Suzi Oppenheimer's Press releases

August 3, 2012

11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Corner of Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd and Martine Ave., White Plains

Westchester County homeowners will have the opportunity to meet with mortgage foreclosure specialists from the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) on August 3rd  in White Plains. The Department’s Mobile Command Center will be available to assist homeowners already in foreclosure or at risk of foreclosure from 11 AM to 7 PM, and will be located at the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Martine Avenue, in front of the Westchester County Clerk's Office.

Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck) today applauded recent passage in the Assembly of a bill, A.9148, to increase the State’s minimum wage and called on her Senate colleagues to do the same. 

“This is a matter of economic fairness,” said Senator Oppenheimer. “Throughout New York, hardworking men and women are struggling to make ends meet under our woefully inadequate minimum wage laws.  Working class New Yorkers deserve to be paid a decent wage that will allow them to provide for their families’ needs.”

Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck) is pleased to announce Senate passage of S.5650-C, a bill aimed at strengthening the New York State daycare system by focusing on early childhood education in daycare settings. The bill directs the Commissioner of the NYS Department of Education (SED) to examine and make recommendations on early education in a variety of child care settings.

“I am a firm believer that the door to education opens long before kindergarten,” said Senator Oppenheimer. “All of our children deserve the chance to learn and prosper, and daycare can be an ideal place for educating our young children, as well as keeping them safe.”

On April 25, 2012, Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck) and the Democratic Conference hosted a public forum on hydraulic fracturing, also known as “hydrofracking.”  A capacity crowd attended the forum, including environmental activists, legislators, economists, healthcare professionals and residents from throughout New York State.  Attendees at the forum discussed issues and potential health care concerns about hydrofracking, a form of natural gas drilling.

Lars Schonander of Iona Grammar Wins Oppenheimer's Second Annual Geography Bee

On April 16, 2012, Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck) hosted her second annual Geography Bee for local middle school students at Iona Grammar School in New Rochelle. Eighth grade students from four area middle schools – Blind Brook Middle School in Rye Brook, Iona Grammar School in New Rochelle, and both the Rye County Day School and Rye Middle School in Rye – participated in this year’s competition. 

Lars Schonander of Iona Grammar emerged victorious in the geography bee, surviving stiff competition from fellow Iona classmates Thibault Forgeas and Stefan Lindblom, Rye Brook’s Sam Zarkower, Rye Country Day’s Daniel Kozek and Rye Middle School eighth grader, Mihir Bala.  Everyone present was impressed by the depth of knowledge that each student demonstrated.

Senate and Assembly Budget Proposals Would Reallocate Funds from Competitive Education Grants

The New York State Senate voted earlier this week to approve its 2012-13 Senate Budget Resolution, which will form the basis for further negotiations with the Assembly and the Executive Branch on the final FY 2012-23 budget.

Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck), the Ranking Member of the Senate Education Committee, fought for several changes in the proposed Education budget that were included in the Senate Resolution.  Chief among them was the proposal to reallocate $200 million from the Governor’s competitive performance grant program to increase State Aid to education.

Seizing the opportunity at a recent Joint Legislative Budget hearing on Environmental Conservation, Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck) asked New York’s top energy official about the availability of adequate and affordable alternative energy sources should the Indian Point nuclear plant be closed.

“We know that the Governor is very interested in closing down the nuclear power plant, Indian Point, which supplies energy to Westchester and New York City,” said the Senator.  “What would be your best guess for what will take the place of Indian Point if it does get closed?” asked Oppenheimer of NYS Energy Research Development Authority President and CEO, Francis J. Murray.

Murray, who served on a National Academy of Sciences Committee specifically formed to address this question, replied:

“We were not asked to opine whether Indian Point should or should not operate.  We were given the assumption that Indian Point is closing.  Can we in fact assure adequate power, energy and ancillary services?  And the resounding answer to that question is ‘yes.’  There are many options available that will ensure that energy will continue to flow into the metropolitan New York City area.”

Senator stands ready to work with Governor on ambitious agenda to create jobs and restore aging infrastructure

Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck) offered her strong support for Governor Andrew Cuomo’s ambitious agenda to build a “new” New York in 2012.  “Last year, we charted a new course in Albany, tackling tough issues and rebuilding public trust,” said Oppenheimer, “and I am anxious to continue that progress.”

The Senator applauded the Governor’s economic blueprint to grow New York’s economy and spur job creation.  She noted that plans to accelerate capital investment in a rebuilt Tappan Zee Bridge and a new, state-of-the-art New York City convention center will create thousands of jobs in our greater metropolitan area.  The Governor also pledged to speed the rebuilding of New York’s aging bridges, roads and parks, a move that will produce jobs while ensuring that the state remains competitive and safe.  “His private/public sector approach to economic development will allow the State to leverage its limited public infrastructure dollars to maximum benefit,” said Oppenheimer.

State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck) today applauded Governor Cuomo’s comprehensive Job Creation package, which includes significant reductions in the MTA Payroll Tax and state flood relief assistance for individuals, small businesses, and local governments hard hit by recent flood disasters.

Senator Oppenheimer stated, “The MTA Payroll Tax needs to be eliminated for suburban counties. The $250 million cut in the payroll tax, which is targeted to small businesses, self-employed individuals and private and parochial schools, will be of special benefit to Westchester.”