Issues: Local Government

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.

News From New York StateSenator Shirley L. HuntleyFor Immediate Release: August 18, 2010Contact: Antonio Rodriguez | arodrigu@senate.state.ny.us | (518) 455-3531

Senate bill Signed into law which Provides for the Construction of Facilities   for Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Corps

Senator Shirley L. Huntley (D-Jamaica) announced a new amendment (S. 8060) to the public authorities law which provides new facilities for Broad Channel volunteers. Under the Senate’s new law, Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Corps are now permitted to proceed with construction of new capital facilities for their not-for-profit corporation. The bill is now currently in effect.

Senator Klein, Generoso Pope Foundation and Village of Tuckahoe Launch New Tuckahoe Trolley

TUCKAHOE, NY – State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester), Chairman David Pope of the Generoso Pope Foundation and Tuckahoe Mayor John Fitzpatrick launched the new Tuckahoe Trolley on Friday, August 13th. Elected officials and foundation representatives christened the trolley and took an inaugural ride through the village with community members.

“Small businesses are truly the backbone of our community. The Tuckahoe Trolley will make it easier for residents of Eastchester, Tuckahoe, and Bronxville to shop right in their own backyard and pump much needed funds into our local economy,” said State Senator Jeff Klein.

Senator Kenneth P. LaValle was pleased to learn of the recent Operation IMPACT grant awarded to Suffolk County.  Under the program, the county will receive over $1.2 million to support crime-fighting and violence reduction activities.

For Immediate Release: July 23, 2010

Contact: Katie Kincaid - kincaid.nysenate@gmail.com - (646) 784-0485

(New York, NY) Tenants and tourists in New York City will be protected by a new law that makes it clear that operating a residential apartment as a transient hotel is illegal in New York City. The bill (S.6873/A.10008), sponsored by State Senator Liz Krueger and Assembly Member Richard N. Gottfried, will put an end to the rampant spread of illegal hotels by clarifying ambiguities in State and City laws which made it impossible for government agencies to effectively crack down on offenders and protect residents. Governor Paterson signed the bill into law today.

HISTORY

In 1917, The New York State Assembly elected its first Black American legislator, Mr.Edward A. Johnson, and in 1937 Assemblyman Oscar Garcia Rivera was the first American of Puerto Rican heritage to be elected in the State Assembly. From those small victories, slowly, two became three, three became four, and four became many. Presently the Caucus has a total of 48 members within the State Assembly and Senate.