Local Government Updates

Budget Proposal Would Create New Jobs and Ensure Fiscal Responsibility

The New York State Senate approved a 2013-14 budget resolution, proposed by the Senate Majority Coalition, that focuses on helping businesses create new jobs, investing additional funds in education and transportation, providing mandate relief to local governments, and restoring proposed cuts to women’s health programs as well programs for the developmentally disabled.  The budget also includes a proposal for a permanent two-percent state spending cap.

Fiscally-Responsible Approach to Job Creation

Members of the Senate Republican conference announced a bold and sweeping job creation plan to improve New York’s business climate so it not only keeps up with other states, but surpasses them. Among other things, the “Senate Republican Blueprint for Jobs: ReThink. ReVitalize. ReBuild.” would cut taxes for one million small businesses and reduce energy costs for every business and residential ratepayer in New York, saving them $2.5 billion.

“Creating jobs remains a top priority. Improving our business climate is essential to our economic growth as a state,” said Senator Jack M. Martins. “This approach will spur job creation and will further our economic recovery as a state."

Dangerous Lighters Resemble Childrens' Toys

Senator Jack Martins, FASNY 1st Vice President Bob McConville, along with firefighter organizations, including the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY), and the Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC) teamed up with consumer advocates at the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) to urge a on ban novelty lighters, flame-producing lighters that resemble kids’ toys, to prevent tragic fires started by children playing with objects that look identical to their playthings.

New York State Senator Jack M. Martins, along with the Daughters of Portugal, hosted a brunch at the Jericho Terrace in Mineola on Saturday, March 2, to welcome Secretary of State from Portugal, Dr. Teresa Morais, to New York. Dr. Morais was accompanied by Maria Joao Avila, a member of the Portuguese Parliament for Portuguese Citizens Residing Abroad.

Since there is such a tight-knit Portuguese community in Mineola, it was appropriate that Dr. Morais received such a warm welcome in the village before she was scheduled to participate in a conference at the United Nations on women’s rights.