Deal Reached to Avert New York Teacher Layoffs by Fernanda Santos - NYTimes.com

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The threatened layoffs of 4,100 teachers in New York’s public schools were averted under a deal that the Bloomberg administration, the City Council and the teachers’ union reached on Friday night.

Details were still being worked out, but the agreement calls for concessions from the United Federation of Teachers and money from the Council.

Under the deal, the union would agree to suspend teacher sabbaticals for a year and permit teachers without a permanent assignment to be used more regularly as classroom substitutes. In addition, the Bloomberg administration would concede that 2,600 teachers would be lost to attrition, 600 more than estimated, saving additional jobs. On one hand, the resolution spares Mr. Bloomberg from becoming the first mayor in nearly 40 years to impose mass teacher layoffs. On the other hand, though, it threatens to undermine his credibility, given that he has declared for two consecutive years that layoffs were inevitable, only to see them averted in a budget deal.

The budget plan also allows the Council to keep open 20 fire companies that the mayor had ordered closed, and it may be able to restore at least some of the cuts he planned for day care services and librarians.

Still, it appeared that up to 1,000 city workers — many of them in health care jobs — would be laid off.

In a news conference at the Education Department headquarters in Lower Manhattan on Friday night, Mr. Bloomberg said he was disappointed he could not avoid all layoffs. Still, he said, “this is a budget that will keep our city strong, but it is also a budget that faces fiscal reality.”

Asked whether he thought his credibility had been hurt, the mayor defended his approach, saying the city faced extremely bleak and unpredictable economic circumstances.

The City Council speaker, Christine C. Quinn, standing by the mayor’s side, praised the deal. “New Yorkers can rest easy tonight knowing that our children will still have great teachers,” she said.

Mr. Bloomberg had taken an aggressive posture during the negotiations, emboldened over the past days by the victories scored in Albany and Trenton against public-sector unions and becoming more emphatic about his demands. But in the end, he and the teachers’ union, one of his most vociferous opponents, had to reach an agreement, helping to balance a $66 billion budget that had a $4.6 billion gap.

A different rescue proposal fell apart on Thursday, after the city rejected an offer from the Municipal Labor Committee, a group representing roughly 100 municipal unions, for $262 million to be taken from a health care reserve fund they jointly manage. By then, Ms. Quinn and the teachers’ union president, Michael Mulgrew, had been secretly meeting for days.

Once the other deal collapsed, talks between Ms. Quinn and Mr. Mulgrew moved into overdrive.

On Friday morning, officials of the city’s Education Department made their way to the union’s headquarters to determine what would and would not be on the table. By late afternoon, the two sides had come to an agreement.

Ms. Quinn, meanwhile, worked to sell the plan to Mr. Bloomberg, emerging as the crucial figure in the process.

The budget must be approved by the full Council by Thursday.

Javier C. Hernandez contributed reporting

Bloomzilla Shows No Remorse! - nycisnot4sale.com

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NYC Comptroller John C. Liu on the Mayor’s Fiscal Year 2012 Executive Budget

New York City Comptroller John C. Liu today presented testimony before the New York City Council Finance Committee regarding Mayor Bloomberg’s Fiscal Year 2012 Executive Budget.

Comptroller Liu’s testimony as prepared for delivery is below:

Good afternoon Chairman Recchia and members of the Finance Committee, and thank you for allowing me the opportunity to present testimony on the Mayor’s Fiscal Year 2012 Executive Budget.

The Mayor’s FY 2012 Executive Budget totals $65.7 billion after various prepayments. The FY 2012 budget is the product of a series of actions which closed a $3.26 billion gap in the July 2010 Financial Plan stemming from a structural imbalance where expenditures exceeded revenues. The gap was further exacerbated by State actions that took place during the year.

While it is estimated that FY 2011 will end with a $3.217 billion surplus, when compared with the $3.646 billion surplus similarly transferred from FY 2010 to FY 2011, it becomes clear that in the current year, the City is drawing on more resources than it is generating. However, if past history is any indication we can anticipate that the year may end with a budgetary surplus.

Overall spending in the FY 2012 budget has decreased by 0.4 percent when compared to the FY 2011 budget. But these numbers mask the fact that while overall expenditures have been held flat, the City-funded portion of the budget has increased from 67.1 percent of the FY 2011 budget to 70.7 percent of the FY 2012 budget. The City-funded portion of the budget is $2.2 billion greater than the FY 2011 budget and $2.1 billion more than was planned a year ago. The Financial Plan assumes that by FY 2015 the City-funded portion of the budget will exceed 74.5 percent. This trend is a direct result of a reduction in State and Federal aid to New York City.

