Yonkers Tribune

Mandate Relief Bill Sponsored By Senator Stewart-Cousins Approved by Senate

Saves Taxpayer Money and Increases Flexibility for Local Governments

ALBANY, NY -- A mandate relief bill sponsored by Senator Stewart-Cousins was approved by the State Senate Wednesday. Senate bill 6634A would extend the repayment terms of short term loans issued to local governments in 2007 and 2008 -- the beginning of the economic downturn. The repayment terms would be extended from five to seven years, which will save local governments hundreds of thousands of dollars over the two year period.

Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins: Senate Approves Shared Services Legislation

Measure Will Assist Municipalities with Lowering Costs to Taxpayers

ALBANY, NY – JANUARY 31, 2012 -- State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D/I/WF – 35th District) announced that the Senate unanimously approved Senate bill 5525-B, which will allow localities to contract for goods and services with the State, federal government, and other municipalities. The bill is designed to lower costs and in turn, save tax dollars.

Senate Democratic Conference's 2012 Session Message Delivered by Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D/WF/I - 35th District)

 

Statement from Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins on Education Budget

“This budget process, by all accounts, was very difficult to undertake, but it included many encouraging measures which I was pleased to support. Still, I had very serious concerns with the education portion, and the impact that it would have on the school districts of Yonkers, Greenburgh and Mt. Pleasant. Particularly in Yonkers, the school district is struggling from the expiration of Federal stimulus dollars, decreased contributions from the City, and mounting contractual obligations to the Teacher and Employee Retirement Systems. The Mt. Pleasant School District is facing the elimination of entire programs, and the Ardsley School District has said they will need to lay off teachers resulting in larger class sizes. I could not in good conscience, vote for this portion of the budget and put the futures of the children of the 35th District in jeopardy in order to close the deficit.”

Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins Seeks Public Comments on State Budget and Mandate Relief

Uses Website to Invite Feedback 

Yonkers, NY -- Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (35th District- D/WF/I) launched two sections on her website this week, inviting public comments on two vital issues. One section seeks input on mandate relief, which the Senator will bring back to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Mandate Relief Redesign Team, and the other asks for feedback on the 2011-2012 Executive Budget Proposal. 

Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins Says Pass the Pledge

Senate Supports “Heroes of Reform;”

Ask the Promise be Kept by Passing the Pledge.

New Yorkers Asked to  Join the Call for Immediate Action on Mayor Koch’s New York Uprising Heroes of Reform Pledge

Albany, NY, January 10, 2011 -- On the first day of the State Senate session, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (35th District – D/I/WF) and senators designated “Heroes of Reform” by Honorable Mayor Ed Koch called on Majority Leader Dean Skelos and the senate leadership to today  keep their promise by passing  Mayor Koch’s “New York Uprising Heroes of Reform” pledge as the New York State Senate’s first order of business in the New Year.   Senate Democrats encouraged all New Yorkers to sign an online petition at www.PassThePledge.com, to ensure  the Senate majority keeps its promise and delivers on reform.  The petition calls for action on the New York Uprising reform bills before the Senate moves on to consider other legislation. Before the election, 54 of 62 members of the incoming Senate signed Mayor Koch’s pledge to clean up Albany.  With a clear mandate to pass comprehensive reform legislation, the time has come for pledges made to become promises kept.

Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins PSA About Veterans