![]() |
|
|||
Summer 2007 |
|
|||||
Assemblymember Cook Delivers To The District | ||
|
![]() |
|
||
The state budget makes a significant investment in New York’s higher education system and provides college students with the resources they need to succeed. The budget increases operating aid for SUNY/CUNY and community colleges, does not raise tuition at these institutions, and continues to fund the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and higher education opportunity programs. The budget provides $62 million more than the governor proposed for higher education, and $278.5 million more than last year. To help these institutions maintain high standards and attract the best faculty, this budget increases operating aid over the governor’s budget by $10 million for SUNY and $6 million for CUNY, for a total of $1.34 billion and $1.06 billion respectively. The state budget adds $7 million more than last year for Educational Opportunity Centers and Attain Labs to help students of all ages acquire new skills and succeed in the workforce. To help ward off tuition increases or local property tax hikes the budget increases state support for community colleges by $150 per full-time equivalent student over last year. Statewide, SUNY community colleges will receive $8.16 million over the governor’s budget and $24.4 million over last year. CUNY community colleges will receive $3 million over the executive proposal and $9.4 million over last year. To help working families afford a college education the budget provides a 3 percent, or $3.1 million, increase over last year in programs such as EOP, HEOP, SEEK, and Liberty Partnerships. The College Discovery program increased 5 percent. The state budget reflects our commitment to our public colleges and universities and the future of our college students. This funding will help our academic institutions run more efficiently so that they can continue to prepare our students to be our leaders of tomorrow. |
|||
EDUCATION The final state budget makes a historic investment in New York’s education system, providing an unprecedented $1.7 billion increase to help students succeed in an ever-changing global economy. The Assembly has long championed an educational approach that stresses three Rs - Reform + Resources = Results, and this year’s budget is certainly the right equation for our children.
A historic investment in our schools The final state budget continues our effort in the Assembly to help provide every single one of our children with not just a sound, basic education - but a first-class, quality education that will help them be successful in life. Included in the budget is the governor’s new foundation education formula for predictable, stable and transparent funding - something the Assembly has insisted on for over a decade.
Reducing class sizes Comparing the average class size in New York City to the rest of the state reveals an overwhelming disparity - a disparity we must end. The spending plan steers state aid coming to the city to comply with the Campaign for Fiscal Equity ruling toward this important goal. No matter how experienced and dedicated the teacher, when there are too many children in a classroom, it’s inevitable that some children will slip through the cracks. This is something that we can prevent. All the research indicates that smaller classes improve student performance, and the bipartisan budget addresses this issue.
Expanding early education This expansion will allow more New York children to reap the lasting benefits of attending pre-K, which studies show again and again give our children an advantage in student achievement, college enrollment and future earnings.
Charter Schools This budget plan will help ensure charter schools open in communities where they make sense, while protecting the students who attend our traditional public schools. Reforms include:
Raising standards in our schools There will be no more excuses for failure. Education is the key to success, and that’s why the Assembly supports raising the bar in our schools. The Assembly worked hard to come together with the governor and Senate to pass a state budget that makes a historic investment in New York State’s educational system. This support will undoubtedly better prepare our children for higher education and to compete in a changing world. |
![]() |
![]() |
|
![]() |
TAX RELIEF |
The final state budget provides relief for New York taxpayers and targeted tax relief for certain businesses and manufacturers to strengthen New York’s economic competitiveness. Middle Class STAR - Under Middle Class STAR, New Yorkers will see a STAR tax rebate based on a sliding scale tied to income. In New York City, the average STAR rebate for eligible homeowners will be a maximum of $127 and a minimum of $64, depending on income. Under this new reform, a greater number of middle class homeowners will receive the highest benefit. This will ensure we put more money in the pockets of working families and help reduce the tax burden. Enhanced STAR For NYC Seniors - New York City seniors who qualify for Enhanced STAR, the average savings will be an additional $95 rebate. NYC STAR Personal Income Tax Credit - In addition to the rebate checks, the NYC STAR Personal Income Tax Credit will be increased by $60 to $290 for married taxpayers who file joint returns. Single taxpayers and heads-of-households will receive a $30 increase to $145. The budget also provides tax relief for businesses through a reduction in the state’s corporate tax rate. I will continue to push for the expansion of the Empire State Tax Credit, which currently reduces taxes by as much as $330 per child between the ages of 4 and 17. Instead of providing the tax credit to only school-aged children, I support expanding that tax credit to all children - something the Senate and previous governor rejected in the past. Over the last 12 years, the Assembly Majority has cut 19 different taxes a total of 81 times - saving taxpayers more than $140 billion cumulatively when fully phased in. This year’s state budget builds on that impressive record. Working families will save $1.3 billion in property taxes and business owners will also see much-needed tax relief.
