LOCAL

Investing in education is the key to unlocking our children’s full potential. Schools are the wellspring of knowledge for our whole society and adequate funding of our schools to ensure academic excellence is a top priority. In the past years I have fought for education aid increases and was successful in restoring millions of dollars of the Governor’s school aid cuts to the Yonkers and Mount Vernon School School Systems. This year is no different. The Yonkers School System will see an increase of $14.5 million, a growth of 12.8% overall as well as $750,000 for Pre-K. The Mount Vernon School System will see an increase of $6.55 million, a growth of 12.5% from last year. The school system also received $350,700 for Pre-K.

Also, to further meet the needs of our students, the Legislature’s budget includes a capital construction program, EXpanding our Children’s Education and Learning (EXCEL) that provides $2.6 billion in capital funding in addition to building aid. This includes $2.2 billion for high needs school districts and I am pleased to report that Yonkers Public Schools will receive $18.5 million through the EXCEL Program and Mount Vernon Public Schools will receive $7.6 million. By constructing and renovating Yonkers and Mount Vernon Public Schools, we are putting our children first and giving them the tools necessary to exceed beyond expectation.

One of the most important jobs I have as a state leader is to adequately fund our schools. Therefore, I will never allow the governor to balance a flawed budget at the expense of students and homeowners and I will continue to fight for a budget that will improve our schools.

Columbus Elementary School Visits Albany

HIGHER EDUCATION

Higher education is one of New York’s fastest growing sectors and a powerful foundation of economic activity within the state. The Assembly estimates that higher education pumps more than $60 billion into our state’s economy, something that is increasingly important to many regions of the state. Throughout the years, the Legislature has consistently fought attempts to undermine public higher education so we can keep the cost of a college degree affordable to all. This year, the Assembly, Senate and governor passed a bipartisan budget that rejected tuition increases and any automatic tuition hikes each year.

I recognize the importance of a sound education and the impact it has on fostering the dreams of our children and young adults. I will continue to fight any cuts to education that will hinder the advancement of our children and a chance for a brighter future for New York students.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE

Although many organizations and agencies work tirelessly to better our communities, many operate on limited financial support. The effort put forth by these agencies should never be compromised due to lack of funding. As a result of my efforts in the New York State Assembly, I am pleased to have assisted the following entities in obtaining financial assistance to continue operating adequately and successfully.

• City of Mount Vernon – Arts on Third Street
• Local 197 – Mount Vernon Fire Department
• Mount Vernon Boys and Girls Club
• Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center
• Mount Vernon Public Library
• Mount Vernon Recreation Department
• Mount Vernon Youth Bureau
• Nepperhan Community Center
• Sister to Sister International, Inc.
• Spanish Community Progress Foundation, Inc.
• Yonkers Public Library
• Youth Theatre Interactions
• Yonkers YWCA

I was successful in obtaining $50,000 in capital funding through the Community Capital Assistance Program for the renovation and improvement of the Jackson Street Community Center operated by the City of Yonkers Parks and Recreation.

I was also successful in obtaining capital funding for the following agencies through the Community Capital Assistance Program:

• City of Mount Vernon - $500,000 grant for a Metropolitan Transportation Authority project.

• City of Mount Vernon - $100,000 grant for sidewalk repairs.

• New Beginnings Educational Institute - $50,000 for repair and upgrade of school property.

• Mount Vernon Public Schools - $50,000 to purchase defibrillators for each of the city’s schools.

• Mount Vernon Hospital - $50,000 to enhance emergency room services.

• Boys and Girls Club of Mount Vernon - $50,000 grant for building maintenance.

• Brush Park Rehabilitation Project - $250,000 grant for physical improvements.

Affordable health care is of great concern to many and access to this health care is a crucial part of our lives. I am pleased to announce that the New York State Legislature reached agreement on a bipartisan spending plan that will help ensure New Yorkers’ access to quality, affordable health care while easing the burden on local taxpayers. The governor’s budget plan would have cut a hole in the health care safety net that I have been fighting to protect. If passed, the governor’s cuts would have caused more and more patients to show up in hospital emergency rooms without insurance, forcing hospitals to take on more debt and charity care. The results would have been layoffs of skilled health care providers, more hospital closures, longer waits for medical care and ultimately higher insurance costs.

Also, the Family Health Plus program for the uninsured was a major target of the Governor’s cuts. His budget would have eliminated vital Family Health Plus services, including dental, vision, medical equipment, home health care, hospice, alcohol and substance abuse, mental health and short-term rehabilitation. In addition, co-payments would have increased drastically under his plan as well as higher co-payments for prescription drugs, fees that working families simply could not afford. The final budget rejected the governor’s attempt to make it more difficult to enroll in the program and will allow Family Health Plus to continue providing working families with access to health care.

By rejecting the worst of his shortsighted cuts and taxes, this agreement will help ensure that working families do not lose access to the health care they rely on and will help make sure the quality, affordable health care you need is available for years to come.

Whether to accept or reject medical care in an end of life situation is a very personal decision governed by one’s own beliefs. Should a serious accident or illness leave you unable to communicate those wishes, it is necessary to take steps to ensure that they are honored. In New York State, that means having a living will or health care proxy. The emotional case of Terri Schiavo shows what can happen when an individual’s wishes are not spelled out.

A health care proxy and living will are similar in that they both clarify what to do only when you lack the capacity to make your own medical decisions. A health care proxy empowers a loved one to make medical decisions for you, whereas a living will is specific written instructions describing your medical wishes in detail–usually crafted by and left with your attorney. You can use these documents in tandem so your health care agent has greater guidance for what you would want in specific medical situations.

If you prefer a loved one to make decisions for you, the New York State Health Care Proxy Law allows you to appoint a competent adult as your health care agent. It is important to note that you must specifically document your wishes about life-sustaining artificial nutrition and hydration or your health care agent will not be able to make these decisions for you. A health care proxy can be filled out easily without a lawyer, and becomes legally binding after you and two witnesses sign it.

Once you complete a health care proxy, hospitals, doctors and other health care providers must follow your agent’s decisions as if they were your own. The health care proxy will not only help ensure your wishes will be carried out, but also eliminates any conflict or confusion among your loved ones.

As a longtime advocate of good health, and in concert with my ongoing efforts to protect the well being of our families, I find it my duty to continue to bring attention to some of the illnesses that many people are facing but are unaware of.

According to the American Heart Association, Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women. One in 2.5 women will die of heart disease or stroke compared with one in 30 from breast cancer. February 4, 2005 was designated as National Wear Red Day for Women to raise awareness in women to encourage healthier lifestyles for a longer, stronger life.

Many of us may be unaware of the following warning signs of a heart attack and stroke (a type of cardiovascular disease):

• Symptoms of a possible heart attack: Chest discomfort; discomfort in other areas of the upper body–symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach; shortness of breath and/or cold sweat, nausea or light-headedness.

• Warning signs of a stroke (a type of cardiovascular disease) include: Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

The American Heart Association states that several risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, physical inactivity, obesity or overweight and diabetes can be controlled with the help of your physician. I urge and encourage anyone who may be at risk for heart disease to contact your doctor to receive the best possible care and treatment.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to dial 911 immediately. Although the prognosis for a positive outcome varies greatly, early detection and immediate treatment can make the outlook more encouraging.

Your questions or comments are important to me. If you have any concerns or issues you would like to discuss with me, please indicate and return to:

Mt. Vernon Office
Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow
6 Gramatan Avenue, Mt. Vernon, NY 10550
OR

Yonkers Office
Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow
48 North Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10701