Dear Neighbor:

You’ve worked hard for your money and earned the right to enjoy it. You shouldn’t be threatened by high energy costs and excessive taxes or overburdened by costly health care or prescription drug prices.

I have been working in the Assembly to improve our quality of life here in the Hudson Valley by passing legislation to provide additional funding for soaring heating costs and protect access to affordable health care - concerns that I know we all share.

With the 2006 Legislative Year in full swing, I will continue working for Hudson Valley residents. I am dedicated to fighting for a final budget that is fair and on time and protects the best interests of Ulster County Seniors.

Sincerely,

Assemblymember Kevin Cahill helped pass bipartisan legislation that expands the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) to offset high energy costs that are endangering the well-being of the elderly and families of modest means in the Hudson Valley (Ch. 5 of 2006, Ch. 6 of 2006). Mr. Cahill proposed the increased aid when it first became evident that HEAP would not cover emergency heating costs this year.

The state Legislature stepped up to the plate and provided approximately $1.2 million in financial assistance to Ulster County. This money will help Seniors and low-income families pay for heating bills and avoid the loss of critical utility services during the winter months.

If you have any questions, contact:

• Ulster County HEAP Program, (845) 340-3456

• NYS HEAP Hotline, (800) 342-3009

Last year, Assemblymember Kevin Cahill fought for a new law (Ch. 293 of 2005) to create a web site where consumers can compare prices of the most commonly prescribed drugs at every pharmacy in the state. This web site makes it easier for New Yorkers to buy drugs at the lowest cost possible.

The Governor - who signed this law just five months ago, but proposed abolishing this money-saving initiative - did ultimately decide to fund it in his 2006 budget.

Assemblymember Kevin Cahill is committed to fighting any future attacks on this important law so that New York consumers can compare drug prices online and buy drugs at the lowest price possible.

Currently, the New York Attorney General’s Web site www.NYAGRX.com offers comparison prices at many pharmacies. This web site has received over 3.5 million visits since its inception.

Last year, the Assembly pushed for a hard cap on Medicaid, which would have saved Ulster County taxpayers $8.85 million. Unfortunately, the Governor insisted on an inferior plan. Assemblymember Cahill agreed to the Governor’s soft cap on local Medicaid costs, because it saved Ulster County taxpayers $4.87 million, but he knows we need to do more.

This year, Mr. Cahill will fight for more property tax relief, as well as abolishing the Marriage Penalty Tax and providing a cost of living adjustment for STAR. He believes these targeted tax cuts will benefit Hudson Valley families and he will fight to make sure they are in the final budget.

Assemblymember Cahill urges those with questions about Medicare Part D to talk with a trained individual to get the answers and information needed.