Dear Neighbor:

The recently passed state budget was prepared in a challenging economic climate, and we had to make some tough choices. However, it was absolutely essential to me that we continue providing for New York’s health care programs, as well as ensuring New Yorkers have access to affordable housing and valuable cultural programs.

This budget delivers on several key programs that help make New York City the extraordinary, vibrant city that it is.

Sincerely,
Assemblymember Jonathan L. Bing

Providing funding for critical health care initiatives

Assemblymember Bing fought to secure critical funding for many of New York City’s most important health care programs, including:

• $10 million for the New York University College of Nursing and New York University’s Center for Brain Imaging;

• $335,000 for Lighthouse International, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving vision and providing crucial vision rehabilitation services; and

• $250,000 for the New York University Dental Van, which provides mobile dental care.

Supporting affordable housing

Assemblymember Bing helped secure $54 million for the Mitchell-Lama housing initiative to aid the Rehabilitation and Preservation program (RAP). The program provides low-interest loans to building owners to make improvements in exchange for them keeping their buildings in the Mitchell-Lama program for another 40 years.

As chair of the Assembly’s Subcommittee on Mitchell-Lama Housing, Bing has fought to ensure this program continues to provide affordable housing options for New York City families.

Supporting arts and humanities programs in NYC

As one of the world’s hubs for the arts and humanities, it’s critical that we do all we can to preserve and support New York’s artistic spirit. One of Assemblymember Bing’s top priorities continues to be ensuring that arts and cultural programs have the funding they need to continue inspiring artists here in New York and around the globe.

Bing supported the following funding provided in the final budget:

• $5 million for the film tax credit extension to encourage studios to film in New York City;

• $2 million to improve the facilities of WNYC, New York Public Radio;

• $500,000 for Arts Stabilization Grants; and

• $450,000 for the Council on Humanities.

Other important funding Assemblymember Bing worked to secure in the budget includes:

• $159 million in capital funding for Hunter College, including $78 million to purchase a new building for its School of Social Work; and

• $5.3 million for the Displaced Homemakers Program, which helps women reenter the workforce after having been stay-at-home moms.

Sustaining a positive atmosphere for the business community

Assemblymember Bing was involved in many other aspects of this year’s budget, including fighting for policies that aid our business community. They include:

• Rejecting the proposal to repeal the private label credit card bad debt law, which allows businesses to receive a refund of sales tax paid when an account is written off as uncollectible; preserving this law saves New York businesses $7 million; and

• Extending the investment tax credit; this aids businesses that create new jobs and makes new investments in production property and equipment.