Reforming Workers’ Compensation "For the first time in more than a decade, workers coming into the system will see benefits raised and businesses will be able to keep insurance costs down," Assemblymember Cook said, "This budget continues in that effort by helping everyone, including taxpayers and businesses. The future of economic development in New York is bright" |
Assemblymember Cook Sponsors the Student Lending Accountability, Transparency and Enforcement Act (SLATE) |
|||
Specifically, the Student Lending, Accountability, Transparency and Enforcement Act:
Lenders and colleges must not manipulate a student’s decision about which company to borrow from. After all, it’s an $85-billion-a-year industry. It’s time for scrutiny and accountability. The Assembly’s SLATE legislation targets deceptive and illegal tactics, while protecting New York’s students and higher-education system. |
Assemblymember Cook Encourages Children, Families and Friends to Read More This Summer |
Assemblymember Cook endorses the Assembly’s 2007 Summer Reading Challenge as a great way to spend your free time. The New York State Assembly helps children and parents pick up the reading habit through its annual Summer Reading Challenge program. To earn a New York State Assembly Excellence in Reading Certificate, children must read with a parent for 15 minutes a day, for at least 40 days during July and August. "It probably amounts to less time than a youngster spends getting dressed in the morning," Assemblymember Cook said. "It’s a great opportunity for kids to get away from their televisions, video games, computers and iPods. They can learn just about anything by reading and have a lot of fun doing it. Reading improves speech, vocabulary, pronunciation and listening. It’s a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends." Assemblymember Cook said the initiative is part of the Assembly’s commitment to offering young people a quality education. The state budget passed recently makes a historic investment in New York’s education system, providing an unprecedented $1.7 billion increase to help students gain valuable knowledge and succeed in an ever-changing global economy. "Books connect students to knowledge," Assemblymember Cook said. "Reading matters. Children who read have a better command of language, do better in other subjects, and can better analyze, think and cope in our increasingly complex world." For information about the Assembly’s 2007 Summer Reading Challenge, write Assemblymember Cook at 142-15 Rockaway Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11436; send an e-mail to Cookv@assembly.state.ny.us; or call Assemblymember Cook’s district office at (718) 322-3975. |
|
Cook Helps Secure Library Construction Funding for Rochdale Village Community Library and South Jamaica Community Library |
I am pleased to announce that Rochdale Village Community Library will receive a grant of $191,248 and the South Jamaica Community Library will receive a grant of $149,422. These libraries will receive funding from a one-time allocation of $14 million in capital funds for public library construction provided by the New York State Legislature in the 2006-2007 state budget. New York’s public libraries are in urgent need of renovation and upgrading. A recent survey showed a documented need for public library construction and renovation projects totaling $1.7 billion. More than 40% of the over 1,000 public library buildings in communities across New York are over 60 years old. Another 30% are more than three decades old. Many of New York’s local public libraries are unable to accommodate users with disabilities, cannot provide Internet and computer and other electronic technologies to users because of outdated and inadequate electrical wiring, do not have sufficient space to house the library’s collection, and lack sufficient space for public access computers. Public library construction grants help local libraries and library systems to update electrical wiring to accommodate computer technology, renovate facilities to provide wheelchair accessible entrances and lavatories and to become fully accessible to library users with disabilities, and provide meeting rooms to accommodate community needs. These grants are separate from the ongoing annual appropriation. |
|
YOU MAY CONTACT ASSEMBLYMEMBER COOK Albany Office: L.O.B. - Room 331, Albany, NY 12248 (office) 518-455-4203 (fax) 518-455-3606 District Office: 142-15 Rockaway Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11436 (office) 718-322-3975 (fax) 718-322-4085 E-mail: cookv@assembly.state.ny.us • 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. For assistance you are welcome to call or stop by Assemblymember Cook’s Office |
Back |