As we hear talk of layoffs and cutbacks it is critically important for the City to identify as many areas of savings as possible.

You are well aware of the outcome of my office’s work on the CityTime issue. As a result of our steadfast oversight, the project is now nearing completion without any additional cost to the taxpayers. While that may be good news, it does not make up for the fact that the costs ballooned from $68 million to more than $700 million. My office will continue to work closely with the investigative authorities on this issue in hopes of possibly recouping some of the money that has been allegedly funneled to subcontractors on the project.

In addition, it was a welcome sign that the Department of Education has decided to cancel a $43 million contract with another high priced consultant, Future Technology Associates, who have been suspected of utilizing subcontractors to overbill the City. My office has been conducting an audit into the vendor for quite some time and will continue to do so in order fully disclose what really went on.

While we are discussing the DOE, I would like to point out that a review of OMB documents within the past week has found that after years of looking the other direction, the Department of Education has decided to finally seek additional Medicaid reimbursement funding from the State for occupational and physical therapy and speech and language services. The Executive Budget assumes an additional $100 million in revenue as a result of increased Medicaid reimbursements on top of the previous estimate of $17 million presented in the Preliminary Budget.

My office has been working with the City’s Office of Management and Budget and the UFT to identify the actual value of funds eligible for the City. While the current estimate of $117 million is enough to significantly impact the cuts proposed to the classroom, we believe this to be a cautious estimate. The City may be eligible for greater reimbursements, which would free up funds for use elsewhere.

The $100 million in additional reserves have been allocated to cover various other expenses in the DOE budget, such as $48 million for general education non-personal service and $26 million for charter schools. These dollars and any additional Medicaid funds realized during Fiscal Year 2012 should be used to help offset the proposed teacher layoffs, which have a more direct negative effect on classroom services.

In the Executive Budget, the Mayor has allocated nearly $1 billion towards funding anticipated changes in the actuarial assumptions and methods used in computing pension contributions. The City actuary is currently reviewing an independent audit of the rate change and will offer his recommendations to the pension boards. While it is expected that the actuary will recommend a change in the assumed rate of return of the City’s pension funds, there is more uncertainty about what other modifications would be proposed. As such, the eventual cost of the any recommendations is unknown at this point. It is also uncertain as to when the recommendations and the eventual changes would take effect.

Another potential area of savings is through the City’s settlement of claims. My office is responsible for authorizing monetary amounts of settlement where we feel the City may have been at fault for personal injury or property damage. The City has indicated that they expect a rise in the cost of settlements to occur. However, my office anticipates that based upon historical data, the City is overestimating this total by at least $50 million.

As always, my office will seek the most fair and equitable results in our claims settlement process and continue to act in the best interest of the taxpayer when doing so.

We have also identified some risks to the Mayor’s plan. Most significant is the assumption that contract discussions with the UFT and CSA will not result in any additional cost to the City. These are placed as risk because the Mayor has not budgeted for raises consistent with those of other municipal unions, and has instead relied on a labor strategy that uses productivity initiatives to offset cost.

Another risk to the Mayor’s plan is his underestimation of overtime. In fact, my office has estimated that the overtime costs will be upwards of $195 million more than the Mayor anticipates.

As we gradually move out of this recession, it is important to note that the City is continuing on a steady but slow path to recovery. Despite mostly positive indicators for the City’s short-term economic condition there exist the possibility of negative externalities that could hinder the current expansion. Factors outside of the City’s control such as rising energy prices, the continued depression of the construction industry specifically within the residential construction sector, and the potential European debt crisis can be expected to produce additional drag on the US and local economies.

One area that has shown strength is our City’s pension systems. After posting returns of 14 percent last Fiscal Year, the most recent data show that the funds are up more than 20 percent in the current year. These gains will help offset future payment towards the pension systems.

My office released a study last week, the first of its kind, which revealed the past decade of fluctuation in the markets will cause pension costs to rise in the short term. However, due largely to already enacted benefit reforms that took place between 1995 and 2009 the long term costs to the City will steadily decline. These projections are sound and have been verified by independent professional actuaries.

The study shows that over the next 30 years City pension costs as a percentage of the City's budget will decline from 11.4 percent in FY 2016 to 5.1 percent FY 2040.

