Maltese's discusses what's needed for 12th AD

Maryann Maltese, Democratic Candidate for NYS Assembly 12th AD (Huntington, NY). For the last two weeks I discussed issues and legislative ideas that take into consideration needs of the district.

The 12th AD, a Suburban District, with sectors built to house Commercial Industry emphasis on building strong Business Improvement Programs Statewide are necessary. The 12th AD has a large beauty, restaurant, retail, pet services and healthcare business community-the ability to attract some of these franchises administrative offices to open Regional Headquarters within the district which will bring the glue needed for smaller businesses to thrive here. Flagships and or Bank Retail Storefronts encourage economic prosperity-a few local branches have closed in the community and new relationships with different franchises or Banking Institutions should be developed. The 12th Assembly District needs to include Administrative hubs for such enterprises which are growing in 2020; such as Dollar Tree, Stop and Shop, Northwell, TD-Bank, because strong commercial business such as these examples can provide managerial and office sector jobs so that existing residents and new home buyers want to remain or buy within the 12th AD. Full Time Employment with benefits is a luxury in the district-encouraging Commercial Businesses to open their HQ's or Regional Operations here will be welcomed. We have a labor force here waiting for them, strong schools, State Parks and Recreation, infrastructure to house it and different types of housing to meet needs. All we need is a Leader willing to mediate and encourage the spark for them to come to or perhaps back to Long Island-12th AD. I will be that Member-because I have the practical experiences to do so-take a look at the Brooklyn Water Front or former Business Improvement Districts in downstate region-for example, Bayside-Bell Blvd improvement districts.

The 2020 NYS Budget was drastically modified and changed due to COVID 19 Pandemic-where monies earmarked for former ways of thinking now need to be rapidly changed to deal with distance learning, home school based learning and social distancing mandates while trying to encourage socialization between children-it will be a challenge this September, but here in the 12th AD-thankfully we are fortunate to have spacial accommodations to institute plans reflective of the needs of the 8 Public School Districts that are within the district. I'm happy to participate in discussions to share ideas and insight; because that's the way to make this better-not distancing ourselves without communications. I'm a Former Communications Manager-I'm having withdrawals-how about everyone else? (a joke-please fill in the bunch line yourself-and if you see me in the district-say it was joke too-I like humor when it's appropriate)

The 2021 NYS Budget formations are around the corner and the 12th AD has been without an Assembly Member since June 2019-leaving a lot of work to be done-including monies needed to rebuild many of the school buildings infrastructures-modernization-COVID 19 prevention measures and new sustainability procedures going forward. I will be that Member that grabs the reins and pulls a few miracles out of the abyss. I'm a good listener and for 18 years-I ensured implementation of many State Laws and Funding for Multiple Capital Projects that brought real changes to improve New Yorker's lives; including Universal Pre-K,HINI-Pandemic, Aids Confidentiality Rules, 9-11 Bills for Fire Department Members and Retired Members who responded on 9-11 and afterwards, State Property Tax Exemptions-STAR Program, Elimination of the Commuter Tax, LIRR enhancements/Community Safety and much more.

The Women's agenda, although has gone virtual; still needs to be implemented and celebrated. NYS's promise to us on the 100th Anniversary of Suffrage Movement has been overshadowed by COVID 19 Pandemic. As a former NYS Public Officer-I understand at times why women often put ourselves last on the list-pull ourselves out of the lime light-but that needs to stop NOW because we often are the source that ignites changes or we place reminders to those that once had good intentions but perhaps their agenda became insurmountable during Healthcare Pandemic. A conversation which I'm more than willing to have with Governor Cuomo. Public Sector Women-Women of Government-(Staffers not Members) within the Legislative Branch and State Regulatory Agencies-we often accept mediocre employment contracts which have not provided equality in wages and that Practice needs to end. The NYS Legislature is the Example, we are not the victim-and underpaying our Staff needs to end as it's 100 years that Women have contributed to NYS Rules and Regulations Creations, ensure our Children have the best of the best in crisis and during better times, and that we look out for when we get Older-ensuring Funding for Senior Leisure Programs or Senior Centers-and We as Women are the one's that need NYS to repair Justice in Wages or former earnings for performances accomplished. Most who tally figures say, women on average make 79cents for every dollar a man makes in the same role-but in the NYS Legislature and sometimes positions within State agencies women accept multiple roles or titles and don't receive full salary for such roles- making 60 cents to every dollar a Male staffer makes-that is unacceptable on all levels. That's not the definition of Equality-or what Women before me fought for 100 years. I will grab there Torch or the Levels of Justice-and this time around as a Member in NYS Assembly-Strong Legislation with Teeth will improve Women's lives because our Pleas have not fully been implemented-and that will Change. Women of the NYS Legislature-We are the example to follow-and until NYS Public Service streamlines salaries for titles so that whether or not a Female is a Chief of Staff or a Male is a Chief of Staff-their salary basis starting with the Legislature or how one progresses with Tenure-should be universal in nature with periodic raises for performances. NYS. must come into the 21st Century with this inside the Legislature. NYS Teachers; regardless of their sex make the same salary when they start their careers- there is no distinction, but for far too long-NYS has undermined Women Staffers in NYS Public/Legislative Sector-and we deserve legislation and/or a Budget Bill to correct it now. We, in NYS Legislature simply can not go around stating we are the best in the Nation-when there are clear examples of injustice of the Women who were employed or are employed within NYS Legislature. I will be that Member in Albany that ensures we get the results we need NOW. NOW also Stands for New Opportunities Within-A slogan to support the Women's Movement. I'll also introduce the bill for tenured inactive or new hires ensuring fairness in wages for NYS Legislature and NYS Agency Positions. Passage of this bill-will encourage Private Sector Women to come forward if they have been a victim instead of hiding in the shadows waiting for review. I'll ensure that Women who work in the Private Sector-have the information they need to file a claim if they are a whistle blower to receive review and if warranted justice for their issues-or replenishment of outstanding earnings not received. It is a separate bill-but very doable-as within NYS Public Sector-we can correct it legislatively-in the Private Sector-we need a force. I'm happy to work along side with other Professionals to craft legislation needed.

In other articles on the Patch-I discussed revamping NYS DOS to ensure that Sales Agents who have grievances with their Brokers-or their Broker arbitrarily dismisses them from the Brokerage without cause-that Mediation be required before NYS DOS revokes Sales Agent licensure. That bill will introduced the Moment I walk into Albany.

HEAP Program-Heating Energy Assistance Program, introduce a bill to include that WIFI-Internet Services be included for grant distribution. Most major appliances operate on WIFI-Internet and it's time for this to be included for those that meet low income requirements or have been negatively impacted by COVID 19 Pandemic.

9-11 PSEG responders to be dispatched from local precincts bill to improve communications between 9-11, local Fire Departments and PSEG during Tropical Storm Warnings. The premise of the bill is for PSEG to send responders-or scheduling staffers to the precinct 2 hours before Storm Warnings manifest to be better prepared in the event communications crash. By introducing this bill-we're taking Pro-active steps to better Manage Communications and Response time to massive emergencies.

These are some bill proposals that will improve the lives of those that live within the "slice of the Budget pie in the 12th Assembly District". Tonight, and throughout the week of the Democratic Convention listen to the scheduled speakers, I'll be listening too-and stay in touch with me to share ideas on what aspects of their speeches I might have discussed above and/or ideas to improve our community.

To stay in touch, contact maryannmaltesefornysassembly@gmail.com