(Long Island, NY) Last week, PSEG Long Island announced that it will be increasing costs in March. The increase is slated to come after a shortfall in revenue due to a LIPA policy for the creation of more “green” programs. Today, Assemblyman Dean Murray (R,C,I-East Patchogue) announced a solution to the problem of rising energy costs: green-lighting the Caithness II project.

“Middle-class families on Long Island cannot afford to take on any more costs. Nearly half of Long Island’s electricity comes from out of state at great cost to ratepayers already burdened by high electric bills,” said Murray. “Caithness II would generate local, reliable power, and create hundreds of jobs right here on Long Island.”

The Department of Public Service’s Long Island branch was set up as part of the LIPA reform act in 2013, but only in an advisory role, lacking any real teeth. The branch’s inability to directly affect the energy market is doing more harm than good for Long Island’s ratepayers.

“Long Islanders have been dealing with high energy costs for too long,” said Murray. “It’s time for Gov. Cuomo to step in and force PSEG-LI to do what’s best for Long Island and not its own bottom line. By generating clean, viable power locally, the Caithness II project can certainly be part of the solution. The sooner we move forward with this project, the sooner we can provide some relief to the ratepayers of Long Island.”

It is estimated that Caithness II would save Long Island roughly $190 million annually in fuel and operational costs while reducing overall air pollution emissions by 95 percent compared to older plants still in use.

Coalition for Responsible Home Education Statement Supporting New York Assembly Bill 3678 and Senate Bill 2175

(Long Island, NY) Last year, two bills before the state legislature would have opened public school athletics to participation by homeschooled students. These bills, Assembly Bill 3678 and Senate Bill 2175, which have been carried over into the 2016 legislative session, would prohibit school districts from barring homeschoolers from interscholastic sports and thus requiring the New York State Public High School Athletic Association to open the door to these students. “Our research is clear—access to public school extracurriculars offers tangible benefits to homeschooled students,” said Rachel Coleman, executive director of the alumni-run Coalition for Responsible Home Education. “It’s time to give New York’s homeschooled students access to public school athletics.”

Participation in public school athletics and other extracurriculars has been found to have pronounced benefits for children’s socialization, self-esteem, and leadership skills across the board. A recent study of homeschool alumni in particular found that those who participated in public school athletics rated their homeschooling experience more highly than did other respondents. Further, researcher Joseph Richard Barno found that college admissions officers weighted extracurriculars more heavily for homeschool graduates than for traditionally-schooled graduates, suggesting that extracurricular participation is especially important for homeschooled students who are college-bound. “Excluding homeschooled children from this important aspect of physical and personal development puts them at a profound disadvantage with respect to their peers,” Coleman said.

New York’s Assembly Bill 3678 and Senate Bill 2175 are part of an ongoing trend toward increasing homeschooled students’ access to extracurriculars in their local public schools. Over half of all states provide homeschooled students some form of participation in athletics or other extracurriculars through their local public schools, and that number is growing. Many states also allow homeschooled students to take individual courses at their local public schools. In fact, in 2007, the most recent year for which we have data, 16% of homeschooled students were enrolled in school part time. “Cooperation between homeschoolers and local school districts benefits homeschooled students,” said Coleman. “When public schools provide homeschooled students with access to curricular and extracurricular activities, they foster a positive relationship between public schools and homeschool families.”

Homeschoolers in New York, including LEAH, the largest statewide homeschool organization, supported Assembly Bill 3678 and Senate Bill 2175 during the 2015 legislative session. Gina Varrichio, a homeschooling mother, created a website, Let Homeschoolers Play, and launched a petition to bring the bills to the floor. “The overarching aim of our public school system should be to educate the minds, exercise the bodies, and open the hearts of our children and our communities,” wrote Varrichio. “The goal should be one of supporting as many children as we can in this mission, not the fewest we’re legally allowed.”

Critics argue that granting homeschooled students access to public school athletics creates problems in fairness and access for other students. However, the Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers conducted a 2012 survey of state athletics associations which found that granting homeschooled students access to public school athletics has not caused problems in those states that have already done so. Critics also point to the variety of community athletic leagues available to younger children, but these options tend to narrow as children grow older, forcing parents to choose between homeschooling and athletic participation. “The evidence is clear that granting homeschooled children access to public school athletics improves homeschool outcomes,” said Coleman. “It’s time to let these children play.”

For an online version of this press release, see: http://www.responsiblehomeschooling.org/statement-supporting-new-york-assembly-bill-3678-and-senate-bill-2175/

The Coalition for Responsible Home Education is a national organization founded by homeschool alumni and dedicated to raising awareness of the need for homeschooling reform, providing public policy guidance, and advocating for responsible home education practices.

