Assemblymember Taylor on Governor Cuomo's Proposed
Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2019

Governor Cuomo's 2018 agenda promises a progressive government by advancing a slate of critical social and economic policies to improve the lives of New Yorkers. He has unveiled the FY 2019 Executive Budget, which continues the state's efforts to deliver on the promise of progressive government by protecting taxpayers against devastating federal action, strengthening the middle class, cutting taxes and making smart investments in New York's future. Some key highlights of the report are:

• Education: Increases School Aid by $769 million, doubling the statutory School Aid growth cap and bringing total investment to $26.4 Billion. Provides $7.5 billion in State support for higher education in New York- an increase of $1.4 billion or 24 percent since FY 2012. Provides $118 Million to continue the successful Excelsior Scholarship and extend the income cap to $110,000.
• Healthcare: Establishes a new opioid epidemic surcharge and imposes a healthcare insurance windfall profit fee.
• Against Unfair Federal Tax Initiatives: The recently enacted federal tax law effectively raises middle class families' property and state income taxes anywhere between 20 to 25 percent. Under Governor Cuomo, New York is fighting back against the federal plan and the loss of both income tax deductibility and property tax deductibility. He will continue the phase-in of the Middle Class Tax Cut for six million New Yorkers - saving households $250 on average and $700 annually when fully effective. For more details regarding the Governor's State of the State Address and FY 2019 Proposed Budget, visit www.ny.gov.

I commend Governor Cuomo for starting us down on this much-needed path, and will continue to work towards a day where his proposition becomes the law. New York will continue to lead the way in 2018, encouraging our shared values of opportunity, equality, fairness, and hope, and proving the competency of our progressive government.

Taylor Appointed Chair to the Subcommittee on Regulated Mortgage

Speaker Heastie has appointed me as Chair to the Subcommittee on Regulated Mortgage Lenders on January 10th, 2018. Furthermore, I will also be holding hearings to better understand the disparities in lending practices in the wake of the last economic crisis. I am working with community leaders and activists to discuss their concerns and support their efforts both in the District and in Albany. It is my hope that I will be your voice in Albany on the issues of affordable housing, education and transportation, as I believe these issues to be the most important concerns in our district.

Taylor Keeps the Dream Alive, Passes Bill to Help "Dreamers" Attend College

Assemblymember Taylor helped pass the New York State Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act to expand access to higher education for the children of immigrants (A.9605-A). "This legislation will help more hardworking students earn a college degree, begin successful careers and give back to their communities" Taylor said.

The DREAM Act would give undocumented college-bound students who meet certain eligibility requirements - such as attending high school in New York - access to the state Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and other educational assistance programs, including the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Collegiate Science and Technology Program (C-STEP) and similar programs at community colleges. The bill also establishes a scholarship fund with private donations - the DREAM Fund - and expands access to the New York State College Tuition Assistance Savings (529) Program.

"Children should not be punished because their parents brought them here in search of a better life, making sacrifices and experiencing hardships many of us couldn't even imagine. Let me be clear, these are children who know no other home and we are proud to have them here. We will not turn our backs on them. We will not push them into the shadows. To all ‘Dreamers': You are New Yorkers, you are valued and you are worthy."

Taylor Supports Lavern's Law, Ensures More Patients Can Seek Justice

Taylor announced that legislation he helped pass, known as Lavern's Law, will be signed into law by the Governor. This new law will give patients whose cancer was misdiagnosed or not detected more time to pursue just compensation in a court of law (A.9633-A). "Misdiagnosing or failing to diagnose cancer isn't simply a mistake, it's a matter of life and death," Taylor said. "New Yorkers should be able to trust that their doctors and hospitals are correctly identifying the cause of their pain or illness, and if something is missed, they should be able to seek recourse. Lavern's Law will go a long way in ensuring New York's malpractice statutes are fairer to those who have been harmed."

The law is named in memory of Lavern Wilkinson, a mother who died in 2013 of a treatable form of lung cancer. The hospital she attended three years earlier failed to notify her of a suspicious mass in her chest X-ray. By the time she was diagnosed with cancer, it had spread throughout her body and the deadline to seek justice in court had already passed. Her daughter, Micalia Squires, who has a severe form of autism and requires extensive care, survives Ms. Wilkinson. The settlement agreed upon by the hospital and the city is only a fraction of what the family could have been awarded from a medical malpractice suit - vital funds that would have greatly helped the family care for Micalia. "It's unfortunately too late for Ms. Wilkinson's family to get the justice they more than deserve, but I hope they find solace in knowing that because of their advocacy, more families like theirs will be able to get their day in court," Assemblymember Taylor said.

