Assemblywoman Sandy Galef
A message from
Assemblywoman
Sandy
Galef
END OF SESSION
2006

2 Church Street, Ossining, NY 10562 • Phone: 914-941-1111 • Fax: 914-941-9132
e-mail:

Dear Constituents,

I must say that the past two years in Albany have been the best. With reform as my mantra, I have been excited that so many changes have occurred in the Legislature. They were long overdue and, as you know, I have been battling the status quo since I arrived in the Capitol. New York has had two on-time budgets in the past two years after a twenty year string of late ones. It is no longer “3 men in a room” determining the state budget but now, instead, we have open legislative meetings enabling us to do this important job. New procedures have also taken over in the legislative chambers. Believe it or not, there is no more absentee voting. Bills are getting more scrutiny, legislators are giving more thought to their votes, and there is real meaningful debate.

The on-time 2006-07 state budget included a record increase in school aid, with my district receiving a total increase in aid of $21.5 million. Additionally, there was an approximate 30% increase in the STAR program (school property tax relief) in the form of a local property tax rebate for those registered in STAR. The Environmental Protection Fund to acquire open space was expanded to $225 million and for consumers the 4% state sales tax on clothing and footwear under $110 has been eliminated.

We completed session on June 23rd and with it came the adoption of legislation to enhance the life of New Yorkers. Highlights are inside these pages. It is never easy to get legislation through the Assembly and Senate but I was pleased that many of my specific bills gained support and will be enacted into law with the Governor’s signature.

My interest in children’s health continues as I work on changing the food and beverages that are sold to students in school. I must admit that the battle with the vendors and product manufacturers has not been easy, but the future health of our kids is at stake. I know we will succeed in the long term. In the short term, the issue is in the spotlight and some schools are taking voluntary action to make their premises healthy eating ones.

For more information on this legislative session or if you have ideas about what needs to be changed or accomplished in New York, please contact me.

Sincerely,
signature
Sandy Galef
Member of the Assembly



Galef Sponsored Legislation

NYS Assembly Seal
I am proud of our accomplishments this session. The bills below were introduced by me, were passed by both houses, and await the Governor’s signature to become law. Your ideas and concerns were critical in creating some of this legislation. I have listed my bills below and would appreciate your support by contacting Governor George Pataki at: Executive Chamber, Albany, NY 12224 (http://www.state.ny.us/governor/).

Public Safety and Disaster Preparedness

  • Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee on Drowsy Driver Education (A4473/S3512) directs the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee to focus on the dangers of driving while drowsy, and develop and wage a public education campaign.

  • Nuclear Power Plant Criminal Tampering Penalties (A7975A/S8419A) adds nuclear power electricity generating plants to a list of vulnerable facilities whereby people who damage or interrupt the service generated can be charged with criminal tampering in the first and second degrees.

  • First Responder Mapping Task Force (A11499/S7998) establishes a Governor’s Task Force on First Responder Mapping Systems to make recommendations for a statewide system of geographical mapping information to assist first responder rescue efforts in times of crisis.

Municipal Government, Land Use, and Election Law

  • Sanitation Truck Safety Enhancement (A10528A/S7174A) whereby municipalities, as of 2008, in Westchester County must purchase sanitation trucks equipped with cameras providing drivers with a rear view of the truck.

  • Municipality Inter-Municipal Agreement Option (A10727/S7369) allowing municipalities to enter into an inter-municipal agreement with another municipality to conduct a review of a property assessment of a board of assessment member who has an interest in that property.

  • Municipal Assessment Board Member Fine Increase (A10201/S8064) increases the fine amount from $250 to $1,000 when that member fails to disclose that he or she holds an interest in a property.

  • Municipal Training Requirement for Zoning and Planning Board Members (A9259/S6316) requiring local planning and zoning board members to complete a minimum of four hours of annual training in a land use related course(s) approved by that municipality.

  • Run-Off Election Option for Tie Village Elections (A9768A/S7901A) whereby villages must conduct run-off elections when there is a tie vote for the candidates unless all the candidates waive the election and proceed with the selection by lot.



