Assemblywoman Joan L. Millman introduced a resolution urging the NY State Congressional Delegation to repeal the Real ID act of 2005. The new Federally imposed standards, due to be in effect next year, will create a fiscal burden on state governments as well as create an information database that could make citizens vulnerable to civil liberties violations.

The Real ID Act will require New York to re-issue driver licenses and ID cards to every New Yorker within the next five years. Only $40 million has been allocated to implement these changes but, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, it will actually cost the States a combined $11 billion.

In addition, the Real ID Act requires the placement of an electronic microchip containing personal information on every driver's license and identification card. The microchip could easily be used to track a person's whereabouts each time they are identified. Other areas of concern include provisions to require every state to maintain databases of information about their residents and then share this personal information with all other states.

"We have an obligation to protect the individual privacy of every New Yorker," said Assemblywoman Millman. "As identity theft becomes an epidemic, and the Bush Administration continues to spy on American citizens, it is important that we curb."

Assemblywoman Joan L. Millman is proud to announce that the Assembly, Senate and the Governor agreed upon a state budget that builds a stronger, more affordable system that focuses on patient care. This year's budget sought a new direction for the future of our health care system and confronted the challenge of expanding coverage to the uninsured while controlling costs.

To ensure the health of all our residents, the budget expands eligibility for the Child Health Plus program to offer coverage to New York's 400,000 uninsured children by setting a new income qualification threshold which is now the highest in the nation. The compromise resulted in the restructuring of Medicaid to ensure that dollars are spent on patients, not fraudulent claims. This was accomplished by creating an act to help whistleblowers and to strengthen the auditing process. These actions will save taxpayers billions of dollars without sacrificing patient care. To improve service to those who need it most, the budget will shift Medicaid dollars to facilities with a higher proportion of Medicaid patients.

While the plan cut costs, it was not at the expense of our hospitals, nursing homes and the health care providers who serve our population. The Assembly fought to provide an additional $355.7 million over the governor's budget for hospitals and nursing homes. Locally, this means that nearly $8 million in cuts was restored from the governor's proposed budget to the hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities in the 52nd Assembly District, including millions of dollars for Long Island College Hospital, Methodist Hospital, Northern Adult Day Health Care Center and our nursing homes: Bishop Mugavero and Cobble Hill Health Center.

"The health of our community is a priority for all New Yorkers," said Assemblywoman Millman. "This budget makes some significant strides to face past problems and build toward a stronger health care system in the future."

Assemblywoman Millman attended an Earth Day celebration at Public School 58 in Carroll Gardens.

"It's probably less time than a youngster spends getting dressed in the morning," Assemblywoman Millman said. "Kids can learn about dinosaurs, the American Civil War or read the biography of their favorite baseball player. Reading improves speech, vocabulary, pronunciation and listening. It's a good way to spend time with family and friends."

"As a former librarian, I know first hand that reading connects students to knowledge," Assemblywoman Millman said. "Reading matters. Children who read do better in other subjects, and can better analyze, think and cope in our increasingly complex world."

Every student in the 52nd Assembly District is invited to participate in this year's Summer Reading Challenge. If your child is interested, write to Assemblywoman Millman at 341 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231, send an e-mail to millmaj@assembly.state.ny.us or call Assemblywoman Millman's district office at (718)246-4889.