Addabbo, Miller Meet with American Legion Members

Members of the American Legion present Senator Addabbo and Assemblyman Miller with citations for their legislative efforts.

 Vow to Address Needs and Concerns of Veterans

Queens, NY - New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens), the ranking Democratic member of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security & Military Affairs, and Assemblyman Mike Miller recently joined American Legion veterans at a meeting in Albany to review and show support for the group’s 2012 State Legislative Program.

Addressing the American Legion members, Addabbo underscored the tremendous debt that all Americans owe to veterans in recognition of their sacrifices and unparalleled dedication to their country.

“It is an honor to advocate in the Senate on behalf of all of our veterans, whether they served in overseas conflicts long ago, or are fighting on foreign soil to protect us from the ravages of terrorism as we speak,” said Addabbo.

“Groups like the American Legion serve an incredibly important role for our veterans – giving them a voice, a presence, camaraderie, and a vital network of social and support services.”

“We have seen what happens when we fail to take care of our returning veterans,” Assemblyman Miller added.

“The soldiers coming back from Vietnam were offered few services and were met with public disdain. That group of warriors had succumbed to homelessness, high unemployment, and drug addiction. We owe it to today’s veterans to take the very best care of them when they return home and I, along with Senator Addabbo, intend to do that.”

The American Legion Department of New York 2012 Legislative Program advocates passage of a variety of bills addressing such issues as military service credit, protection of war memorials, tax reductions for veterans and veteran organizations, health and chemical dependency services for servicemen and servicewomen, and greater recognition of the importance and meaning of the American flag and Pledge of Allegiance.

Addabbo is the sponsor of legislation (S.1719-A) that would authorize the State Department of Education to develop and make available to New York Schools a curriculum focusing on the history of the American flag and underscoring the connection between the Pledge of Allegiance and the many contributions made by United States veterans to this country.

In addition to presenting their 2012 New York State legislative priorities, the American Legion members also highlighted several new laws of importance to them approved during the 2011 legislative session.

Among these was a law, Chapter 527 of the Laws of 2011, authorizing “buffer zones” around funerals and other memorial ceremonies for deceased veterans that might attract demonstrators opposed to military policies and practices.

A permit process was also created in the law to allow for peaceful protests while respecting the feelings of mourners.

Addabbo, a co-sponsor of the law, noted, “While our First Amendment rights guaranteeing freedom of speech are precious, so are the rights of families who have lost loved ones in service to their country and who should be able to mourn their losses in peace and dignity. This law strikes a balance between the constitutional rights of protesters and our obligation to show respect for families who are saying a final good-bye to their beloved servicemen and servicewomen.”

Assemblyman Miller is also working a number of issues pertaining to the American Legion, including a bill to allow full pension credit for all service members currently serving on active duty (A.9501).

In the remaining months of the 2012 State Legislative Session, Addabbo and Miller pledged to continue working on addressing the many different needs and concerns of veterans and active duty military personnel in New York State.

Photo courtesy of the office of Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr.

Budget Break on Crossbay Bridge Tolls

Addabbo: "The Move is a Step in the Right Direction"

Queens, NY – At the end of State Budget negotiations, Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr. announced that Governor Cuomo has included in his 2012-2013 Budget a bridge toll discount for Rockaway and Broad Channel residents who have been paying tolls to cross the bridge that connects them to the rest of Queens.

The budget includes an allocation where the state pays the MTA for the costs associated with promoting access to reimbursements for E-Z Pass tolls paid by residents of Broad Channel and the Rockaways who travel over the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge.

The toll on the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge is the only intra-borough bridge toll in New York City.  Besides Addabbo, the State Budget issue action was also a priority for several local state electeds, including Assemblymember Phil Goldfeder (D-Rockaway), all of whom had been working to eliminate the toll, which had been imposed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in January 2010.

Addabbo and Goldfeder had written letters to the governor recently urging total elimination of the toll for residents of the peninsula and Broad Channel. The governor’s offer to residents of both communities provides a toll discount or rebate plan with E-Z Pass.

Currently, drivers are only charged for the first two trips over the Cross Bay Bridge, a total of $2.38, in a 24-hour span. If a driver crosses the bridge 10 times in one 24-hour period, they are still only charged $2.38 ($1.19 fee charged each way), as all other trips are currently subsidized by the MTA.

   

The bridge is the only practical access to shopping and services for residents. The toll had been free for 12 years for those Broad Channel and Rockaway residents who used E-Z Pass, but was reinstated a few years ago to make up shortfalls in the MTA budget.

“This is a big win for these burdened communities made up of hard-working families who will finally see some relief from an unnecessary financial hardship and should help business owners there, as well,” Senator Addabbo noted.

