Assemblywoman
Helene E. Weinstein
Making a Difference in Brooklyn and Albany
MAY 2007
|
3520 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11229 Assemblywoman Helene E. Weinstein
Making a Difference in Brooklyn and Albany
MAY 2007
|
| A Report To The Residents Of The 41st Assembly District |
|
Dear Neighbor, With the passage of the 2007 Budget, New York is well on its way to achieving historic reforms in the way we fund the education of our children and the delivery of health care for the elderly, the sick, the disabled and hundreds of thousands of children. This year’s budget makes a historic investment in our education system by funding universal pre-kindergarten for all 4-year-olds in our state and providing increased resources to reduce class sizes in our schools. We made significant investments in our state university system and provided funds for higher education opportunity programs to help keep a college education affordable and attainable. Additionally, the budget expands access to health care and takes steps to fight Medicaid fraud through the creation of a New York State False Claims Act. As a member of the Public Protection Budget Sub-Committee, I played a key role in shaping our final budget. In this report, I have included highlights of the 2007 budget.
|
|
|
REDUCING INCOME TAXES The STAR personal income tax credit (City of New York School Tax Credit) was increased to $145 for single filers and $290 for joint filers – bringing total STAR savings for New York City residents to $1.1 billion annually. PROPERTY TAX REBATE CHECKS NYC property owners who participate in STAR, (the property tax savings program) will receive tax rebates, on a sliding scale based on income.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fraser Civic Association
Assemblywoman Weinstein addressed quality of life issues at a recent Fraser Civic
Association meeting. The Assemblywoman also discussed the array of important
services and programs available at her community office.
|
Sheepshead Bay Environmental Tour
Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein recently joined the New York City Dockmaster’s
Unit, Theresa Scavo, Chairperson of Community Board 15, and Kathy Flynn, President
of Plum Beach Civic Association for an inspection of bulkhead conditions within her
district and throughout the Bay. Dilapidated bulkheads not only pose serious safety
concerns but can also lead to pollution of the waters in the Bay.
|
|
|
The legislative budget protects New York’s most vulnerable populations by expanding access to health care and rejecting many of the Governor’s cuts harmful to patients, health care workers and our health care system. In a victory for New York State’s health care system and the patients that it serves, the final budget provided an additional $355.7 million over and above the Governor’s proposals for hospitals, nursing homes and pharmacies. The final budget:
|
|||||
Assemblywoman Weinstein has for many years led the fight against Medicaid fraud, sponsoring a “False Claims Act” for New York State. The law allows private citizens, acting as whistleblowers, alongside the Attorney General’s office, to receive a reward for reporting Medicaid and other fraud against the State. This year’s budget enacts the New York State False Claims Act to root out Medicaid Fraud - saving New York taxpayers billions of dollars. It also strengthens the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General by adding 157 new positions (including 100 auditors) and strengthens the Attorney General’s ability to recover fraudulently obtained Medicaid payments. |
|||||
Assemblymembers Helene Weinstein and Alec Brook-Krasny have secured funding for lifesaving health screenings for many Russian-American New Yorkers – $540,000 was included in the State Budget for Chernobyl Thyroid Cancer Screening and education for victims of Chernobyl. Since April 20, 1986, the date of the worst peace-time nuclear accident, more than 200,000 émigrés from the affected regions have settled in the New York Metro area. Recent work by international experts at the United Nations and by New York scientists has demonstrated markedly increasing rates of thyroid cancer among a number of these individuals. When diagnosed early, thyroid cancer is totally curable. |
|
WEINSTEIN DELIVERS FOR THE COMMUNITY This year, as in past years, Assemblywoman Weinstein secured special funding in the state budget for senior citizens, social services, school and youth programs to provide recreational, educational, cultural and social services in our community. Additional funding was obtained for after-school tutoring, early literacy, arts, school technology, equipment upgrades, sports, anti-violence, multicultural and intergenerational programs. If you want additional information on any of these programs which Assemblywoman Weinstein has funded for the following organizations, call the community office. |
|
HELPING SENIOR CITIZENS, SOCIAL SERVICES & COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES Recreational, cultural and social services and citizenship programs:
SCHOOLS, YOUTH AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS After-school, tutoring, early literacy, arts programs, school technology and public/civic education programs:
Sports, Anti-Violence, Anti-Graffiti, Multicultural and Intergenerational programs:
|
Flatlands Ambulance Dedicated
With an increasing need for an additional vehicle in the community, the Flatlands
Ambulance Corps approached Assemblywoman Weinstein who had provided them
with funds for operating expenses and equipment purchases. Along with former
Assemblyman Frank Seddio, Assemblywoman Weinstein secured $100,000
to purchase the Ambulance.
