Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski
2010 Haverstraw Update
Dear Friend:
Despite the challenges caused by MIRANT, Haverstraw remains a wonderful place to live and work.
Over the past three years, I have been working with your Supervisor, Town Board, County Legislators,
and Village Officials to ensure that New York State responds to the Town of Haverstraw.
Please be assured I am fighting day in and day out in Albany for tax relief and additional State funding
for your town.
Sincerely,
Ken Zebrowski
Member of Assembly
The MIRANT situation
No issue has affected the lives of Haverstraw residents in the past several decades more than the
MIRANT tax certiorari. Ken has consistently worked with state and local leaders to address this
problem through immediate financial relief and long-term economic solutions. One of his top priorities
in the Assembly is to effectively deal with the tax imbalance resulting from MIRANT and restore fiscal
stability to North Rockland.
The following represents some initiatives:
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Secured a $2.5 million annual recurring grant for the North Rockland School District to assist
with their debt;
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The Assembly passed a law that authorized the Town of Haverstraw, Town of Stony Point, and
the North Rockland School District to bond the debt caused by MIRANT over a period of 30 years,
thereby reducing current taxes;
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Zebrowski sponsored and passed a law that prevented a further unfair percentage shift of taxes
onto homeowners;
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Zebrowski has regular meetings with local elected officials, MIRANT representatives, and state
energy experts to develop long-term solutions.
“I am proud of the assistance I have been able to secure for Haverstraw; however, I will not
stop until we find a long-term solution to the MIRANT situation.”
–Ken talking about his commitment to a long-term solution for MIRANT
Town of Haverstraw
Haverstraw has a long, proud history and remains a great place to live and work. Ken works
closely with your elected officials to pass legislation and secure grants vital to your infrastructure,
including:
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Securing over $1.4 million in grants to help Haverstraw’s infrastructure needs including
its water treatment plant and curb installation;
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Securing a grant for the construction of a room in the Haverstraw Community Center;
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Securing grants to help install a surveillance camera system in downtown Haverstraw
to prevent crime;
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Securing a grant to replace softball equipment for youth sports programs;
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Repaving roads in poor condition in the village of Pomona;
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Funding a new playground for children at the Bowline Point Park;
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Assisting the Village of Haverstraw with funds to update its record management system.
“Haverstraw is a great place to live and raise your children. I am committed to improving
our neighborhoods, schools, and youth programs to maintain this great quality of life.”
–Assemblyman Zebrowski on Haverstraw
North Rockland School District
The MIRANT tax challenge has had its worst effect on the school budget and school
taxes. As your Assemblyman, Ken advocated for your school district, including:
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Securing over $5 million in special aid and advocating for an additional $2.5 million in this year’s budget;
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Pushed to restore over 40% of the Governor’s cuts to North Rockland Schools.
Ken is constantly working for a long-term solution to the suburban property tax problem. In the meantime,
it is essential that North Rockland receive its fair share of State Funding so that property taxes aren’t pushed
up even further. As of the printing of this newsletter, the State budget is late. One major disagreement between
the governor and the Assembly is school funding. In the Assembly budget plan, North Rockland School District
would receive an additional $1.4 million.
“The North Rockland School District needs more funding to stabilize property taxes, not less. That’s
why I continue to fight for a restoration of the governor’s cuts to your schools.”
–Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski on the importance of restoring education cuts
Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski meets with Village of Haverstraw Mayor Michael Kohut in Albany.