“They were for years the only people living within one of the five boroughs of New York City who were required to pay a burdensome toll both ways, several times a day, in order to get to work and back, transport children to and from school, and complete other daily chores—just to leave their homes and get to mainland Queens. Their local economy was adversely affected by this extra hardship during the prolonged recession.”

Image courtesy of http://davidmquintana.blogspot.com

Addabbo Praises New York State Budget

Says Funding Plan Falls Short in Some Areas, but also Makes Wise Investments

Queens, NY -- New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens), today called the final 2012-2013 New York State Budget enacted by the Legislature “a good game plan for jumpstarting job growth, enhancing educational opportunity, rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure, helping our most vulnerable residents, and taking other important steps to improve the lives of New Yorkers while holding the line on wasteful state spending and high taxes.”

However, taking a line from “The Rolling Stones,” the Queens lawmaker added, “But despite all the good things in this budget, it’s just a fact of life: you can’t always get what you want.  I am very pleased about many aspects of the reduced spending plan for this new fiscal year, while also realizing we still have serious fiscal issues in our state.”

Addabbo noted that the new State Budget, adopted prior to the April 1 deadline, closes a significant budget gap without large tax and fee increases, and holds state spending growth to two percent or less.  

In addition, the entire $132.6 billion spending plan – which includes state and federal dollars and other revenue – is down by $135 million from last year.  “I’m glad that we were able to address a serious budget deficit without completely decimating many programs of importance to all New Yorkers,” he said. 

The Senator, who was appointed to serve as the representative of the Senate Democratic Minority Conference on the Joint Legislative Conference Committee on Education, expressed satisfaction that the total $20.4 billion school aid package, up $805 million from 2011-2012 levels, finally begins phasing in foundation aid again in an effort to provide equity for New York City schools and other underserved districts. 

“New York City schools will see an increase of $292 million, as compared to a hike of only $50 million last year, and the Contract for Excellence requirement remains in place to ensure accountability in our educational system,” said Addabbo.

The Senator also mentioned the financial assistance to non-public schools through the allocations in the Comprehensive Attendance Program (CAP) funding, which was one of his budget priorities.

Addabbo also praised an appropriation of $7 million for non-public schools in the budget, as well as increased funding for universal pre-kindergarten programs, funded at $384.2 million, which is a boost of $1 million over last year, and full-day kindergarten programs, which saw a $1.8 million increase to $6.8 million. 

As a member of the Senate Select Committee on Libraries, Addabbo also had high praise for the $4 million increase provided for library aid throughout New York, as well as a $14 million capital construction program for libraries. 

“This is great news,” Addabbo said. 

“With one of the country’s preeminent public library systems located right here in Queens, we know first-hand the incredible value of libraries to our communities, and the many different roles they play in educating, entertaining and improving the lives of local residents.”

Addabbo also highlighted the additional $31.3 million in support provided for community colleges across New York, including a needed base-aid increase, and the fact that general fund spending for SUNY and CUNY held steady without cuts. 

“I wish we could have found more resources, however, to significantly expand New York’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to better cushion the effects of last year’s tuition increases,” noted Addabbo.

“The $28 million increase is welcome, but doesn’t put TAP where it needs to be.”   

Pointing out the dual goals of providing new jobs for New Yorkers and fixing up the state’s crumbling roads, bridges and other infrastructure, Addabbo expressed support for the New York Works Task Force, which will be charged with coordinating state agency capital plans and investing billions of dollars in projects across the state.

“This will result in tens of thousands of good jobs for residents, and will include $1.2 billion in new state and federal funding for bridge and road repair alone,” Addabbo added.

As part of this initiative, Rockaway and Broad Channel residents will be reimbursed for bridge tolls they have paid over the years. 

As for the budget process, Addabbo complimented Governor Cuomo for providing fiscal leadership and acknowledged him as the reason for an on-time State Budget. 

“Whenever the governor offers legislators a choice between an on-time, efficient budget or the possibility of shutting down the state government, it’s not really a choice at all. Nobody wins when our government is shut down and that is the primary reason why we have this early budget.”

Other highlights of the new 2012-2013 State Budget cited by Addabbo include: $770 million to provide full funding for the next phase of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) capital plan; the creation of the New York Gaming Commission, which will merge the State Division of the Lottery and the State Racing and Wagering Board in an effort to take a comprehensive, thoughtful approach to the possible expansion of casino gambling in the state; $30 million to help restore the original intent of New York’s Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program and help needy seniors afford expensive prescription drugs; $134 million for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), which provides resources for environmental projects throughout the state; $1.1 million for 25 new treatment beds for veterans through the State Office of Substance Abuse Services (OASAS); and increased aid for people with disabilities, including $80 million, an increase of $4 million, to aid pupils in Office of Mental Health/Office for People with Developmental Disabilities programs, and an $11.5 million increase in funding, to $163.5 million, for OPWWD capital projects. 