I hope I was able to be helpful today in presenting an accurate look at the City budget, as well as provide some areas worth exploring during phase of the budget process. As always my office is available to assist you in any way necessary.

Momentum Builds in Fight to Restore Child Care Cuts

Parents and Kids Confront Mayor on Cuts and Release Report on Impact of Lack of Child Care Options on Families

Elected Officials Spend Day as Child Care Providers

Less than a week after a super majority of Council members wrote to the Mayor decrying his so-called "solution" to child care in the City, which would leave thousands of kids without care, and days after 30,000 petitions were delivered to City Hall calling on the Council and Mayor to restore the money for child care, dozens of parents and children descended on the Mayor's house to ask "What should we do with our kids if there is no child care?" and Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and Borough President Scott Stringer spent the day as a child care provider to show their support for the issue.

Also, today, the Center for Children’s Initiatives, a nonprofit focusing on early care and learning, issued a report along with Wachs Family Fund of the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and Cornell School of Industrial and Labor Relations, with findings on what happens to New York City working families that lose child care.

The report is based on 83 interviews with NYC families eligible for a child care subsidy but unable to obtain one because of capacity cuts over the last 3 years. Strikingly, it finds that several parents reported that 311, NYC’s information line, informed them that the surest route to a child care subsidy was applying for public assistance [Executive Summary and Page 8].

Other report highlights:

• Parents interviewed see care not only as necessary so they can work – but they increasingly cite the educational value of high quality early learning programs. Several cited how unfair it was that only families earning “six figures” have access to excellent care. [Report Executive Summary and Page 9].
• A parent anecdote from Claudette, a home health aide earning $7.75 an hour providing care for elderly clients and the sole supporter for her 15 month old baby. When the center closed that provided care for her 15 month old while she worked full time, she desperately searched for a new caregiver. She couldn’t afford full-time care, so settled for part-time care out of her neighborhood. Claudette now has more than 45 minute commute to her part-time provider. She’s often late for work – threatening her future employment. She knows that going on public assistance would give her higher priority for care - but she’s trying to avoid that. [Report Page 3 - Sidebar]

“Without child care, I don’t know what I’m going to do,” said Kim Sandy, a single mother whose 3-year old son attends The Educational Alliance’s Lillian Wald Day Care Center. “I won’t be able to keep my job and provide for my family. So many parents depend on this care – for the Mayor to continue to cut child care just doesn’t make sense.”

“With the Mayor’s cuts, 7,000 fewer children from low income working families will have access to child care next year,” said David Nocenti, Executive Director of Union Settlement Association. “These children are more than just numbers – they are our city’s future, and they deserve safe, affordable, educational care that will set them on a path to success.”

Also, today, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer took part in the United Federation of Teachers “Daycare Provider for a Day” program by visiting home daycare sites where providers educate and care for pre-school children.

"Seeing firsthand how childcare providers help our children learn and grow is all the evidence you need that the Mayor's budget has the wrong priorities," said Public Advocate Bill de Blasio. "Today I was proud to spend a morning walking in the shoes of Linnette Ebanks and tomorrow I will continue to fight for her and the thousands of working families that depend on child care."

“New York must never balance its budget on the backs of children and family, but that’s exactly what these cuts to child care and early education accomplish,” said Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer. “Despite the Mayor’s restorations, the child care system at large is still under siege, and next year 7,000 fewer children from low-income families will be able to access care. This administration has worked to gradually dismantle such a critical social safety net; in total, the city has lost 14,000 child care slots in the past four years due to cuts of this nature. New Yorkers deserve more than a half-a-loaf response from City Hall on an issue that impacts our most vulnerable constituents and their children.”

Stop Bloomberg’s Budget Cuts For NYC – nycisnot4sale.com

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Children Deliver 30,000 Petitions in Little Red Wagon

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OVER 50 EDUCATION PROFESSORS SIGN LETTER SAYING CHILD CARE FUNDING IS IMPORTANT FOR CHILDREN’S EDUCATION

CHILDREN DELIVER PETITIONS IN A LITTLE RED WAGON; ADVOCATES SAY IT IS TIME FOR MAYOR AND COUNCIL TO REALLY SAVE CHILD CARE & STOP PLAYING MUSICAL CHAIRS WITH CHILD CARE MONEY

Today hundreds of NYC Children, Parents, and Advocates delivered nearly 30,000 petitions via “Little Red Wagon” to City Hall calling on Mayor Bloomberg and the City Council to fully restore money to child care and after school programs in the final budget. Over 50 education professors also released a letter to the Mayor and the Speaker of the City Council calling on them to protect child care funding because of its importance in children’s readiness for further education. The Mayor’s Executive Budget released on May 6 makes significant cuts to child care, leaving thousands of low-income children without access to care.

