2005 Funding Update from Assemblyman Carl E. Heastie

Assemblyman
CARL E.
HEASTIE

2005
Funding
Update

Summer 2005

Dear Neighbor(s):

As the 2005 Legislative Session has come to an end, I wanted to send an update to the community on what has been accomplished thus far and what remains to be done this year.

My colleagues in the Assembly and I have been successful in negotiating an “on time” budget with the Senate and Governor.

Primarily the most contentious part of the budget focused on health care and education. After months of negotiations we added $354 million to the Governor’s proposed education budget. For education we were successful in adding $327 million for New York City schools. We also successfully scaled back the Governor’s “sick tax” on hospitals in half (from 0.7% tax on hospital gross receipts to .35%). The legislature rejected the worst cuts and taxes to ensure that working families don’t lose access to the health care they r ely on.

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 continue to rise dramatically. While we agree with the court’s decision to add $9.5 billion dollars over five years, the Governor has decided to appeal this decision. The actions taken by the governor have further delayed the needed funding for our children.

This year is not over but we have made some progress to meeting the needs of the people of New York State. I have been successful in securing capital and programmatic funds for services in the district. 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.

With Love and Hope,
signature
Carl E. Heastie
Member of Assembly

Speaker Silver Appoints

Assemblyman Carl E. Heastie to be the Chair of the Subcommittee on Emerging Workforce

On June 2, 2005, State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver announced the appointment of Carl Heastie as the Chair of the Labor Subcommittee on Emerging Workforce. This subcommittee deals with the young and immigrant community dedicated to a successful integration of diverse workforce skills. Issues that are of primary concern to the subcommittee include any new field of employment that has a developing workforce.

Assemblyman Heastie Secures $153,000 to
Continue the Bronx Business Alliance Outreach Center

Assemblyman Heastie attends an awards ceremony at Truman High School.

The Bronx Business Alliance provides local business development initiatives for the Northeast Bronx. This program has been restored to the State budget for the 05-06 fiscal year as the result of Assemblyman Heastie’s efforts. The restoration of this program’s funding in this year’s budget at $153,000 will help the Business Alliance to continue to serve the businesses in our community. The Bronx Business Alliance has been a tremendous success since its launch on July 17, 2003, providing business assistance to local small business owners.

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

The Bronx Business Alliance Outreach Center’s mission is 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. The Bronx Business Alliance Outreach Center will assist those who want to start a new business with the necessary start-up tools. The Bronx Business Alliance Outreach Center 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 Alliance Outreach Center
(718) 231-2847
(718) 231-4324 fax

Assemblyman Heastie Allocates $100,000 to the
New York Public Library

Assemblyman Heastie meets with Regent Adelaide L. Stanford and Assemblywoman Annette Robinson in the Assembly Chamber.

The community room of the Eastchester Branch Library will be fully renovated with $100,000 in Community Capital Assistance Funding. This renovation includes painting the interior and purchasing new audio-visual equipment. Among other renovations, this project will replace the flooring, accomplish much needed repairs/improvements, and provide new seating and tables for the community room.

Carl Heastie Funds Bridgefield Civic League
$75,000 Renovation and Repair Project

The Bridgefield Civic League will be getting an interior/exterior painting, new windows, new heating system/air conditioning unit and much needed property improvements with $75,000 in capital improvement funding secured by Assemblyman Carl E. Heastie. The facility will be having the roof repaired, as well as having the sidewalk and blacktop repaved.

These improvements are for the benefit of the Bridgefield Civic League’s Daycare and After School program.

Northeast Bronx Day Care Center, Inc. Receives
$50,000 in Community Capital Assistance Funding from Assemblyman Heastie

The Northeast Bronx Day Care Center, Inc. will be using $50,000 in CCAP funding to renovate the facility at 4104 White Plains Road.

The proposed renovations include preparing eleven classrooms, therapy space and administrative offices for the day care center.

Carl E. Heastie Appropriates $50,000 to the
Greater Faith Community Center

The Greater Faith Community Center will be establishing a social services community facility and Assemblyman Heastie has agreed to allocate $50,000 in Community Capital Assistance Program funding to help secure the property for this facility. This facility will serve as a home for social service community based programs.

