COLTON STANDS UP FOR EDUCATION, BLASTS GOVERNOR FOR VETOING OUR CHILDREN’S FUTURES
Assemblyman Colton is shown here voicing his strong support for education restorations.
The fight for education funding is one of his top priorities in Albany as New York City has
been short-changed its fair share for too long. To view his speech he gave on the floor,
visit his website at:
http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=047
Colton Votes to Restore $600 Million to Schools
When the governor presented his budget, it included many painful cuts to state services. The
one cut that glaringly stood out was the $1.4 billion in education cuts, including the money
owed to high-needs districts under the Campaign for Fiscal Equity court case.
Assemblyman Colton rose to his feet during a vote on restoring $600 million in education aid and
pleaded his case for our children’s education. “As a teacher for eleven years, I know the importance
of education. Constituents know the importance of education and believe we must to do all we can
for our children. I am gratified that the Assembly has been a leader in the fight for education.
This is a budget where we have an unprecedented deficit. But we are speaking-up here for our
children’s future.” the Assemblyman stated.
Colton Mobilizes Against Governor’s School Aid Veto
Assemblyman Colton and the rest of the Assembly Majority stand ready to override the governor’s
veto, but a closely divided state Senate makes the success of an override difficult.
Assemblyman Colton has organized a petition drive in the community to demand that the governor
restore the vetoed school monies. “It is irresponsible to cut education so much that it leads to
larger classrooms, fewer resources, and a reduction in the quality of education.”
To obtain a petition to send to the governor please contact Assemblyman Colton’s Community Office
at (718) 236-1598.
Colton Supports Education Reforms to
Qualify for Federal Monies
Colton voted for education reforms to qualify for federal monies. The recent $600 million Federal
grant to New York schools is beginning to show the success of Colton’s efforts to ensure a quality
education for our children in this difficult year. Colton will continue to fight for our children.
COLTON SECURES FREE STUDENT METROCARDS:
BIG VICTORY FOR STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY
“My number one priority within the community and in Albany is ensuring our children
and their parents are given the means to achieve and succeed in our city and state. In this time
of economic peril we must stand united against cuts that affect the most vulnerable citizens and
prevent them from exercising their rights as citizens. The right to a public education is a right
that I will always fight for.”
—Assemblyman Colton
In what has been a tumultuous year of contention and outrage between the MTA and communities across the
five boroughs, Assemblyman Colton fought hard to restore free and reduced fares for students. Assemblyman
Colton’s community office collected over 5,000 petition signatures in support of restoring student MetroCards within the district.
With the support of the community behind him, and his tireless advocacy in Albany, Assemblyman Colton
succeeded in getting student MetoCards funded in the state budget.
COLTON RALLIES THE COMMUNITY TO PROTEST TRANSIT CUTS
Assemblyman Colton is shown here with local business owner Vinny Galbo (left) and transit activist
Phil Dominguez (right) at a rally against the B64 cuts.
B64 Bus Cut Hurts Our Neighborhood and Small Business
Assemblyman Colton held a rally on May 21st to protest the elimination of the B64 bus route and the
other 284 bus stops being eliminated all across Brooklyn. Colton held the rally outside a bakery on
the corner of Harway Avenue and Bay 50th in support of the owners who predict they will experience a
drop in business because of the elimination.
“These cuts symbolize the persistent lack of consideration that the MTA shows when it comes to
balancing pain in tough economic times. To ask working people in Brooklyn to bear the brunt of these
cuts when small businesses are struggling and families are feeling squeezed from all sides is simply
unfair and unethical. Despite the Legislature bridging the MTA’s deficit gap last year, the MTA broke a
promise to the people through these cuts and layoffs,” the Assemblyman stated.
Cuts Limit Access to Disabled Riders
Assemblyman Colton is shown here with constituents Carmine Santa Maria and Anne
Marie Walsh. These cuts affect them the most due to their use of a wheelchair, further limiting
their access to transit.
Assemblyman Colton was joined at the rally by some disabled constituents who rely on the B64 bus and
the necessary access it provides them. Alternative modes of transportation such as the subway system
do not provide elevators at stops and disabled individuals cannot use the stairwells. Cutting the B64
bus line severely hampers these individuals from frequenting local businesses and carrying on with
their everyday lives.
These cuts have prompted legal action against the MTA for discrimination and possible failure to
abide by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Colton Introduces Legislation Requiring Community Board Notification
Community boards play an important role in involving residents within the neighborhood(s) and gives
them a chance to voice their concerns when decisions are made that may affect their lives.
Assemblyman Colton feels that Community board 11 was not properly notified by the MTA or given a chance
to be involved in explaining how these cuts will impact the residents. The Assemblyman has introduced
(A.11115) which adds a community board as an
entity that has to be given thirty days’ written notice
prior to a substantial change in levels of service.
WEST 6TH STREET CONSTRUCTION HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR MORE PUBLIC INPUT
Assemblyman Colton gathered with some concerned citizens on West 6th Street to call attention to
the changes the Department of Transportation (DOT) was making to the busy road. These changes are
meant to reduce traffic congestion along the road but the DOT failed to see serious challenges posed
to public safety, and to local businesses.
Construction Poses Obstacle for Emergency Vehicles and Danger to Pedestrians
One of the biggest concerns coming from this construction is a cement island which blocks access
for emergency vehicles to reach Kings Highway. This will force emergency vehicles to travel longer
distances, when in an emergency every second can make a difference in saving a person’s life.