“As pleased as I am with these wise investments in our state’s human and physical infrastructures – our people and our overall environment – I’m very disappointed that we dropped the ball in other areas,” said Addabbo.  

“We should have restored property tax relief for New Yorkers through STAR rebates.  We should have provided promised insurance benefits to retirees of the now-defunct New York City Off-Track-Betting Corporation, who are now suffering deeply after losing their health coverage. And it’s a shame that New York City – which provides about half of all New York State tax revenues – isn’t receiving any AIM revenue-sharing funding.  That’s just plain wrong and work should continue to address these issues beyond the budget.”    

Now that the State Budget has been enacted, Addabbo pledged that he will continue during the remainder of the 2012 session to try to address these and other issues of importance to his district and the people of New York State as a whole.

“Passage of a timely, responsible, and responsive budget was job number one,” said the senator. 

“However, there is much more work to be done.”

Addabbo: 'We Had Many Happy Returns in Ozone Park'

Senator Addabbo met with constituents at his free tax preparation event.

$13,960 Total Refunds Obtained at Free Tax Preparation Day 

Queens, NY – To help his constituents file their taxes more easily and on time, New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr.(D-Queens), held a free tax preparation day on Friday, March 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

The free event brought trained volunteers from City University of New York and Food Bank for New York City to prepare state and federal income taxes for those who qualified for this assistance.

Addabbo is pictured with tax preparation volunteers from City University of New York and Food Bank for New York City. 

Those providing tax preparation assistance were able to get a total of $13,960 refunded to 30 attendees.

    

Similar events held last year helped more than 37,000 taxpayers in New York City to bring more than $65 million in tax refunds and credits back into the city. New Yorkers who earn $50,000 or less with dependents, or $18,000 or less without dependents, were eligible for the City University of New York and Food Bank for New York City's free tax assistance by their trained volunteers.

Photos courtesy of the office of Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr. 

NY Senators Help Restore School Bus Service

Addabbo, Avella and Lanza Fought in Support of Bill S. 6027

Albany, NY – Yesterday, bipartisan legislation (S.6027), supported by State Senators Joe Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) and Tony Avella (D-Bayside) successfully passed the State Senate.

The bill, initiated by State Senator Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island), will restore yellow school bus services to hundreds of middle school students throughout the City who lost it as a result of a May 2010 decision by the NYC Department of Education.

Addabbo and Avella advocated with Senator Lanza to expand the concept of his original bill, which had only applied to Staten Island, to address the problem that affected middle school children across the city. 

“Ensuring the safety of our youth as they commute back and forth to school should be the number-one priority in student transportation,” stated Avella.

“Restoring the bus services that have been cut since 2010 is vital to attaining our safety goals. In my district, College Point is without a middle school altogether. They are forced to use public transportation or search for rides to and from school. This extends their commute times and may expose them to situations that they may not be mature enough to handle. Students should be allowed to concentrate on their studies.  They don’t need the added stress of worrying about how they are going to get home.”

"When the May 2010 decision by the NYC Department of Education ended yellow school bus service for over 4,000 7th and 8th graders citywide, two-thirds of the students affected were Staten Islanders. I'm in total agreement with my Senate colleague, Tony Avella, that Queens students also got a raw deal; they have to get to school in the city's largest-sized borough," added Senator Addabbo.

"My district's students also face crossing dangerous intersections and speeders in Forest Hills, Howard Beach, Maspeth, Middle Village, Ozone Park, Woodhaven and Woodside. Students in Broad Channel have had to walk a mile or more to school alongside Crossbay Boulevard, negotiating an area with a lack of sidewalks in many places. It's great that the Department of Education wants to cut bureaucratic waste and save money, but our children's safety must come first."

Image courtesy of http://en.clipart-fr.com

Addabbo Makes Support for Libraries a Priority for 2012-2013 Budget

Senator Joe Addabbo kicked-off the 130th anniversary year of his hometown, Ozone Park, on February 2 at his local library, Queens Library at Ozone Park, where he held evening hours for the convenience of his constituents.  He heard from many of them about budget cuts eliminating weekend library service hours all over Queens, which caused hardships for many families with schoolchildren and for seniors.   

