A Special Report to the Residents of the 41st Assembly District

Dear Friend,

As your Assemblywoman, my primary role is to advocate on behalf of everyone in our district. In my role as Chair of the Assembly Ways and Means committee I have been able to bring your concerns and needs to the table, and secure funding for local programming and services benefiting all (see inside for more info).

Whether it's a COVID related issue or any one of the quality of life/safety concerns we've assisted with in the past, we're here for you. I have been so happy to see more of you and your neighbors at the local events and civic meetings I sponsor and attend.

In order to keep up on the latest from my office, sign up for my e-newsletter. You can do so by calling (718) 648-4700 or emailing me at weinsth@nyassembly.gov!

Sincerely,

Elevator Repairs

Mrs. G. called the Assemblywoman's Office to expedite repairs to her co-op elevator, which had been inoperative for two whole weeks. After intervening with building management and the elevator company, the NYC Department of Buildings, just days later, issued the permit to allow the elevator to run.

SNAP Benefits

Mr. P. was shocked to learn that his SNAP Benefits were canceled due to 'failure to recertify.' He called the Assemblywoman to find out how this happened since he never received any recertification papers. An inquiry was started with HRA, and shortly after Mr. P. received word his case was again active and the benefits available.

Social Security

Mr. N. had been waiting for some months to be reimbursed for his overpayment to Social Security. A call to Social Security from the Assemblywoman hurried along the process and Mr. N. received a direct deposit just days later.

Retrieving Valuables

Mrs. J., a NYCHA resident needed to enter her apartment to retrieve important documents after a fire, but was barred from doing so by the FDNY. The Assemblywoman contacted the FDNY and kept her up to date with the ongoing investigation. The minute the case was closed out, NYCHA arranged a time for Mrs. J. to visit and retrieve her valuables.

Pension Payments

Mr. M., a member of the NYCERS retirement plan, was dismayed when he stopped receiving his monthly pension payments; his only means of income. He informed the Assemblywoman, who made a call to the Mayor's office of Government Affairs and NYCERS, and found out that a recent bank merger disrupted many deposits. After just a day, NYCERS reestablished the direct deposits and Mr. M. received all the checks he had missed.

Intercom Repairs

Mrs. R. contacted the Assemblywoman after waiting days for repairs to her building's intercom. After speaking to building management and stressing the dangerous situation this left tenants in, repairs were expedited, and the intercom was working the next day.

Expired MetroCard

Mr. T. tried transferring $75 from his expired MetroCard to a new one at a train station, but when he went to use it, there was no money on either card. The Assemblywoman reached out to the MTA and within days a reimbursement check was mailed to Mr. T.

Free Rain Barrel Distribution

Along with co-sponsors Councilwoman Farah Louis, the Flatbush Reformed Church and the Flatbush Flatlands Civic Association, Assemblywoman Weinstein handed out 160 FREE Rain Barrels to her constituents. Rain barrels help you save money by conserving on water usage and are great for the environment. Contact us to find out about our next distribution and other exciting programs!

Just a few months ago, Assemblywoman Weinstein and NYS Senator Brad Hoylman introduced the 'Grieving Families Act' (A.6770).

Current law restricts how much a victim's family can receive after winning a wrongful death suit by calculating what the victim would have monetarily contributed to certain family members left behind.

This means that retirees, disabled individuals, children and stay at home parents-who do not have the benefit of an active or sizeable salary-are classified essentially as worthless in the event of a tragedy.

While the bill has passed both the Assembly and Senate, it is currently waiting to be enacted into law by Governor Hochul.

Follow @HeleneWeinstein on Twitter to keep up to date on the bill's progress!

National Night Out

National Night Out creates positive relationships between NYPD Officers and the communities they're sworn to protect. Assemblywoman Weinstein assisted 61st Precinct Captain, Derby St. Fort in handing out awards to local community partners alongside colleague Assemblyman William Colton, and NYC Councilwoman Inna Vernikov. The Assemblywoman then attended the 63rd Precinct's event, meeting up with some of her favorite community partners from The Flatlands Volunteer Ambulance Corp., the Nieuw Amersfort Community Association and the Fraser Civic Association.