The proposed placing of a tree in the cement median further creates the risk that a motorist may
not see a pedestrian at the crosswalk. Assemblyman Colton is not opposed to seeing more trees green
the neighborhood, but if it poses a safety concern, he feels their placement is suited for another
location.
Hurts West 6th Local Business Competition and Consumer Choice
The changes to West 6th will also make it more difficult for a driver to access a business on Kings
Highway. The changes will force delivery trucks to travel down residential side streets, increasing
noise and safety concerns in the process.
Assemblyman Colton is a sponsor of the “
Complete Streets Bill”
(
A.8587-B), which would require traffic
planners to consider the use of roadways by pedestrians, people with disabilities, and the elderly.
This bill is supported by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).
COLTON SAVES VITAL PROGRAMS:REJECTS $1 BILLIION IN NEW TAXES AND FEES
The New York State Assembly Majority battled with the governor over responsible cuts and agreed
to measures that would help close the state’s deficit. Colton fought to save vital programs that will
help New York’s families, while rejecting $1 billion in new taxes and fees.
Healthcare
- Require insurance companies get prior approval from the Insurance Department before premium
increases
- Increased the percentage of the premium insurance companies must spend on actual healthcare,
instead of spending the money on advertising or bonuses for management
- Increased prosecution of Medicaid fraud, waste and abuse
Senior Healthcare
- Restored state funding for local districts to help save NYC senior centers slated for
closure
- Saved the Elderly Prescription Insurance Program (EPIC) wraparound coverage to help seniors
pay for medication
Saving Parks, Zoos, Botanical Gardens and Aquariums
- Restored state funding for the Bronx Zoo and Coney Island Aquarium
- Stopped the closure of 58 parks and historic sites which produce $1.9 billion in annual
sales for local businesses and account for $440 million in employment income
$1 Billion In Taxes Rejected
- Rejected regressive tax on sugary drinks
- Rejected health care assessment tax increase
- Rejected increase in payroll mobility tax
E-WASTE RECYCLING:
GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE CONSUMER
Manufacturers Must Collect and Recycle Electronics
Beginning April 1, 2011, manufacturers of electronic devices will be required to take back electronic
devices that are no longer wanted by the consumer. The manufacturers must ensure that the devices
are recycled properly and that they do not end up in landfills.
Assemblyman Colton is shown here attending a site visit of the Per Scholas reuse and
recycling plant. Per Scholas is a non-profit organization in the South Bronx dedicated to
providing new and reconditioned computers to schools and other non-profits at the lowest
price. Tens of thousands of computers have been placed in thousands of schools since its
inception. The new electronic recycling law will help Per Scholas receive more contracts and
continue their great work in underserved communities.
A Decade of Advocacy
As the longstanding chair of the Legislative Commission on Solid Waste Management, Assemblyman Colton
alerted the state to toxic metals such as chromium, arsenic, cadmium, mercury and chemical flame
retardants, which are present in most electronics. These toxins can leach into ground water and pose
serious health hazards for people that are exposed. Assemblyman Colton introduced multiple bills and
attended numerous roundtable discussions between industry and recycling advocates to plan a course of
action for solving this problem.
This is a very big problem that reaches far beyond the borders of New York State. About 20-50 million
tons of electronics are dumped here at home or exported to developing countries where impoverished
children burn the devices to access the metals, exposing themselves to highly dangerous toxins. Higher
incidences of cancer have been documented in the large landfills where these practices take place.
“I’m proud of being involved in this fight. New York will join nineteen other states demanding consumer
electronics last longer, contain fewer toxins and end up in a certified recycling facility creating
jobs rather than wasting resources and ending up in a dump,” Assemblyman Colton stated.
ASSEMBLYMAN COLTON’S
COMMUNITY OFFICE SERVING YOU
155 Kings Highway
(Between West 12th and West 13th Street)
• 718-236-1598
Monday-Wednesday
10 A.M. to 4 P.M.
AARP Driver Safety Program
Open to all licensed drivers
MINIMAL FEE
Call and Register Early Limited Class Size
DON’T BE LEFT OUT!
Only $14 Per Person
$12 for AARP members*
*A copy of your AARP card must accompany your check.
Check or Money Order Only
---No Cash---
Please make check payable to
AARP
Limited space is available
Space is reserved upon receipt of your payment
| DATE: |
SUNDAY,
NOVEMBER 21, 2010
|
| TIME: |
8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
(Includes 2 Breaks & 1 hour Lunch)
NO ONE WILL BE ADMITTED AFTER 9:00 AM
|
| SPONSOR: |
Co-sponsored by:
Assemblyman William Colton
|
| PLACE: |
At: UPDC
29 Bay 25th Street
(Between 86th street and Benson Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11214)
|
| REGISTER: |
TO REGISTER PLEASE CALL:
718-236-1598 and ask for Paul S. Lipton. After regular office hours, leave your name and
telephone number. You will be called back with full information about the class
|
ADD YOUR VOICE TO FIGHT AGAINST THE MTA
Your voice matters in the fight to prevent further cuts to public transit. In the past your
petitions have helped save the student MetroCards and the High Lawn Post Office.
Now I need your voice to restore full service to the B82, B64, X28 and “M” line, which are lifelines
to commerce and transit in southern Brooklyn. Please sign the petition below and return it to
Assemblyman William Colton, 155 Kings Highway, Brooklyn, NY 11223