“We need to be committed as a City to preparing our kids to learn on that first day of school. That’s something every parent knows and certainly something an ‘Education Mayor’ should understand,” said Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, who today delivered 3,773 signatures to City Hall from parents opposing childcare cuts. “This budget consigns an entire generation of New York City kids to inferior childcare—and in some cases no childcare at all—during those first critical years of their development. The parents of this city cannot let that happen.”

“The fact that we delivered nearly 30,000 petitions today shows just how much child care means to New York City’s communities,” said Reverend Emma Jordan-Simpson, Executive Director of Children’s Defense Fund-NY. “The Mayor and the City Council must restore funding to child care so that no child is deprived of care, no parent is forced to choose between child care and going to work, and no child care providers lose their jobs.”

Last week, a supermajority of the City Council sent a letter to the Mayor urging him to take immediate action to support working parents and their children by restoring funding to vital youth programs and services. “The dramatic cuts in funding to both the Out-of-School-Time (OST) and subsidized child-care systems will wreak havoc on the lives of those low-income working families who rely on these services for survival,” the letter said. And advocates maintain that the poorest neighborhoods with the highest unemployment rates, lowest median income levels, and the most students not meeting state and city reading standards are hit the hardest.

“We have not given up this fight because child care has not been saved,” said Chair of the City Council General Welfare Committee Annabel Palma. “Every child deserves an early education and every parent deserves safe, affordable options – that’s why the final budget must restore all cuts to child care.”

“I send my children to a day care center that I trust, a center that I myself attended as a child, and where the providers are like family to me,” said Elizabeth Villafane, a nurse’s aide and mother of 3 from Coney Island. “I was devastated when I got a letter that this center would close in June. They told me not to worry, ACS would find a solution. ACS told me to enroll the children in another center, but all the centers in Coney Island have waiting lists. What no one can tell me is, what am I supposed to do?”

“To address the achievement gap, the city should be working to strengthen quality early childhood education opportunities, not eliminating them,” said Education Professor Beverly Falk. “Research on the impact of quality early childhood programs on young children, especially those from low-income backgrounds, demonstrates that these programs are the best possible investment in children's futures. Depriving low-income children of the opportunity to participate in child care programs will move the city in the wrong direction and leave a lasting mark. We strongly urge you to reconsider this plan and fully restore child care.”

ABOUT CHILD CARE

Despite what some are saying, child care has not yet been saved. The Executive Budget still contains significant cuts to child care. New York’s children deserve more than a game of musical chairs. In this budget, 7,000 fewer children from low income working families will have access to child care next year, estimates the Emergency Coalition to Save Child Care. If these cuts are implemented, there will be 29% less child care and after school slots for working families in this coming Fiscal Year than there were in 2007. These cuts are a dramatic reversal of the City’s promise to expand early learning opportunities for our children.

IMPACT ON CHILDREN

Children will pay the biggest price for this cut in child care services. According to many studies, including The Productivity Argument for Investing In Young Children, early childhood learning opportunities lead to more positive outcomes later in life. Children who attend quality early childhood programs are more likely to graduate from high school, less likely to be involved in crime and less likely to become teen parents.

IMPACT ON WORKING PARENTS

Child care is the single most important factor keeping single mothers in the workforce. Research has shown that child care subsidy programs increase employment rates for single mothers. Federal welfare reform was accompanied by a massive ramp up in support for child care which was a key part in moving more New Yorkers from welfare to work. Many parents, especially single mothers, have reported that they would be unable to work without child care assistance. The costs of child care are prohibitive and for many, without a subsidy, it does not pay to work. Despite all of the rhetoric about helping people become employed and stay self-sufficient, these cuts will lead to many parents leaving the workforce and becoming more reliant on government supports, such as health insurance, food stamps, unemployment or public assistance.

IMPACT ON NEW YORK ECONOMY

Studies have shown that every $1 cut from child care leads to a $1.86 loss in economic activity, and that child care and early learning programs save hundreds of millions of dollars in future costs for remedial education and lowered high school graduation rates.

These cuts will lead to a higher need for other government programs such as health insurance, food stamps, public assistance and unemployment benefits. Many parents determine that the high cost of child care exceeds their income, and they are unable to go to work because they have nowhere safe for their children during the day. More than a thousand early childhood professionals will lose their jobs and the availability of employment in this sector will be drastically reduced.

