Avella Bill Establishing Childcare Availability Taskforce Gets Cuomo Signature
State Sen. Tony Avella ((D-College Point, Whitestone, Bayside, Little Neck, Douglaston, Floral Park) and Assembly Member Ellen Jafffee’s (D-Rockland County) last week saw Gov. Andrew Cuomo sign their legislation (S5929A) establishing a childcare availability task force.
The task force will examine the need for childcare, barriers to accessing childcare and the impacts on economic development and the workforce. This information will help guide decisions to better meet the needs of working families across the State. Prior to its June passage in both houses, the legislation received memos in support from more than 15 organizations across the state.
“In order to better improve childcare policies, it is necessary to understand more about the issues related to childcare access. As Chair of the Senate’s Children and Families Committee, I am committed to ensuring that every child, whether at the beginning of their education or at the end of their college tenure, has access to the highest quality education this state has to offer,” said Avella.
“Our state should be committed to providing every child the opportunity to succeed through education as well as providing families an opportunity to grow and flourish in our communities. By creating this task force it will allow our state to do just that,” he added.
The taskforce would examine issues including access to subsidized childcare, the cost of childcare, availability of non-traditional hours, impact of childcare access on the workforce, the impact on economic development and childcare quality. The taskforce would report its findings and recommendations to the Speaker of the Assembly and Temporary President of the Senate.
Comrie, Vanel Laud Islanders Coming To Belmont Park
State Sen. Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans, Cambria Heights, Jamaica, Hollis, Rosedale, Laurelton, Kew Gardens, Queens Village) and Assembly Member Clyde Vanel (D-Cambria Heights, St. Albans, Hollis, Queens Village, Bellerose, Floral Park) last week lauded the announcement that the National Hockey League’s New York Islanders will move from Brooklyn Barclays Center to a world-class, year-round sports and entertainment destination just over the Queens border to Belmont Park.
When completed, the New York Arena Partners (NYAP) $1 billion redevelopment project will include an 18,000-seat arena for the Islanders, a new 435,000-square-foot retail and entertainment complex, a new hotel, and other community amenities.
“The NYAP project is the first step in ensuring that Belmont Park can finally realize its full potential as an economic engine with collaborative input from community residents,” said Comrie.
Vanel said after generations of neglect, he is excited that Belmont Park will be developed for the betterment of the local residents and the greater New York community.
“We will continue to work with the Governor and the Islanders to ensure that the local community is engaged with the project regarding quality of life, environmental issues, jobs and business opportunities,” said Vanel.
Rosenthal Committee Assignments Announced
Freshman Assembly Member Daniel Rosenthal (D-Kew Gardens Hills, Kew Gardens, Pomonok, Electchester, College Point) recently announced he has been appointed to the Assembly’s Aging, Insurance, Labor, Real Property Taxation and Social Services Committees in the upcoming 2018 legislative session.
“It is truly exciting to be able to serve on committees that will help deliver essential services to my district and better the lives of all New Yorkers,” said Rosenthal. “I look forward to getting to work on these committees, and getting results for my constituents.”
Citing the growing senior population and diverse senior centers across his district, Rosenthal plans to use his service on the Aging committee to ensure that our senior citizens are properly cared for. Rosenthal looks forward to joining his colleagues in the fight to fully fund NORCs (Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities) and bring essential services to these communities.
Rosenthal also pointed to ongoing news from Washington as a timely reminder of the important work undertaken by the Insurance and Social Services committees. Some versions of the impending Congressional Tax Plan target the Affordable Care Act’s Individual Mandate, it is also expected to put the state in a $4 billion deficit ahead of the upcoming 2018 budget.
“Serving on these important committees brings a much-needed voice for the residents of Eastern Queens,” said Rosenthal. “I am excited to get to work and join my colleagues in the fight keep Queens an affordable, safe and vibrant homes for our families.”