Taylor Moves the 2018 State Primary Date to Ensure All Can Vote

Assemblymember Taylor voted to move the 2018 state primary election date from Tuesday, Sept. 11, to Thursday, Sept. 13, out of respect for those who lost loved ones in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, as well as those celebrating Rosh Hashanah (A.8917-A). Sept. 11 will forever be a day of remembrance, a time to mourn our fellow New Yorkers whose lives were taken far too soon by an unforgiveable act of terrorism," Assemblymember said. "It is also a day to honor the brave firefighters, EMTs and police officers who showed us the best of America during our darkest hours. Moving the primary election two days allows us to come together to show our respect to those who died and those who came to the rescue."

Taylor to Hold Anti-Gun Violence Workshop with Assemblywoman Diana Richardson in Albany During Caucus Weekend

Gun-related violence and deaths have been on a rise in our country, affecting our young generation and people of color the most. Some studies have even approached gun violence as a unique public health epidemic and crisis of constitutional significance. On February 17th, Assemblywoman Richardson of the 43rd Assembly District and I will be hosting a workshop on gun violence with many specialists during the Caucus weekend in Albany. Bus services will be provided to Albany for the Caucus weekend, please see the flyer on page 5 of this report for more information. For more details regarding the event please contact our District Office.

Taylor Meets with MTA Representatives to Fight For Our Rights; Changes Accomplished Before 60 Days in Office!

• M102 Bus Line: As of January 14th, the M102 is allowed loop privileges. You can now board the M102 at 147th and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd!
• 148th Street Station: MTA Maintenance Team will repair the slanting stairs to the train platform beginning March 2018.
• 145th Street Station: Under "State of Good Repair", the station will be enhanced with new furniture, lighting and technology. The 145th Street Station is also part of a 32-station package awaiting ADA status approval that will allow more access to the disabled and elderly travelers.

Taylor on the Fire and Rescue at Riverside Drive

We are disheartened to see the aftereffects of the fire at 775 Riverside Drive. We were ensured by the New York City Emergency Management that the building was secured, hallways and stairs were cleaned and that the residents of the A-Wing will be allowed to retrieve their belongings beginning Monday, January 15th. Thankfully the tenants were safely evacuated with very few sustaining minor injuries and no one being seriously hurt. In the light of recent events, we urge you to contact your local FDNY to receive a free smoke detector and installation.

Listening Tour at the Esplanade Gardens and Coffee and Dessert with the Assemblyman in February

The Listening Tour held at the Esplanade Gardens was a huge success! Taylor and staff facilitated the attendance of city and state agencies and officials like State Senator Brian Benjamin, NYC Parks and Recreation, NYC MTA & Access-A-Ride, the offices of the Public Advocate and Manhattan Borough President, as well as the 30th and 32nd Precinct Commanders and Officers. We assure you that we are working diligently to resolve all the issues that were raised and that your voice was heard!

SAVE THE DATE: The Assemblymember will be conducting another Listening Tour (with Coffee and Dessert) in February. Please call the Office for further details!

Services Available at the District Office

• Tax Season: Our staff is prepared to assist you with your tax forms 210 and 214 beginning this month through April 15th.
• Notary: Our volunteer notary is available Mon, Wed, Fri from 11am-3pm and notary services are free of charge.

Taylor Working to Help the Community

[Left] Taylor at the ribbon cutting ceremony of a new Geriatric Unit at Harlem Hospital. About $400 million will be spent to build a new, public-health laboratory, a larger facility that will give the Department of Health & Mental Hygiene more flexibility for its lab equipment and help its staff work more easily in the event of a crisis such as Zika and Ebola.

Congressmember Adriano Espaillat's Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Policy Breakfast on January 12, 2018 at the Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building. Taylor seen here photographed alongside Vy Higginsen, Congressmember Adriano Espaillat, Honorable David Paterson the former Governor of NY, Honorable David Dinkins the former Mayor of New York City, and CUNY Board of Trustees Chairman, William Thompson.

[Left] Taylor at Governor Cuomo's Annual New York State Marches for Women Breakfast, before he joins countless New Yorkers in marching for women and women's rights through the streets of New York City on Saturday, January 20.