Deputy Majority Leader State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) announced Thursday that the NYS State Senate passed his bill to provide continued support for local community gardens. Senator Klein’s bill helps support the efforts of many New Yorkers to use these gardens to grow low-cost, fresh fruits and vegetables, and build stronger community and neighborhood bonds.

Specifically, Klein’s bill (S.6343/NYS Assembly same-as A.6442-A/Cook) requires municipalities that sell, transfer, or lease land from a community garden for a different purpose to use a small portion (10%) of the sale price to purchase or create a new garden, sustain another existing garden, or support local groups that maintain these gardens.

“Small, locally maintained gardens provide more than just fresh food – they promote physical exercise and help New Yorkers to build a vital sense of community. Especially in today’s tough fiscal times, we must ensure that these gardens do not get unnecessarily thrown on the chopping block. I urge the Assembly and the Governor to join me in supporting community gardens, and helping to provide much needed open space, recreation, and food production to countless New Yorkers,” said Deputy Majority Leader State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester).

Eileen Frey receives 2010 New York State Senate “Woman of Distinction” Award

NEW YORK, NY - On Tuesday, May 25th, State Senator and Deputy Majority Leader Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) honored Eileen Frey, a Bronx native and Eastchester resident, with a 2010 New York State Senate “Woman of Distinction” award in Albany.

Frey received the award for her efforts in creating educational opportunities in the Bronx and Westchester by providing much needed scholarships for dozens of children each year.

Frey and her family launched the Michael Frey Foundation in 1997 named for their 29-year-old son who was shot and killed in the line of duty while working as a police officer with the Eastchester Police Department.

KEEPING SEX OFFENDERS OUT OF PUBLIC HOUSING

~

Senate Passes Klein Bill to Provide Housing Authorities Monthly Data on Registered Offenders

ALBANY, NY – State Senator and Deputy Majority Leader Jeffrey D. Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) announced on Monday that the State Senate passed his legislation to help prevent registered sex offenders from moving into public housing. Last week, Klein unveiled the results from his most recent investigation showing nearly one hundred level 2 and 3 registered sex offenders are illegally living in public housing units in New York City.

Klein's bill (S.2490/NYS Assembly same-as A.3024/Benjamin) would require the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) to provide municipal housing authorities with a list each month of all registered sex offenders whose address is within the authority's city or municipality. The bill also requires DCJS to provide registry information for a current or prospective tenant if requested by the public housing authority.

Senator Klein meets with leaders across Westchester County to combat United Water New Rochelle rate increases
NEW YORK, NY- State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) has joined in the fight against proposed United Water New Rochelle (UWNR) rate hikes. Klein met with leaders from Bronxville, Eastchester, Pelham Manor, Village of Pelham and New Rochelle on Thursday, April 29th to discuss how the increases are expected to affect municipalities.

The leaders are part of a newly created consortium representing nine municipalities, seven in the 34th Senate District, that stand in opposition to the increases.

“Westchester residents are already hammered with sky-rocketing property taxes and widespread lay-offs, it is disheartening to see a water company trying to suck more money out of people’s pockets. I strongly urge United Water New Rochelle to reconsider these proposed rate hikes,” said Senator Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester).

In November 2009, UWNR filed a one-year rate case with the Public Service Commission (PSC), seeking a 55% water rate increase to municipalities. The hike would affect residents in New Rochelle, Ardsley, Bronxville, Eastchester, Dobbs Ferry, Hastings-on-Hudson, Pelham, Pelham Manor and Tuckahoe and increase water bills by nearly two-hundred-fifty dollars. UWNR also proposed increasing fire hydrant maintenance rates from $672 to $1,308.

News from

Deputy Majority Leader Senator Jeff Klein

From the Desk of State Senator Jeff Klein…

Fighting for Responsible Spending of Your Tax Dollars

Dear Reader:

Throughout this state budget season and beyond, my goal is clear - to protect your money. In an effort to ensure your hard-earned tax dollars are being spent wisely, my office has spent the past several months investigating the issue of government waste. We started by focusing on areas we suspected to be major culprits of inefficiency at state agencies - notably, overtime pay and excessive or duplicative administrative costs. What we found was the appearance of shocking mismanagement and wasteful spending practices at two of our state's largest entities - the state university system (SUNY), and the NYS Department of Correctional Services (DOCS).

Discounted Defensive Driving Courses to be held in the Bronx and Westchester

NEW YORK, NY - State Senator and Deputy Majority Leader Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) announced a partnership with AAA New York on Friday to offer discounted Defensive Driving Courses across the 34th Senate District this spring.

Approved by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, the six-hour, classroom-style course teaches drivers how to sharpen their skills behind the wheel and prevent collisions. Participants will also receive a 10% insurance discount on collision and liability for the principal driver of a vehicle and a reduction of up to four points on their license for violations occurring within the past 18 months.

AAA typically charges drivers $39.00-$49.00 to participate in the course but per Senator Klein’s request, residents of the 34th Senate District can now take the course for just $30.00.

“Driving in New York comes with its own set of unique challenges. Both drivers and pedestrians benefit when more people behind the wheel sharpen their driving skills and learn new techniques on how to avoid accidents and collisions,” said Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester).

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION EXPANDS MEDIC-ALERT + SAFE RETURN PROGRAM
Senator Klein presents $25,000 grant to Alzheimer’s Association - Hudson Valley/Rockland/Westchester, NY Chapter

NEW YORK, NY - State Senator and Deputy Majority Leader Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) presented a $25,000 grant to the Alzheimer’s Association - Hudson/Valley/Rockland/Westchester, NY Chapter on Thursday at Sunrise Senior Living of Fleetwood.
The money will be used to expand the Alzheimer’s Association MedicAlert® + Safe Return® program, a 24-hour nationwide emergency response service for individuals with Alzheimer’s or related dementia who wander or have a medical emergency.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley/Rockland/Westchester Chapter approximately 40,000 residents in the chapter territory currently suffer with Alzheimer’s disease, with 22,000 individuals residing in Westchester alone. Estimates are that nearly sixty percent of individuals with Alzheimer’s or related dementia will wander at some point and if not found within 24 hours have a 50% chance of being seriously injured or never located.