As the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) Board of Directors met to put the final touches to their proposed fare increase, quick action by Assemblyman Nick Perry and colleagues in the Assembly forced the MTA to back off its original plan that would have forced New York City bus and subway riders to pay a $2.25 fare for each ride.

Although the MTA has announced that the price of MetroCards sold in certain categories will be increased, the basic $2.00 fare will remain in effect indefinitely. Frequent bus and subway riders who use discounted MetroCards will face much smaller increases than were previously proposed.

“Fare increases may become necessary at times to adequately fund the operation of our public transit system, but until the MTA begins to spend the money more equitably to fix up the stations in our part of Brooklyn and improve the service we receive, it cannot justify increases at this time,” said Assemblyman Perry.

The quick and persistent advocacy by Assemblyman Perry and his colleagues forced the MTA to admit to having more money available than had been reported. The MTA suddenly found a surplus of over $220 million, which was made available toward keeping the fare affordable.

“We will continue the pressure to keep fares affordable and look forward to having the full support of Governor Eliot Spitzer in efforts to deal with the MTA funding issue in the 2008 state budget,” said Assemblyman Perry.

Assemblyman Perry Joins Speaker in New
Effort to Raise New York’s Minimum Wage

Assemblyman Nick Perry recently announced that he has joined Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver in co-sponsoring legislation to further increase the New York State minimum wage to $8.25 per hour

The bill (A.9168), which also would apply to public employees, would raise New York’s minimum hourly wage incrementally from $7.15 to $8.25 as of January 1, 2010. The initial raise to $7.75 per hour would be effective January 1, 2008, then to $8.00 per hour on January 1, 2009 and $8.25 on January 1, 2010. Beginning in 2011, an increase to the state’s minimum wage would be tied to the rate of inflation as reflected by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

“This bill demonstrates my commitment to ensuring that the hard working men and women of our district earn a fair wage for a day’s pay,” said Assemblyman Perry.

Perry Announces $1.8 billion more for NYC Public Schools
At Least $450 Million to be Used to Reduce Class Size

Assemblyman Perry listens to questions and shares advice with students from P.S. 269, a school where the additional funding will help in reducing class size.

The class-size reduction act co-sponsored by Assemblyman Nick Perry was given some extra muscle with some additional money, a great portion of which will go towards reducing class size. The bill will require New York City to spend at least 25 percent of the additional state education funds allocated to the city to lower class sizes across the city.

“Limiting class-size in New York City public schools must be a priority,” said Assemblyman Perry. “When you look at the average class size in New York City in comparison to the rest of the state, there is an overwhelming disparity. We’ve got to make sure public school children get the individual attention they deserve.”

Enacting the legislation would ensure that additional state aid coming to the city to comply with the Campaign for Fiscal Equity ruling is spent in the most effective way – requiring the average class size in every K-12 grade in New York City to be no more than 105 percent of the average class size for that grade outside the city within four years.

Governor Signs Perry’s Free Energy
Saving Refrigerator Bill
For Tenants in Apartment buildings where Electric is Included in Rent

A bill written and sponsored by Assemblyman Perry was recently signed into law by Governor Eliot Spitzer. The new law will help the environment while putting a new energy efficient refrigerator in apartments where tenants’ electricity is included in the rent. In the past, a tenant would be subject to an Major Capital Improvement (MCI) charge, which would be permanently added to the rent. This new law prevents the landlord from collecting the MCI.

While the aim of the new law is to promote the use of energy efficient refrigerators and significantly reduce the consumption of electricity in the city, it also provides added benefits for both the tenant and landlord. The tenant receives a new refrigerator, replacing the many old, energy-guzzling refrigerators found in many apartments. The landlord benefits by upgrading the appliances in his/her building, without dipping into their own pocket. The law does require the landlord to pay back the NY Power Authority from the savings derived from the considerable deduction in energy consumption, which will be reflected in the electric bill. The New York Power Authority finances the purchasing of the new refrigerators, allowing the landlord to upgrade the units in his/her building without the direct investment of capital.

