News from STATE SENATOR Liz Krueger
New York State Senate, 26th District
COMMUNITY BULLETIN - June 2002

Message from Liz . . .
As promised last month, I have more "highlights" of the Albany process to share with you. Last month I discussed the lack of substance in Committee meetings. Unfortunately, things are only slightly better on the floor of the full Senate. While debates do happen on the Senate floor, the rules of the Senate place significant limitations on the substance of what is being debated.

First of all, the only way a bill can actually get voted up or down in the full Senate floor is if Joe Bruno, the Republican Majority Leader allows it to be voted on. The outcome on all this legislation is predetermined, in that every bill brought to the floor by Senator Bruno passes. Democrats can choose only three bills each year and attempt to bring them to a vote on the floor, but they can count on the Republicans voting together against allowing these bills to be considered. So, while I have participated in numerous vigorous debates on the floor of the Senate, I have learned not to expect these debates to change the final result.

Since nothing unpredictable really happens on the Senate floor, it is not surprising that many Senators spend so little time there. Fortunately, the Senate Rules allow for this as well, and merely require members to check in as present at the beginning of session. Once they have checked in, they can go about their business, knowing that they will be recorded as voting yes on every bill that comes to the floor that day. Only those who do not agree with every law Joe Bruno wants to pass have to stay in session so that they can vote against him.

I have become convinced that one of the many things the Senate needs if it is to truly function as an effective lawmaking body is a major overhaul of Senate Rules. I am in the process of drafting a rules proposal that would encourage a more participatory and deliberative process. The more I learn about the way Albany works now, the more I know that it must be reformed to work better.

UPCOMING EVENT
Open House/ Independence Day Party
At my District Office - 211 East 43rd Street, Suite 1300
Date: Tuesday, July 2nd, 2002
Time: 5:00pm-7:00pm
Join my staff and me in celebrating the holiday!
District Office: 211 East 43rd Street, Suite 1300, New York NY 10017 (212) 490-9535 Fax: (212) 490-2151
Albany Office: Room 302, Legislative Office Bldg., Albany NY 12247 (518) 455-2297 Fax: (518) 426-6874

Community Spotlight

Update on Plans for the Waterside Con-Edison Site:
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed development at the Waterside Con Edison plant was released earlier this week. This development is likely to be the largest new construction project on the East Side in the next decade. It is essential that every effort is taken to ensure that the plan is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood, and that it includes substantial open space and access to the waterfront. Planning must also take into account the increased demand on city services such as public schools and transportation that will be generated by such a large-scale development, and offer reasonable strategies for ensuring that these demands can be met. I have already seen a number of proposals for this site, both from the developer and from interested community members, civic activists and urban planners, and will continue to monitor the planning process as it moves forward.

Once the Draft EIS has been accepted as complete, the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) will open a public comment period that will consist of a round of meetings to discuss and receive input on the EIS. Toward the end of the public comment period, the PSC will host a public hearing where community members have the opportunity to make comments on the record. For information on how to participate in this process, please contact Dan Steinberg in my office at (212) 490-9535.

Report on the Tenant's Town Hall Meeting
On Wednesday, May 29th Assemblymember Pete Grannis and I co-sponsored a Tenants' Town Hall Meeting to discuss the importance of rent regulations to New York City's families and neighborhoods. I am extremely pleased to report that over 200 community members, of all ages and from all walks of life, attended to learn how they can participate in the various efforts to protect and expand affordable housing. Assemblymember Pete Grannis and I offered legislative perspectives and updates on the status of various bills being considered by both houses of the New York State legislature that would extend rent regulations until 2008 and end vacancy decontrol. Representatives from New York State Tenants & Neighbors, the East Side Tenants' Coalition and the Metropolitan Council on Housing joined us to explore numerous ways community members can get involved with the fight on both the local and state levels. I am looking forward to holding more Town Hall meetings throughout the district, including another forum on housing issues.

Working Toward Better Bike Laws:
Please see the attached testimony I submitted to the City Council supporting proposed changes in laws relating to bicycle riding on sidewalks, and offering additional legislative proposals for dealing with this problem.

Advocating for A Second Avenue Subway:
I recently submitted testimony to the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) in support of their application for $20 million in federal funding for the Second Avenue Subway to cover preliminary engineering costs. The Second Avenue Subway is an essential transportation improvement that is desperately needed to relieve overcrowding on existing East Side subway and bus lines, which will only get worse upon completion of the East Side Access project linking the Long Island Railroad to Grand Central Station. I will continue to advocate to ensure that the Second Avenue Subway remains a funding priority for New York State and the MTA.

Urgent Need for Blood Donations:
Because of new guidelines restricting the importation of blood from Europe, as well as a ban on donations by people who have recently traveled to Europe because of concerns about Mad Cow Disease, New York City is facing a severe blood shortage. Eligible donors can donate at the Citicorp Center, 153 E.53rd Street at Lexington Avenue, on the lower level. For hours and other information, call 1-800-933-2566.