Also Sponsors Bills in Senate to Assist Libraries Across the State

Queens, NY - As budget negotiations between the Senate and Assembly move forward toward the April 1 deadline, New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens) is making adequate funding for libraries one of his primary objectives as a member of the Joint Senate Conference Committee on Education – the panel convened to negotiate a final legislative budget agreement for school funding, library support and other educational initiatives.

Addabbo, who also serves as a member of the Senate Committee on Education and the Senate Select Committee on Libraries, said, “Earlier this month at a meeting of the Select Committee on Libraries, we were fortunate to be addressed by a number of library advocates, including Tom Galante, President & CEO of the Queens Library system.  He and other speakers made the point that state funding for libraries has declined significantly over the years, and I believe we must take steps to reverse these losses.” 

According to Queens Library estimates, this public library system alone has lost $3.8 million in state funding since 2008.

Addabbo, who co-sponsors several bills to aid libraries, noted that one of his measures (S.4100-A), to give libraries greater access to funding sources, recently was approved by the full Senate.  

The bill would allow public libraries to compete for $3 million in grants through the Employment Preparation Program (EPE) in order to provide adult literacy education.  This funding is now only earmarked for schools and BOCES programs.  

“Our libraries are already providing these services, and should be eligible to access this funding pool,” said Addabbo. 

   

Pointing out that libraries throughout the state, and particularly in Queens, have become ever more integral parts of their communities – providing opportunities for education, job outreach services, language programs, access to computer equipment, and many other vital services – Addabbo commented, “I often hold office hours at libraries throughout my Senate district, because our libraries are, indeed, a reflection of our communities at large.  Our libraries provide help and outreach to millions of people, and they are truly deserving of state support.  They need funding not only to continue providing a wide variety of traditional services, but to expand further into offering more e-books and exploring other technological innovations.”

As it stands now, both the Senate and Assembly budget resolutions approved on March 13 include funding for libraries over and above the amount proposed in Governor Cuomo’s 2012-2013 Executive Budget.  

It is now up to the Joint Senate Conference Committee on Education, with Addabbo’s participation, to negotiate and recommend a final library funding plan for the coming fiscal year.

In addition to fighting for libraries during the 2012-2013 State Budget talks, Addabbo is also advocating several other pieces of Senate legislation aimed at assisting these vital community institutions.  Specifically, Addabbo is also co-sponsoring the following bills:

S.6079-A, which would exempt libraries from having to pay the metropolitan commuter transportation mobility tax, also known as the “MTA payroll tax,” which has already been lifted for public and private schools.

“Libraries, like schools, are educational institutions, and deserve equitable treatment with regard to the MTA payroll tax,” said Addabbo.

  

“In addition, eliminating this tax burden will lend an economic helping-hand to libraries that are already underfunded and in need of greater support.”

S.5173, which would enable any Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) to enter into contracts with public libraries to provide high-speed telecommunications service the libraries may be unable to afford on their own.

“This will help libraries to move forward with plans for e-book technology and other state-of-the-art services for their customers, and allow them to share costs for telecommunications service with BOCES – saving both organizations money,” noted Addabbo.

S.6479, which would encourage schools to provide instruction in digital literacy, better preparing their students to use existing and new technology, along with the Internet, to enhance their education.

  

“This legislation would help to supplement and support the efforts of school librarians, who are already attempting to help students develop their digital literacy skills,” Addabbo added. 

“As budget negotiations draw to a conclusion, I am hopeful that we can agree upon an adequate and responsive State funding package for libraries,” said Addabbo.  

“Following that, I will continue to work throughout the remainder of the session to pass legislation to allow our libraries to grow and improve their programs and services to the public.”

Photo courtesy of the office of Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr. 

'We Must Proceed Forward in a Cautious Manner'

Addabbo Comments on Gaming Legislation Passed by State Legislature

Queens, NY – New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr., a member of the Senate’s Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, today released the following statement on last week’s passage of legislation by both houses to allow full casino gaming:  

Due to the procedural breakdown in the Senate Chambers during the March 14th session, I refused to take part in a process that silenced the voices of our people in the state. Nevertheless, I would have supported the certain passage of the New York State Gaming legislation, which was the first step in what will probably be a three-year process. It is a step closer to having our residents vote on a referendum that could bring full gaming to the state. It is a step closer for my constituents to have thousands of additional job opportunities at Resorts World. It is a step closer for our local communities, businesses, along with city and state governments to realize a greater potential for revenue growth. As I have stated about the issue of full gaming and the proposed convention center, we must proceed forward in a cautious manner. I am an advocate for community input on these issues and feel most people would want their voices heard before any plans are implemented. I look forward to working for my constituents and hearing their concerns on this issue.

