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April 19, 2012 Bay Shore Summit

April 23, 2012
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SENATE PASSES BILL TO PROVIDE SEARCH AND RESCUE TRAINING FOR VOLUNTEERS HELPING FOREST RANGERS

SENATE PASSES BILL TO PROVIDE SEARCH AND RESCUE TRAINING FOR VOLUNTEERS HELPING FOREST RANGERS    The New York State Senate today passed legislation that allows for the creation of a training program for volunteers interested in assisting the search and rescue operations of state forest rangers. The bill (S.553), sponsored by Senator Betty Little (R-C-I, Queensbury), will enhance the safety of volunteers and the public during search and rescue operations in the Adirondacks, Catskills and other forested communities across the state.

April 19, 2012
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SENATE APPROVES LEGISLATION ON MIXED MARTIAL ARTS BOUTS

Senate Approves Legislation on Mixed Martial Arts Bouts

    The New York State Senate today passed legislation (S.1707A) to legalize and regulate mixed martial arts (MMA) competitions in New York State.

        One of the fastest growing sports in America, MMA is regulated in 47 states including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California and Florida. The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the most heavily regulated of the mixed martial arts leagues. Since 2001, UFC has employed strenuous rules and regulations to protect its athletes, including medical testing and safety requirements more rigorous than those in professional boxing.

April 19, 2012
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SENATE PASSES LEGISLATION GIVING COURTS GREATER CRITERIA FOR GRANTING BAIL

SENATE PASSES LEGISLATION GIVING COURTS GREATER CRITERIA FOR GRANTING BAIL “Jilly’s Law” intended to protect victims    The New York State Senate today passed a law which gives courts the ability to consider a greater number of issues–including victims’ safety—when setting bail. The bill (S.259), sponsored by Senator George Maziarz, also known as “Jilly’s Law”, is named for Jill Cahill who was killed in 1998.    Jill Cahill, of Onondaga County, was in the process of trying to divorce her husband, Jeff Cahill, when he attacked her with a baseball bat, striking her more than seven times and nearly killing her.

April 19, 2012
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SENATE PASSES PET PROTECTION BILL

SENATE PASSES PET PROTECTION BILLMeasure Makes the Theft of Dogs or Cats A Felony    The New York State Senate today passed a bill to help prevent the theft of pets by increasing the penalties for committing the crime. The bill, (S.946), sponsored by Senator Carl L. Marcellino (R, Syosset), would make stealing a licensed dog or cat a felony and takes into account the monetary and emotional value of a pet.    According to the American Kennel Club’s database of customer and media reports, there is a continuing trend of pet thefts in the United States, with a 49 percent increase in the number of pets reported stolen in the first seven months of 2011 as compared to 2010.

April 19, 2012
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SENATE PASSES BILLS TO HELP TAXPAYERS

  On New York State’s tax filing deadline, the state Senate yesterday passed legislation that would expedite payment of income tax refunds and simplify STAR property tax relief filings for senior citizens.    A bill sponsored by Senator Carl L. Marcellino (R, Syosset) ensures prompt payment of a state income tax refund. Traditionally, the state Department of Taxation and Finance has held returns requesting refunds for up to two months, starting from when taxpayers file their return to when they may actually see the refund.

April 18, 2012
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SENATE PASSES BILL TO INCREASE PRISON SENTENCES FOR PERSISTENT VIOLENT OFFENDERS

SENATE PASSES BILL TO INCREASE PRISON SENTENCES FOR PERSISTENT VIOLENT OFFENDERS“Three Strikes and You’re In”The New York State Senate passed legislation that would keep the most dangerous, violent, repeat criminals behind bars and out of our communities.    The bill (S.1539), sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos (R-C, Rockville Centre),  requires persistent violent felony offenders be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.  This bill recognizes that persistent violent offenders are most likely to commit violent crimes again and would ensure that violent, recidivist criminals are permanently prevented from posing a danger to society.

