GOVERNOR PATERSON LAYS OUT CONDITIONS FOR STATE INVESTMENT IN MOYNIHAN STATION

Calls for Improved Intercity Rail Service; Moynihan Station Significant Infrastructure Priority for the State

Friday September 12, 2008 : Governor David A. Paterson  announced conditions related to the future of Moynihan Station. In a speech to construction and real estate executives hosted by the New York Building Congress, Governor Paterson called on his colleagues to work together to invest in our State’s infrastructure and increase intercity passenger rail transportation capacity.

American Cancer Society Releases New Video – Harry and Louise are back!

Harry and Louise are back and they are urging the next President and Congress to put health care at the top of the domestic agenda. ACS CAN and four partner organizations are sponsoring this national television ad campaign, which will air throughout the Democratic and Republican conventions.

The Harry and Louise campaign is just one of ACS CAN’s many advocacy initiatives at the federal level designed to improve access to quality, affordable health care.

Paterson argues for spending cuts

By Erik Engquist

Gov. David Paterson Tuesday morning said cuts to education and health care spending and possibly a tax increase will be needed to erase a projected $24.1 billion state budget deficit over the next three years.

But he declined to specify how the cuts should be made or whose taxes should be raised while speaking to 1,100 business executives at the Crain’s New York Business breakfast forum. He added that the public would not object to a tax hike if Albany first cut spending.

All uninsured NY kids now eligible for coverage

Starting this month, all New York families with uninsured children are eligible for moderate or no-cost health care coverage.

Gov. David Paterson says eligibility for Child Health Plus was expanded to include families whose income is four times the federal poverty level, up from the 2 1/2 times previously required.

For example, a child in a family of three whose income exceeded $44,000 would not have been able to participate in the program before the expansion. Now, that child will be eligible for coverage at no cost, or at a reduced monthly premium, if the family’s income is no greater than $70,000.

Any family with income above the new cutoff can buy into the program at the full monthly premium, which is $156 on average.

For information on where and how to apply, visit www.nyhealth.gov/nysdoh/chplus/ or call 1-800-698-4543.

The Working Theater joins BALCONY

The Working Theater has recently joined our coalition and as a courtesy we are offering our members the opportunity to enjoy their latest theatrical production (at a discount for BALCONY members):

King of Shadows which runs this month (September). We urge you to attend the performance.

SUNY expands leave time for family

The more than 30,000 people who work at the State University of New York and are represented by United University Professions got a long-sought benefit recently: In addition to their new three-year labor contract, finalized last month, the workers received an extension of family leave time.

For years, SUNY employees have been able to earn up to 21 sick days per year and use 15 of those days for family leave. Under the new contract, they can take up to 30 days of family leave time.

“That was a priority for some of our members,” said UUP spokeswoman Denyce Duncan Lacy.

“This is something that came out of the meetings that we held around the state with members on every campus.”

“It’s really reflective of what’s happening today,” she added, explaining that just as baby boomers become empty nesters they tend to find themselves caring for their parents.