Image courtesy of http://www.picgifs.com

'There Were No Committee Discussions and No Public Notice. It Was Wrong.'

Addabbo Concerned About Breakdown in Transparency and Good Government in Senate Legislative Session

Queens, NY – New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr., released the following statement following the critical Senate legislative session last week:

Regrettably, democracy and the voice of the people across the state were silenced in Senate Chambers on March 14, 2012 with the closed-door negotiations and a premature halt to the floor debates on crucial bills before the Senate body. Therefore, I refused to take part in a Senate session after a motion passed the house that prohibited Democratic Senators from openly discussing and debating legislation regarding redistricting, the critical process that determines our people’s voice in government that happens only once every 10 years after a census is taken.

Once again, the legislative leaders of our state government showed that as much as we want to change the way Albany conducts its business, the more it stays the same. The closed-door negotiations, lack of transparency, dysfunction and the unwillingness to hear debate that has plagued Albany for decades was witnessed again by the entire state. Some here say it was business as usual.

It did not have to be that way. This year, our legislative leaders had the opportunity to provide real reform and honor a pledge to remove legislators from the process of determining their own district lines. They failed. Instead, late in the evening behind closed doors, the legislative leaders not only agreed to their own State district lines, after failing to agree on Congressional lines, but they also tried to convince the public that legislation regarding pension reform, gambling, DNA collection and teacher evaluations are related to the legislation and negotiation of district lines. They are not related.

I also disagree that these pieces of legislation had to be extremely rushed and put to a vote on March 14 around midnight. Only legislation that truly has a time issue should qualify for a Message of Necessity from the governor to be voted on the same day as introduced. I see no valid reason why these bills, some over 80 pages long, did not follow the normal process for legislation which calls for a bill to be voted on three days after its introduction, to allow for interpretation and discussion. There were no committee discussions and no public notice. It was wrong.

The State Legislature still has important legislation to consider in the coming weeks, namely our State Budget. I intend to promote the need for transparency, public input and professionalism in addressing the fiscal issues of our state and the needs of our people. 

Take Two: Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr.

Addabbo Appointed to Serve on NYS Legislative Conference Committee on Education

Queens, NY - Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens) has been appointed to serve as the representative of the Senate Democratic Conference for the New York State Legislative Conference Committee on Education – the bipartisan Senate and Assembly panel responsible for negotiating a final 2012-2013 budget agreement on funding for New York’s schools and other educational issues. 

Already a member of the State Senate Standing Committee on Education, Addabbo said, “I am honored to serve as a member of this additional committee, and I look forward to working with my colleagues from both houses and from both sides of the aisle to negotiate a fair, responsible education package for the State Budget that will provide all of our schoolchildren with the opportunity to succeed academically.” 

The Legislative Conference Committee on Education will review the Senate and Assembly budget resolutions recently passed by the two houses, and come to a final agreement on the Legislature’s vision for education. 

The agreement reached by the Conference Committee will be included in the final budget document scheduled to be approved by the Senate and Assembly by the April 1st deadline. From there, the Legislature’s State Budget plan goes to Governor Cuomo for his consideration. 

The Legislative Conference Committee on Education held its first meeting in Albany on March 14 and Addabbo notes, “I think we are making good progress on negotiating an education package that will assist our schoolchildren while recognizing the need to spend our education dollars fairly, wisely and with accountability. We are well on our way to enacting a responsible, responsive, on-time State Budget.”

Among the educational issues Addabbo cited at the committee meeting that he wanted to work on during budget negotiations, are the State’s obligation to fairly compensate New York City schools as part of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity court decision and an increase in library funding, which was agreed to by both the Senate and Assembly budget proposals. 

Other topics the senator said he wanted to highlight were funding for Non-Public School Aid, improved bus transportation for students and the monies for the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities.

A major issue is overall funding for local schools. While there is approximately a 4% increase in state spending for education in the budget, funds are distributed by the local municipalities.

While the governor’s proposal could result in less localized funds, both the Senate and Assembly have proposed to redirect the budget funds toward more direct school aid for local schools.

“In making decisions about the education of our children, we are almost literally holding their future and the future of our city and state in our hands. I take my responsibility on this committee very seriously,” Addabbo concluded.

Addabbo: 'What Happened to $2.3 Billion in State Aid for Education Awarded by the Court?"

Senator Addabbo is reminding state lawmakers during budget negotiations of a court decision that called for the restoration of monies to New York City public schools that were wrongfully underfunded by the state. 

In 2001, an almost decade-old lawsuit by the New York City-based Campaign for Fiscal Equity, led to the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division’s ruling that limiting resources to public schools violated a student’s constitutional right to a “sound, basic education”.