April 18, 2012
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North Babylon Council of PTA’s Annual Legislative Breakfast

Senator Owen H. Johnson joined elected officials, school officials and community members at the North Babylon Co

Senator Owen H. Johnson joined elected officials, school officials and community members at the North Babylon Council of PTA’s Annual Legislative Breakfast to discuss important educational issues.  The Legislative Breakfast was held at the North Babylon High School on March 24, 2012.

April 11, 2012
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CAREER FAIR: APRIL 12, 2012 AT PERRY B. DURYEA STATE OFFICE BUILDING IN HAUPPAUGE

GOVERNOR CUOMO REMINDS JOB SEEKERS OF ANNUAL CAREER FAIRS TAKING PLACE TOMORROW THROUGHOUT NEW YORKEight Simultaneous Career Fairs Will Connect New Yorkers with Hundreds of Businesses Offering Thousands of JobsCareer Fairs Are Taking Place in Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Hauppauge, New York City, Poughkeepsie, Syracuse, and UticaGovernor Andrew M. Cuomo today reminded New Yorkers that eight career fairs are taking place throughout the state tomorrow, April 12, to help job seekers connect with hundreds of businesses offering thousands of jobs. This year, the state's annual career fair happens in eight locations: Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Hauppauge, New York City, Poughkeepsie, Syracuse, and Utica.

April 12, 12:30 PM - 4:00 PM
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Congratulations To Copiague High School Valedictorian Jessica Murphy!

Photograph from left to right: Peter Murphy; Heather Murphy; Jessica Murphy, Valedictorian; Senator Owen H. Johnson; and Michel

Senator Owen H. Johnson congratulated Walter G. O'Connell Copiague High School Valedictorian Jessica Murphy and her family recently at the Copiague Board of Education’s Annual Legislative Breakfast held at the Copiague High School Cafeteria at 1100 Dixon Avenue on March 17, 2012.  Members of the Class of 2012 Top Ten Students were in attendance. Photograph from left to right:  Peter Murphy; Heather Murphy; Jessica Murphy, Valedictorian; Senator Owen H. Johnson; and Michele Murphy. 

April 11, 2012
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Walter G. O'Connell Copiague High School Named "Advanced Placement District Of The Year" by College Board

Senator Owen H. Johnson (4th Senate District) joined with Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (8th Senate District) in presenting a New York State Senate Resolution to Jeanette Altruda, Principal of the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School, for being named “Advanced Placement District of the Year” by the College Board.

April 10, 2012
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WORKSHOP FOR BUSINESSES: STARTING AND SUSTAINING SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES IN NEW YORK STATE

GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO ANNOUNCES STATEWIDE SMALL BUSINESS OUTREACH INITIATIVETeam of State Officials to Travel Around the State to Conduct Workshops for BusinessesSmall Businesses Learn About Starting and Sustaining Successful Businesses in the State

May 3, 8:30 AM - 3:26 PM
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Bethpage Federal Credit Union Opens New Branch In West Babylon

Senator Owen H. Johnson joined employees of  Bethpage Federal Credit Union along with members of the Babylon Town Chamber of Commerce and other elected officials to celebrate the opening of the new Bethpage Federal Credit Union branch in West Babylon.  The official ribbon cutting ceremony took place on February 16, 2012 at the new branch location at 555 Montauk Highway, West Babylon in the Pathmark Shopping Center.

April 4, 2012
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Talented Artists From West Islip Elementary Schools Chosen To Display Artwork At State Capitol Exhibit

Senator Owen H. Johnson met with three talented young artists from West Islip Elementary Schools at the State Capitol on March 14, 2012.  Brianna Compitello from Bayview Elementary School, and Sydney Krawchuk and Tyler Foran, both from Westbrook Elementary School were chosen to display their artwork at the 22nd Annual State-wide New York State Art Teachers Association 2012 Legislative Student Art Exhibit:  A Celebration of Young Artists.“It was a pleasure to meet with such talented young artists from West Islip, and I congratulate them for being invited to show their wonderful artwork in this celebratory exhibit,” Senator Johnson said.

