Ulrich Introduces Bill Expanding Tax Exemption For Cold War Veterans
City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Belle Harbor, Breezy Point, Broad Channel, Hamilton Beach, Howard Beach, Lindenwood, Neponsit, Ozone Park, Rockaway Beach, Rockaway Park, South Ozone Park, Woodhaven) joined Councilman Joseph Borelli (R-SI) last week to introduce a bill that would expand New York City’s property tax exemption to include Cold War veterans.
Currently, Cold War veterans are not eligible to receive the veterans property tax exemption because the city law does not recognize the Cold War as a “specified period of conflict.”
Ulrich, who served as Chair of the Veterans Committee between 2015 and 2017, is the co-prime sponsor of the proposed law, Intro 0617-2018, which was originally penned by Borelli. Council Members Paul Vallone (D-Bayside), Steven Matteo (R-SI), Mark Treyger (D-Brooklyn) and Chaim Deutsch (D-Brooklyn) have also signed onto the legislation.
“As a proud advocate for our nation’s heroes, I am thrilled to sponsor this bill, which would expand New York City’s veterans property tax exemption to Cold War veterans. Although it would be impossible to fully repay the debt we owe our veterans for their service, our government should make every effort to commemorate the sacrifices of our brave men and women in uniform,” said Ulrich.
There were a number of active combat engagements involving U.S. troops, including the Iranian hostage rescue-attempt known as Operation Eagle Claw, the 1983 Beirut Marine Barracks bombing, and numerous expeditions into Latin America and the Caribbean.
Veterans who served during this period have expressed their disbelief that the government would draw lines in the sand, which only serve to divide those who have served in different conflicts and imply a greater value for the service of some compared to others.
If passed, the law would take effect immediately, rectifying the issue without further delay or hardship for those affected. A vote date has not yet been announced.
Addabbo, Miller, Host Annual Spring Recycling Event
State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth, South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodside, The Rockaways) is again partnering with Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Woodhaven, Ridgewood, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, Glendale) to jointly host their annual Spring Recycling Fair in Forest Park.
Addabbo, a member of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, co-hosts this event with Miller every year to help residents recycle more, as well as provide them with an easy and secure way to recycle their electronics, appliances and more.
“Laws regarding what types of electronics and household items you can legally recycle with your normal, curbside garbage are always evolving,” Addabbo said. “By holding this event, Assemblyman Miller and I give our constituents an easy way to recycle items that they may not know can be recycled, all at one central location.”
“I’m looking forward to another successful recycling event with Senator Addabbo,” Miller said. “This event gives the opportunity for our constituents to securely discard household items and brings awareness to the importance of recycling.”
During the event, there will be a paper shredder that will allow residents to safely and securely recycle their documents as they watch to ensure confidentiality. The electronics that will be accepted are: computers, monitors, cell phones, compact discs, PDAs, printers, batteries, cameras, lamps, mirrors, power strips, wires, chargers, cable boxes, fans, telephones, VCR tapes and small televisions (no large console or projection TVs).
Items that will not be accepted for recycling include: air conditioners, newspapers, gas/oil items, paints, mattresses, ovens, office furniture, firearms, vacuum cleaners, light bulbs, liquids, tires, or medication, among other items.
Household items to be accepted, including clothing, coats, bedding, paired shoes, dishes, silverware, lamps and curtains.
All donated items must be clean and dry.
The event is slated from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 29, at the Forest Park Bandshell. For more information or questions about what items can be recycled, please contact Addabbo’s Howard Beach Office at 718-738-1111.
Katz, Queens Boro Board Review Homelessness In Queens
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz (D) and the Queens Borough Board tonight will hear a presentation from Steven Banks, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Social Services, during the Board’s monthly meeting.
Banks will discuss the state of homelessness in Queens and outline the progress made in implementing “Turning the Tide on Homelessness in New York City,” the City’s current comprehensive plan for addressing homelessness in the five boroughs. The plan was released in February 2017 and relies on these three approaches:
- Doing more to keep people in their homes by making housing more affordable and by stopping illegal evictions.
- Making long-needed operational reforms to better serve people in shelters and neighborhoods.
- Implementing a reimagined shelter strategy that removes people from all cluster apartment units by the end of 2021 and commercial hotel facilities by the end of 2023, cuts the total number of shelter facilities by almost 45% and keeps homeless people as close as possible to their own neighborhoods and on a path to get back on track.
The Borough Board is composed of the borough’s City Council members and the chairperson of each Community Board in the borough.
The meeting is slated for 5:30 p.m., tonight, March 12 at Queens Borough Hall, 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens.
Lancman’s Justice System Committee Holds Prelim Budget Hearing
City Council Member Rory I. Lancman (D–Briarwood, Cunningham Park, Flushing, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Fresh Meadows, Hollis, Holliswood, Jamaica, Jamaica Estates, Jamaica Hills, Kew Gardens, Kew Gardens Hills, Richmond Hill), chair of the council’s Justice System Committee, today will hold its FY 2019 preliminary budget hearing.
The Committee will hear testimony from the City’s District Attorneys and Special Narcotics Prosecutor, the Office of Civil Justice, Public Defenders, Civil Legal Services Providers, and members of the public.
The meeting is slated for 2 p.m., today, March 12 at City Hall in LOwer Manhattan.