The ruling led to a $2.3 billion increase in cumulative state aid to local public schools through 2007 that has since been ignored, and furthermore damaged, by $2.7 billion in subsequent budget cuts.

  

“Governor Pataki was supposed to have set aside the larger share of $2.3 billion increase in state aid for downstate education as a result of the Court’s 2001 ruling. Where is it and how do we get it?” asks Addabbo.

According to this excerpt from a January 21, 2009 article in The Village Voice, “The Campaign for fiscal Equity Lawsuit Was the Best Hope for City Schools. It Failed.”:

  

Following the court ruling, newly elected Governor Eliot Spitzer proposed boosting state education funds to the city by $5.4 billion by the year 2011, factoring in the kind of programmatic specificity the lawsuit’s filers had suggested. School districts would have to sign “Contracts for Excellence,” vowing to use the windfall to improve one of five educational areas:  teacher quality, length of school days, smaller class sizes, restructured middle and high schools, and full-day pre-K and kindergarten. Under Spitzer’s plan, spending increases would be slowly phased in over five years, but only $228 million out of the $700 million in extra funding the first year would be subject to Contract for Excellence restrictions. The rest trickled out through various loopholes--$60 million for charter schools, $38 million for “experimental” programs—and into other pots of money the school system was free to spend however it wanted.

There were numerous complaints of insufficient oversight over how the money was actually being spent. Rather than pouring the dollars into consolidated citywide programs targeted at improving teacher quality or lengthening the school day, the city left it up to principals to decide how to spend their tiny portion of the funds. The result was no comprehensive strategy for using the funds, and a paper trail that is, at best, patchwork and, at worst, unreliable: principals only had to report their intentions, not how the money was ultimately spent.

      

So where is the money? From discussions with government colleagues and staff, Addabbo believes that due to the state’s poor fiscal condition over the past three years, lack of available dollars caused the state to become unable to keep up with its educational funding obligation set by the State Supreme Court.

  

The Senator is hopeful that by raising the issue during the current budget negotiations, when the state is in an improved economic situation, it can resume to honor the Court’s decision and its payment toward New York City’s schoolchildren.

Concludes Addabbo, “With the issue of New York City’s student-to-teacher ratio, rising costs and the city threatening to close dozens of schools, New York’s public school system could really use this money--now more than ever. More than a billion dollars in recovered funds would go a long way toward helping students and teachers have positive outcomes in their classrooms."

Addabbo Sponsors Teen Dating Violence Workshop

Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr. pictured with workshop presenter Claudia Martinez from Day One. (Click on image to enlarge.) 

Senator: "Knowledge is Power -- Protect Yourself" 

Queens, NY - New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens), a member of the Senate’s Education Committee, sponsored two Teen Dating Violence 101 interactive workshops on Friday, March 9.

The first was held during the morning at John Adams H.S. in Ozone Park, and the second in the afternoon at Martin Luther H. S. in Maspeth. 

The sessions were conducted by Day One‘s Community Education Program, and covered such topics as the warning signs of an abusive relationship, the different types of abuse that exist, the obstacles to ending an abusive relationship and how to help a friend in need.

Violence in teen relationships is just as serious as it is among adults. According to the Journal of Pediatrics, about 2 in 10 teen girls and 1 in 10 teen boys say they have been physically and/or sexually abused by their partner. Just as in adults, teen dating violence can lead to serious emotional problems. 

  

Addabbo’s message to teens: “Day One’s Community Education Program has reached over 23,000 youths in New York City. Learn from specialists who understand the dynamics of teen relationships and are here to help and inform you. Knowledge is power — protect yourself.”

Addabbo: 'If It Sounds Too Good to be True, It Usually Is'

Bill Introduced to Protect Residents from "Get Rich Quick" Schemes

Queens, NY -- New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens) announced his co-sponsorship of Senate legislation (S.6276), which would require financial institutions to warn New Yorkers about the trap of falling for fraud schemes that require consumers to send out money as a condition of claiming their new riches.

“We’ve all heard the stories, always with unhappy endings, about people who fall for schemes that promise them a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow if they will only just send money,” said Addabbo.  

“All too often, the only thing these consumers get in return is an empty bank account and lots of misery.  When people are having tough economic times, it’s especially easy for crooks to prey on their vulnerability, and we should step up our efforts to make consumers think twice about offers that sound too good to be true.” 

Under the legislation, financial institutions that perform electronic or wire transfers for customers would be required to prominently display a warning pointing out the dangers of sending out money in order to receive questionable rewards. 

