Issues: Finance

News From New York State

Senator Shirley L. Huntley

For Immediate Release: November 5, 2010

Contact: Antonio Rodriguez | arodrigu@nysenate.gov | (518) 455-3531

-MEDIA ADVISORY-

Cultivating Community-Based Financial Literacy at Baisley Park Houses

Senator Shirley L. Huntley (D-Jamaica) announced today that she is holding a residents meeting to introduce Financial Independence Today (FIT).

Joined by Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck) and Assemblyman George Latimer (D-Rye), Mayor Joan Feinstein today announced passage of legislation that will allow the Village of Rye Brook to alleviate the property tax burden on businesses and families through a new revenue source – an occupancy charge on Rye Brook hotel rooms.

While property taxes have reached a breaking point in Westchester County, community needs for police, fire, sanitation and other local services, as well as infrastructure maintenance, remain essential.  Faced with declining state aid resulting from the economic downturn, villages, towns and municipalities have urgently sought alternatives to local property taxes to raise much needed revenues.

Photo Caption:  Senator Oppenheimer listens to Mayor Michael Bloomberg atpress conference announcing New York's winning of $700 million in Race tothe Top funding.  From L to R: Senator John Sampson, Mayor MichaelBloomberg, Michael Mulgrew, Chancellor Merryl Tisch, Christine Quinn,Speaker of the NYC Counsel, Senator Suzi Oppenheimer

“Today, we closed down the budget process by passing a revenue bill that keeps my commitment to the people of Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties to block the governor’s proposed new taxes. After months of frustration that we all felt, this budget, while far from perfect, is a considerable improvement on where we were April 1.

Click here to view Senator Peralta's letter to President Obama.

“As the Chair of the New York State Senate’s Consumer Protection Committee and State Senator representing over 300,000 New Yorkers, I have seen firsthand the devastating effects these challenging economic times have had on Americans. These distressing financial problems are often times compounded by the fact that many consumers simply do not know their rights and in many cases because they have been victims of predatory credit products.

News From Senator Shirley L. Huntley

For Immediate Release: July 22, 2010

Contact: Ami Shah | shah@senate.state.ny.us | (518) 455-3531

Senator Huntley: Does the State Owe You Money?

Hundreds of Millions Returned to New Yorkers Annually

(D-Jamaica) Senator Shirley L. Huntley announced today that New Yorkers are owed hundreds of millions of dollars in unclaimed funds from the State, and can get any money they are owed simply by calling the state Comptroller’s office or going online.

Senator John L. Sampson commented on a proposed rule issued by the State Tax and Finance Department entitled Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding Tax Preparers (TAF-07-09-11-P).  Senator Sampson asked the Department to revise the  rule to conform with statutory language by including the definition of a “refund anticipation check,” and the term “refund.”  In addition, Senator Sampson believed consumers may get confused about the regulation’s terms of refund, refund anticipation check and refund anticipation loan.  Senator Sampson asked the Department to make certain consumers are aware of the complete definitions of the terms and that they would be displayed on both the Tax and Finance web site and the Consumer Protection Board web site.

The New York State MWBE Asset Management and Financial Institution Strategy Bill, has leveled the playing field for minority and women owned businesses in New York State.