Subject: February 2011 Community Update
From: "Assemblyman Jonathan Bing" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2011 11:27:21 -0500 (EST)

In this Issue:
• Governor Cuomo Unveils Executive Budget
• Assembluman
Bing Advocates for Reform of Teacher Layoff Rules
• Bing Named Chairman
of Assembly Oversight Committee
• Bing Joins Local Leaders to Promote
Second Avenue Businesses
• Assemblyman Bing Sponsors Bills to Increase
Bicycle Safety
• Tax Season Tips & Free Tax Preparation Assistance
•
Community Engagement Survey Comes to the Upper East Side

************
Governor Cuomo Unveils Executive Budget
On February 1, Governor Andrew
Cuomo released his proposed 2011-2012 Executive Budget which seeks to
appreciate fiscal realities and eliminate a $10 billion deficit without
raising taxes or borrowing. Given the historic nature of the deficit, the
Governor has proposed vast changes to the State's budget process and
significant reductions in spending that reflect current economic
conditions.

To close the projected $10 billion deficit, the Governor's
proposed budget includes $8.9 billion in recurring spending reductions,
$340 million in revenue enhancements, such as tax modernization to improve
collections and lottery proposals, and $805 million in non-recurring
spending reductions. Additionally, to control two largest components of
the State budget -- Medicaid and education -- the Governor has proposed to
reform the system which enables large, automatic increases in spending
without accounting for the economic climate or changing needs. 

Some of
the proposed spending reductions are difficult to accept because they
affect programs on which New Yorkers have come to rely.  The proposed
budget, however, provides a roadmap for the fiscally sound solutions New
York needs to get back on track.

As Assemblyman Bing wrote in a January
28 op-ed in the New York Daily News, there are huge structural problems
afflicting New York's fiscal health that we must address.  We cannot tax
our way out of this budget deficit.  Doing so would only hamper our
economic recovery, stifle job growth and force businesses out of New York.
The reinstatement of the stock transfer tax which some have proposed is a
tangible example of a harmful economic policy that does not address
underlying problems.  The New York City Independent Budget Office
determined that the restoration of this tax would reduce private sector
employment by 100,000 jobs and tax receipts by $650 million. This would be
hugely detrimental not just to the financial sector, which accounts for
nearly 20% of New York State's tax revenues, but to the entire state
workforce as with every financial service job that is lost, two ancillary
jobs follow.

Furthermore, New York City residents are already taxed
significantly more than our nearest neighbors – New Jersey's personal
income tax burden is half of ours while Connecticut's is one-third. We
must look at the root causes of our deficit problems and construct
solutions based on sound fiscal policy, not politically charged gimmicks.
As the Legislature works with the Governor to come up with the smart
solutions needed to eliminate the deficit without impeding economic
recovery and job creation, we must also make good decisions about which
services and programs we must protect. Assemblyman Bing will work
alongside my colleagues in the Assembly to maintain the services upon
which the most vulnerable New Yorkers rely, and will engage with the
Governor to make sure the budget addresses the State's underlying,
structural fiscal problems.

************
Assemblyman Bing Advocates
for Reform of Teacher Layoff Rules
As New York City faces a possible loss
of $600 million or more in state aid for public schools due to the state's
large budget deficit, teacher layoffs may be on the horizon. To protect
the integrity of our public school system and ensure every child receives
the best education possible, it is imperative that the current system for
teacher layoffs be reformed. This system, "Last in, first out" (LIFO), is
a provision of a state law which mandates that school-wide or system-wide
teacher layoffs occur solely on the basis of seniority, with no regard for
teacher quality.

As Assemblyman Bing discussed in a recent New York
Post op-ed, this system is fundamentally unfair for children and their
families for two reasons in particular. First, a teacher's quality cannot
be considered in any way before he or she is fired in a mass layoff, and
as such, a highly qualified junior teacher will be terminated before a
more senior teacher who has been deemed "unsatisfactory" after undergoing
a rigorous hearing process. Second, the current layoff system
institutionalizes a bias against neighborhoods with chronic teacher
shortages. These neighborhoods include low-income, underserved communities
in which the student-achievement gap is at its greatest and rapidly
growing communities in which an increase of families with children demands
the hiring of more teachers.  Last year, Assemblyman Bing authored
legislation to reform LIFO and put into place a more equitable system of
layoffs which would take into account teacher quality in addition to
length of service.

Assemblyman Bing's efforts to end LIFO in New York
were recently profiled in a Post feature, and he was recently interviewed
on the topic on "Fox & Friends" on the national Fox News Channel.  He is
continuing to work with parents, teachers, and all stakeholders on this
vitally important issue to guarantee that our children come first.
************
Bing Named Chairman of Assembly Oversight Committee
Earlier
this month, Assemblyman Bing was appointed as the Chairman of the Assembly
Committee on Oversight, Analysis and Investigation. This committee is a
vital tool in the maintenance of effective, efficient and transparent
government. As Chairman of the committee, Assemblyman Bing will analyze
and investigate the operations of State agencies, the Legislature, and
other governmental entities. Additionally, the committee is tasked with
reviewing the implementation and adequacy of laws and analyzing and
examining the State budget as it relates to program fulfillment.
Assemblyman Bing previously served as Chair of the Assembly Committee on
Libraries & Education Technology; the Task Force on People with
Disabilities; and the Subcommittee on Mitchell-Lama Housing.
************
Bing Joins Local Leaders to Promote Second Avenue Businesses
On February 11, Assemblyman Bing joined the Manhattan Chamber of
Commerce, the Second Avenue Business Association, Councilmember Daniel
Garodnick and representatives from the MTA to unveil the new "Shop Second
Avenue...It's Worth It!" campaign. The purpose of this campaign is to
attract shoppers to local establishments along the Second Avenue corridor
that have been affected by the subway construction. 

