Efforts to close $6.1 billion deficit in the state’s $23.4 billion budget will not affect several key areas, said Assemblyman Anthony Impreveduto (D-32nd Dist.) recently.
After months of negotiations, the final state budget guarantees continued funding for programs such as Pharmaceutical Assistance for the Aged and Disabled (PAAD), property tax rebates and anti-terrorism efforts.
“Through weeks of negotiations and numerous tough decisions, we held the line on spending and at the same time we protected state services and programs that help senior citizens, the sick, the disabled and school-aged children,” Impreveduto said.
Some of the key senior programs saved, Impreveduto said, include:
PAAD, the state’s prescription drug subsidy program that services needy seniors and disabled people. Co-payments will remain at $5.
Senior Gold, another prescription program that helps seniors that do not qualify for PAAD.
Senior Property Tax Freeze, also known as the Property Tax Reimbursement Program, will see an increase of $7.4 million.
Homestead Rebate, a program open to the general taxpayer, is considered critical to many seniors who can get back from the state as much as $775.
These are among the most far-reaching senior programs in the state.
“It would have been a fiscal and moral injustice to have forced seniors to bear the bunt of pain because the state faced a historic deficit,” Impreveduto said.
Seniors will also benefit from a component of a budget-related bill that was passed to increase a variety of state-imposed fees that fund a variety of state programs and initiatives. Among these new fees is a $1.50 per policy levy on Health Maintenance Organizations. This is expected to raise $2 million to help support the state’s Managed Care Oversight and Consumer Protection program. Of this, $100,000 will be channeled to the non-profit Community Health Law Project, designed to provide legal assistance to senior citizens that have bill disputes and quality of care issues with HMOs.
Anti-terrorists license plate bill moves ahead
Seeking to promote patriotic unity and encourage financial support for the apprehension of terrorists, the state assembly passed legislation that would create a special “United We Stand” License Plate.
Working closely with the federal government’s Rewards for Justice Program, the bill’s sponsors, Assemblyman Paul Sarlo (D-37th Dist.) and Assemblyman Impreveduto, drafted their measure to foster greater public participation in the war against terrorism.
“A deep and inspirational wave of patriotism and unity has swept across our state and country since the Sept. 11 attacks,” Sarlo said. “The ‘United We Stand’ license plate would build upon this renewed American resolve.”
The bill would direct the state division of Motor Vehicles to issue the plates. The proceeds from the sale would be deposited in a special fund within the DMV and would be forwarded to either the Rewards for Justice Fund – a private non-profit organization – which funds the U.S. State Department’s Rewards for Justice Program, or the DMV would send the money directly to the State Department for the program.
The Rewards for Justice Program gives rewards to people who help in the identifying and arrest of those who plan or commit terrorist acts. This fund was established in 1984. The program has helped in arrests in more than 20 cases around the world. The Rewards for Justice Fund was established after the Sept. 11 attacks.
The license plate requires a $50 fee and an annual charge of $10.
Impreveduto said the purchase would help in thwarting heinous crimes and could fund and organization that has a proven track record in helping to capture terrorists and preventing attacks.
The plates would have an American Flag with the words “United We Stand” in red, white and blue.
The measure, which was already passed by the state Senate, will go to the Governor for his signature.