Child Care Advocates Respond to Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) Hearing

CALL ON MAYOR AND COUNCIL TO FIND THE MONEY TO REALLY “SAVE” CHILD CARE

DECRY GAME OF “MUSICAL CHAIRS” THE ADMINISTRATION IS PLAYING WITH CHILD CARE FUNDING

As the City Council General Welfare Committee heard testimony from the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), child care advocates called on Mayor Bloomberg and the City Council to fully restore money to child care in the final budget.

The Executive Budget still makes significant cuts to child care, leaving thousands of low-income children without access to care next year. New York children – many of whom live in communities with high unemployment, high unmet needs for child care, and low achievement on standardized tests – are at risk of losing the care they deserve and that hard-working families rely on.

“The Mayor’s Executive Budget still contains significant cuts to child care. How can child care be “saved” when 119 child care centers around the City are at risk of closing their doors?” said Council Member and Chair of the General Welfare Committee Annabel Palma. “Our children deserve more than a game of musical chairs – they deserve access to safe, affordable, educational child care."

“This budget still means that children around the city will be deprived of care, parents will be forced to choose between child care and going to work, and child care teachers and providers will lose their jobs,” said The Rev. Dr. Emma Jordan-Simpson, Executive Director of the Children’s Defense Fund – New York. “The City Council and the Mayor must ensure that no child loses child care and that we maintain critical early childhood capacity in our most under-resourced communities.”

The Emergency Coalition to Save Child Care, made up of organizations representing thousands of city residents, says it will continue fighting for all children from low-income, working families who are in danger of losing child care. The Coalition, which released a report last month detailing the unequal impacts of the Mayor’s cuts, maintains that the city can’t afford to cut a single child care slot. This care allows working parents to keep their jobs, stay off public assistance, and provide their children with a strong foundation for school success.

“Without child care, I don’t know what I’m going to do,” said Kim Sandy, a single mother whose 3-year old son attends The Educational Alliance’s Lillian Wald Day Care Center. “I won’t be able to keep my job and provide for my family. So many parents depend on this care – for the Mayor to continue to cut child care just doesn’t make sense.”

“As they negotiate the budget, it is imperative that the Mayor and the City Council ensure that child care centers and family day care providers remain fully funded and that capacity remains in place for future generations of children,” said Jennifer March-Joly, Executive Director of Citizens’ Committee for Children.

“The city already has high unemployment, and cutting child care means more people out of work,” said Raglan George Jr., Executive Director of AFSCME District Council 1707. “Parents without a safe place to leave their child while they work would be forced to quit their jobs, and child care professionals would be laid off. The Mayor and the City Council must protect working families by restoring the cuts to child care in the final budget.”

ABOUT CHILD CARE

Despite what some are saying, child care has not yet been saved. The Executive Budget still contains significant cuts to child care. New York’s children deserve more than a game of musical chairs. In this budget, 7,000 fewer children from low income working families will have access to child care next year, estimates the Emergency Coalition to Save Child Care. If these cuts are implemented, there will be 29% less child care and after school slots for working families in this coming Fiscal Year than there were in 2007. These cuts are a dramatic reversal of the City’s promise to expand early learning opportunities for our children.

IMPACT ON CHILDREN

Children will pay the biggest price for this cut in child care services. According to many studies, including The Productivity Argument for Investing In Young Children, early childhood learning opportunities lead to more positive outcomes later in life. Children who attend quality early childhood programs are more likely to graduate from high school, less likely to be involved in crime and less likely to become teen parents.

IMPACT ON WORKING PARENTS

Child care is the single most important factor keeping single mothers in the workforce. Research has shown that child care subsidy programs increase employment rates for single mothers. Federal welfare reform was accompanied by a massive ramp up in support for child care which was a key part in moving more New Yorkers from welfare to work. Many parents, especially single mothers, have reported that they would be unable to work without child care assistance. The costs of child care are prohibitive and for many, without a subsidy, it does not pay to work. Despite all of the rhetoric about helping people become employed and stay self-sufficient, these cuts will lead to many parents leaving the workforce and becoming more reliant on government supports, such as health insurance, food stamps, unemployment or public assistance.

IMPACT ON NEW YORK ECONOMY

Studies have shown that every $1 cut from child care leads to a $1.86 loss in economic activity, and that child care and early learning programs save hundreds of millions of dollars in future costs for remedial education and lowered high school graduation rates.