As part of the
campaign, the MTA and the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce unveiled a new
"model block" which was just completed on Second Avenue from East 92nd
Street to East 93rd Street. This "model block" portrays a well-groomed
environment with new and improved fencing, repainted barriers, enhanced
safety improvements to sightlines for pedestrians and motorists, and large
signs advertising local businesses. Additionally, a Shop Second Avenue
MetroCard will be released in April, available in all Lexington Avenue
4/5/6 stations from East 51st Street to East 103rd Street, as well as in
the N/Q/R stations located at Lexington Avenue & East 59th Street and
Fifth Avenue & East 59th Street and the Lexington Avenue & East 63rd
Street F station.

The "Shop Second Avenue...It's Worth It!" campaign is
an important part of the effort to help establishments negatively affected
by the subway construction. This campaign, in conjunction with Assemblyman
Bing's legislation to create a Second Avenue Subway Construction Economic
Development Grant Program (A. 1116) and a Sales Tax Free Zone (A. 4767),
will help local businesses succeed during this difficult time and enable
their long-term prosperity.

************
Assemblyman Bing Sponsors
Bills to Increase Bicycle Safety
Bicycle enforcement and regulation have
always been important issues for East Side residents. Some commercial
bicyclists and electric-assisted bicycle riders routinely flout traffic
laws. To combat these violations, Assemblyman Bing is working to advance
two important pieces of legislation.

•    Commercial Bicycle
Registration (A. 1162):  The number of bicycle messengers and delivery
people on the streets of New York has grown considerably in the past
several years. Unfortunately, many of these bicyclists operate in a
dangerous and careless manner, threatening the safety of pedestrians and
drivers. This legislation which Assemblyman Bing has introduced would
serve to deter such dangerous behavior by requiring all commercial
bicycles to be registered, thus providing a database for law enforcement
to better enforce existing traffic and safety laws.
•    Electric
Assisted Bicycle Regulation (A. 1350) Electric assisted bicycles currently
comprise a grey area for law enforcement, as they do not fall under the
laws governing traditional bicycle usage. This bill co-sponsored by
Assemblyman Bing eliminates this undefined category, defines the term
"electric assisted bicycle" and makes them subject to the same laws
governing traditional bicycles in order to make it easier for the NYPD to
enforce vehicle and traffic laws.

Additionally, Assemblyman Bing's
office has been working with the 17th and 19th Precincts to address the
community's concerns regarding the regulation of electric assisted
bicycles and the enforcement of existing laws governing traditional
bicycles. Both precincts have begun to strengthen their enforcement of the
laws governing bicyclists and are working with local businesses that
employ bicycle messengers or delivery staff to inform them of their
responsibilities under the law.

************
Tax Season Tips & Free
Tax Preparation Assistance
New Yorkers may be able to receive free tax
preparation assistance at the following East Side locations:
 
Hunter
College – Free Tax Preparation Sponsored by Vita
695 Park Avenue
Main
Lobby - West Building
Telephone: 212-772-4219
Hours of Operation: Monday
and Wednesday, 6pm-9pm; Thursday, 6:30pm-9:30pm; Saturday, 11am-2pm
Income Limit: To qualify, individuals must earn less than $18,000

58th
Street Library – Free Tax Preparation Sponsored by AARP
127 East 58th
Street, 2nd Floor
Telephone: 212-759-7358
Hours of Operation: Tuesday
and Saturday, 10:30am-2:30pm
Income Limit: No restrictions

Stanley
Isaacs Neighborhood Center – Free Tax Preparation Sponsored by AARP
415
East 93rd Street
Telephone: 212-360-7620
Hours of Operation: Friday,
10:30am-3pm
Income Limit: No restrictions

Lenox Hill Neighborhood
House – Free Tax Preparation Sponsored by AARP
331 East 70th Street, 3rd
Floor
Telephone: 212-744-5022
Hours of Operation: Tuesday, 10am-2pm
Income Limit: To qualify, individuals must earn less than $48,000, have an
email and basic computer skills

For the first time, New York City has
partnered with H & R Block to provide New Yorkers with low-cost tax
preparation for only $29 with the new City-Sponsored Coupon. To qualify,
individuals with children must have made less than $41,000 last year and
individuals with no children must have made less than $31,000.

To find
a participating location please visit:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/ofe/html/poverty/taxprep.shtml

Given this tough
economic climate, it can be especially tempting to seek a tax refund
anticipation loan (RAL). RALs are high-interest, short-term loans made by
banks and are secured against a taxpayer's expected tax refund. RALs can
be a dangerous approach to quickly receiving a tax return. The appeal of
instant cash masks the long-term effects of high interest rates, fees and
potential damage to an individual's credit score. Electronically filing a
tax return is a better option. With the help of this technology, the
government can process tax returns much more quickly than in the past.
Electronic filing, also known as e-filing, is a fast, efficient and safe
way to file a tax return. Best of all, refunds will be paid more quickly.
For more information, visit the Internal Revenue Service at www.IRS.gov or
the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance at
www.tax.state.ny.us.

************
Community Engagement Survey Comes
to the Upper East Side
CIVITAS and NYU's Wagner Graduate School of Public
Service are conducting a Community Engagement Survey of the Upper East
Side. The purpose of the project is to evaluate what Upper East Side
residents think are the future needs of the community in several key
areas: land use and zoning, transportation, environmental quality and
streetscapes. To participate in this survey and for a chance to win a $50
Visa Gift Card, visit www.civitasnyc.org.

----
Assemblyman
Jonathan Bing
360 East 57th Street, Mezzanine
New York, NY 10022
(212)
605-0937
(212) 605-9948 (fax)
[email-masked]
www.assembly.state.ny.us

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