Dear Neighbor(s):

As the 2004 Legislative Session has come to an end, I wanted to send an update to the community on what has been accomplished and what remains to be done.

My colleagues in the Assembly and myself have focused primarily on three major subjects this Session: elder care, women's issues, and adequate funding for education. I am proud to join the Assembly Majority as we fight to ensure that our elders receive quality care, our children receive a sound basic education, and women are provided the equality and respect they deserve. Sometimes the issues require more time to make sure they are adequately addressed. This year the Campaign for Fiscal Equity has been a very contentious issue. This landmark court decision must be fully addressed and the funding levels for New York City Schools must rise dramatically. Many other negotiations have stalled this year because of the dedication the Assembly has to truly fixing our schools and providing our children the education that will help them succeed in the future.

The Assembly has passed several key bills that we hope to fully negotiate with the Senate and Governor. The bills passed by the Assembly address some of the most pressing issues this year such as regulating Assisted Living Facilities, allowing pharmacists to dispense Emergency Contraception, and Legislation to ensure that women are paid equal wages for equal work. Additionally, I have authored a bill that has been signed into law that requires proof of age to purchase Nicotine laced water.

This year is not over but we have made some progress to meeting the needs of the people of New York State. I will continue to represent your interests in Albany as we negotiate solutions to these important issues.

As always, if there is any way that I can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me. My office is here to serve you. I'd like to wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season.

Carl Heastie Allocates $300,000 in Community Capital Assistance Program Funds and Secures $1.44 million in State Low Income Housing Tax Credits to Build New R.A.I.N. Senior Center on White Plains Road

In a major commitment to improving the quality of life for local elders Assembly Member Carl Heastie has provided a commitment of $300,000 in Community Capital Assistance Program funding to build a Senior Center as part of a mixed use facility to be constructed at 3377 White Plains Road. In addition to the capital funds, Carl Heastie has secured an annual $1.44 million for ten years in Low Income Housing Tax Credit. In conjunction with R.A.I.N., this new facility will bring comfortable housing and a strong sense of community to its residents and our neighborhood.

The Senior Center will be a 15,000 sq. ft. facility housed inside senior housing being constructed at 3377 White Plains Road. The total worth of the project is estimated to be in excess of $12 million. The project has also received commitments from Borough President Adolpho Carrion of $1.9 million and City Councilman Larry Seabrook of $1.5 million.

This state of the art facility will be on site but have a separate entrance from the housing to maintain accessibility and convenience. This Senior Center will provide congregate meals for up to 150 seniors at one sitting, social services and opportunities for seniors. The Senior Center and Housing Facility will provide the convenience and accessibility required to make this project a tremendous contribution to our community. All of the services provided at the Center will be available to residents and community members at no charge.

The elder housing consists of 72 residential dwellings housed in a 72,000-sq. ft. building with seven floors. These 72 units will be one-bedroom rentals of which 12 will be reserved for disabled elderly. The apartments will also be handicap accessible.

"Assemblyman Carl Heastie, Senator Ruth Hassel-Thompson, and members of the AARP meet in Albany to discuss Assisted Living Legislation."

Assemblyman Carl E. Heastie has secured $50,000 to purchase new kitchen equipment for the Boston East Senior Center. The funds will be used to purchase a new industrial size refrigerator, stove and equipment. The funds also provide for the purchase and installation of various fixtures and miscellaneous appliances and utensils. Other funds for this project were contributed through the assistance of Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson and Councilman Larry Seabrook. Assemblyman Heastie has provided $50,000 in assistance for R.A.I.N. to finish the construction of its administrative building. These offices help R.A.I.N. with the facilities required to provide the myriad of services that our elder community deserves.

Carl Heastie has dedicated an additional $15,000 to purchase a new stove for the Boston East Senior Center and to renovate the facilities at Eastchester Gardens. The new stove will replace the old stove to ensure that hot meals can continue to be prepared for local seniors. The renovations at Eastchester Gardens will include a new floor and painting the facilities interior.

"Our seniors deserve these new improvements. Quality care for our elders is a key measure for the strength of a community and the families of Northeast Bronx are strong."