Programs run at the Greater Faith Community Center will offer a safe, stimulating environment, while providing enriching activities that augment the school curriculum and life skills. The goal of the program is to help strengthen basic education and social skills while attempting to lower the drop out rate in the Bronx.

Assemblyman Carl E. Heastie speaking as Chairman of the New York State Black, Hispanic and Asian budget workshop.

Assemblyman Carl E. Heastie Helps
Fund Local Projects

Members of Assembly Carl Heastie and Michael Benjamin meet with Councilman Larry Seabrook.

Assemblyman Carl E. Heastie has secured financial assistance through the Local Initiative Program for the Fiscal year 2004-05 for:

Baychester/Edenwald Senior Center- Financial assistance provides for meals for the elder community.

Bridgefield Civic League, Inc.- Financial assistance provides for materials and supplies for summer day camp activities.

St. Luke’s Food Program- Financial Assistance provides transportation and supplies to offer food to the local community.

R.A.I.N. Inc.- Financial assistance provides support for the following R.A.I.N. Inc. senior centers: Gun Hill senior center, Boston Secor senior center, Eastchester senior center, Nereid senior center, and Boston East senior center.

Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, Inc.- Financial Assistance provides for Earned Income Tax Credit Outreach and Enrollment Program. This program offers free tax preparation, outreach and EITC application to under-served communities in the Northeast Bronx.

Edenwald/Gun Hill Neighborhood Center, Inc.- Financial assistance will provide for a “Youth Alternatives to the Street program.” Funds will provide programs to give children an opportunity to go somewhere besides the streets during off-school hours. Programs will also teach young adults to avoid high-risk situations like gangs and drugs.

Bronx Youth Uptown Developers Coalition- Financial assistance provides for materials to hold an annual basketball program. The UDC provides an SAT prep course and precollege orientation and guidance.

Carl E. Heastie Begins $1.1 Million Project to Prepare Property for Community Use

Assemblyman Heastie is in the process of cleaning up the property at 707 East 211th Street in the Bronx for transfer to the Bronx. This building was previously an MTA substation. Assemblyman Heastie dedicated the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Capital Funding allocation for the 2004 Legislative Session to be used for asbestos removal and clean up of this MTA site. Working with Councilman Seabrook, Borough President Carrion and State Senator Ruth Hassel-Thompson, this site is expected to house a community center and an affordable housing development.

East 233rd Street Senior Center- Financial assistance provides for materials for Senior Program and activities.

NAACP (Williamsbridge Branch)- Financial assistance provides for Math and Science materials for tutorial program.

Tilden Towers Senior Center- Financial assistance to provide project director for recreation activities and health/educational seminars.

We Can Get Along, Inc.- Financial Assistance to assisted youth recreation league/mentoring program.

47th Precinct Community Council- Financial assistance provides material to conduct neighborhood watch program.

Assemblyman Heastie
Secures Funds to Continue
DOE Fund Cleanup of
White Plains Road

Initiative continues to keep local streets clean

Assemblyman Heastie, Senator Hassel-Thompson and Councilman Seabrook provided the startup funding to implement the Ready, Willing, and Able program last spring and, since then, it has become a tremendous success. The Doe Fund’s “Ready, Willing & Able Program” has had a work crew along White Plains Road from Gun Hill Road to 236th Street, Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, that collects trash and keeps the sidewalks and streets clean.

Residents and business owners alike in the North Bronx have noticed the vast improvement in the neighborhood’s litter woes. The busy commercial corridor of White Plains Road between Gun Hill Road and East 236th Street is litter free through the hard work of the people of the Doe Fund’s “Ready, Willing & Able” initiative. The Doe Fund is a not-for-profit homeless service organization that provides permanent solutions to homelessness through paid work and a host of other social services.

“White Plains Road is a wonderful place to live and shop, but like many neighborhoods in New York City, keeping a handle on the litter problem can often be a challenge,” said Heastie. “With the Ready, Willing & Able crews working every day along White Plains Road, we have the clean streets that the community deserves.”

Assemblyman Carl E. Heastie secured $50,000 in funding for the Doe Fund, Inc. during the 2005 Legislative Session to continue this highly successful street cleaning and community beautification project in the Northeast Bronx.

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