These cuts will lead to a higher need for other government programs such as health insurance, food stamps, public assistance and unemployment benefits. Many parents determine that the high cost of child care exceeds their income, and they are unable to go to work because they have nowhere safe for their children during the day. More than a thousand early childhood professionals will lose their jobs and the availability of employment in this sector will be drastically reduced.

News From City Council Member Eric Ulrich

NYC Council Member Eric Ulrich Celebrates Opening of Rockaway Beach for Summer

Council Member Eric A. Ulrich (R-Queens) joined Parks Department officials, residents and colleagues in government on the boardwalk at Beach 97^th Street in Rockaway on Friday to celebrate the annual opening of the city’s public beaches. After reminders from Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe to stay safe this summer, the officials and residents sampled some of the food available on the boardwalk this summer and tried their hand at beach tennis.

Ulrich said, “As we all know, Rockaway continues to be one of the city’s best kept secrets. It’s a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family, and to enjoy the beach. There are lots of new and exciting amenities this year, and I encourage everyone in Queens to visit this summer and discover the beauty Rockaway has to offer.”

In all, the City boasts 14 miles of beaches that attracted 19 million visitors last year. New this year will be food concessions run by Rockaway Beach Club, LLC, which will serve tacos, po’ boys, arepas, enchiladas, Italian ices and more at snack bars at Beach 86^th, 97^th and 106^th streets. In addition, a mile of new boardwalk is open this year along stretches between Beach 23^rd and Beach 81^st streets.

NYC Council Member Eric Ulrich: Additional Police Presence Needed at Aqueduct

Council Member Eric A. Ulrich (R-Queens) is asking the NYPD to assign additional police officers to the 106th Precinct in advance of the planned September opening of video lottery terminals at Aqueduct Race Track in Ozone Park.

The new racino is expected to draw more than eight million visitors each year, and local residents and Community Board 10 have already expressed concerns about the current staffing levels at the local precinct.

Ulrich said, “In order to keep our streets safe, we are going to need more cops at the 106^th Precinct. My constituents should not have to worry about any rise in crime that might emanate from Aqueduct. We need to do everything we can to guarantee a good quality of life for the neighborhoods surrounding the track. This request is more than reasonable.”

Ulrich had the opportunity to speak directly with Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly during a recent Public Safety Committee hearing and in a May 18 letter to the department. He requested that the new officers be assigned beginning in the new fiscal year so they will have time to acclimate themselves to the area before the racino opens.

In the letter to Commissioner Kelly, Ulrich wrote, “While the new racino is scheduled to open later this summer, many of my constituents are still concerned about the level of police protection the community will receive from the NYPD. Despite the fact that vehicular and foot traffic will increase, it still remains unclear if and when the local precinct will receive additional police personnel. Undoubtedly, more police officers will be needed to patrol the residential neighborhoods surrounding the facility… I believe this request is warranted given the size and scope of the new venue and the necessary planning that will go into maintaining a good quality of life for area residents.”

NYC Council Member Eric Ulrich Statement on Mayor's Plan to Close Engine 294 and Other Fire Companies

Council Member Eric A. Ulrich (R-Queens) released the following statement on the Mayor's plan to close 20 fire companies around the City, including Engine 294:

“The Mayor’s plan to close Engine 294 and other fire companies around the city is downright dangerous. Response times will go up and lives will be put at risk. Woodhaven and Richmond Hill desperately need adequate fire protection and emergency services, especially since many of the homes there are attached, wood-frame structures. We simply cannot balance the budget by putting people in harm’s way. Mark my words - budget cuts like these can be deadly and I will do everything in my power to fight them.”

NYC Council Member Eric Ulrich Co-Sponsors Bill to Prevent Children from Being Exposed to Pornography in Public Libraries Council Members Eric A. Ulrich (R-Queens) and David G. Greenfield (D-Brooklyn) announced bipartisan legislation on Sunday that will protect children at New York City’s public libraries from exposure to Internet pornography. The legislation would make it a misdemeanor criminal offense for any adult to view pornographic materials within 100 feet of a minor in a public library. Ulrich said, “This is a common sense piece of legislation aimed at protecting our children while they spend time at the library. Kids shouldn’t be exposed to sexually explicit content, and taxpayers shouldn’t have to foot the bill for it either. This is a serious concern for many people who don’t want their children subjected to this form of public indecency.” Greenfield said, “I am a strong supporter of our public libraries and the value and rich experiences that they provide to New Yorkers. Part of that experience, however, should not be traumatizing children by exposing them to sexual predators and debasing pornography. Our bipartisan legislation would send an unmistakable message to sexual predators: expose yourself to children and you will go to jail.” The legislation would make viewing pornography within 100 feet of a child a misdemeanor carrying fines of between $1,000 and $10,000 and the possibility of jail time, as determined by a judge. Because the proposed legislation is narrowly tailored to protect children, it is expected to pass any constitutional challenges.