BOC is a great source for FREE business advice for small business and aspiring entrepreneurs in the Bronx.

The Bronx Business Alliance-Business Outreach Center opened its doors July17, 2003 with a mission to assist the small businesses in the North Bronx. Through our vast number of linkage partners, we are able to help small businesses in many areas. BOC will assist those who want to start a new business with the necessary start up tools. The BOC offers the following assistance and more:

• Start-up Assistance
• Business Plan Development
• Identifying Financing Opportunities
• Marketing Assistance
• Financial Management Assistance
• For more information Bronx Business Outreach Center
• 4309b White Plains Road
• 718-231-2847 / 718-231-4324 fax

Carl E. Heastie assists Rainbow Rhymes in securing $100,000 grant from the Office of Children and Families Service.

With the support of Assemblyman Carl E. Heastie the Rainbow Rhymes Learning Center was approved for $100,000 in funding from the New York State Office of Children and Families Bureau of Early Childhood Development. These funds were used to expand the center to accommodate more families from the community.

The Northeast Bronx has a growing population of working families who seek to place their children in an early childhood environment that will be nurturing, foster positive learning, promote self esteem, and is affordable with flexible hours. Through the testimonies of the families served by Rainbow Rhymes Learning Center this organization has proven to provide such an environment. Rainbow Rhymes Learning Center has been providing premium Day Care services to children within this community for five years.

Assemblyman Heastie Applauds the Court-appointed Referee's $14 billion Campaign for Fiscal Equity Plan

The Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE) speaks to the first obligation of a state government, the education of our children. The recommendation of the court-appointed referees calls for a $5.63 billion increase in aid for New York City schools beginning in the 2008-09 school year. The panel also recommended the state provide another $9.17 billion for capital improvements between 2005 and 2010.

"The Assembly Majority and myself stood strong and did not let the State pursue a policy of delay and denial, failing students across this state - denying them for yet another year the opportunity to meet their full potential. This $14 billion recommendation will mean that our schools will have the resources that we know will lead to a successful education, greater opportunity and a chance for our children and grandchildren to raise their families with as much as we've been blessed with - and more."

This decision truly invests in our students and ensures that those resources make it to the teachers in our classrooms to produce the results we need for a better tomorrow. The ruling also allowed the City to pay part of the additional aid.

"Assemblyman Heastie speaks to New York City students at "Mock Session" for the Somos El Futuros Conference."

Governor Signs Assemblyman Heastie's Law to regulate the sale of Nicotine Laced Water to Minors in New York State

Assemblyman Carl E. Heastie, (D. 83rd A.D.) has authored a bill that was recently signed into law by the Governor which would prohibit the sale of water laced with nicotine to individuals under the age of eighteen years (A. 9534 Heastie).

The Medical Society of New York, American Heart Association and The Westchester County Legislature have all circulated memorandums of support for the passage of the bill. On May 3, 2004, the bill successfully passed the New York State Assembly with a unanimous vote of 146 to zero. The bill passed the Senate on June 16th and was signed into law by the Governor on July 13, 2004.

Nicotine water is currently for sale in New York City and throughout New York State. This water has a nicotine content of 4 milligrams per 16.9 fluid ounce bottle, roughly the amount in two cigarettes. This product could potentially be as addictive as cigarettes. Nicotine water is sold in stores statewide and had no age requirement for purchase until the law was passed. This law implements the same restrictions on this water as there currently are on cigarettes. Assembly Member Carl Heastie's statute prevents youths from purchasing this water and becoming addicted at a young age.

Assemblyman Heastie is an avid proponent of a healthy lifestyle and wishes to prevent this product from being placed in the hands of teenagers. Addiction starts early for many tobacco users, and may result in cancer and other health risks later in life. Age restrictions help the state in its fight to preserve the decision to partake in such products until individuals are adults.

"This product has the potential to be very dangerous to young people," said Assemblyman Heastie. "Parents would have to worry about one less possibly addictive product being thrust upon their children."

"Bottled Nicotine Water"