For many New Yorkers, high student loan debt and the cost of living can make it difficult to achieve the dream of owning a home. As a result, fewer people may be able to invest in homes in our local communities. Legislation I sponsor known as the New York State Diplomas to Homeownership Program would incentivize graduates of New York state colleges to purchase homes rehabilitated by local land banks.
For most communities across the county, the fourth Sunday of April is recognized as Arbor Day. It is a day when family, friends and neighbors come together to plant trees and more importantly, raise awareness of the role trees play in our environment. Locally, Arbor Day means even more.
In his State of the State address given earlier this month, Governor Cuomo called the recently passed federal tax reform bill “economic civil war” that will raise New Yorker’s property taxes and income taxes. Unfortunately, no explanation for this statement was provided. As a result of this type of overheated rhetoric coming from the Governor and others, confusion continues to reign as to what effect the new tax law will have on New York state.
January marks National Blood Donor Month. It is a time to recognize the lifesaving contributions of blood donors, and renew the call for more donations. The American Red Cross, which supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply, says the winter months are the most difficult time to collect blood.
January is selected for two reasons. First, during January fewer people donate because of the cold and flu season and inclement weather. Second, given that many people make resolutions in January, the American Red Cross hopes people will consider making a New Year’s resolution to become regular blood donors.
As we welcome in a new year, 2018 brings a new opportunity for New York State to highlight what makes it so special. Agriculture – our farms, growers, producers and related agribusinesses – leads the way. As New York State’s leading industry and a major driver of the state’s economy, this is the time to make sure it remains as such.
There seems to be a substantial amount of confusion as to what effect the newly enacted Federal Tax bill will have on residents of New York state. The confusion stems from the fact that (i) taxes are complicated, (ii) what people pay in taxes depends on individual circumstances, and (iii) the political rhetoric about the tax bill and its effects has been misleading and in certain cases inaccurate. In order to understand the effects the federal tax legislation will have on New Yorkers, there needs to be a general understanding of how the federal income tax system works.
Generosity is powerful. All throughout the year, I have seen so many people go out of their way to help their community, their family, friends and neighbors. It simply amazes me every time someone in our community does something that brings a smile to the face of another – even if it’s someone they’ve never met and perhaps never will.
After a baby is born, hospitals perform a variety of screenings for the baby. Some tests are completed by a physical exam or through the use of a medical device at the hospital, but many genetic disorders can only be detected with a blood sample. In an attempt to help minimize the effects of some genetic disorders, in 1965 New York began the Newborn Screening Program. Since then, millions of babies have been tested and thousands have been identified and treated for their disease.
Earlier this year, our shoreline communities were victims of historic flooding along the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. Thousands of homes, businesses and properties are still picking up the pieces from the damage they suffered. While visiting many of these shoreline communities as the waters were rising, it became immediately clear that financial help would be needed. That is why I cosponsored the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence Seaway Flood Relief and Recovery Grant Program, which provided $45 million in funding to impacted year-round and seasonal homeowners, small businesses, farms, not-for-profits and municipalities.
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