Tenants in buildings that qualify should encourage their landlord to make use of this law to affordably upgrade refrigerators in their apartment building.

Assemblyman Perry’s District Office
Provides Help
with applications for:

STAR Tax Rebate - All homeowners are eligible New homeowners are especially urged to apply for the school tax relief program (STAR); if you have previously applied there is no need to apply again. The STAR exemption program saves you money on your property tax bill. If you are over 65, you may be eligible for the Enhanced STAR Exemption, which can provide additional savings. All STAR applications must be received January 5, 2008 to receive benefits for the current tax year.

HeartShare - helps pay your home heating bills The HeartShare program makes grants of up to $200 a year towards heating bills. Both renters and owners can apply. This program has been established by Keyspan to help low-income residents with skyrocketing home heating costs during the cold winter months.

HEAP - helps offset the cost of home energy bills Constituents who are over the age of 60, or disabled, are urged to apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) program, along with HeartShare. HEAP can help offset costs of all fuel and utility bills.

Constituents are urged to apply as soon as possible for HEAP and HeartShare, as the programs close once the funds are depleted.

For more information about the STAR Program, HEAP or HeartShare, please call Assemblyman Nick Perry at (718) 385-3336.

Protect Your Family from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Free CO Detectors Available

Carbon Monoxide poisoning can happen at any time of the year, but the danger is greater during the winter months. Hundreds of people die from carbon monoxide poisoning each year. The gas is especially frightening because it’s odorless and colorless, and can be emitted from furnaces, water heaters and other fuel burning appliances. Assemblyman Perry has a limited amount of free carbon monoxide detectors available for homeowners, first come, first serve, at his district office. If you are a renter, under law your landlord must provide and install at least one detector. Call (718) 385-3336 to reserve yours.

Perry Joins Parents in Fight for More Classrooms at PS 135

Alarmed by reports that the city was moving fast to seize the PS 135 schoolyard to build a park instead of the extra classroom badly needed to relieve the overcrowding at the school, Assemblyman Nick Perry joined with parents, community leaders and other colleagues in organizing a protest rally which successfully forced the city to back off and begin talks with the community about the use of the space. The large turnout of parents and students on a chilly Monday morning got the attention we needed.

At the rally Assemblyman Perry condemned the city for not involving the community in the planning process and demanded that the city build an extension before attempting to place a public park in the schoolyard instead.

“The community does not want a park shoved down their throats. The community deserves to have some input into this decision, about what’s going to be done with the space at P.S. 135, including our pressing need for additional classroom space,” concluded Assemblyman Perry.

As a result of the rally, plans for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the playground were put on hold and officials from City Hall have agreed to meet with the community to discuss their requests.

SCRIE Program Helps Seniors Pay Their Rent

Senior citizen tenants under rent control or rent stabilization may be entitled to an exemption from future rent increases under the Senior Citizens Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) Program. When the landlord raises the rent for other tenants, tenants with SCRIE do not have to pay the increased rate. Instead of the increased rent, the landlord is eligible for an equivalent credit on his or her property taxes.

Assemblyman Nick Perry urges all constituents who are 62 or older, live in a rent-controlled or rent-stabilized apartment or residential hotel, and have a disposable household income of $27,000 or less, and meet all of the requirements listed below to apply for SCRIE. For more information, please call Assemblyman Perry at (718) 385-3336.

• You must be age 62 or older.

• You must be the head of the household (the person whose name is on the lease, or who is the “tenant of record,” or who is the older spouse of that person).

• You must live in either a rent-controlled or rent-stabilized apartment, or a rent regulated hotel unit.

• Your apartment or hotel unit must be your actual residence.

• Your total household income for the previous tax year can not exceed $27,000. This refers to your household income after taxes - also known as your “aggregate disposable income.” Income must be disclosed for all individuals living in the apartment.

• Your monthly rent must be more than one-third of your monthly household income.