‘No Appetite to Educate: Stacking the Deck Against Children in Poverty’ Highlights Dramatic Funding Inequities that Hurt Students’ Chances for Success

(Long Island, NY) The Alliance for Quality Education (AQE) and the Public Policy and Education Fund (PPEF) released a report today titled No Appetite to Educate: Stacking the Deck against Children in Poverty that finds the gap between New York State’s 100 wealthiest school districts and the 100 poorest school districts has widened to $9,796 per pupil—a record setting level. New York State has a child poverty crisis with one in two children living in poverty. Adequate state funding for public schools is tackling this crisis.

The report release comes in the wake of the State Assembly proposing a tax on millionaires to fund schools. Despite the tremendous educational need documented by this report, Governor Cuomo responded by saying there is no “reason or appetite” to raise taxes on millionaires.

This funding gap has consistently grown since Gov. Andrew Cuomo took office in 2011. The gap amounts to $4.9 million in a school of 500 students. Data from the State Education Departments shows that New York State schools are owed $4.4 billion in Foundation Aid which was the funding created as a result of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit where the state Court of Appeals ruled the state was violating students’ constitutional right to a “sound basic education.” The report finds that fully funding the Foundation Aid formula would close the gap by $2,824 per pupil.

The report goes on to find that the inequities in funding correlates with lower graduation rates. Wealthy school districts have a 92 percent graduation rate while poorer schools average a 66 percent graduation rate. Research from the National Bureau of Economic Research, the nation’s leading nonprofit economic research organization, shows that a sustained 10% increase in funding results in an 11% increase in graduation rates.

The gap also strips schools of programs and opportunities. Half of the graduating cohorts in well-funded schools leave high school with a coveted Advanced Regents diploma while only 1 in 5 students in poor school districts graduated with an Advanced Regents diploma.

This reflects what The Education Trust, a national education policy group, has found. It reports that New York State ranks at No. 2 in the nation for educational inequity.

The AQE report also finds that the state’s lack of commitment to its Foundation Aid Formula is the cause of the funding inequities. The report recommends $2.9 billion in additional school aid funding to close the gap.

“The teachers and principals are paying out of pocket for a lot of things like school supplies and school events,” saidBeverly Usher, a Rochester City School district grandparent. “I know they have big hearts, but they cannot pay for extra reading teachers and after school programs out of pocket. We need the funding.”

“The inequities between rich and poor schools are shocking and distressing,” said Billy Easton, Executive Director of the Alliance for Quality Education. “Students in high need districts are being deprived of things we know help students to learn such as smaller classes sizes, arts and music, school technology and extracurricular activities. It’s heartbreaking that a generation of students is being robbed of so many opportunities. In 2016, we must fund schools fully. New York’s students can no longer wait. This can be done with small income tax hike on millionaires—clearly in New York State there is a need to adequately fund our schools and an appetite to tax millionaires in order to do it.”

To read the report, click here.

(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R,C,I – South Huntington) is reminding residents of the 10^th Assembly District of the upcoming tax exemption deadline for the Towns of Huntington and Babylon.

“The March 1 deadline for filing tax exemption is right around the corner,” said Lupinacci. “This is a friendly reminder for my neighbors to visit their town’s tax exemption website to see if they qualify for any of the exceptions being offered.  Some of these taxes include first-time homebuyers, veterans, and those individuals who qualify for the School Tax Relief (STAR) Program. With the difficult economic environment that exists in New York these days, any extra income that can be saved is crucial.”

For the residents the Town of Huntington, you may click here to be directed to your town’s exemption brochure. Town of Babylon residents should click here, and to be directed to your town’s exemption information.

(Long Island, NY) On Thursday, February 17, 2016, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was presented with a “Thank You” plaque from the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks (CABT) for his efforts in Washington, DC to keep bigger trucks off of our local roads.

(L to R): Riverhead Town Police Chief David Hegermiller, Congressman Lee Zeldin, and Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley. Photo Credit: CABT.

The Congressman was recognized for his votes against allowing longer and heavier trucks on our roads; as well as his work to secure the permanent removal of the Cross Sound Ferry trucking plan from the Regional Freight Plan of NYMTC and the America’s Marine Highway Program. This was a misguided trucking provision that would have rerouted thousands of trucks from I-95 in Connecticut to the North Fork of Long Island via the Cross Sound Ferry.

Education, award-winning audiologist bringing focus on siblings to leading LI not-for-profit

(Long Island, NY) Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities, Inc. (ACLD), a leading Long Island based not-for-profit agency devoted to supporting the pursuit of an enviable life for children and adults with autism, learning and other developmental disabilities, is proud to announce the appointment of Rebecca Kooper of Long Beach to its Board of Trustees.

An ACLD Community Trust Trustee since 2012, Ms. Kooper is an educational audiologist who has worked with a range of institutions including Mercy College, the Center for Hearing and Communication, and the Lexington School for the Deaf. She is certified by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and previously served as coordinator for Audiological Services for Nassau BOCES.