Assemblywoman Weinstein knows that our community's non-profit organizations, recreational programs and senior centers have offered crucial support for our neighbors and community, even when the pandemic was at its peak:

This year, the Assemblywoman was able to secure substantial funding for the following organizations:

Senior Centers:

Millennium Development - For activities at the Philip Howard, Midwood and Marine Park Active Senior Programs
Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services, Inc. - For programming at the Bay Senior Center
Homecrest Community Services, Inc. - For programming at the HCS Sheepshead Bay Neighborhood Senior Center
The Jay-Harama Senior Center

Arts and Cultural Programming:

Be Proud Foundation
Brooklyn Academy of Music
Brooklyn Arts Council
New York City Center
United Chinese Association of Brooklyn

Recreational, After School and Continuing Education Programs:

Council of Jewish Organizations of Flatbush
Kings Bay Youth Organization
Kings Bay YM-YWHA

Community Services:

Grant House Unity Corporation - Food Distribution
Heal the Violence - Anti-Gang Initiative
Haitian Americans United for Progress - Legal Services

Kings Bay Y Food Distribution

Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein joined Leonard Petlakh, Executive Director of the Kings Bay YM-YWHA, assembling food packages during one of their weekly food distributions, one of many made possible city-wide through contributions from the MetCouncil on Jewish Poverty.

Holocaust Memorial Monument Unveiling

Assemblywoman Weinstein was honored to join Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz and Vivian Singer, co-President of the Holocaust Memorial Committee, at Holocaust Memorial Park, as the committee unveiled a monument memorializing the victims/defenders of the Siege of Leningrad during their annual memorial service for Shoah victims.

Parents Day Celebration

Alongside Assembly colleague, Peter Abbate Jr., Assemblywoman Weinstein joined the staff and members of the United Chinese Association of Brooklyn to celebrate "Parents Day," which combines Mother's and Father's Day into one event, highlighting the contributions of all parents.

Assemblywoman Weinstein's Community Office can help you apply for various programs including but not limited to:

NYC-210 - a rebate of $62.50 (individuals) or $125 (couples) who do not file a Tax Return and can't be claimed a dependent on another's return. You can apply for the last 4 years!
Disabled Parking Permit Applications - issues a permit or placard to individuals with a documented disability allowing for either on-street and off-street parking.
Senior Citizen/Disabled Homeowner's Exemption - a reduction in property taxes for homeowners over the age of 65, or those with a documented disability, and a combined income below $58,399.
Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption - a rent freeze for heads of household, 62 or older, who pay more than one-third of their monthly income on rent and make under $50,000 a year.
Seasonal Heating and Electric Bill Assistance - through the HeartShare and HEAP programs!

Call our office to find out if you're eligible and sign up!

Summertime Fun!

Assemblywoman Weinstein took advantage of the warm weather and popped in to greet attendees at several events this summer. At the annual H-I East 45th Street Block Party, Assemblywoman Weinstein thanked Block Association and FFCG Officers for their dedication to constantly improving the quality of their neighbors; at the annual CB 17 Youth Happen'n, the Assemblywoman took in several fantastic performances by local children, and at the Nostrand Houses Family Day Celebration, the Assemblywoman joined in on a fun filled day for the whole family.

The Class of 2022

Every year Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein presents a NYS Assembly Certificate of Merit to students demonstrating not only academic excellence, but also an outstanding concern for their friends, their schools and the community.

COJO Legislative Breakfast

After a 3 year wait, it was Assemblywoman Weinstein's distinct pleasure to attend the COJO of Flatbush Legislative Breakfast, where she reconnected with many of her governmental and community partners, like Kings County District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and First Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at COJO, Leon Goldenberg.