Ulster BOCES YouthBuild to Capitol

Earlier this month, Assemblymember Cahill greeted students from Ulster BOCES YouthBuild, a unique municipal collaborative program that provides comprehensive job training, educational leadership and community development skills for young adults between the ages of 16 - 24.

YouthBuild students work to renovate abandoned houses or build new ones, which are later offered to low-income, first-time homebuyers for purchase. YouthBuild students are often first in line for future employment opportunities in construction that can lead to sustaining, meaningful careers.

"This impressive group of young men and women are not merely sitting on a computer or learning trade skills in shop class, although training is a necessary part of this curriculum," said Assemblymember Cahill. "Once out in the field, they make a real difference in their community by putting families in homes they can afford. It was an honor showing them first-hand how I continue to support them in Albany."

In return for completing either 450, 675, or 900 hours of service spent building affordable housing or refurbishing computers for low-income people, YouthBuild members receive education awards of $1,250, $1,800, or $2,363, respectively, that can be used to pay for college and other education-related expenses.

To learn more about YouthBuild programs in Ulster, please visit the website.

Assemblymember Cahill offered praise for the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network and the upcoming Relay For Life events around the Hudson Valley at an ACS Legislative Breakfast on April 23, 2010 in Kingston. "As a member of the Assembly Health Committee, I have for years supported legislation on behalf of the amazing work of the American Cancer Society," said Assemblymember Cahill. "Lillian Jones and her Hudson Valley colleagues are to be commended for producing these life-affirming events year after year."

Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of your American Cancer Society. During the event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. Each team keeps at least one team member on the track at all times.

The Ulster Relay For Life takes place at Deitz Stadium in Kingston on May 22nd.

In Dutchess County, the event happens on June 5 at the Fairgrounds on Route 9 in Rhinebeck.

To learn how to participate in Relay For Life events in or near the 101st Assembly District, please visit their Web site.

I hope you have enjoyed learning about the recent activities of my office and I look forward to your continued feedback. Please share this information with your family, friends and neighbors! If you know of anyone who would like to be included on our recipient list, please forward to us their email address. Should you have any questions regarding the content of this newsletter or any issue which requires my assistance, I encourage you to call, email, write or stop by my district office.