[BwayDems] September 2011 - Monthly Update from Assembly Member O'Donnell

[Daniel O'Donnell]

################################################################
O'DONNELL NEWS -- September 2011
################################################################
Community Office: 245 West 104th Street  •  (212) 866-3970


A MESSAGE FROM ASSEMBLY MEMBER DANIEL O'DONNELL
------------------------------------------------------------
As the quiet days of summer wind down and the business of fall begins, 
I'd like to share a few updates on legislative issues about which many 
individuals have contacted my office.

First and foremost, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all who 
have reached out to my office to offer their congratulations on the 
success of the Marriage Equality Act in this legislative session. I'm 
very proud to announce that as of July 24th, this long-needed 
legislation is in full effect here in New York State. In addition to the 
hundreds of same-sex couples who rushed to the courthouse to marry on 
the 24th, thousands of couples across New York have exercised their 
deserved right to marry since then. These individuals currently enjoy 
the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities under New York law as 
opposite-sex couples. If you have any questions regarding the 
application of this new law, please feel free to contact my office.

This victory of equality over injustice has meant a great deal to me, 
both personally and professionally. I've been leading the fight for 
Marriage Equality since 2007 when I was plaintiff in the same-sex 
marriage lawsuit decided by the Court of Appeals, and it has been a long 
legislative struggle for equality since then. This year, before passage 
for the fourth and final time by the Assembly, I was able to collect 
more co-sponsors than ever before, with 69 Assembly Members signing on 
to the bill to show their strong support. It was with this overwhelming 
backing that the bill went to the State Senate where it passed by a vote 
of 33-29. When the vote count was finally read aloud, my partner of over 
30 years, John Banta, was standing by my side – it was truly a moment I 
will never forget.

A second key piece of legislation, Public Integrity Reform Act of 2011, 
also passed both the Assembly and Senate this legislative session. In my 
role as Chair of the Assembly Committee on Ethics and Guidance, I led 
debate regarding this bill on the Assembly floor in June and explained 
the significant ethical reforms it institutes. Governor Cuomo 
subsequently signed this bill into law on August 15th, and its 
provisions are now being implemented.

Among other requirements, the bill necessitates greater income 
disclosure by lawmakers, including outside income from business 
interests as well as any clients or customers who are doing business 
with the state, and also provides a way to strip elected officials of 
their pensions should they commit a crime related to their public 
office. Additionally, it creates an independent, bi-partisan Joint 
Commission on Public Ethics with broad power to investigate wrongdoing 
in state government.

Finally, as always, my Community Office is open and available to help 
from 9AM – 5:30PM should you need assistance or information on other 
issues. I look forward to seeing many of you out in the community this 
month.



ASSEMBLY MEMBER O'DONNELL'S UPCOMING FREE LEGAL CLINIC FOR TENANTS
------------------------------------------------------------
An opportunity for constituents with housing issues to consult with a 
volunteer attorney.

Call Joyce at (212) 866-3970 to make an appointment.

**Thursday, September 22nd**



SAVE THE DATE! - ASSEMBLY MEMBER O'DONNELL'S ANNUAL COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR
------------------------------------------------------------
Organizations that provide FREE health services, screenings, and 
information about nutrition, mental health, diabetes, cancer, and foot 
health have been invited.

**Saturday, October 29th; 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM**

Children's Aid Society's
Frederick Douglass Center
885 Columbus Ave. @ W. 104th Street



INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY!
------------------------------------------------------------
Assembly Member O’Donnell's Community Office is now accepting 
applications for the fall internship program. To apply, please fax or 
email a cover letter and résumé to (212) 864-1095 or to 
eliasm at assembly.state.ny.us. For more information, please call (212) 
866-3970.



SCHOOL REGISTRATION CENTERS FOR NEW AND RE-ENTERING STUDENTS
------------------------------------------------------------
As of August 31st, the NYC Department of Education (DOE) has opened 12 
Student Registration Centers across New York City to help parents with 
registration of new or re-entering students. The Centers are open five 
days a week from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. until **Friday, September 16.**

If you still need to register your child, you can find the nearest 
Student Registration Center, your child's zoned school, or Special 
Education Enrollment Sites by calling 311 or visiting the DOE website at 
schools.nyc.gov.



FREE OVERLOOK CONCERT SERIES
------------------------------------------------------------
Starting September 18th, the Riverside Park Fund is sponsoring a FREE 
Autumn 2011 Concert Series. The concerts will be performed at the 116th 
Street Overlook on the middle level of Riverside Park and will be held 
on three successive Sundays, starting September 18th, from 2PM to 3PM.

September 18th: The Orbit Brass Quintet of the Manhattan School of Music
September 25th: Brad Vickers and His Vestapolitans
October 2nd: French Cookin' Blues Band

For more details, go to www.riversideparkfund.org/calendar.



Atención!
------------------------------------------------------------
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.

Attention!
------------------------------------------------------------
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 212-866-3970 during business hours.



-- 
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


############################################################
If you do not wish to receive the next monthly installment of O'DONNELL 
NEWS, simply reply to this email with 'unsubscribe' as the subject. If 
you were forwarded this e-mail and would like to be added to Assembly 
Member O'Donnell's e-mail list, please send an email to 
odonnelld at assembly.state.ny.us with 'subscribe' as the subject.
############################################################