Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz is urging Governor Paterson and the state legislature to rekindle discussions about congestion pricing or the commuter tax in an effort to stave off increases to the MTA mobility tax.
The governor’s proposal includes a 60 percent increase in the mobility tax levied on area businesses. The tax was first enacted last year and is now being expanded to fuel revenues and close the MTA’s massive budget shortfall.
Cymbrowitz says the tax unfairly penalizes employers in the five boroughs, which will be asked to pay .54 percent per $100 of payroll, while suburban businesses get away with paying only .17 percent per $100 of payroll. Currently, inner-city businesses pay .34 percent.
“Pitting New York City’s businesses against suburban firms might make political sense for the governor, but is likely to become an economic calamity. The commuters from Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester and the other nine counties that fall under the MTA mobility tax use our mass transit system just as my constituents and other New York City residents do. So, why should businesses in the suburbs have less of a responsibility to the MTA than those in the City?” Cymbrowitz wrote in a press release.
The assemblyman is asking his Albany colleagues to begin debating alternatives – including the commuter tax and congestion pricing – immediately.
Read the assemblyman’s press release
With the influx of Sheepshead’s latest liquor establishments, Sheepshead Bay’s thirst for a frosty brew need not be quenched.
Senators Marty Golden (R) of Bay Ridge (aka the bar capital of Brooklyn) and Sheepshead’s Steven Cymbrowitz (D) fearing the decline of the mom-and-pop liquor store and the heightened teen accessibility to booze, united the unlikely pair in an effort to oppose Governor Paterson’s proposal to “legalize win sales in 19,000 new outlets.”
Although no one can predict how fast the Bay would be running to 7-11 for an ‘85 Merlot, is there any real reason to increase the amount of places one can buy alcohol to begin with? According to the World Health Organization, 1.8 million deaths a year are attributed to alcohol usage, 1/3 of that alone being accidental. That’s not to mention the staggering rates of drunk driving in Sheepshead Bay.
With the State Liquor Authority having “only 38 inspectors statewide regulating 70,000 license holders,” Cymbrowitz notes that “To increase the inspection team’s workload by almost one-third is a recipe for disaster.”
We can already buy beer in corner stores and grocery stores have a less than humble selection of beer and prepackaged frou-frou drinks. Maybe a staggering four blocks seems like a ways away up in Albany, but down by the bay, our cup runneth over. Enough already.
Related articles:
Cymbrowitz Blasts Gov On New Booze Plan
Sheepshead Bay Is Sauced
We received this from the offices of Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz:
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Brooklyn) called the proposed lower Manhattan trial location of the 911 terrorists a plague on all New Yorkers, including those from the outer boroughs.
“This is not a Manhattan issue; this is of extreme concern to all New Yorkers. I represent a district in southern Brooklyn, yet each and every one of my constituents will be adversely affected if this trial is held in lower Manhattan, even though we are over ten miles away,” Cymbrowitz explained. “Because the security required to protect the immediate trial area will be massive, my community, and communities throughout the City, will see fewer police officers to deter crime and to respond to emergencies. Add to this the inconvenience of disrupted subway and bus service and the difficulties of shopping and traveling in and around the trial’s large security zone. Every New Yorker is going to feel the pain of this trial and this doesn’t even take into consideration the heightened threat of generating new terrorist attacks in New York City and the expense that will have to be borne by either the City or Federal government.”
“It is important that all elected officials continue to speak out. Fortunately many have already voiced their opposition to this dangerous and inconvenient idea. I stand ready to fight with them to protect our communities and all of New York City in making sure the 911 terrorists’ trial is not held in our great city,” Cymbrowitz said.
“Justice Department bureaucrats must also know that New Yorkers are united in their opposition to holding this trial in our City and for good reason,” Cymbrowitz added. “They must realize that we will not allow the Federal government to put our lives and economic wellbeing in jeopardy. Now is the time for every New Yorker to let Attorney General Holder and President Barack Obama know that conducting this trial in New York City is the wrong decision.”
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz has fired off a statement criticizing Governor Paterson’s proposal to sell wine permits to grocery stores, bodegas, and gas stations. Statewide it would introduce 19,000 new outlets for wine shoppers and bring in millions of dollars in permit sales, but the assemblyman said the increase in underage drinking and drunk driving makes it a bad deal.
What do you think? And how will it contribute to Sheepshead Bay’s problems, which we’ve noted suffers from a ridiculous number of wine and spirit shops and has unusually high drunk driving statistics?
From Assemblyman Cymbrowitz’s office (as usual with press releases, just imagine a big, fat [sic] next to the entire thing):
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Brooklyn) has termed Governor Paterson’s proposal, part of today’s budget message to the Legislature, “a dangerous scheme to raise money at the expense of the wellbeing of New Yorkers. While the initial sale of new wine merchant licenses will realize millions of dollars for the State, it is a onetime revenue raiser that puts our state’s residents at peril for decades to come.
