A Message from Jo Anne… 

I’m so honored and grateful that you have put your trust in me for another term in the 52nd Assembly District. It's been my privilege to serve you these last four years. I’m looking forward to continuing this important work for my constituents in the 52nd, and all of New York State.

We have much work ahead of us.  I am hopeful that with the new Senate majority, we can finally enact into law key bills that the Assembly has passed but that the Senate has blocked, including voting and campaign finance reforms, the Reproductive Health Act which codifies Roe v. Wade into state law, the Dream Act for immigrant students, stronger environmental protections, the Child Victims Act, bail and criminal justice reforms, and stronger rent regulations. In addition to these initiatives, a few of my top legislative priorities will be my campaign finance reform bill to close the LLC loophole, my gun violence prevention bills, and to ensure a dedicated, fair and sustainable source of funding for the MTA, including congestion pricing and equitable tolling.

As much as we were thrilled to see a high voter turnout, it was unacceptable to see the litany of problems at the polls on Election Day, from long lines to broken scanners to misinformation. The Assembly has passed a comprehensive set of voter access bills, and we are expecting to make headway with the new shift of control in the Senate. We need to make voting easier and early voting and no-excuse absentee voting should be a priority when we return to session in January. We also need automatic voter registration and to professionalize and reform the Board of Elections (BOE), in addition to better preparing our poll workers. I shared many problems with the BOE on Election Day, and the Assembly is holding a hearing on voting access this month.

Sincerely,
Jo Anne Simon

Free Leaf Bags for Fall: Instead of sending your leaves to landfill, compost them with Dept. of Sanitation NY! Fall is in full swing, so stop by our office any time Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm to get a free paper leaf bag. Residents in Community Boards 2 and 6 can leave leaf bags out on their normally scheduled organics collection day. Please do not put out leaves in plastic bags and remember not to include any wood debris. To find out your leaf collection schedule visit nyc.gov/leafcollection.

Caregiver Workshops on Dementia, Health Care, & Caregiving: November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month & Caregiver Awareness Month and I’m co-hosting three events at St. Francis College on Demystifying Dementia (Tues. 11/13), Long-Term Health Care (Tues. 11/20) and Caregiving (Tues. 11/27).  Workshops are from 6-8pm, Rm 6214, 180 Remsen Street. The workshops are spearheaded by Senator Brian Kavanagh and Heights and Hills (which runs a caregiver program), and conducted in partnership with myself, St. Francis, and Council Members Stephen Levin and Brad Lander. My office is happy to help connect you to resources if you cannot attend the workshops, or you may contact the heights and hills web site or 718-596-8789. To those caring for a loved one, thank you!

Free Mammograms & Clinical Breast Exams, 11/16/2018. I am pleased to partner with the American-Italian Cancer Foundation to bring their Mobile Care Clinic to our neighborhood!  If you are a woman between 40 and 79 and have not had a mammogram in 12 months, you can get a free mammogram and breast exam whether or not you have insurance (no co-pays and deductibles are waived). The van will be outside my office at 341 Smith St. between Carroll and President Streets from 2-4:30pm on Friday, Nov. 16. To make an appointment, email simonj@nyassembly.gov or call 718-246-4889.

Heat Laws Reminder: We’re a month into heat season, and it’s important that tenants and landlords know their rights and responsibilities. “Heat Season� is October 1^st through May 31^st and heat must be provided:

• Between 6am and 10pm if the outside temperature is below 55 degrees, inside temperature must be 68 degrees or higher.
• Between 10pm and 6am, inside temperature must be 62 degrees or higher, no matter the outside temperature.

It is New York City law that landlords provide hot water to tenants 365 days a year. If you are a tenant experiencing problems with your heat or hot water, please notify the owner of your building ASAP. If problems persist, call 311, or reach out to my office for assistance.

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) & Emergency HEAP Benefit: HEAP helps low-income New Yorkers pay for heating in their homes. The 2018-2019 Regular HEAP benefit application period opens on November 13^th (apply ASAP). Eligibility and benefit amounts are based on household size and income, primary heating source, and if a tenant is younger than 6 or older than 60, or permanently disabled. Emergency HEAP can assist with heat costs in a heat-related emergency. To find out if you’re eligible for either of these programs, benefit amounts for your home, and to apply: https://www.ny.gov/services/apply-heating-and-cooling-assistance-heap.  

Filing a Complaint About Your Regulated Utility Service: Are you having trouble with your energy, telephone, cable, or water company? You can file a complaint with the NYS Public Service Commission. You can call their complaint line Mon-Fri, 8:30am-4:00pm, at 1-800-342-3377. For more info: http://www.dps.ny.gov/ComplaintBro-Eng.pdf. Brochures are also available for pick-up in my office.

Thank You to Our Veterans. On Veterans Day and every day, we honor the brave men and women who have served in the military. Each year at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we commemorate the signing of the Armistice ending World War I, called the “war to end all wars� in 1918. Thank you for protecting our ideals and for protecting the country.

And remember, qualifying veterans and their family members are eligible for property tax breaks in New York City. For more info on veteran’s tax exemptions and enrollment events, go to https://www1.nyc.gov/site/finance/benefits/landlords-veterans.page.

