Assemblywoman
Aileen Gunther
Budget update for Middletown families 		photo

Dear Friends:

Working with my colleagues in the Assembly and with Governor Spitzer, we passed a budget that helps reform our health care system, gives local schools the support to move forward and addresses the high cost of property taxes.

Foremost, through compromise, a sense of responsibility and recognition that reforming health care and education must safeguard our well being, the Assembly delivered funding for our health priorities and ensures our youngsters can compete in today’s market.

As a registered nurse, I understand the concern many expressed about cuts that could harm medical care. Instead, we have a budget that streamlines Medicaid enrollment, insures the state’s 400,000 uninsured children and gives our hospitals and nursing homes the necessary funding for patient needs.

In addition, our schools get their fair share of state aid, including more money for Orange County Community College and for universal pre-K programs.

The budget also provides property tax relief, targeting middle-class families and seniors. The new Middle Class STAR program offers rebates over the next three years.

I will continue to make these issues top priorities and do all I can to ensure our families get the support they need to provide for their loved ones.

Please write or call my office with any of your concerns.

Sincerely,
signature Aileen Gunther
Member of Assembly


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“With a new formula in place, the state is finally funding education appropriately by ensuring high-needs school districts like Middletown get their fair share.”
– Aileen Gunther
Middletown schools get needed funding

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther worked with Governor Spitzer to pass a budget that provides more money for our schools to help improve the quality of our children’s education and limit school tax hikes.

Under the new foundation aid formula directing more money to high-needs districts, Middletown schools will receive $66,095,314, an increase of 26 percent over last year, one of the largest increases in the state.

Orange County Community College will receive $662,922 more than last year to help provide local students with the resources they need to succeed.

“Hudson Valley residents pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation. These rebate checks will provide much-deserved tax relief directly to the taxpayer.”
– Aileen Gunther

STAR rebate checks deliver more tax relief

Aileen Gunther worked to provide $6 billion in direct tax relief to homeowners over the next three years.

Under the new Middle Class STAR program, homeowners will receive an increased STAR rebate based on their income. Families making up to $120,000 will receive a 60 percent increase.

Estimated rebate checks for Middletown homeowners who qualify for Basic STAR
Income less than $120,000 $120,001 to $175,000 $175,001 to $250,000
$519 $389 $260
Average rebate checks for Middletown seniors who qualify for Enhanced STAR

$374

“As a nurse and former director of Performance Improvement and Risk Management for Catskill Regional Medical Center, I worked hard to ensure our health care facilities have the resources they need to provide top- notch patient care.”
– Aileen Gunther
Governor Spitzer laid out a plan to transform New York’s health care system by putting the focus on patients, where it belongs. But proposed hospital and nursing home funding cuts jeopardized local care.

Aileen worked with the governor to restore a significant level of state aid to Orange County hospitals and nursing homes, ensuring patients come first.

To improve efficiency in our health care system, Aileen also worked with Governor Spitzer to:

  • Crack down on Medicaid fraud

  • Strengthen the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General by increasing staff

  • Shift Medicaid dollars to care facilities with the higher proportion of Medicaid patients, helping those who need it most

  • Expand health care coverage for New York’s 400,000 uninsured children, which includes expanding eligibility under the Child Health Plus insurance program

  • Streamline enrollment for Medicaid and Family Health Plus to help 900,000 uninsured adults

Health Insurance Information
http://www.health.state.ny.us/health_care/
or call the New York State Department of Health:
Child Health Plus – 1-800-698-4KID
Family Health Plus – 1-877-9FHPLUS

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther Assemblywoman
Aileen Gunther
19 South Street
Middletown, N.Y. 10940
845-342-9304
Gunthea@assembly.state.ny.us
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