Assemblyman
Dov
Hikind
Hikind
Summer 2009
Be residents of New York State
Not be receiving Medicaid
Be between the ages of 50 and 65, or determined disabled by the Social Security Administration
Have an annual income under $35,000 if single and under $50,000 if married
Although members can have other prescription discount cards along with the NY Prescription Saver Card, only one card can be used at the time of purchase.
Applications can be obtained by calling the toll-free Helpline at 1-800-788-6917, or downloaded from the Prescription Saver web site at http://nyprescriptionsaver.fhsc.com. Participating pharmacies will have supplies of applications as well. Discount cards will be mailed to applicants within two weeks after the application is approved.
“The Prescription Saver Card program is a significant step forward in helping people afford their health care. More than 25,000 pharmacies throughout the state will be participating in the program, including small, independent pharmacies and large chains, as well as many drug manufacturers,” Assemblyman Hikind said. “The savings will be truly meaningful to those who need it most.”
The controversial same-sex marriage bill was recently reintroduced in the NYS Assembly, where it passed by a vote of 89 to 52. As he did before in 2007, Assemblyman Hikind took the floor of the Assembly to voice his opposition. Holding up a book of the Bible, he declared, “For me, it is simply a matter of religious belief. It is not question of civil rights, as some may say. You can be 100% in favor of civil rights and still be against same-sex marriage.”
The bill has yet to be introduced in the State Senate.
Summer will be here very soon, and many New Yorkers are already making plans to travel outside the United States. In the past, travelers visiting neighboring countries such as Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean simply had to show photo ID and proof of citizenship, like a birth certificate. Beginning, June 1, 2009, however, federal law will require Americans to present a valid passport or other approved document to enter the United States from these locations.
An enhanced driver license (EDL) or enhanced non-driver photo ID (ENDID) will be an acceptable form of identification to enter the U.S. The EDL looks similar to a standard license but contains an American flag image, has the word “Enhanced” on the front and contains a machine-readable zone on the back. It also has a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, a requirement of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
All license classes, including commercial and motorcycle, can be converted to an EDL, which can serve as both a driver license and the necessary documentation for specified land and sea travel. The new licenses can be applied for at any NYS Department of Motor Vehicles office. You can wait until your current license expires or apply for an EDL as part of any early renewal that will extend the expiration date of your current license.
Another option for land and sea border travel is the U.S. passport card. This wallet-sized card is convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card application process is similar to that of a passport book.
It is important to note that a passport card, EDL or ENDID are good only for travel to the specified neighboring countries and will not replace a passport book for international air travel.
Mr. S. is the proprietor of a small laundry where customers’ garments are sent out to another launderer for servicing and then delivered back to his store. When he received a letter of violation from the Worker’s Compensation Board, fining him $36,000 for failure to provide Worker’s Compensation insurance for his employees, he was understandably baffled. There is no machinery or cleaning equipment on the premises, nor does he have any employees.
He called the investigator, who claimed she had visited his store and had found four workers in the absence of a boss. Mr. S. said there must have been an error, because he works in the store by himself and does not have any workers. The investigator promised to come by again, but she never did.
In response to his request for review, Mr. S. received a decision finding that the penalty was deemed valid and demanding the $36,000. That was when he turned to Assemblyman Hikind for help.
A number of impromptu visits to the store by Assemblyman Hikind’s staff confirmed Mr. S.’s claims. The Assemblyman wrote to the WCB requesting another impartial investigation. As a result, the case was dismissed and all charges against Mr. S. were dropped.
