Assemblyman William Colton Reports to the Neighborhood

Assemblyman

WILLIAM

COLTON

Reports to the Neighborhood

STATE KEEPS PROMISE TO CHILDREN!!
WILL CITY BREAK ITS PROMISE??

There was good and bad news for NYC school children this year. The state Assembly, Senate and Governor Paterson implemented a state budget keeping its promise to our children. It provided a $620 million increase over last year’s funding for NYC schools. The Legislature successfully resisted cuts proposed by former Governor Spitzer in passing a school budget committed to the promise made to our children in a four year plan.

However the City Council agreed to a budget restoring only $129 million of over $400 million in cuts to NYC school funds for our children.

The Mayor and City Council promise these cuts will not come from schools but from bureaucratic services. Assemblyman Colton urges all to be watchful and to demand the city’s promise to our children be kept.

Assemblyman Colton was a leader fighting in the State Assembly for more monies for NYC schools. He organized neighborhood parents and started a neighborhood petition campaign. This resulted in the State passing a budget with a record of over $1.2 billion increases for schools statewide, including the $620 million increase for NYC schools.

COLTON HELPS OBTAIN STIMULUS CHECKS!

COLTON HELPS HUNDREDS FILE FOR CHECK

The office of Assemblyman Colton has been helping hundreds file for their stimulus check from the IRS.

Those persons who file income tax returns showing at least $3000 of earned income will automatically receive their stimulus check of up to $600 for an individual or up to $1200 for a couple.

However, many persons, such as seniors with only Social Security, veteran’s benefits, or pension income are not required to file income tax returns.

Such persons are eligible for a stimulus check, but they must file a 1040A form.

IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO FILE FOR CHECKS

If you meet the requirement of receiving at least $3000 a year in Social Security, veterans benefit, pension or any other earned income, then you have until October 15 to obtain your check.

The IRS has estimated 200,000 eligible NYC residents have not yet applied for their check. Assemblyman Colton wants to be sure all eligible persons will get their economic stimulus check.

Call or visit Assemblyman Colton’s office at 155 Kings Highway, telephone (718) 236-1598 for help in filling out your form.

COLTON AND FELDER GET FUNDS
FOR SETH LOW PARK

Working together for the preservation and beautification of our recreational areas, Assemblyman Colton and Councilman Felder (pictured left) were able to secure over a million dollars in funds, which has been used to improve Seth Low Park in Bensonhurst for the enjoyment of neighborhood residents. The renovations were completed in time for families to enjoy this summer.

In photo, Assemblyman Colton is shown with Assemblyman Felix Ortiz commending neighborhood organizations and leaders for raising over $72,000 to help victims of the tragic China earthquake. Among those helping raise funds were the United Chinese Association of Brooklyn, the 8th Avenue Community Improvement Association, St. Athanasius Roman Catholic Church, and students from Lafayette, New Utrecht and Fort Hamilton High Schools.

GETTING RESULTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

COLTON CONTINUES FIGHT AGAINST
GARBAGE TRANSFER STATION

COLTON LEADING FIGHT

Assemblyman Colton continues to lead an all out neighborhood fight against building a Garbage Transfer Station at Shore Parkway and Bay 41st Street.

COMMUNITY ALERTED

Colton organized a task force bringing together neighborhood leaders and environmentalists to make the case that the garbage station proposed by the Mayor and the City Council would contaminate the waters of Gravesend Bay, create a traffic nightmare, and disrupt the residential and recreational quality of life of the surrounding community.

The proposed site is surrounded by Dreier Offerman Park, where thousands of children play soccer, Adventureland Amusement Park formerly known as Nellie Bly, The Block Institute for Special Children and many hi rise residential buildings and senior residences.

LEGAL BATTLE WAGED

Assemblyman Colton’s task force has obtained a leading environmental lawyer, Joel Kupferman to challenge the issuing of a permit for the project. Currently it has filed legal papers with a Department of Environmental Conservation Judge, appointed to hear the challenge. The city already has made significant concessions in adding conditions to the draft permit. However, even with these restrictions Assemblyman Colton believes serious environmental concerns created by the city proposal still exist! “The fight must go on and we may need to go to State Supreme Court, unless the Mayor and the City Council drop this dangerous and environmentally flawed proposal,” says Assemblyman Colton.

ASSEMBLYMAN COLTON'S SUMMER READING CHALLENGE

Assemblyman Colton issued his annual Summer Reading Challenge to children of the 47th Assembly District. The Challenge is for parents and children to read together for at least 15 minutes a day during July and August. To help with the challenge, Assemblyman Colton has distributed brochures to local schools and individuals.

The brochure lists suggested books and a calendar to keep track of the days reading is done. If the completed calendar is returned with 40 or more days marked, then Assemblyman Colton will send the child an Excellence in Reading Certificate.

GETTING RESULTS IN ALBANY

Assaulting the elderly will now be a Class D felony thanks to legislation co-sponsored by Assemblyman Colton and signed into law by Governor Paterson.
Assemblyman Colton also sponsored legislation, which has passed both houses and has been signed by Governor Paterson, which requires convicted sex offenders to register their internet accounts, email addresses and names with the Division of Criminal Justice. This makes NY the first state to require such stringent regulations to ensure the safety of children on the internet.
Another bill sponsored by Assemblyman Colton makes it a felony to lure a child for the purpose of committing a sex offense and any violent felony offense.
Assemblyman Colton also sponsored legislation passed by the Assembly and the Senate increasing the penalties where more than one elderly person is victimized by a scam artist.

OPPOSING UNFAIR LOAN PRACTICES

The Student Lending Accountability Transparency and Enforcement Act, sponsored by Assemblyman Colton, established a student’s Bill of Rights in college loans, as well as the banning of unfair and deceptive practices by lenders.

A package of bills co-sponsored by Assemblyman Colton to protect homeowners from unfair mortgage practices passed the Assembly but not the State Senate. If it becomes a law it would protect consumers against abuses in sub-prime home loans, as well as provide assistance to homeowners victimized by such loans.

PROVIDING FOR OUR VETERANS

The Assembly and Senate passed a package of bills, with Assemblyman Colton’s support, to provide for the needs of our veterans and their families.
One bill established a Veteran Program Consolidation Council to promote effective programs for veterans.
Another bill established mentoring programs for state agencies to focus on providing training and assistance for qualified veterans.

Additional legislation co-sponsored by Assemblyman Colton grants a preference to disabled veterans for purposes of occupancy in Mitchell Lama Projects.
Another bill directs the Veterans Affairs Divisions to provide information and training assisting veteran-owned businesses in obtaining procurement contracts from state agencies.

ASSEMBLYMAN COLTON’S COMMUNITY OFFICE

SERVING YOU

155 Kings Highway (Between West 12th and West 13th Streets)
Phone: 718-236-1598
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Stop in or call for assistance with quality of life issues, traffic safety issues, senior programs, housing, healthcare coverage, food stamps, HEAP, heart share and more

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