Recent Hate Crimes. I am extremely grateful to the work of the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force detectives in apprehending the two suspects of the anti-Semitic and racist graffiti that occurred in Brooklyn Heights right before Halloween. This was another atrocity aided and abetted by increasingly vile nationalistic, racist, and anti-Semitic rhetoric that has gone unchecked for too long, and unfortunately has occurred along with a slew of abhorrent hate crimes across the city. I will continue to work with and stand side by side with faith and community leaders to denounce hatred and bigotry, which have no place in our communities.

Dyslexia Guidance Memorandum: October was Dyslexia Awareness Month and I was so pleased to join the Community Education Council (CEC) 13 & CEC 15 to discuss the basics of dyslexia, my new law that was recently passed for this school year and how it will affect children in NY. The NY State Education Department issued the guidance documents on dyslexia and other learning disabilities. The guidance, created in cooperation with stakeholders, clarifies that school districts may use the terms dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia in evaluations, eligibility determinations, or in developing an individualized education program. This represents an incredible step forward, but we must make sure that this is shared widely with parents, teachers and school administrators so that every student has the opportunity to succeed: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/guidance-on-chapter-216-of-the-laws-of-2017.html

Renters & Homeowner’s Tax Exemption & Rent Freeze Programs. Many people are eligible for various renters and tax exemption programs, but do not participate. This includes the Senior Citizen Homeowner’s Exemption (SCHE), Disabled Homeowner’s Exemption (DHE), Enhanced STAR, Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE), Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE), and more. If you would like more information on these programs, you may contact the NYC Dept. of Finance by either calling 311, going to https://www1.nyc.gov/site/rentfreeze/index.page, or you may contact my office.

Homeowners - apply for an exemption to lower your property tax bill:

- STAR: homeowners with an annual income of $500,000 or less.
- E-Star: seniors 65 & older with annual incomes of $86,000 or less.
- SCHE/DHE: seniors 65 & older, disabled homeowners with annual incomes of $58,399 or less.
- Veterans.
- Clergy.

Tenants - Seniors & People with Disabilities, you may apply to keep your rent from increasing if you:

- Are at least 62 years old or 18 years old with a qualifying disability; &
- Have a household income of $50,000 or less; &
- Live in a rent regulated apartment; & you
- Spend more than 1/3 of your income on rent.

Summer Reading Challenge: Time to Turn in Your Form! I was happy to again sponsor the Summer Reading Challenge which is not only fun, but keeps those “learning muscles� well-toned for when kids return to school. Remember to have your children turn in their forms to my office so that we can recognize them during the certificate ceremony at the Carroll Gardens library in November.

NY Attorney General’s Clergy Abuse Hotline. NY Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood announced a clergy abuse hotline and online complaint form through which victims and anyone with information can call; 1-800-771-7755. Or, you can file a complaint online at ag.ny.gov/ClergyAbuse. An investigator will review all allegations; the Attorney General and law enforcement partners will seek to protect victims’ and witnesses’ identities. As a cosponsor of the Child Victims Act (>A05885), I am so glad that the Attorney General has created this tool to help victims of abuse, and I stand with her calling on the Legislature to pass the Child Victims Act this year (the Assembly has passed this bill, while the Senate has not).

Upcoming NCO Meetings: Come and discuss your public safety needs and concerns with your local law enforcement officers. To find your NCO Sector, go to www.BuildTheBlock.nyc.

76th Precinct Carroll Gardens NCO Meeting, 11/14

Sector A of the 76th Precinct is hosting their Neighborhood Coordination Officer NCO public safety meeting on Wed. Nov. 14, at 7pm at Cobble Hill Nursing Home, 380 Henry Street.

78th Precinct Park Slope, and Prospect Park NCO Meeting, 11/15

Sector D of the 78th Precinct is hosting their NCO public safety meeting on Thurs., Nov. 15, at 7pm at Litchfield Villa, 95 Prospect Park West.

84th Precinct Vinegar Hill NCO Meeting, 11/26

Sector B of the 84th Precinct is hosting their NCO public safety meeting on Mon., Nov. 26, at 6pm at 53 Bridge St.

78th Precinct Park Slope and Prospect Heights NCO Meeting, 11/28

Sector C of the 78th Precinct is hosting their NCO public safety meeting on Wed., Nov. 28, at 7pm at Sixth Avenue Bible Baptist Church, 97 Lincoln Pl.

76th Precinct Gowanus NCO Meeting, 11/29

Sector B of the 76th Precinct is hosting their NCO public safety meeting on Thurs., Nov. 29, at 6:30pm at Carroll Gardens Senior Citizen Housing, 41 1st St.

78th Precinct Park Slope, South Slope, and Gowanus NCO Meeting, 12/3

Sector A of the 78th Precinct is hosting their NCO public safety meeting on Mon., Dec. 3, at 7pm at Saint Thomas Aqunias Church, 249 9^th St.

84th Brooklyn Heights NCO Meeting, 12/4

Sector A of the 78th Precinct is hosting their NCO public safety meeting on Tues., Dec. 4, at 6pm at Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon St.

For community and policy updates, sign up for my email alerts by emailing simonj@nysassembly.gov