The text of the warning sign would read:  Warning: Please do not fall victim to consumer fraud. Are you sending money to claim lottery winnings? Are you sending money because you were guaranteed a credit card or loan? Are you responding to an Internet or phone offer that you are not sure is honest? Are you sending money to someone you do not know or whose identity you cannot verify? If so, please ask the sales clerk or representative to stop your transfer right away.   

“By alerting consumers to some of these common, and expensive, scams we might be able to save some residents the pain and economic consequences of being taken in by fraud,” added Addabbo.  

“Forewarned is forearmed, and I hope that this legislation will receive the consideration and prompt action it deserves.”

The legislation is now under review by the Senate Banking Committee.

Bill Aims to Help NY Seniors Buy Prescription Drugs

Legislation Targets Low-Income and Disabled Residents

Queens, NY -- New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens), a member of the Senate Committee on Aging, has introduced legislation (S.6417) to provide greater access to prescription drugs for low-income seniors and the disabled. 

“Although Medicare now provides a Part D prescription drug benefit, the fact of the matter is that out-of-pocket costs may still be too much for many seniors to afford,” said Addabbo.

“While Medicare and New York State’s Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program seek to ensure that prescription medications are available to those who require them, not everyone is able to balance their need for medicine with the costs of food, housing and other basic life necessities.”

Under the Senator’s bill, which would establish the “Medicaid Prescription Senior Eligibility Expansion Program,” new groups of low-income senior and disabled New Yorkers would be able to afford prescription drugs under the Medicaid program.  

The first group, “qualified Medicare beneficiaries,” would be those with annual incomes equal to or below 100 percent of the federal poverty level, which is $11,170 for a single person, and $15,130 for two people. 

The second group, “specified low-income Medicare beneficiaries,” would have incomes between 100 and 120 percent of the poverty level. 

These groups of low-income seniors and disabled New Yorkers now earn too much to qualify for prescription drug coverage under Medicaid, the health care program for the very poor, but also can’t afford other pharmaceutical programs.

   

“By some estimates, almost 30 percent of Medicare enrollees in New York State don’t have any coverage for pharmaceuticals,” said the Senator. 

“In addition, millions more of elderly and disabled Medicare enrollees are underinsured, and can’t gain access to all of the medications they need to safeguard their health.” 

This legislation would enable the State of New York to seek a partnership with the United States Department of Health and Human Services through a Medicare 1115 demonstration waiver authorizing the expanded prescription drug eligibility through Medicaid.

“This measure would lend an important helping hand to low-income seniors and disabled New Yorkers who make too much to get prescription drugs through Medicaid, but don’t make enough to afford them through Medicare Part D,” said Addabbo. 

“No one should have to choose between life-saving medications and food.”

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Addabbo Reacts to School Closings in District

"The Process Puts Much at Stake"

Queens, NY – New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens), released the following statement today, reacting to this week’s announced proposal by the NYC Department of Education to close three high schools in his district:  

I said in January after the mayor’s State of the City speech that first forecast the three high school closures in my district that I intended to keep working with both the NYS and NYC Department of Education (DOE), the mayor’s administration and other involved parties on ensuring the best quality education available to students at the three Turnaround schools, namely Grover Cleveland, John Adams and Richmond Hill High Schools--the total number of high schools in my district. 

I also wanted to make sure that each student has a seat at the school they currently attend and that parents’ concerns were answered. According to Monday’s official announcement, the closures are not expected to yield a net loss of seats in Queens or in any of the three buildings.

If this proposal is approved, the schools will close at the end of this school year; all current students who have not graduated before school starts in September will be guaranteed a seat and automatically enrolled in the new schools in the same buildings. 

Since the two presidential-named schools of John Adams and Grover Cleveland have played an integral role in the character and history of our communities, I’ve been promoting that any new name should take into consideration and incorporate each school’s current name. 

As a member of the State Senate Education Committee, I stated two months ago that the navigation process through the Turnaround would not be easy and encouraged all parents to work with their elected officials in obtaining information and addressing their issues with the Restart and Transformation process affecting the quality of their children’s education at these schools. 

The process puts much at stake, such as the student’s education, critical federal funding and teachers’ and principals’ job stability. Regrettably, the DOE has now decided that data from all three schools’ most recent Progress Reports showed that the pace of change was not quick enough to meet their challenges so they now propose to replace all three with new schools that implement more intensive interventions, including allowing new faculty to be put in place who can accelerate the pace of improvement, along with new programs and school supports intended to improve student outcomes. 

The DOE release also cited the continuing lack of a new teacher evaluation system that led them to propose other available options to improve teacher quality.

For more information, copies of the DOE’s Educational Impact Statements are available in all three schools’ main offices or on its Web site:  

http://schools.nyc.gov/AboutUs/leadership/PEP/publicnotice/2011-2012/April2012Proposals.