April 3, 2012
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GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES ACCELERATED ROAD AND BRIDGE PROJECTS ON LONG ISLAND AS PART OF NY WORKS PROGRAM

GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES ACCELERATED ROAD AND BRIDGE PROJECTS ON LONG ISLAND AS PART OF NY WORKS PROGRAM$40,686,000 Investment to Repair 86 Miles of Roads and Six BridgesGovernor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced an additional and accelerated $40,686,000 investment for nine NY Works projects that will repair 86 miles of roads and six bridges on Long Island. For the transportation component of NY Works, the Department of Transportation (DOT) reviewed its Capital Program and identified those projects, which can be accelerated by utilizing either the conventional design-bid-build project delivery mechanism or the newly-enacted design-build project delivery method.

April 3, 2012
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Senate Completes Second Consecutive Early Passage of State Budget

For the second consecutive year, the New York State Senate has completed an early passage of the state budget. The 2012-13 state budget achieves the Senate Republicans’ goals of reducing state spending, not raising taxes and creating new private sector jobs.  The new state fiscal year begins April 1st.

April 2, 2012
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SENATE COMPLETES SECOND CONSECUTIVE EARLY PASSAGE OF STATE BUDGET 2012-13 State Budget Reduces Spending, Does Not Raise Taxes, Creates Jobs

Leaders Attend As Governor Andrew Cuomo Signs An Ontime Budget

SENATE COMPLETES SECOND CONSECUTIVE EARLY PASSAGE OF STATE BUDGET2012-13 State Budget Reduces Spending, Does Not Raise Taxes, Creates Jobs            For the second consecutive year, the New York State Senate has completed an early passage of the state budget. The 2012-13 state budget achieves the Senate Republicans’ goals of reducing state spending, not raising taxes and creating new private sector jobs.  The new state fiscal year begins April 1st.

March 30, 2012
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Tax Cuts Taking Effect April 1, 2012

Dear Friend:

I wanted to inform you about two tax cuts taking effect this Sunday, April 1st.

* State Sales Tax Exemption for Clothing and Footwear

All clothing and footwear sold for less than $110 per item (or per pair for footwear) will be exempt from the New York State 4% sales tax starting April 1st.  Additionally, most fabric, thread, yarn, buttons, snaps, hooks, zippers and similar items that are used to make or repair exempt clothing will also be eligible for the exemption.  The exemption from state sales tax is in effect year-round.

* MTA Payroll Tax Repeal

March 29, 2012
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West Islip High School Student Christopher Wilson Hosts Blood Drive

Senator Owen H. Johnson and Assemblyman Phil Boyle joined Christopher Wilson at a Blood Drive and Fundraiser he hosted on March 3, 2012 at the Babylon Masonic Lodge No. 793 in Babylon.  Over 113 pints of blood and $5000 were collected for Good Samaritan Hospital.Christopher, a Junior at West Islip High School, hosted the blood drive to repay the community for the kindness and support he received after serious injuries he sustained when he was struck by a car at the intersection of Barberry Road and Montauk Highway while walking to school on the morning of October 24, 2011.  Christopher required 7 pints of blood in order to save his lower leg and is currently recuperating from his numerous injuries.

March 27, 2012
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SENATE PASSES BILL TO INCREASE PUBLIC DISCLOSURE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF RIDES AND AMUSEMENTS

Measure Requires Enhanced Access to Safety Records    The New York State Senate yesterday passed a measure that will help provide the public with more information about amusement parks, carnivals or county fairs so that they can make informed safety decisions. The bill (S.5868A) requires the state and amusement operators to post valuable safety information online and at a ride’s location.

March 27, 2012
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