[BwayDems] February 2010 - Monthly Update from Assembly Member O'Donnell

[Daniel O'Donnell]

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O'DONNELL NEWS -- FEBRUARY 2010
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Community Office: 245 West 104th Street  •  (212) 866-3970


O'DONNELL CALLS ON STATE TO ABANDON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT 
REGARDING NATURAL GAS DRILLING
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New York State is currently reviewing the issue of natural gas drilling 
in the Marcellus Shale Formation, deep sedimentary rock that extends 
from the Southern Tier into Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Since 2008, Assembly Member O'Donnell has attended multiple public 
hearings on this topic as a member of the Assembly's Environmental 
Conservation Committee. At those hearings he aggressively questioned 
drilling company officials about their refusal to disclose chemicals 
used in the hydraulic fracturing process. O'Donnell has subsequently 
called for a complete ban on drilling in the city's watershed.

Most recently, on January 13, 2010, he wrote Governor Paterson to 
advocate for the withdrawal of the current Environmental Impact 
Statement regarding drilling in the Marcellus Shale. The statement, 
released by the state's Department of Environmental Conservation in 
September 2009, fails to acknowledge the real risk of contamination in 
the watershed that serves New York City and the surrounding counties. 
With this glaring omission, New York State should not use the report as 
a basis for the granting of drilling permits.

On that same day, he also sent a letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid 
and Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging the Senate and the House to pass 
S.1215/H.R.2766 which would increase federal oversight of hydraulic 
fracturing. Any proposed drilling sites should be reviewed by the 
Environmental Protection Agency, under the regulations of the Safe Water 
Drinking Act, to ascertain any impact on our drinking water.

In light of the potentially irreversible environmental and public health 
repercussions, Assembly Member O'Donnell will continue to work with his 
Assembly colleagues, including those who represent upstate districts, to 
ensure the safety of all New Yorkers. The strictest possible review and 
the implementation of stringent safeguards must be implemented before 
granting drilling permits.



APPLIANCE REBATE PROGRAM: FEBRUARY 12–21, 2010
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New Yorkers who buy an energy-efficient replacement appliance between 
February 12th and 21st and recycle the old appliance may qualify for a 
rebate of up to $105. This incentive will help New Yorkers save money 
while reducing the environmental impact of older appliances and 
decreasing New York's overall energy consumption.

The program, New York's Great Appliance Swap Out, allows the state to 
issue more than 170,000 rebates totaling nearly $17 million. The rebates 
are funded by last year's federal stimulus act.

For more information on eligible appliances, how to apply for the 
rebate, and recycling your old appliances, please visit 
www.nyapplianceswapout.com, call 877-NYSMART, or call Assembly Member 
O'Donnell's Community Office at 212-866-3970.



O'DONNELL URGES INCLUSION OF SAME-SEX COUPLES IN IMMIGRATION REFORM
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In response to requests from binational same-sex couples who live and 
work in the district, Assembly Member O'Donnell sent a letter to U.S. 
Senator Charles Schumer urging him to include pro-LGBT language in any 
immigration reform proposal.

As Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Immigration, Senator Schumer is 
set to introduce comprehensive immigration reform legislation. 
O'Donnell's letter urged Schumer to include language from the pending 
Uniting American Families Act (S.424) which would allow "permanent 
partners" to be granted permanent resident status—the same right granted 
to spouses of American citizens.

Assembly Member O'Donnell strongly believes that no American citizen, 
regardless of their sexual orientation, should be forced to choose 
between their partner and their country.



HELP FOR HAITI
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The American Red Cross suggests that a monetary gift is the best way to 
help those in need. Please donate to the American Red Cross by calling 
800-733-2767 or visiting www.nyredcross.org. You can also make a ten 
dollar donation by texting "Haiti" to 90999.

While Assembly Member O'Donnell ordinarily refuses honorariums for 
speaking engagements and appearances, this year he will donate all 
honorariums to Red Cross relief in Haiti.



ASSEMBLY MEMBER O'DONNELL'S UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
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FREE LEGAL CLINIC FOR TENANTS
An opportunity for constituents with housing issues to consult with a 
volunteer attorney. Call (212) 866-3970 to make an appointment.

