Assemblymember John Zaccaro, Jr., Community Newsletter #4

 

Budget Breakdown

• Raise the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) base income threshold from $80,000 to $100,000 that will increase accessibility to higher education.
• Increased fines and greater enforcement power for the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) to target illicit dispensaries and authorizes removal of commercial tenants for unlicensed cannabis retail sales.
• Direct the MTA to establish and implement a fare-free bus pilot program of ten free bus routes -- two per Borough, to understand the impact of free-fare bus routes to inform possible future expansion.
• Fund Universal School Meals in all K-12 schools across New York so that no child go hungry.
• Fund the Emergency Renters Assistance Program (ERAP) that will support individuals and families in public housing.
• Starting next year, the Minimum Wage will increase to $16 per hour in New York City, Westchester County and Long Island -- increasing 50 cents per year until it reaches $17 in 2027.
• Creation of the Homeowners Opportunities Connection Program, an important first step for New Yorkers in targeted populations to be able to own their own home.
• Secured $34.5 billion in total School Aid funding, including $24 billion in Foundation Aid vital to the educational success of our students.
• Fund the New York Youth Jobs Connector Program, connecting unemployed and underemployed individuals between ages 16 to 24 with targeted educational, occupational, and training services.
• Establish the Small Business and Entrepreneurs Grant Program, a two-year pilot program that will award grants between $5,000 to $25,000 to cover the cost of starting a new small business or support the expansion of an existing small business here in New York.
• Expand the ability of the New York Power Authority to develop renewable power and energy and enact a phased-in prohibition on natural gas hookups in newly constructed buildings to address the impact of climate change.
• Empower the NYC Department of Transportation to improve pedestrian safety by requiring the installation of stationary or mobile photography devices to ensure compliance with bus-operation traffic regulations.

Legislative Update - Recently co-sponsored bills

A6810 - Establishes the office of organized retail theft within the department of law to receive and investigate complaints from any source, or upon its own initiative, of allegations involving the use and role of organized retail theft.

A6459 - Allows victim impact statements in New York to be recorded and requires that the members of the parole board and all presiding commissioners for such hearing review all relevant impact statements prior to the conduct of a parole hearing.

A1202A - Requires all state employees receive training to prevent abusive behavior, bullying, and cyberbullying in the workplace.

A6987 - Enact the New York City Training and Comprehension of Trauma of Children (TACTIC) Act which would establish department of child trauma informed care to assist in parenting workshops, assign trauma informed care specialists to schools and issue an annual report on child trauma informed care in New York City schools.

A6872A - Criminalizes the harassment of a child when the perpetrator intentionally or knowingly harasses, annoys or alarms a child or a child's parent or guardian and establishes a private right of action for harassment of a child.

A154 - This bill would allow prosecutors to seek stronger penalties against employers who steal wages from workers.

A129 - This bill would ensure that deponents have their allegations accurately translated by someone who is qualified to translate them, while also putting defendants on sufficient notice of the fact giving to the factual allegations levied against them. 

A6275A - Would prohibit hospitals, medical providers or ambulance services from providing adverse information about medical debt to consumer reporting agencies. 

A6192A - Removes the labor market attachment requirement to receive Workers' Compensation and removes the suspension of benefits as a consequence for an inability to meet these requirements.

A3946 - Requires the disclosure of insurance information, including the name of the insurance company, the amount of coverage and what is covered under their plan, on a permit application for the construction of pipelines upon freshwater wetlands.

A1920 - This bill would establish a state university-based center for employee ownership that provides education and outreach to business owners regarding employee ownership.

Community Food Distribution

Working together with my team and our partners at Met Council we distributed food outside the 80th Assembly District Community Office this afternoon.

If you or someone you know is struggling with food insecurity please contact our community office at 718-409-0109.

Summer is Here, Lets Party!

That’s right!  Flowers are blooming, sweaters are being packed away, and temperatures are rising.  What better way to celebrate the start of summer than with a summer kick-off party?

On June 17th, join me and my team for a celebration of our community and family at my community office, 2018 Williamsbridge Road.  We'll have food, games, music and more for the whole family to enjoy.  Please contact my office with questions or to participate, 718-409-0109. Hope to see you all there!