|
2007 COJO of Flatbush Breakfast
Helene Weinstein joined Rabbi Yechezhel Pikus and Leon Goldenberg at the
Annual COJO of Flatbush Breakfast.
|
|
MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE: Digital Mammography Machine for Beth Israel Hospital, computer lab at Friends United Youth Center, auxiliary patrol vans for the 63rd & 67th Police Precincts, state-of-the-art science lab for Public School 208, renovations at Kings Bay YM-YWHA, renovations at Kings Bay Youth sports facility. Wyckoff House Museum, new Marine Park Senior Center, new kitchen for Homecrest Senior Center, Caribbean Trade Center for the Caribbean Chamber of Commerce, air conditioning for Madison High School, renovations at Kings Bay Senior Center and a new recreation room at Glenwood Senior Center. |
|
||||||
|
EDUCATION
Historic Investment in Education New York City schools and students will now, finally, receive appropriate funding through a new “foundation education formula”, assuring New York City schools 43 percent of the foundation aid. The budget includes an unprecedented $1.7 billion increase in education funding, with New York City schools receiving $712 million more than last year - a 10% increase. The budget finally addresses the court ruling in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE) case. The budget:
HIGHER EDUCATION Keeping a College Education Within Reach – Providing Significant Investment The state budget invests in our state university system, funds opportunity programs and helps to keep affordable college education within reach for working families.
|
||||||
Yeshiva Tiferes Yisroel
On a recent visit to Yeshiva Tiferes Yisroel, Assemblywoman Weinstein spoke with
Rabbi Rosenshein about new state funding for computer hardware aid for non-public
schools in this year’s State budget.
|
Assemblywoman Weinstein Meets With UFT Teachers
Assemblywoman Weinstein met with UFT members to discuss education
funding for schools in the community.
|
|
|
Join the hundreds of your neighbors who have already received their Non-Driver IDs at Helene Weinstein’s Community Office. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will be returning to Weinstein’s Office on: Thursday June 28th, 2007
Apply for a Non-Driver’s I.D. Card Call to Schedule (718) 648-4700 |
Sanitation Meeting
To address sanitation issues in the East 30’s, Assemblywoman Weinstein convened
a meeting with Sanitation Officials Rabbi Moshe Scheinerman, Congregation Kollel Bnai
Yeshivos; Rabbi Daniel Goldstein, Kingsway Jewish Center; Raphael Treitel, NYPD
Clergy Liaison, 63rd Precinct; and, Chazkel Bennett, Community Representative.
|
|
HELP WITH ELECTRIC BILLS!!! Last year, Assemblywoman Weinstein secured funding to help pay summer air conditioning bills for 58 area residents on fixed incomes. Weinstein’s office is designated as a local Neighbor Fund Application site. This year, grants of up to $50 are available to Con Edison customers. Contact Assemblywoman Weinstein’s Community Office to see if you are eligible. |
Glendale Civic Association
In recognition of the organization’s dedicated service to the community,
Assemblywoman Weinstein presented a NYS Assembly Citation to Sharon
Borno, President of the Glendale Civic Association at their annual Awards
Scholarship Dinner.
|
Yeshiva Derech Hatorah Dinner
Assemblywoman Weinstein congratulated Yeshiva Derech Hatorah at their 27th
Annual Dinner and presented a check for $4,750 to President Jacob Abilevitz and
Chairman of the Board Dr. Jan Geliebter towards the purchase of new air conditioning
units for Pre-Kindergarten Classrooms.
|
|
HELENE WEINSTEIN CAN HELP YOU OBTAIN A SENIOR HALF-FARE METROCARD Helene Weinstein Brings the Senior Half-Fare MetroCard Bus to the Community Office at 3520 Nostrand Avenue on the Third Thursday of every month.
Upcoming dates: Apply for the Senior Half-Fare MetroCard and receive one on the spot. Proper Age (65 years & older) and photo identification is required.
|
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke
Assemblywoman Weinstein joined newly elected Congresswoman Yvette Clarke at a
community breakfast event honoring civic leaders.
|
Weinsteins Honors “Cop of the Month”
Assemblywoman Weinstein presented an Assembly Certificate of Merit to 61st Precinct
“Cop of the Month” Lieutenant Paul Putkowski for his outstanding service to the community.
|
|
ASSEMBLYWOMAN WEINSTEIN
Free Friday June 15th, 2007
*Appointments are necessary |
|
Back |