NYC Council Member Eric Ulrich Statement on Mayor’s Proposed Budget

Council Member Eric A. Ulrich (R-Queens) today released the following statement in response to Mayor Bloomberg’s FY 2012 Executive Budget:

Ulrich said, “This is a very difficult budget. Even though years of prudent fiscal planning helped the city weather the recession better than most, cuts still seem inevitable. I’m especially concerned about the impact potential teacher layoffs will have on class size in our schools, and I’m also worried about the proposed firehouse closings. As an alternative, I am encouraging my colleagues to seriously consider some of the recommendations that have already been made by the Independent Budget Office. Rest assured, before the City Council adopts the budget, I will do everything in my power to protect vital services and persuade the Mayor to find money elsewhere.”

ON MAY 12 Announces Days of Action and Rally.

Crowley Speaks Out Against GOP’s Pro-Tax Increase and Anti-Choice Bill

Below are Congressman Joe Crowley’s (D-Queens, the Bronx) remarks as prepared for delivery on the House floor today during debate on the Republicans’ H.R. 3 – legislation that would infringe on Americans’ rights to make decisions about their own health as well as prohibit employers from receiving tax credits for employees’ health care coverage if the plan includes abortion care, ultimately raising costs for employees’ health insurance and burdening America’s small businesses:

“Mr. Speaker, on the Republicans’ 100^th day of majority rule in the House, I stood speechless on the House floor at their failed campaign promise to focus on job creation and economic growth.

“They say actions speak louder than words, and it is true.

“For all the Republicans’ talk about putting Americans back to work, their actions demonstrate this is the least of their priorities. Instead, they have cut jobs, raised taxes and reduced Americans’ access to health care.

“The bill being debated today also has no jobs component whatsoever. In fact, it will raise taxes and hamper small businesses. In their ideological zeal to restrict women’s right to choose, the Republicans have prioritized a measure that the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce calls a “slap in the face” to small business owners.

“My colleagues, please remember that your actions, not words, are what truly speak for you.

“If you vote for this bill, you are voting to raise taxes and hurt small businesses.

“I urge you to vote to uphold your campaign promises.

“Vote no on this bill and let’s get back to work on America’s priorities.”

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News and Notes from Rep Anthony D. Weiner - NY 9th Congressional District

GOP Budget Would Cut Queens to Its Core

Weiner Study Highlights Impact of More Than $25 Billion

in Funding Cuts To Borough Over 10 Years

Today, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D – Queens and Brooklyn) released a study highlighting how the GOP budget plan to be considered this week would cut funding to Queens by more than $25 billion over 10 years, slashing money for cops, transportation, seniors and education.

Under the Republican budget plan, more than $25 billion in federal aid to Queens would be cut over 10 years. During a time when the City is facing a massive budget deficit, this proposal would force major cuts in programs like Medicare and Medicaid, hurting countless seniors and low-income residents in the borough. Title I education funding would be cut by over $205 million, and federal grants to the NYPD would be cut by $111 million. This could mean that more than 425 cops would be taken off the streets of Queens.

Additionally, if the GOP budget passes, over the next decade the MTA would lose over $667 million that is used to fund vital rail and bus infrastructure and security projects throughout Queens, and the more than 300,000 seniors in the borough would lose their guaranteed Medicare benefits and be forced to pay additional premium costs.

"The GOP budget is not about debt reduction, it’s about increasing the dangerous inequities in our economy and society. It is an assault on the middle class and those struggling to make it.”