Current Schedule of Upcoming Rent Guidelines Board Meetings:
Last month, the Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) held its preliminary vote on increases for rent stabilized apartments, and voted for increases of 2 and 4 percent on one and two year leases, respectively. I strongly oppose any increases this year, on the basis that the RGB's own study has indicated a reduction in operating costs over the past year. I urge all interested parties to join me in testifying against these increases at the Public Hearing on June 26th. Below is a revised schedule of upcoming Rent Guidelines Board Meetings and Hearings:

Please note: Schedule subject to change. Call the RGB at 385-2934 to confirm.

Wednesday, June 26th The Great Hall at Cooper Union Public Hearing
10am-10pm 7 East 7th Street at 3rd Avenue
Opportunity for Public Testimony - call RGB at 385-2934 to sign up to testify

Thursday, June 27th U.S. Customs House Auditorium Final Vote
5:30-9:30PM 1 Bowling Green

Legal Clinics Available for Senior Citizens:
The Volunteers of Legal Service Elderly Project conduct monthly legal clinics for seniors at area Senior Centers. At the clinics, seniors can discuss their legal concerns in confidence, receive legal advice, and, where appropriate obtain referrals to volunteer lawyers. Below is a list of upcoming dates and times for clinics at area Senior Centers:

June 14th 2pm Burden Center for the Aging, 1484 First Avenue (b/t 77th & 78th)
Call Debra Poenisch at 879-7400 for information

June 24th 10am Encore Community Services Senior Center, 239 West 49th Street
(b/t Broadway and Eight Avenue)
Call Sister Margaret Rose at 581-2910, ext. 215 for information

June 26th 1pm Lenox Hill Senior Center, 343 East 70th Street (at First Avenue)
Call Mil Rabinowitz for more information

Spotlight on Policy

Women's Health and Wellness Act
I am pleased to report that earlier this week both houses of the State Legislature passed the Women's Health and Wellness Act. The final bill requires expanded insurance coverage for prevention, early detection and treatment of breast and cervical cancer, osteoporosis and other health related needs for women. Additionally, this bill expands a 1994 law allowing women to choose an obstetrician/gynecologist without a referral from their primary physician. This bill also mandates job-based insurance plans to cover the cost of prescription contraceptives for all women. Although religious based organizations with faith-based objections are exempt from providing contraceptive coverage, their employees can access coverage directly at the group rates. Both houses will contribute $250,000 each to the Healthy Women Partnership Program that will be used for those women not able to meet their deductible or co-pay obligations. The funds will also serve as outreach to publicize breast cancer detection and education services for specific underserved populations. Women having difficulty meeting the costs for breast and cervical exams due to high insurance deductibles and co-payments will be provided free screenings through the Healthy Women

Partnership Program which is administered by the New York State Department of Health. This bill will save lives by bringing needed healthcare to the women of New York. As many of you know, passage of this legislation has been a major goal of mine, and I am gratified that this goal has been accomplished.

New York State Budget

Late last month, the legislature and governor approved the budget for Fiscal Year 2002-2003. I voted against this budget because it shortchanges the people of New York City. I will not support mortgaging New York's future in an effort to avoid dealing with the difficult fiscal present.

Some of the provisions I found most troubling include:
* The budget relies on $3.1 billion in one-shot revenues;
* $900 million in new borrowing is authorized;
* Two casinos that have yet to be built are assumed to generate $600 million in revenues this year!
* Even though New York City public schools will receive funding increases to keep pace with inflation, the city's public schools will continue to be denied their fair share of state education aid, because of the Governor's unwillingness to accept a court ruling declaring the state funding formula for school aid unconstitutional and unfair to New York City.

This budget only continues the long-term trend in New York State of underfunding New York City. In fact, from 1990 to 2001, State Aid to New York City dropped by 31.6% (source NY Conference of Mayors). Now in our time of need, despite the crisis of September 11th, Albany is failing to respond in kind to the needs of our City.

Largely using surplus tax revenues from New York City, the State enacted a series of tax cuts over the past eight years that will total $11 billion by this new fiscal year. We can no longer afford to continue to lose this revenue, yet Albany refuses to allow the City to adopt its own tax plans to meet our own local needs.

Once again, this budget was the product of a closed process of negotiation by the Governor, the Senate's Majority leader, and the Speaker of the Assembly. Individual legislators were given almost no opportunity to review and debate the most important piece of legislation we will pass this year. We debated and passed a $90 billion budget in 9 hours! This flawed and undemocratic process is one of the more extreme examples of what is wrong with the Albany system.

The people of New York City deserve a budget that does not sell out New York City, nor mortgage our future by relying on back-door borrowing and one-shot revenues. For these reasons, I voted against the budget bills in the New York State Senate.