The leadership of the Assembly Majority and Speaker Silver on issues such as Superfund, cancer mapping, asthma, and pesticides has been outstanding. Studies have found that burning three to 11 pounds of household waste in a barrel or similar open container is equivalent to burning 200 tons of household waste in a modern, well-constructed incinerator. The resolution also provides for the purchase of cleaner, non-diesel buses that use alternative fuel. The Assembly approved legislation to ensure that crime victims receive the compensation and services they need. The package of bills are aimed at helping crime victims access the assistance that is available to them.
Crime victims face emotional, physical, and financial hardships.
This legislation will improve the services provided by the Crime Victims Board, which helps victims put their lives back together. The bills were delivered to the Senate. Under provisions of these bills homeowners would be given more time to apply for the benefit, eligibility would be expanded and the process simplified. Since 1998, the Assembly Speaker's STAR Task Force has worked diligently to recommend improvements to the administration of the STAR program, which are reflected in these bills. STAR not only provides a tax reduction for homeowners but also partially shifts the responsibility of funding our schools to the state.