Peralta Wants Cuomo’s Proposed ACS Spending Cap Lifted
State Sen. Jose Peralta (D-Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Woodside) yesterday penned a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo expressing his deep concerns that the $320 million state reimbursement cap to the city’s Administration for Children’s Services as proposed in the governor’s FY 2018-19 Executive Budget will yield grave fiscal consequences.
“The current reimbursement system has contributed to lower child protective caseloads and a decrease in juvenile justice detentions and placements. The proposed $320 million cap runs counter to our shared goal of keeping children out of the foster care and the juvenile justice system,” wrote Peralta.
“When the state has implemented caps in the past. New York City foster care placements spiked. In 2017. there were 157 more placements than there were in 2016. This is not the time to cut the very funding that can prevent more children from being institutionalized. I urge you to work with David Hansell. Commissioner of the Administration for Childrens Services and the hard-working New Yorkers, advocates and labor unions, such as DC-37. SSEU Local 371. to reverse this dangerous proposal.”
Addabbo, Amato Bring Property Value Session To Rockaways
Democratic lawmakers State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. and Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, both of whom represent Rockaway, will team up with the City’s Department of Finance to bring a Notice of Property Value Session to the Rockaways next month.
Inquiring residents will be able to get one-on-one assistance from the NYC Department of Finance regarding their property taxes. They will be able to ask questions about your property’s market and assessed values, learn how to dispute your assessed value, change your property’s description, and file for exemptions.
“This session with the Department of Finance will be very helpful for residents who are curious about their property’s value,” Addabbo said. “I encourage anyone who has questions about their property value and those interested in learning about exemptions and how to apply for them, to attend the session because the final day to appeal the assessed value is Thursday, March 15, 2018.”
“Having the Department of Finance come directly to our community is such an important service,” said Pheffer Amato. “My office has received numerous calls from homeowners inquiring what to do with a property value they feel is grossly inflated. At this seminar you can speak directly to DOF representatives about your property value, learn about exemptions, and how to apply to them — take advantage before the final day to appeal.”
The session is slated for between 10 a.m. and 12 noon, Tuesday, March 6 at the Knights of Columbus located at 333 Beach 90th Street in Rockaway. Residents from all over Queens are invited to take part. For additional dates and locations of Notice of Property Value Sessions, please call 311.
Avella Honors Longtime Community Leader with Liberty Medal
State Sen. Tony Avella (D-College Point, Whitestone, Bayside, Flushing, Jamaica Estates, Fresh Meadows, Bellerose, Floral Park, Jamaica, Douglaston, Little Neck, Auburndale, Kissena Park, Briarwood) today will award local leader Walter Mugdan with the New York State Senate Liberty Medal.
The Liberty Medal is one of the highest civilian honors that can be bestowed upon a New York State resident by the Senate. Earlier this year, Avella honored four longstanding leaders in the community for their decades of service but Mr. Mugdan was unable to attend.
In July of 2015, Avella announced the launch of his inaugural Liberty Medal awards, which honor some of the most dedicated civic leaders throughout his district.
The award ceremony is slated for 11 a.m., today Feb. 23 at Avella’s district office, 38-50 Bell Blvd in Bayside.
