Assemblyman Magnarelli Is Here to Help

Message from Assemblyman Magnarelli

Dear Neighbor,

As your Assemblyman, it’s my job to keep you up to date on all of the activities and issues that are happening in Central New York. This newsletter contains important information for you and your family, so I ask that you take just a few minutes to look it over.

In addition, I want you to know that my office is here to help you. If you are having trouble dealing with federal, state and local government agencies, don’t hesitate to contact my office. My staff and I are always available to help you with: obtaining benefits, government forms or applications; providing information on programs, such as EPIC, HEAP and STAR; replacing local veterans’ medals and awards; answering questions about government issues; and developing legislative solutions to community problems.

I encourage you to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. Working together, we can improve and strengthen our community.

Sincerely,
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Bill Magnarelli
Member of Assembly

333 E. Washington St. • Room 840 • Syracuse, NY 13202 • 428-9651 • magnarw@assembly.state.ny.us

Save the Date

Central New York Volunteer Fair

People willing and wanting to volunteer some of their time will find numerous organizations in need of volunteers. The organizations will have tables set up with information. To sign up, or for more information, call Bill’s office at 428-9651, or e-mail him at magnarw@assembly.state.ny.us.

Date: Tuesday, Sept. 21
When: 4 p.m.- 8 p.m.
Where: Skydeck of the Carousel Center

Central New York Veterans Parade

The 2010 CNY Veterans Parade will be held in downtown Syracuse. Any veterans organization and/or military unit is invited to participate. To sign up, or for more information, call Bill’s office at 428-9651, or e-mail him at magnarw@assembly.state.ny.us.

Date: Saturday, Nov. 6
When: Noon
Where: Salina Street in downtown Syracuse

Serving Veterans

Bill has been a member of the Assembly Veterans’ Affairs Committee since 1999 and is now chair of the committee. “It is my duty to remember veterans, their needs and issues and to remind my fellow colleagues how important veterans are to our way of life,” Bill said.

Assemblyman Magnarelli listens to veterans during a meeting of the Assembly’s Veterans’ Affairs committee.

Listening to the community

Input from residents is vital to understanding the concerns and issues of the town. Four town hall meetings, including one at Van Buren Town Hall, were held in March so Bill could listen to residents’ concerns prior to the beginning of budget discussions. The information gathered at those meetings, and other community functions, helped Bill act on behalf of Van Buren residents.

Supporting education

Bill has consistently fought for quality education for our children. He has worked to restore aid to the Baldwinsville School District. Restoration of these funds limits property tax growth while saving basic education programs for our children.

Bill reads to kindergartners during a recent visit to a local elementary school.

Sponsoring legislation

Reforming Albany
Bill fought for a far-reaching ethics reform package as chair of the Assembly Ethics Committee. It called for tougher measures, stiffer penalties, more oversight and increased disclosure. This landmark legislation would take remarkable steps in ending abuses in the system by reducing lobbyists’ influence in Albany and strengthening campaign finance filing requirements. The Assembly and the Senate overwhelmingly passed the bill after extensive negotiations, research and public hearings (A.9544).

Stopping waste
Bill sponsored legislation that establishes an interagency report analyzing the opportunities to modernize and streamline information collection by state agencies. The report will find ways to improve efficiency, better share gathered data and ultimately reduce paperwork. The legislation passed both the Assembly and the Senate (A.9502-A).

Increasing safety
Bill authored the Gold Alert legislation, which establishes an alert system for missing adults who have cognitive impairments. Within 24 hours of a vulnerable adult going missing, alerts would be sent out through the media and to law enforcement officials in neighboring areas. The Gold Alert system is similar to the Amber Alert system for missing children, also authored by Bill. The legislation passed both houses (A.5220-B).

Saving jobs

Bill fought against the governor’s proposed tax on beer and wine. As a result of Bill’s efforts, thousands of jobs were saved at the Baldwinsville Anheuser-Busch plant.

Meeting the community’s needs

Bill is committed to meeting the needs of our community. That’s why he worked to ensure that the Van Buren Town Hall and the Department of Parks and Recreation received vital funding to improve their buildings and better serve our community. The town hall used the funds to install a 35-kilowatt natural gas-fired auxiliary generator. The Department of Parks and Recreation used the funds to construct a 40-foot sidewalk, ramp and doors to bring it into compliance with the American with Disabilities Act and ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to the office.

“We are grateful for the grant which has allowed us to purchase these items without charging the town’s property taxpayers,” Van Buren Supervisor Claude Sykes said.