Assemblymember John Zaccaro, Jr., Community Newsletter #5

 

Dear Friends,

With the conclusion of the 2023 legislative session I would like to share all that was accomplished on your behalf in Albany. Together with my team and my partners in the Assembly Majority Conference we enacted smart policy and continue to tirelessly advocate for all New Yorkers.

I proudly voted for policies benefiting working class individuals and families, our students, seniors, small businesses and all those who keep New York moving forward. This includes:

• School Aid funding: Secured $34.5 billion in total and $24 billion in Foundation Aid vital to the educational success of our students.
• Emergency Renters Assistance Program (ERAP): $391 million to support individuals and families who live in public housing.
• Universal School Meals: All New York K-12 schools will be required to provide Universal School Meals.
• Fare Free MTA Bus Pilot Program: Consisting of ten free bus routes with two bus routes per borough.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Raise the base income threshold from $80,000 to $100,000 that will increase accessibility to higher education.
• Targeting Illegal Cannabis Dispensaries: Greater enforcement power and increased fines for selling adult-use cannabis without a license to $10,000 per day.
• Increase the Minimum Wage: $16 per hour in New York City, Westchester County and Long Island, increasing 50 cents per year until it reaches $17 in 2027.
• Two-year pilot Small Business Entrepreneurs Grant Program: Will award grants between $5,000 to $25,000 that will cover the cost of starting a new small business or support the expansion of an existing small business.

During my first legislative session:

• I was the prime sponsor of seven bills.
• I co-sponsored over ninety bills.
• One bill I introduced will provide homeless or runaway youth that receive services at an approved youth crisis services program to consent for their own medical care. This bill was signed into law in March.
• I also introduced bills to target illicit cannabis transactions at smoke shops and I will continue to vigorously advocate on behalf of my constituents to address this problem.

Co-sponsored Bills that passed the Assembly and Senate

In the People's House we work very hard to draft and pass bills that have a meaningful impact on the lives of not only our constituents but all New Yorkers. I am proud that many bills I co-sponsored this legislative session have passed both the Assembly and Senate which include:

A154A - This bill adds wage theft to the types of activities included in the crime of larceny.

A1707A - Requires certain manufacturers of prescription drugs notify the superintendent of any proposed increase of the wholesale acquisition cost of such prescription drugs.

A1029C - This bill would allow for the automatic sealing of criminal convictions pertaining to specified offenses after an individual has satisfied their sentence and the required period of time has passed, within which the individual has remained a law abiding citizen while ensuring otherwise sealed conviction information will remain accessible to law enforcement and other relevant and necessary purposes.

A6568B - Establishes the New York State organized retail crime task force to provide the governor and the legislature with information on organized retail crime and various countermeasures to counter losses from such crime in the state.

A4421 - This bill will allow taxpayers to subtract from New York adjusted gross income any federal student loan forgiveness awards.

A7768 - Declares Asian Lunar New Year a school holiday in New York State.

A7677 -- This bill would establish an Office of Community Hiring and Workforce Development for the purpose of implementing community hiring programs.

Looking Ahead to 2024

Although the 2023 legislative session is over our work continues whether in Albany or in our District. If you have any questions, comments or would like to discuss any bills please contact our Albany office at (518) 455-5844

First Annual Family Fun Day Block Party

Since taking office in January I have heard from many people  throughout the 80th Assembly District crying out for the return of  family oriented events. On Saturday, June 17th our office held the First Annual Family Fun Day Block Party, an unprecedented closure of Williamsbridge Road between Neil and Lydig Avenue for more than 2,000 people to partake in the festivities!

As the unofficial start of summer our block party brought together our community for a fantastic day filled with bouncy houses, face painters, food and drinks, music, and much more all free of cost to attendees. I was also proud to welcome representatives from many local organizations, the NYPD and the FDNY.

Our community in the Bronx is among the most vibrant, diverse and engaged throughout our City and nothing brings us together like enjoying each other's company on a sunny afternoon.

I would like to thank everyone who attended our First Annual Family Fun Day Block Party and extend my deepest appreciation to partner organizations that helped make our event an enormous success, we look forward to seeing you next year!