3520 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11229 Assemblywoman Helene E. Weinstein |
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![]() Making a Difference in Brooklyn and Albany August 2006 |
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Dear Neighbor, The 2006 legislative session signals a positive direction for New York. As a Senior Member of the Legislature and Chair of the Judiciary Committee I served on several of the budget and legislative conference committees that helped to craft this year’s State budget and legislative accomplishments. This report highlights laws enacted to enhance safety, combat Identity theft and provide tax relief. To protect the safety of New Yorkers, we eliminated the criminal statute of limitations on rape, expanded New York’s criminal DNA database, strengthened Megan’s Law and passed several consumer protection laws to fight identity theft. To address the tax burden New York families face, we eliminated the state sales tax on clothing under $110, created a $330 child tax credit, ended the marriage penalty tax, capped sales tax on gasoline and home heating fuels, increased the STAR personal income tax credit and instituted a STAR property tax rebate. To help curb the influence of special interests, the Assembly passed sweeping campaign finance reform and a ban on most gifts from lobbyists to government officials. It is our hope that the Senate will take action on these reform measures to help restore the public’s trust in their government.
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REDUCING INCOME TAXES The STAR personal income tax credit (City of New York School Tax Credit) was increased to $115 for single filers and $230 for joint filers - bringing total STAR savings for New York City residents to $1.1 billion annually. PROPERTY TAX REBATE CHECKS NYC property owners who participate in STAR, (the property tax savings program) will receive rebate checks equal to 30% of their 2005-2006 STAR Benefit. The Legislature also enacted a Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) for Enhanced STAR recipients, which will save seniors an additional $72 million statewide.
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Congregation Bet Shaul U’Miriam - Sunday Funday Carnival
Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein joins Jack Esses, organizer, and Moshe Nachum, President of Congregation Bet Shaul U’Miriam, at the Congregation’s seventh annual Sunday Funday Carnival. Hundreds of families from the Madison neighborhood participated in the day’s festivities. |
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WEINSTEIN WORKING TO PREVENT IDENTITY FRAUD The Assembly enacted new laws to crack down on the growing crime of identity theft. These laws will better protect New York residents from being targets of identity theft and provide assistance for those who are victimized. Assemblywoman Weinstein worked hard for these critical new measures – to help prevent these crimes before they happen. New legislation will:
Call Assemblywoman Weinstein’s Community Office for brochures on protecting your identity. |
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Caribbean American Heritage Month
At Brooklyn Borough Hall, Assemblywoman Weinstein, Dr. Roy Hastick, President and
CEO of Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) and Michael
Russell, Community Planning Board #17 Chair discussed economic development issues
before the Caribbean American Heritage Month Press Conference.
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WEINSTEIN FIGHTS FOR LOWER To fight increasing prescription drug costs, Assemblywoman Weinstein sponsored Bill A6336 which would lower the costs of prescriptions for many seniors and improve access to necessary medication through the creation of a State Drug Assistance Board. The Board would organize bulk purchases and negotiate rebates with drug suppliers. It is hoped that the State Senate will also pass this bill.
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Major McCarthy - Veteran’s Memorial
Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein and Councilman Lewis Fidler join Fraser residents
Mr. & Mrs. Jack Zelmanowitz during the Annual Veterans’ Memorial at the Major
Eugene T. McCarthy Triangle (Avenue N & East 31st Street), which honors victims of
September 11th and Major McCarthy, a local resident who was tragically killed while fighting
for our Country in the Gulf War.
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Weinstein Live On The Davizon Radio Show
Recently, Assemblywoman Weinstein spoke to the Russian community live on the
Davizon Radio show discussing her efforts to have voter materials in additional
languages, such as Russian and French Creole, to accommodate voters in her
district.
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WEINSTEIN COMBATS MEDICAID FRAUD Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein was a leading member of the Assembly/Senate conference committee that drafted new laws to combat Medicaid fraud. The Legislature created a Medicaid Inspector General and established new crimes to prevent and punish Medicaid fraud. Unfortunately, the Senate refused to include Weinstein’s “False Claims Act” that would encourage whistleblowers to come forward with instances of Medicaid fraud and strengthen the Attorney General’s ability to recover fraudulently obtained Medicaid payments. |
Good Shepherd Church Friendship Club
Assemblywoman Weinstein spoke to members about the EPIC program and
outreach programs held at the Community Office.
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WEINSTEIN PROTECTS PUBLIC RETIREES’ BENEFITS Assemblywoman Weinstein is leading the fight to prevent reduction of health benefits for public service retirees. With the passage of her bill A9452 into law, the reduction of health benefits for school district retirees is now prohibited. Additionally, Weinstein sponsored Assembly Bill 9722 which would expand the protection of health benefits to all public sector retirees. Unfortunately, this bill was vetoed by the Governor. |
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Weinstein Congratulates 2006 Graduates
Each year, Assemblywoman Weinstein presents a Community
Service award and savings bond to a graduating student from each school in her district.
A former Public School 114 graduate herself, Assemblywoman Weinstein presents
awards to deserving graduates from P.S. 114 (on left) and Madison High School.
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Assemblywoman Weinstein Helps Save You Money |
SAVINGS AT THE PUMP AND AT HOME In the wake of gas prices that have soared past $3 per gallon, the Legislature enacted the “Gas Capping” law to cap state sales tax on gasoline and reduce residential energy costs. This new law:
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Helene Weinstein & Eveline Kiley
Flatlands Civic Board member and New York State Board of Regents finalist Eveline Kiley
visits Assemblywoman Weinstein on the Assembly Floor during session.
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BAYFEST 2006
Assemblywoman Weinstein joined Steve Barrison, President, Bay Improvement Group,
BIG members and volunteers at BayFest 2006. Assemblywoman Weinstein is a sponsor
of this Emmons Avenue celebration.
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METROCARD BUS AT WEINSTEIN’S OFFICE MONTHLY
Upcoming dates:
Apply for the Senior Half-Fare MetroCard and Receive One on the Spot. |
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