Unfinished Business

The following bills did not pass both houses for a variety of reasons. I am passionate about these causes. Like budget reform, it won’t happen overnight. But I won’t give up and will press on to make these bills law:

Property Taxation

  • Blue Ribbon Commission on Property Tax Reform (A11656/S8039) to study real property tax reform and make recommendations on alternatives to current real property taxation.

Education: Nutrition, Elections and Wicks Law

  • Healthy Foods in Schools (A10729/S7367).

  • School District Elections Absentee Ballot Information Requirements (A4477/S5049).

  • School District Exemption from Public Work Contract Bidding Requirements (A8081A/S4759A) –Known as Wick’s Law Reform.

Energy

  • Net Metering for solar power for Public Schools and Libraries (A7979/S1285).

  • Renewable Energy Purchase by Municipalities (A6571/S4472A).

  • Advanced Metering Technologies for Electricity Customers (A11647/S8143).

Election Reform

  • Voter Registration Deadline Change from 25 to 10 Days (A5099).

  • Fire District Absentee Ballot Requirements Change (A6572/S4908).

  • Voter E-Mail Inclusion on Voter Registration Application (A10428/S7034).

Learn More
About Legislation

To learn more about the bills mentioned in this newsletter, click here.

Law Scales
Additional Legislation
Completed in 2006 Session

These bills passed both houses and need the Governor’s signature.

Tax Relief

  • Real Property Tax Relief (A11804/S8174) provides a personal income tax credit for school property taxes beginning in 2006. The average tax rebate would be as follows (per the State Office of Real Property Services):

    In Putnam: $293 for Basic STAR, $485 for Senior Enhanced STAR;
    In Westchester: $373 for Basic STAR, $613 for Senior Enhanced STAR.

  • Medicaid Fraud (A12015/S8450) creates the Office of Medicaid Inspector General and imposes stricter penalties for offenders.

Criminal Justice

  • Expanded DNA Database (A11951/S8446) triples the size of the database by including all those convicted of felonies and 18 key misdemeanors, including petit larceny.

  • Tougher Penalties For Fleeing Police (A11935-B/S8445) makes fleeing a police officer a Class D felony with up to 7 years in jail.

  • Stricter DWI Legislation (A11963/S8232) creates new offense of “Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated” when driving with blood alcohol level of .18 percent or more, with a greater fine and possible jail sentence.

  • Elimination of Rape Statute of Limitation (A12012/S8441) eliminates criminal statute of limitations on Class B felony sex crimes, including rape, and other sexual abuse, including sexual conduct against a child.

  • Strengthened Incest Ban (A9305-B/S6277-B) increases penalties for incest and establishes two new crimes when involving a child under the age of 11 and under the age of 15.

  • Tougher Sentences For Worst Sex Crimes (A8939-A/S8459) provides for up to life sentences for the most heinous sex crimes.



Response to WICKS LAW Reform Question

In my last newsletter I asked you about changing the way we issue school construction contracts in New York to allow all districts, not just those in large cities, to hire a single contractor to coordinate the work of many contractors as a way to save money. 272 of you answered as follows:

253 or
93% said
“YES”
change WICKS
to save money. 		19 or
7% said
“NO”
do not
change WICKS.


photo
Sandy and State Senator Nick Spano at a news conference announcing the introduction of their “Sanitation Truck Safety” Bill A10528A/S7174A, which passed both houses in June. They are joined by Ossining residents Malita and Joe Rodrigues and Cortlandt Town Supervisor Linda Puglisi.


Same-Sex Unions/Marriage

The State’s highest court has said that it is up to the Legislature to pass laws to allow same-sex couples the right to marry or enter into civil unions, giving them the same legal rights as heterosexual couples. How do you feel about this issue? Please answer below. There is room for two respondents.

**Click here for a printable view**

1. Should New York State pass a law legalizing same-sex civil unions?

box YES box NO box NO OPINION
box YES box NO box NO OPINION

2. Should New York pass a law legalizing same-sex marriage?

box YES box NO box NO OPINION
box YES box NO box NO OPINION

3. How did you arrive at your decision?





















Please send completed and signed petition to:
Assemblywoman Sandy Galef
2 Church Street
Ossining, NY 10562-4802

Please Include Zip Code For Tallying Purposes.

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