Weiner’s study found the following:

CUTS TO QUEENS OVER 10 YEARS: MORE THAN $25 BILLION

Medicare

· The over 300,000 seniors in Queens would lose their guaranteed Medicare benefits and be forced to pay premium costs that the new proposed subsidy doesn’t cover. (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and U.S. Census)

Medicaid

• Medicaid costs would be shifted to Queens residents as state and local taxes revenue would need to cover the over $20 billion in Medicaid cuts over 10 years contained within this budget proposal. (NYC OMB and Center for Budget and Policy Priorities)

SNAP Program

• The SNAP Program will now be tied to a block grant program with benefits contingent upon on work or job training. Over 96,000 Queens residents would lose their SNAP benefits and Queens would see $1.7 billion cut in funding over 10 years. (U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Census)

Education

• Title I funding, which provides funding for primary and secondary schools, would be cut by over $205 million over 10 years.(NYC Independent Budget Office (IBO)
• Pell Grants which provide grants for lower income college students would be cut by $1 billion over 10 years and the maximum Pell Grant award would be cut by $819 per student. (NYC Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Census)

Law Enforcement

• Federal grants to the New York Police Department for Queens would be cut by $111 million over 10 years. This could mean that 425 cops are taken off the streets of Queens. (NYC IBO)

Housing

• The Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) which helps the lowest-income New Yorkers stay warm would be cut by over $68 million over 10 years. (NYC OMB)
• Section 8 vouchers which provide vouchers for low-income families to locate decent, safe, and affordable housing would be cut by over $83 million to NYC over 10 years. (NYC IBO)
• The Public Housing Operating Fund, which provides subsidies to public housing agencies, would be cut by nearly $310 million over 10 years. (NYC IBO)
• The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which funds local Queens community development activities such as affordable housing, anti-poverty programs, and infrastructure development, would experience over $53 million in cuts over 10 years. (NYC IBO)
• The HOME investment partnerships program, which works with nonprofit groups to build, buy, and rehabilitate affordable housing would be cut by $4 million over 10 years. (NYC IBO)
• The Public Housing Capital Fund, which provides funding for the development and modernization of public housing, would be cut by $22 million over 10 years. (NYC IBO)

Transportation

• MTA would lose over $667 million over 10 years that is used to fund vital rail and bus infrastructure and security projects throughout Queens. (Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA))

Human Services

• The Child Care and Development Fund which provides subsidies for child care for low-income families so that parents can work would be cut by nearly $20 million over 10 years. (NYC IBO)
• Community Services Block Grants which provides funding to assist with employment, education, nutrition and emergency services for the homeless, migrants and the elderly would be cut nearly $10 million over 10 years. (NYC IBO)

Infrastructure

• The Drinking Water Revolving Fund which works to ensure that local residents receive clean and safe drinking water would be cut by $150 million for Queens. (NYC OMB)
• The Clean Water Revolving Fund which works to ensures that local communities can provide clean and sanitary wastewater treatment services for their residents would be cut by $778 million over 10 years for Queens. (NYC OMB)

Job Training

• Queens job training and workforce investment which provides adult workforce training, job-related activities for young adults, and dislocated workers programs would be cut by over $94 million over 10 years. (NYC IBO)

Weiner on President’s Budget Speech: “Today, We Go on Offense”

With President Obama set to give a major speech today outlining his plan for the budget, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D – Queens and Brooklyn) released the following statement:

"Now it's our turn. For months, we have heard the one-note attacks by the GOP on the middle class and those struggling to make it. Medicare, student loans and women's health have all been under attack.”

“Today, we go on offense.”

Weiner Announces $281 Million in Pell Grants for Local Students

More Than 67,000 Will Receive Vital Education Aid in Queens Alone

Today, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D – Queens and Brooklyn) announced that more than 67,000 Queens students will receive $281 million in Pell Grants this year to help cover the rising costs of a college education.

Federal Pell Grants provide need-based assistance to low-income students to help promote access to college and postsecondary education. This year, students across the nation are eligible to receive up to $5,550 each in Pell Grants, which are not required to be repaid.

In Queens alone, over 67,000 students will receive more than $281 million in aid – with an average grant of $4,136 per student. The announcement, however, comes in the midst of attempts by Congressional Republicans to cut the important grant by $1 billion over the next ten years in Queens.

Republicans in Congress, led by Rep. Paul Ryan, are proposing to reduce the maximum Pell Grant award by $819 per student beginning next year. If successful, the maximum Pell Grant will be slashed to $4,731 – a reduction of more than 14 percent. With the cost of higher education rising every year, the GOP proposal would devastate a vital lifeline for students in the borough.

"During a time when colleges are raising tuition, Pell Grants are an important tool in helping students get the education they deserve and the education they need to succeed in the 21^st century workplace,” Weiner said. “$281 million in Pell Grants for Queens is great news, but it’s also a reminder of what’s at stake next year if the draconian budget being pushed by Republicans actually passes.”