Assemblywoman Helene E. Weinstein ![]() |
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A Special Report to the Residents of the 41st Assembly District | ||
May 2006 Dear Neighbor, Earlier this year, Governor Pataki attempted to impose upon the people of New York State an awful budget that demonstrated how out-of-touch he is with the needs and concerns of average New Yorkers. The Legislature, using an open and public conference-committee process, passed a Bipartisan Legislative State Budget that cuts taxes and responds to the education and healthcare needs of New Yorkers and restores many of the Governor’s cuts. As a member of the Public Protection Budget Sub-Committee, I played a key role in shaping our final budget. Sadly, the Governor vetoed the tax cuts and many of the Legislature’s improvements to higher education and healthcare. However, the Legislature came together and successfully overrode the Governor’s vetoes, making the Legislature’s budget now law. Despite this, the Governor has threatened not to implement many of the important changes in healthcare. The Courts may ultimately have to rule on those few portions of the budget. In this newsletter I have included highlights of the final budget.
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Child Tax Savings for Working Families |
A $600 million child tax credit is the centerpiece of the state’s budget. The Legislature’s plan, now law, provides a tax credit in the amount of $330 to $1,650 to families with children between the ages of 4 and 17, depending on income level and family composition. These credits recognize the cost of raising children, including education, food, clothing and child care. The chart describes this tax benefit. |
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Doing More for New Yorkers 2006 Legislative Budget Highlights |
Higher Education – The legislative bipartisan budget made it easier for New Yorkers working full- and part-time jobs to afford to go to SUNY and CUNY schools. The Legislature rejected the Governor’s $500 SUNY and $300 CUNY tuition hikes.
Education A Victory For New York City Children The legislative budget provides $1.8 billion to New York City for school construction, and authorizes another $9.4 billion in borrowing, fulfilling the capital funding requirements outlined in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE) decision. Among the schools serving our community that will see capital improvements because of these funds are P.S. 52, P.S. 119, P.S. 194, P.S. 198, P.S. 206, PS 208, P.S. 254, I.S. 68, Madison HS, Samuel Tilden HS and Sheepshead Bay HS. Also, there are new schools planned for Community School Board 18 & Community School Board 22 in region 6. Record Increase in State Aid For Education These Victories are now law. The budget provides a record $1.362 billion increase in education funding over last year, with New York City schools receiving $501 million more than last year. This largest increase ever includes:
Enhancing Education Rejecting the Governor’s harmful cuts, the Legislature also provided increases above the Governor’s budget to schools:
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REAL TAX RELIEF FOR The Legislature’s Tax Relief Plan
ADDITIONAL LEGISLATIVE BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS:
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Yeshiva Derech Hatorah
Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein congratulated Yeshiva Derech Hatorah and their honorees
upon the occasion of their 26th Annual Dinner.
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Fighting for Quality and Affordable Healthcare The Legislature’s bipartisan budget protects the health of New York’s most vulnerable populations by funding critical nursing home, hospital and emergency care. The Governor vetoed these appropriations, turning his back on those who need help the most. The Legislature restored $1 billion of the Governor’s $1.3 billion in cuts to our healthcare system. The Legislature’s budget:
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Haitian Americans United for Progress
Assemblywoman Weinstein spoke at the Haitian Americans United for Progress (HAUP)
roundtable on Domestic Violence, discussing the importance of raising young adults’
awareness. HAUP recently opened their Brooklyn Office at 1850 Flatbush Avenue. The
Assemblywoman welcomed HAUP Manager Malou Aubry to the community.
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Weinstein Fights Medicaid Fraud Assemblywoman Weinstein has for many years lead the fight against Medicaid fraud, sponsoring a “False Claims Act” for New York State. The proposal was passed this year by the Assembly. A “False Claims Act” allows private citizens, acting as whistleblowers, alongside the Attorney General’s office, to receive a reward for blowing the whistle against Medicaid and other fraud. The federal government, and 15 other states have similar laws. The federal government recovered $1.4 billion in 2005 alone, as a result of the exposing of such fraud. Assemblywoman Weinstein strongly believes New York State needs such a law as well, to permit recovery of the many millions of dollars which health care providers, drug companies, contractors doing business with the State, and others are defrauding from the State of New York. It is hoped that the New York State Senate will also pass Ms. Weinstein’s bill, and allow New York State to have a powerful tool in the fight against fraud. |
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Assemblywoman Weinstein Honors
Helene Weinstein joined the 63rd Precinct Community Council’s annual Police Appreciation
Night. Pictured (L to R) Brooklyn Patrol South Chief Joseph Fox, Assemblywoman Helene
Weinstein, 63rd Precinct Commanding Officer Deputy Inspector Kevin McGinn, Police Officer
Yolanda Rouse, Rouse’s family and Police Officer Steve Terry. Both Officers Rouse and Terry
were honored as “Cop of the Month” during 2005.
63rd Precinct Police Officers |
Assemblywoman Weinstein Helps You Save Money |
It’s Your Money, Don’t Abandon It! The New York State Comp-troller’s Office holds unclaimed funds in trust, as custodian, until they are claimed by the owner or heir. Assemblywoman Weinstein’s Office can help you find any of your funds on record. Contact Weinstein’s office for more information. |
Assemblywoman Weinstein
Helene Weinstein and 63rd Precinct Clergy Raphael Treitel discuss traffic
and safety issues affecting Ave M in the East 30’s.
in the Community |
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Helene Weinstein Can Help You Obtain A Senior Half-Fare Metrocard |
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Come on Board MTA’s Half-Fare Senior MetroCard Bus! Helene Weinstein Brings the Senior Half-Fare MetroCard Bus to the Community Office on the third Thursday of every month:
June 15th, 2006 • July 20th, 2006 Apply for the Senior Half-Fare MetroCard and Receive One on the Spot! Proper Age (65 years & older) and photo identification is required.
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