I am pleased to announce that I have been successful in obtaining funds from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to assist in conducting a feasibility study of possible options to address the collapsed Queensbridge seawall.

As many of you know, access to the promenade running along the East River waterfront behind Queensbridge has been closed to pedestrians for the last several years. A combination of factors including age, water flow, storm surge and wave action in the proximity of a nearby BMT underground subway tunnel may have contributed to a 200 foot portion of the 70-year-old structure's collapse.

The US Army Corp of Engineers has completed one study of the seawall and is currently beginning the next phase which includes an engineering analysis, an environmental review and design production. This feasibility study will cost $650,000, half of which is to be funded by the federal government and half by local government.

I am pleased to announce that I have been successful in getting the MTA to agree to provide the local match required for the US Army Corp of Engineers feasibility study of possible options to address the seawall problem. At my request the MTA has agreed to use $325,000 in capital reserve funds to contribute to the seawall rehabilitation.

Working together with Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Congressman Joseph Crowley and Community Board #2 I am hopeful that the beautiful promenade will once again be able to be enjoyed by Queensbridge residents.

To protect the financial well-being and the families of New York's military personnel while they serve our country, I helped pass the Patriot Plan. The plan:

• Imposes a cap on installment loan interest
• Extends eviction protections
• Allows for the termination of car leases without penalty
• Extends mortgage foreclosure protections
• Extends the deadline to pay property taxes, contingent upon approval by locality
• Protects against lapse in life insurance for non-payment of premiums
• Prohibits enforcement of storage liens on household goods
• Prohibits adverse credit reporting for individuals who previously obtained a stay, postponement or suspension of obligations under the Civil Relief Act.

During this time of economic uncertainty, we must help our military personnel find meaningful work upon their return home. The Patriot Plan:

• Extends the certification period for emergency technicians on active duty
• Waives continuing professional education requirements and automatically extends professional licenses
• Protects soldiers who have to suspend their education, allowing them to retain credits, standings or scholarships, and the student has the option of requesting a refund or credit of tuition and fees.

In the event of a war casualty, the Patriot Plan provides up to $6,000 for funeral costs. The plan also provides four years of free tuition, room and board to any SUNY or CUNY undergraduate school or an equal amount to attend any other college or university in New York State for the children, spouses or dependents of New Yorkers killed or severely disabled in the line of duty after August 2, 1990 (NYS Higher Education Services Corporation www.hesc.orgsearch site for "scholarships" or call DMNA Government and Community Affairs (518) 786-4580).

I introduced a bill in the Assembly last session to expand the quota penalty provisions to apply to prohibiting quotas for arrests or summonses. I am pleased to report that this legislation has passed both houses of the legislature and is currently before the Governor for his signature.

Last summer the news was saturated with stories of people being issued summonses for minor infractions of arcane laws, such as the pregnant woman given a ticket for resting on the subway stairs. In addition, there have also been reports from the PBA of retaliatory transfers that may have occurred when police officers did not comply with ticket quotas. Tickets were being issued at alarming rates for very minor infractions when a warning would have been more productive. When summonses are handed out constantly, suspicions are raised that revenue enhancement and not sound policing is the reason.

I am hopeful that this new proposed law will prevent some of the ridiculous summonses that have been issued and will allow the police to use their professional judgment rather than arbitrary quotas when issuing summonses.

Legislation I sponsored to provide an opportunity for those serving in our armed forces to take the New York State Trooper exam soon after they return from overseas duty has passed both houses of the legislature and is currently before the Governor for his signature.

The bill, A.9580, would require the superintendent of the State Police to accept applications for the state trooper position every six months per calendar year during periods of United States military conflict to accommodate members of the United States military who are recently returned from deployment abroad, and who are otherwise qualified to take the exam.

The New York State Trooper Exam is generally given every three years. Currently, there are members of the armed forces who were eligible to take the exam in March but have been deployed overseas and were not able to take the exam. If not for this new law, they would have had to wait three more years for the opportunity to take the exam. This new law recognizes the sacrifices of these brave soldiers and affords them the opportunity to take this exam soon after they return home.