Rebecca Kooper of Long Beach, who was recently appointed to ACLD’s Board of Trustees. Photo Credit: ACLD.

Ms. Kooper maintains a private practice that provides consulting services to school districts and cochlear implant centers throughout Long Island and New York City. She has also served on the boards of the New York State Speech and Hearing Association and the Long Island Speech and Hearing Association. In addition, she’s spoken about caring for a sibling with special needs on Telecare’s “Family Comes First.”

Initially becoming involved with ACLD through her brother, who is a resident of ACLD’s Residential Program and of whom she became legal guardian of following the death of their parents, Ms. Kooper has been an active member of ACLD’s Family Association Council. Through her new role as ACLD Board Trustee, she plans to continue her work in building connections between the organization and the siblings of those with special needs.

“We are thrilled to have Rebecca on ACLD’s Board of Trustees,” said Joseph J. Ortego, ACLD Board of Trustees President. “She has tremendous passion for our mission, and the sibling perspective she brings is of great value to our agency as well as the individuals and families we serve.”

A recipient of several honors including the Cheryl DeConde Johnson Award for Best Practices in Educational Audiology and the ASHA Foundation’s Roland J. VanHattum Award, Ms. Kooper earned both her bachelor’s degree in communications and master’s degree in audiology from SUNY Buffalo before receiving her doctor of audiology degree from Central Michigan University. She also holds a law degree from Pace University School of Law.

For information about ACLD visit www.acld.org.

About ACLD
Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities, Inc. (ACLD) was founded in 1957. The 501(c)(3), not-for-profit agency’s mission is to provide opportunities for children and adults with autism, learning and other developmental disabilities to pursue enviable lives, increase independence and foster supportive relationships within the community. ACLD employs more than 1,100 people and operates 77 different program sites including group homes and apartment programs across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Service programs include early childhood services, day habilitation, residential alternatives, vocational training and job placement, recreation programs, respite, family support services, Medicaid service coordination, and medical and behavioral health services.

(Long Island, NY) Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), member of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, released a statement in response to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) decision to block the removal of Albany Stratton VA Medical Center Director, Linda Weiss. Congressman Zeldin released the following statement:

“Our veterans deserve the highest quality of care. Poor performing employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, especially upper management, must be removed. Reforming our VA system and ensuring accountability is essential to protecting our veterans, and improving their quality of life and care. While I believe that 99% of VA employees genuinely care about the work they do and want to help veterans, we must ensure that the other 1% of those employees who are not acting in the best interest of veterans are held accountable. The VA must have the necessary resources and flexibility to hold poor performing employees accountable. Not only are the misdoings within the VA hurting our veterans, but tax dollars have been blindly misspent due to the lack of accountability. When it comes to our veterans, there is so much more we can do to improve their quality of life and care, and it starts with VA accountability.”

Entry Deadline: March 16

(Long Island, NY) Attention Long Island students!  Can you carry a tune? Is a musical instrument your specialty? If so, get your audition DVD or YouTube video submitted now for Long Island’s Got Talent 2016, hosted by the Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO).

Created by WMHO’s Youth Corps, the event gives Long Island students the opportunity to show off their talents this spring. It’s open to students 10-17 years of age in Nassau or Suffolk County who must still be in high school at the time awards are given in October 2016.  Talent must be non-professional vocal or musical instrumentperformances. The entry deadline is March 16 and there is a $25 entry fee.

(L to R): Tom Manuel, Judge (Founder of The Jazz Loft); First Place Winner Julianna Gape, Setauket; Kyle Foley, Judge (Stony Brook University Music Department), James Faith, Judge, 2nd Vice Chairman, Long Island Music Hall of Fame). Photo Credit: WMHO.

Five Towns College will award a $6,000 scholarship to the 1^st place winner and $5,000 to the 2^nd place winner. All finalists receive a $2,000 scholarship or more, depending on place. Those who are contacted after submitting their audition will be asked to perform at the first round performance on April 8 at WMHO’s Educational & Cultural Center, 97P Main Street in the Stony Brook Village Center. Finalists chosen can perform at WMHO’sSunday Summer Concerts series and finals will take place on October 21, 2016 when the winners will be chosen.

For full details and Official Entry Form, call 631-751-2244 or visit www.stonybrookvillage.com.

Created in 1998, the WMHO Youth Corps is a student volunteer group operating under the auspices of The Ward Melville Heritage Organization.  They provide growth and leadership experiences for young people grades six to twelve through various activities and community service projects.

