Felder Law Provides Tax Relief to Grieving Families
State Senator Simcha Felder‘s (D-Borough Park, Midwood, Flatbush, Kensington, Sunset Park, Bensonhurst) law providing tax relief to grieving families was signed into law last week.
The new legislation, signed on Dec. 13 by Governor Andrew Cuomo, protects families already coping with tragedy and loss from additional financial hardship. Upon death or permanent disability, Federal law forgives any outstanding student loans due to an understanding that the loan was taken in good faith, but obviously can no longer be repaid. However, until now New York State did not fall in line with this policy.
Bill A-6601, amends the tax law so that effective immediately the full dollar amount of the loan is no longer taxed at all. The new measure would amend New York State tax code so that a forgiven loan would no longer be counted as income to the family.
“We were determined to bring some solace to people reeling from tragedy by correcting this clear injustice. In what convoluted way does a forgiven student loan become income? It can only happen in a system that is set up to over-tax, over-fine and over-ticket. One that’s unjustly skewed to squeeze as much as it can, whenever it can, from hard working New Yorkers. So of course, it also takes advantage of people going through such a difficult time that they probably wouldn’t find the energy to fight it,” said Senator Felder.
BK Fed Lawmakers Denounce Final Tax Bill
Congress members Dan Donovan (R-South Brooklyn Staten Island) and Yvette D. Clarke (D-Crown Heights, Flatbush, East Flatbush, Brownsville, Midwood, Sheepshead Bay) denounced the final version of the Republican Tax bill announced yesterday and set to head to President Trump for final approval today.
On Tuesday, the Senate was on the verge of passing the most significant overhaul of the tax code since 1986, with the House of Representatives ready to send the measure to President Trump this morning, according to the Washington Post. The new bill would cut the corporate tax rate dramatically, and the vast majority of households would see their income taxes go down in 2018, with the largest savings going to the wealthy. The bill also proposes revising almost every part of the tax system by restructuring income tax rates and expanding some popular deductions while cutting back on others including cutting individual tax rates for all income tax levels and ending many of the tax breaks for individuals.
Additionally, the standard deduction, taken by many middle- and low-income households, would double, and a child tax credit would be expanded. Also other provisions that taxpayers use to reduce their bills, including a deduction on interest paid on new-home mortgages and a provision allowing Americans to deduct what they pay in state and local taxes, would be curtailed.
“I wanted nothing more than to vote for a tax plan that would put more money in the pockets of overburdened taxpayers and spur job creation. However, the bill that came out of the conference committee still means a tax increase for many Brooklyn residents. My priority always has and will continue to be the people of Staten Island and Brooklyn who sent me to Congress to represent them. Their interests come before Washington, always,” said Donovan.
“Additionally, analyses show that New York’s share of the country’s tax burden will grow by 9 percent – the largest increase of any state in the nation. Even this small capped deduction of $10,000 will be eliminated in 8 years, and once it’s gone it probably will be eliminated forever. With the state and local tax deduction nearly eliminated, this tax bill doesn’t equal relief for far too many New Yorkers. My responsibility and allegiance is to the people who sent me here, and I will not support a tax hike on the people I represent,” added Donovan.
“Policy reflects priorities and the GOP’s priorities are clear: billionaires first, everybody else second. This bill supports Republicans’ trickle-down delusions, not analysis or facts. Every Republican who voted for this legislation will be forced to answer why they chose the donor class over the working class. They’ll have to explain why they’ve made corporate tax cuts permanent, while making tax cuts for hard-working American families temporary.The American people will continue to make their voices heard and hold Republicans accountable for this tax scam,” said Clarke.
Treyger Introduces Bill Adding Social Workers To Police Precincts
City Council Member Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Gravesend) introduced new legislation that would embed social workers at police precincts across the city yesterday.
The new bill, which was introduced at Tuesday’s Stated Meeting, would embed at least one licensed clinical social worker at each New York Police Department (NYPD) police precinct for each police tour, ensuring that a social worker would be present at each precinct 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The measure hopes to improve police-community relations and allow police officers to focus on law enforcement.
The City already stations social workers at schools and hospitals. A relatively low-cost, high impact measure, social workers hired as a result of Treyger’s bill would offer assistance with cases pertaining to immigration, gender and identity status, and other social or emotional issues including childcare and procurement of medical care.
“While our city’s police officers bravely protect and safeguard New Yorkers every day, police precincts lack the resources to handle the complicated social and emotional needs of many of the New Yorkers who interact with law enforcement every day,” said Treyger.
“My legislation will place a licensed social worker in every police precinct at all times to ensure that these needs do not go unmet, allowing our men and women in uniform to focus on keeping our city safe. We already have social workers in our schools and hospitals; police precincts are a similar front-line service area. Stationing social workers at precincts is a common sense move that benefits New Yorkers and our police officers,” added Treyger.
Harris Bill Expanding Treatment For Maternity Related Conditions Signed Into Law
Assembly member Pamela Harris (D-Coney Island, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights) announced that legislation she co-sponsored to expand access to treatment for women suffering from maternity related depression and conditions was signed into law yesterday.
The new law will create a statewide database of providers and community resources that help women treat maternal depression, as well as ensure adequate investment in treatment resources.
According to the New York State Department of Health, prenatal depression and postpartum depression can effect between 10 and 20 percent of new or expecting mothers. Additionally, up to 80 percent of new mothers can experience the ‘baby blues,” which includes symptoms such as feeling overwhelmed, irritability, anxiety and exhaustion.
“All too often, women suffering from prenatal or postpartum depression, or other similar conditions, don’t know where to turn. I’m proud that this bill has been signed into law so that every woman can get the help they need and deserve,” said Harris.
“To any new or expecting mother who is facing this issue, know you are not alone. There are resources available to you and there are other women who have faced the same challenges, and with the right help, you too can get through this,” added Harris.
Golden’s Life-Saving Law Goes Into Effect
State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend and parts of Sheepshead Bay, Borough Park and Midwood) announced that his new life-saving legislation that will help protect the lives of children with severe food or other allergies went into effect yesterday.
On Tuesday, the new law that took effect (S6005A) and passed by the Senate in June, allows bus drivers to administer an epinephrine auto-injector, like an EpiPen, in emergency circumstances. While prior law allows those employed by school districts and other educational institutions to administer the live-saving injection, those who work for agencies contracted out by a school district, such as transportation services, were not authorized.
Thousands of children travel to and from school every day by bus. Many children may eat breakfast or a small snack, increasing the likelihood of a child being exposed to an allergen and having a severe reaction. While children with allergies to certain foods frequently carry their own EpiPen or other medicine, this new law will allow bus drivers to administer the injection and save the child’s life.
Food and other allergies, such as bee stings, present an ever-increasing danger to children across the United States. If a child with severe allergies is exposed or accidentally consumes an allergen, this can produce a serious reaction called anaphylaxis, which can lead to death. An epinephrine injection works to help immediately reverse the effects of anaphylaxis and is critical in the treatment of severe allergic reactions.
“I am proud to have supported this legislation that today is a new New York State law that will improve our children’s safety. If students find themselves in a life-threatening situation on a school bus, the driver now has the authority to administer epinephrine. The availability of an EpiPen, and someone who is trained in administering it, is an important life saving advancement,” said Golden.