**Thursday, February 25th**



STUDENT FINANCIAL AID AWARENESS MONTH
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January 25 through February 25 has been designated "New York State 
Student Financial Aid Awareness Month" by Governor Paterson. During this 
period, the state will host a series of events to help New York's 
students and families learn about the many financial aid opportunities 
available to help pay for college.

For more information and a list of events in Manhattan, visit 
www.StartHereGetThere.org.



NEW TAX PENALTY AND INTEREST DISCOUNT (PAID) PROGRAM
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Enacted as part of the recent deficit reduction measure, the PAID 
program will allow a brief opportunity for state taxpayers to clear up 
delinquent tax bills while receiving a substantial reduction in accrued 
penalties and interest. (Penalty and interest accrued on unpaid tax 
bills issued on or before December 31, 2003 will be reduced by 80% and 
50% on unpaid tax bills issued on or before December 31, 2006. Please 
note that bills issued after December 31, 2006 are not eligible for this 
program.)

The program starts January 15, 2010. In order to realize savings, 
eligible taxpayers must make all payments by the program's expiration 
date, March 15, 2010.

If you think you may be eligible for this program, please visit 
www.nystax.gov after January 15, 2010 or call 518-457-1726 or 
888-272-9697 for further information and instructions.



REGISTER YOUR CHILD FOR KINDERGARTEN
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For families interested in enrolling their children in kindergarten for 
September of 2010, they must apply in person by March 12th at every 
school they are interested in having their child attend. Schools will 
send assignment offers to families beginning March 22nd.

For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/schools or call 3-1-1.



GREEN CONSTRUCTION TRAINING PROGRAM
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STRIVE's FREE Construction Skills Training Program is a unique course 
that prepares participants for careers in the construction and green 
energy building and maintenance field. This 15-week training program 
introduces students to electrical, carpentry and plumbing as well as 
hazardous materials handling and green energy efficiency building 
retrofitting. A required orientation will be held Friday, February 12th..

To learn more and to enroll, please call 877-787-4834 or 212-360-1100 by 
February 10, 2010.



NEW YORK STATE TAX FORMS
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The NYS Department of Taxation and Finance is no longer mailing personal 
income tax forms. You may obtain your forms by visiting www.nystax.gov 
or picking them up at your local library. If you can't visit the web 
site or a public library, please call 800-462-8100. Be sure to obtain 
your forms in time to meet the April 15, 2010 filing deadline!



NYC SEEKS LIFEGUARDS
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Qualifying tests are now being given to individuals interested in a 
well-paying public service position that helps keep millions of New 
Yorkers safe. Public beaches are open from Memorial Day weekend through 
Labor Day, and the pools are open from late June through Labor Day. 
Lifeguards work 48 hours/week and first-year lifeguards earn at least 
$12.55/hour.

For more information, please visit the "Jobs at Parks" section of 
www.nyc.gov/parks.



FREE TAX ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
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Several locations will be serving as sites where IRS-trained volunteers 
will help prepare basic income tax returns free of charge. These 
services are provided through AARP, RSVP, and VITA/TCE.

West Side Campaign Against Hunger; 263 W. 86th St.; 212-362-3662/ Tues. 
10-12; 1-3
NYPL/Morningside Heights Branch; 2900 Broadway; 212-666-5099/ Mon. 11-3; 
Sat. 10:30-2:30



ATENCIÓN!
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La oficina comunicaría del Asambleísta Daniel O'Donnell ahora tiene 
empleados que hablan español para asistir al publico, tiempo completo de 
lunes a viernes desde 9:00 AM -5:30 PM. La Oficina comunicaría esta 
localizada en el 245 West 104th, con la calle Broadway. También pueden 
contactar la oficina en horario de trabajo al (212) 866-3970.

Assembly Member O'Donnell's community office has full-time 
Spanish-speaking staff available to assist you, Monday through Friday 
from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. The office is located at 245 West 104th Street, 
just off Broadway. You can also call during business hours, (212) 866-3970.


--
Office of Assembly Member Daniel O'Donnell
245 W. 104th Street
New York, NY 10025
p (212) 866-3970
f (212) 864-1095
odonned at assembly.state.ny.us
http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=069


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