Company Filed Over 600 Lawsuits Against Businesses Claiming Breach Of Contract

(Long Island, NY) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced an agreement with Buffalo Biodiesel, a company that collects cooking oil waste and converts it into biodiesel, over claims that the company filed lawsuits against hundreds of small businesses across Western New York and several surrounding states. The over 600 lawsuits, most of which were filed in Buffalo City Court, made various breach of contract claims against small businesses that had entered into a contract with the company. Buffalo Biodiesel sought thousands of dollars, sometimes as much as tens of thousands of dollars, in damages from ‘mom and pop’ restaurants.

The agreement announced today requires Buffalo Biodiesel to withdraw all applications it made for default judgments, to vacate default judgments it has taken against unrepresented businesses, and return any money it might have collected on judgments. Buffalo Biodiesel has also agreed that, before it files any new court actions, the company will provide notice to businesses of its intent to sue in order to give the businesses the opportunity to resolve matters without a lawsuit.

“Our legal system rightfully allows for parties to sue when a breach of contract occurs, but that right should not be used as a license to unjustly bully and intimidate small businesses,” saidAttorney General Schneiderman. “The agreement announced today required the termination of hundreds of pending lawsuits filed against mom and pop businesses that lack the financial resources to fight costly court battles.”

The lawsuits that were examined by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s Office began in March 2013. By 2015, the total number of lawsuits eclipsed 600, virtually all of which were filed in Buffalo City Court.  The Attorney General’s investigation showed that frequently the small businesses sued by Buffalo Biodiesel did not respond to the lawsuits and, as a result, Buffalo Biodiesel applied for default judgments to the clerk of the Buffalo City often seeking damages in the thousands of dollars.  The investigation concluded that most of the Buffalo Biodiesel lawsuits for which it was seeking default judgments, however, were improperly filed in Buffalo City Court.

The investigation also showed that the complaints initiating the lawsuits were virtual carbon copies of each other.  The complaints, while alleging breach of a contract, provided very little specific information on how the small business was supposed to have done do.  Also, when seeking default judgments, Buffalo Biodiesel did not, as required by law, provide a sworn affidavit from someone with personal knowledge describing the facts of the breach.

This case was handled by Assistant Attorney General James M. Morrissey of the Buffalo Regional Office. The Buffalo Regional Office is led by Assistant Attorney General-in-Charge Michael Russo. The Buffalo Regional Office is part of the Division Of Regional Affairs led by Deputy Executive Attorney General for Regional Affairs Marty Mack.

Over 500 people to attend the first Countywide heroin Summit Formed to Battle Long Island’s Fast-Growing and Deadly Epidemic of Drug Abuse, Local Residents to speak out for the first time about their personal struggles and overdoses, new statistics to be released

(Long Island, NY) Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano, Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone and POLICE PBA President James Carver will join together with hundreds of families who lost loved ones to heroin abuse and addiction, They will hold a candlelight vigil ceremony at the first-ever Nassau County Heroin Summit Being held today, Thursday, February 18th at 11:45am . Nassau Police Commissioner Thomas Krumpter and Suffolk County Deputy Police Commissioner Tim Sini will discuss law enforcement measures and new statistics in the battle against Heron . The summitt will feature health officials and medical experts who will discuss the latest treatments to battle the surging heroin epidemic on Long Island. Local residents and students will be speaking out for the first time about their personal battles with heroin. Long Island is one of the country’s leading areas for heroin abuse and death.

Nassau County will introduce for the first time ”Students Against Heroin at the Summit”. The new group will act as an advocacy group in High School and College Campuses. Long Island School officials attending the summit include; Westbury School District, Sewanhaka Central School District, Hempstead Union Free School District, East Meadow School District, Locust Valley Central School District, Rockville Centre Union Free School District, Hicksville School District, Valley Stream Union Free School District, Hewlett-Woodmere Union Free School District, Baldwin Union Free School District, Freeport Union Free School District, Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District, Floral Park-Bellerose, Long Beach City School District, Levittown Union Free School District, North Shore Central School District, Syosset Central School District, Bethpage Union Free School District and members of the New York City Department of Education. The Nassau county PBA will assist in funding any local chapters that are formed.

Nearly 40 percent more people died of heroin overdoses last year than the year before, according to the The National Institutes of Health, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Heroin deaths have increased by a shocking 243 percent nationwide since 2007. Law-enforcement agencies report that more than 5,000 kilos of the drug were seized in 2014, compared with 2,763 kilos in 2010. On Long Island, more people die of heroin overdoses and related causes every year. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 6.5 million Americans misused a prescription drug in 2014. The same year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a total of 47,055 drug overdose deaths, including both prescription and illicit drugs. That is a 6.5 percent increase from 2013 and a 140 percent increase since 2000. The Summit is being sponsored by the Nassau County Police Benevolent Association, Nassau County Detectives Association, and the superior officers Association.

When:

• Thursday, February 18, 2016 11:45AM

Where:

• Coral House
  70 Milburn Avenue
  Baldwin, NY