Cymbrowitz was referring to the Governor, once again including a plan to allow grocery stores, gas stations, bodegas, mini-marts and corner delis to sell wine, as part of his budget balancing strategy. “By proposing a plan to legalize wine sales in 19,0000 new outlets, Governor Paterson has once again made a terrible mistake that will only increase underage drinking, lead to more drunk driving, and hurt small businesses across New York State. There is no question that New Yorkers will be put in danger with this misguided attempt to bring in more revenue. Currently the State Liquor Authority has only 38 inspectors regulating 70,000 license holders. Increasing the inspection team’s workload by almost one-third is a recipe for disaster.”
Continue Reading »
Assemblyman Cymbrowitz with Madelaine Cleaners’ owner, Eric Lederman.
New York may have had a slow start entering its winter wonderland, but as the holidays approach, Sheepshead Bay’s priorities have shifted to keeping warm. Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz, in league with Met Council and Madelaine Cleaner’s, are spearheading efforts this year to collect winter coats for the needy.
Noting that this year’s state of economic duress may contribute to more of us going cold this year, Sheepshead Bay’s Cymbrowitz states, “We’re in a community where most of us can afford to purchase new coats,” and urges us to “please look through your closets for coats that you will no longer wear. As long as they are wearable, Met Council will accept them and put them to very good use.”
Though last year’s collection was considerable, this year they expect not as many people will purchase new threads because of the economy. The hope is that our community’s generosity will continue, if not increase. Madelaine Cleaners’ owner Eric Lederman has expressed his desire to do “whatever it takes” to collect more coats. The bottom line is without community support, there are no coats for the less fortunate.
Want to warm some hearts this holiday season? Drop your donations off at either Assemblyman Cymbrowitz’ office at 1800 Sheepshead Bay Road or to Madelaine Cleaners at 1616 Avenue M. If you’ve gotten something sportier and trendier this season, why not make some room in your closets before spring arrives?
Our local politicians are putting your tax dollars to work by organizing various community events and happenings to help increase to quality of life for residents. Two such events will be occurring on Friday, December 11.
Senator Marty Golden with JASA (Jewish Association for Services for the Aged) will be providing a trained geriatric social worker at his office at 3604 Quentin Road between the hours of 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. The social worker is open to all Marine Park and Community Board 15 residents. If you have questions contact the senator’s office at (718) 238-6044.
Assemblyman Steve Cymbrowitz will be hosting a traveling community office by way of traveling van in front of the Kings Highway Library, 2115 Ocean Avenue between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz’ office was turned into a “turkey warehouse” last Friday as he distributed 100 turkeys to local community organizations and the area’s police precincts and firehouses to help make Thanksgiving a little more cheerful for those in need. Those organizations will give the frozen turkeys to families who would have gone without turkeys this Thanksgiving.
“While we live in a prosperous community, there are residents who are having difficulty making ends meet. It is important that especially at Thanksgiving, a time of family get-togethers, we think of others. I am happy that these turkeys will not only be a meal for these families, but also communicate the message that others care about them,” Cymbrowitz stated. Continue Reading »
The Metrobus will visit Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz’ community office, 1800 Sheepshead Bay Road (between Emmons Avenue and Shore Parkway), on Thursday, October 29. The all-in-one stop for Metrocard issues will be there from 10:00 a.m. to noon. The bus is equipped to handle all MetroCard transactions including applying for senior citizens and people with disabilities reduced fare MetroCards. A photo ID is required. For further information please call (718) 743-4078.
Assemblyman Cymbrowitz’ mobile community office will be visiting the Kings Highway branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, Friday, October 16, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. A staff member will be on hand to help community residents with problems, answer questions and discuss local issues. The library is located at 2115 Ocean Avenue, near Kings Highway. For additional information please call (718) 743-4078.
This sign was seen posted on the inside of a storm door at a Gravesend private house and was supplied by the office of New York State Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz who represents the 45th District — Sheepshead Bay, Gravesend, Manhattan Beach, Midwood and Brighton Beach.
Judging by the advertisements, menus, flyers, and other paper left on doorsteps these days, the office might have to print up another batch of the brightly-colored warnings. Then again, many homeowners may not want something like this clashing with their house colors.
According to Oswalt Heymann, a spokesperson for Assemblyman Cymbrowitz, their office began printing these babies in March 2008. “[Cymbrowitz] is offering them as a service to his constituents since if unwanted flyers are not left on homeowners’ properties they have less to clean up, will not get a Sanitation summons and the community will be a little cleaner,” Heymann said.
The signs are available to download by clicking here, or you can snag a printed one at Cymbrowitz’ community office (1800 Sheepshead Bay Road) or by calling (718) 743-4078.