The DOE announcement invites oral comments by calling 212-374-7621 to reach its City District Representative, Elaine Gorman, Division of Portfolio Planning.  

Written comments should be sent to the following: D24Proposals@schools.nyc.gov  for Grover Cleveland, or D27Proposals@schools.nyc.gov  for John Adams and Richmond Hill. 

The dates, times and locations of joint public hearings for this DOE proposal are: April 2 at 6 PM, Grover Cleveland High School, 21-27 Himrod Street, Ridgewood, NY 11385; April 5 at 6 PM, Richmond Hill High School, 89-30 114th Street, Richmond Hill, NY  11418;  and April 19 at 6 PM, John Adams High School, 101-01 Rockaway Blvd., Ozone Park, NY  11417. 

The Panel for Educational Policy will hold its meeting to vote on the proposal on April 26 at 6 PM, at Prospect Heights Campus, 883 Classon Ave., Brooklyn, NY.

Electeds Co-Sponsor Free Tax Lien Help

Addabbo, Miller and Crowley Offer to Help District Property Owners

Queens, NY – New York State Senator Joe Addabbo is co-sponsoring a free Tax Lien Assistance Outreach Event, along with New York State Assembly Member Mike Miller and New York City Council Member Elizabeth Crowley. 

Constituents whose tax liens are on the list to be sold and who are struggling with tax lien issues are urged to go to P.S. 91, 68-10 Central Avenue, Glendale (entrance on 68^th Place), on March 8, from 5 to  7 PM. All are welcome. 

Representatives from the New York City Environmental Protection (DEP), New York City Finance (DOF) and New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) will be there to assist residents. 

There will also be information on Senior Citizens Homeowners Exemption (SCHE) which might entitle them to a 50% reduction in their property taxes (deadline for SCHE is March 15). 

Call Senator Addabbo’s Howard Beach district office at 718-738-1111 or Council Member Elizabeth Crowley’s Middle Village office at 718-366-3900 to RSVP.

“Assembly Member Miller’s and Council Member Crowley’s offices are sending out invitations to this free session in Glendale to those constituents whose tax liens are in danger of being sold. I strongly urge them to come to our outreach event in order to obtain the help they need to avoid the sale, which can have serious consequences in the future,” urged Senator Addabbo.  

A tax lien sale is the transfer of the lien to a single authorized buyer who hires a collection agency. It is not a sale of the property, but if the taxes and/or charges are not paid or resolved, the lien holder can begin a foreclosure proceeding in court.

A representative from the New York City Department of Finance will be available at the March 8 session to meet one-on-one with homeowners with tax liens to help them avoid the lien sale by discussing eligibility for exemptions from the sale or ways of resolving the lien.

In order to prevent the sale of a lien on property, the debt must be resolved by May 17, 2012 through one of the following methods: pay your outstanding debt in full; enter into a payment agreement; apply to receive an exemption that will exclude the property from the lien sale; dispute the charges by filing a formal dispute with DEP or Finance. 

A tax lien usually involves real estate, although it can also involve other forms of personal property. A lien is placed on the property when the owner fails to pay, or is delinquent in paying, certain taxes. 

Less common are tax liens that involve other fees owed to a government agency. In most situations, however, tax liens are issued because a tax lien servicer is not paid.

Residents of Senator Addabbo’s district who have been sent a legal claim against their property for unpaid taxes, or whose property was on a published lien sale list, are encouraged to attend this outreach session to obtain advice and to take the necessary steps to prevent the sale of their lien.

The Finance representative will provide assistance in developing payment agreements, resolving billing disputes and helping complete exemptions applications for those who qualify.

Property owners must bring their water/sewer bills, property taxes and Department of Housing Preservation and Development loan paperwork.

In one-on-one sessions, the City will have representatives on hand to offer customer service and will be able to check your eligibility for billing programs, including their Water Debt Assistance Program and provide help with setting up payment plans.

The Department of Environmental Protection will provide customer service regarding payment of water and sewer bills, water conservation education and water assistance program; the Department of Finance will cover will cover its exemption programs (if you have a water lien on a property, New York City Finance may be eligible to sell lien to private debt collector); the Department of Housing Preservation and Development will provide assistance in preventing foreclosures and predatory lending and assist with securing low-interest loans.

When a tax lien does involve real estate and the property does exchange hands, this obligation of repayment is said to "run with the land." That means the new property owner is now responsible for repayment of taxes owed even if the non-payment occurred because of a prior owner.  This is one of the reasons a title search and title insurance is so important to new homeowners.

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