Queens Lawmakers On The Move March 5, 2019

Ramos Demands Pushes For Public Education Funding In Albany

State Senators Jessica Ramos (D-Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Woodside) and Robert Jackson (D-Manhattan) will welcome over 100 constituents, the advocacy organization Alliance for Quality Education (AQE), and lead attorney of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE) Michael Rebell to the capitol today for a critical day of advocacy for education funding.

At the event, legislators and advocates will emphasize the urgency for the legislature and Governor Andrew Cuomo to fully fund public education. New York State students are owed $4.1 billion according to the 2007 Foundation Aid formula developed after the successful CFE lawsuit.

Attorney Michael Rebell and AQE will offer a brief history and context to this fight. Senator Ramos will also share perspectives from her meetings with representatives from 14 schools in her district, who voiced their desperate or funding.

The event is slated for 11:30 a.m., today, March 5, at the Million Dollar Staircase in Albany.

Simotas Seeks State Budget Support For Senior Housing Program

Assemblymember Aravella Simotas/Facebook

Assembly member Aravella Simotas (D-Astoria) is advocating that $100,000 be included in this year’s State budget to help support the Home Sharing and the Respite Care Programs of the New York Foundation for Senior Citizens.

In a letter to Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie, Simotas requested that the money be used to establish the Denny Farrell Memorial Fund for Senior Living that will assist the New York Foundation for Senior Citizens with its mission of helping seniors to stay in their homes and out of institutions.

The Home Sharing Program carefully matches senior hosts who have an extra room in their apartments or houses with compatible roommates in need of affordable housing. The program also matches adult hosts age 55 or older, who are interested in sharing with developmentally disabled adult “guests” capable of independent living.

The Respite Care Program helps relieve adult caregivers by offering affordable short-term certified home health aides and in certain emergency circumstances free care is provided.

“This is a compassionate and practical program that helps the elderly maintain their independence dignity and comfort, while saving millions of dollars in Medicaid and other government spending,” said Simotas.

Nolan Calls For Comprehensive Plan For LIC Schools At Education Forum

Assembly member Catherine Nolan (D-Sunnyside, Ridgewood, Astoria, Woodside, Long Island City, Maspeth, Queensbridge, Ravenswood, Dutch Kills, Blissville) attended the Gantry Parents Association’s “Educational Landscape of LIC” Forum where she called on the City to produce a comprehensive plan for addressing educational needs in the district.

At the forum over the weekend, Nolan met with local residents and educational advocates to discuss the educational needs of the Long Island City. In recent years, the area’s population has increased significantly including a baby boom that has left many parents pushing for more school seats.

“It is crucial that we remain united as we call for the construction of new schools and the providing of more seats for Long Island City’s growing student population,” said Nolan.

“I continue to ask the city to produce a comprehensive infrastructure plan for Long Island City’s future that includes diversity, inclusion of existing communities, provision for special Ed and a full array of pre-K, elementary, middle and high school seats. Thank you to Meghan Cirrito of the Gantry Parents Association for putting together this important meeting; I look forward to continuing this dialogue together as a community,” added Nolan.