Assembly Minority Leader
BRIAN M.
KOLB
Advancing Real
Solutions for
All New Yorkers
2009 Legislative Update: Health Care • Education • Family Budget
Fall 2009
Dear Neighbor:
The economic downturn has made it even harder for New York families to afford our state’s
high taxes and expensive cost of living. Family finances are stretched to the breaking
point as more New Yorkers are working longer and harder than ever before.
That’s why I’m advancing real solutions in the State Assembly to improve the quality of life
for all New Yorkers.
This legislative update will touch on health care, education and the family budget,
outlining some free informational resources – “news you can use” – available to you. If I
may ever be of assistance to you or your loved ones, please contact my district office at
(315) 781-2030, or e-mail me at
kolbb@assembly.state.ny.us. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Brian M. Kolb
Assembly Minority Leader
129th District: Cayuga, Cortland,
Onondaga, Ontario & Seneca Counties
Pictured, from left to right, are Jack Moran, President-Elect of the Canandaigua Rotary
Club; Barb Walters, of the Canandaigua Chamber of Commerce; “Outstanding Business
Person of the Year” award winner, Patty Hotchkiss; and Brian M. Kolb, Assembly Minority
Leader and Chairman of the Canandaigua Rotary Business and Professional Relations Committee.
KOLB HONORS CANANDAIGUA BUSINESSWOMAN
This summer, Brian Kolb presented the Canandaigua Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce’s
“Outstanding Business Person of the Year” award to Patty Hotchkiss, owner of “Patty’s Place,”
a popular local eatery that is the longest continually operating restaurant in Canandaigua.
AFFORDABLE, QUALITY HEALTH CARE
- HEALTH CARE TAX CREDIT: Brian Kolb supports families earning up to $84,800 deducting
50 percent of all out-of-pocket medical expenses, as well as non-prescription medication, from
their state income tax returns
- AUTISM AWARENESS: Brian Kolb and the Assembly Minority Conference launched an Autism
Awareness Task Force and conducted roundtables across the state to raise awareness of this
disease. Kolb also supports creation of a State Autism Awareness Advisory Board to provide
parents better information on the causes and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders
- NEWS YOU CAN USE: Do you have questions or concerns about breast cancer? If so,
contact the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program at 800-877-8077 or
www.adelphi.edu/nysbreastcancer
A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION
- “NEW EDISON PROJECT”: Brian Kolb supports establishment of a
“New Edison Project” which would provide high school students enriched math, science and
engineering instruction (Assembly Bill A.6649)
- EXPAND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS: Brian Kolb favors establishing
an “After School Challenge” program to provide schools with matching funds for resources raised
by private donations to support scholastic after-school programs which are curriculum-based or
community service initiatives (Assembly Bill A.6202)
- NEWS YOU CAN USE: Would you like to learn more about grants,
scholarships and loans available to help pay for college or graduate school? If so, contact the
New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) at 1-888-NYS-HESC or
www.hesc.org
STRETCHING THE FAMILY BUDGET
- CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT: Brian Kolb supports increasing the
state income limit from $50,000 to $60,000 for taxpayers claiming 100 percent on their Federal
Child and Dependent Care Credit to help families afford their child care needs
(Assembly Bill A.5339)
- REAL PROPERTY TAX RELIEF: Brian Kolb co-sponsored the “New
York State Property Taxpayers Protection Act” to cap school property taxes at four percent or
the rate of inflation, whichever is lower, to give homeowners real property tax relief
(Assembly Bill A.2796)
- NEWS YOU CAN USE: Are you interested in reducing your home’s
energy and heating costs? If so, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
(NYSERDA) has a weatherization assistance program that, if you qualify, can save you money. To
learn more, contact NYSERDA at 1-866-NYSERDA or www.nyserda.org
Brian M. Kolb