Dear Neighbor(s):

As the 2005 Legislative Session has come to an end, I wanted to send an update to the community on what has been accomplished thus far and what remains to be done this year.

My colleagues in the Assembly and I have been successful in negotiating an “on time” budget with the Senate and Governor.

Primarily the most contentious part of the budget focused on health care and education. After months of negotiations we added $354 million to the Governor’s proposed education budget. For education we were successful in adding $327 million for New York City schools. We also successfully scaled back the Governor’s “sick tax” on hospitals in half (from 0.7% tax on hospital gross receipts to .35%). The legislature rejected the worst cuts and taxes to ensure that working families don’t lose access to the health care they r ely on.

I am proud to join the Assembly Majority as we fight to ensure that our elders receive quality care, our children receive a sound basic education, and women are provided the equality and respect they deserve.

Sometimes the issues require more time to make sure they are adequately addressed. This year the Campaign for Fiscal Equity has been a very contentious issue. This landmark court decision must be fully addressed and the funding levels for New York City Schools must continue to rise dramatically. While we agree with the court’s decision to add $9.5 billion dollars over five years, the Governor has decided to appeal this decision. The actions taken by the governor have further delayed the needed funding for our children.

This year is not over but we have made some progress to meeting the needs of the people of New York State. I have been successful in securing capital and programmatic funds for services in the district. I will continue to represent your interests in Albany as we negotiate solutions to these important issues. As always, if there is any way that I can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me. My office is here to serve you.

The Bronx Business Alliance provides local business development initiatives for the Northeast Bronx. This program has been restored to the State budget for the 05-06 fiscal year as the result of Assemblyman Heastie’s efforts. The restoration of this program’s funding in this year’s budget at $153,000 will help the Business Alliance to continue to serve the businesses in our community. The Bronx Business Alliance has been a tremendous success since its launch on July 17, 2003, providing business assistance to local small business owners.

The Bridgefield Civic League will be getting an interior/exterior painting, new windows, new heating system/air conditioning unit and much needed property improvements with $75,000 in capital improvement funding secured by Assemblyman Carl E. Heastie. The facility will be having the roof repaired, as well as having the sidewalk and blacktop repaved.

These improvements are for the benefit of the Bridgefield Civic League’s Daycare and After School program.

The Northeast Bronx Day Care Center, Inc. will be using $50,000 in CCAP funding to renovate the facility at 4104 White Plains Road.

The proposed renovations include preparing eleven classrooms, therapy space and administrative offices for the day care center.

The Greater Faith Community Center will be establishing a social services community facility and Assemblyman Heastie has agreed to allocate $50,000 in Community Capital Assistance Program funding to help secure the property for this facility. This facility will serve as a home for social service community based programs.

Programs run at the Greater Faith Community Center will offer a safe, stimulating environment, while providing enriching activities that augment the school curriculum and life skills. The goal of the program is to help strengthen basic education and social skills while attempting to lower the drop out rate in the Bronx.

Members of Assembly Carl Heastie and Michael Benjamin meet with Councilman Larry Seabrook.

Baychester/Edenwald Senior Center- Financial assistance provides for meals for the elder community.

Bridgefield Civic League, Inc.- Financial assistance provides for materials and supplies for summer day camp activities.

St. Luke’s Food Program- Financial Assistance provides transportation and supplies to offer food to the local community.

R.A.I.N. Inc.- Financial assistance provides support for the following R.A.I.N. Inc. senior centers: Gun Hill senior center, Boston Secor senior center, Eastchester senior center, Nereid senior center, and Boston East senior center.

Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, Inc.- Financial Assistance provides for Earned Income Tax Credit Outreach and Enrollment Program. This program offers free tax preparation, outreach and EITC application to under-served communities in the Northeast Bronx.

Edenwald/Gun Hill Neighborhood Center, Inc.- Financial assistance will provide for a “Youth Alternatives to the Street program.” Funds will provide programs to give children an opportunity to go somewhere besides the streets during off-school hours. Programs will also teach young adults to avoid high-risk situations like gangs and drugs.

Bronx Youth Uptown Developers Coalition- Financial assistance provides for materials to hold an annual basketball program. The UDC provides an SAT prep course and precollege orientation and guidance.

East 233rd Street Senior Center- Financial assistance provides for materials for Senior Program and activities.

NAACP (Williamsbridge Branch)- Financial assistance provides for Math and Science materials for tutorial program.

Tilden Towers Senior Center- Financial assistance to provide project director for recreation activities and health/educational seminars.

We Can Get Along, Inc.- Financial Assistance to assisted youth recreation league/mentoring program.

47th Precinct Community Council- Financial assistance provides material to conduct neighborhood watch program.