Assemblywoman Jenne: Problems with takeover of STAR program by tax department is hurting property owners

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne (D-Theresa) says state Department of Taxation and Finance officials need to provide some answers to questions about the state's school tax relief exemption program when they appear next week at a joint legislative hearing on the 2017-18 executive budget.

The Department of Taxation and Finance, on its website, stresses homeowners with existing STAR exemptions are continuing to receive the exemption and to upgrade to the Enhanced STAR exemption when eligible. But new applicants - those who purchased their homes after Aug. 1, 2015 - are now required to seek a credit issued in the form of a check.

Legislation signed into law by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo last year resulted in the changes in the administration of the STAR system saw new property owners getting checks in the mail rather than simply having the amount covered by their exemption removed from their school tax bill.

"The change was sold as a way to eliminate an unfunded mandate on local governments and to tighten up potential fraud in the system. But the roll out of the system has failed miserably and has had the greatest impact on some of our most vulnerable citizens, elders who rely on their Enhanced STAR to be able to stay in their homes," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

She noted testimony Teri L. Ross, president of the New York State Assessors' Association, presented at the Assembly Standing Committee on Real Property Taxation, mirrored concerns she has heard from local assessors in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties.

Ms. Ross urged the committee to repeal the change - either in whole or simply for residents eligible for Enhanced STAR - implemented last year that moved handling of the STAR exemption from local assessors to the state's Department of Taxation and Finance.

The president of the state's assessors' association said very few state residents received their STAR checks before their school taxes were due at the end of September, checks that were received by homeowners were often for the wrong amount, the policy of registering for the STAR exemption has proven to be troublesome and homeowners are finding they can be put on hold for more than an hour when they call the Department of Taxation and Finance seeking answers to questions about the STAR program.

She said the customer service local assessors provided that was so important to assisting senior citizens apply for exemptions they are eligible for have disappeared since the program was taken over by the state.

Ms. Ross also said it is her understanding there is a $3 cost for each of the 2 million STAR checks now being sent out to homeowners around the state by the Department of Taxation and Finance. "In the past, there had only been 720 wire transfers to school districts around the state," she noted.

Assemblywoman Jenne said it was unfortunate the Department of Taxation and Finance Committee failed to make an appearance at the standing committee hearing to provide their perspective on the concerns that have been raised around the state.

"We need to find out if the system itself is flawed or if the state simply moved too quickly to implement its takeover of the program, failing to follow the recommendation of local assessors and directors of Real Property Tax Offices at counties around the state to delay the change until the 2017 property tax rolls came out," she noted.

"The STAR program is a valuable resource for hard-working and retired homeowners in the North Country and around the state. The program's current administration must be scrutinized for its efficiency and effectiveness and if proper steps can't be taken to reduce the problems that have surfaced in the past year I will seriously consider supporting efforts aimed at putting the administration of STAR exemptions back in the hands of our local assessors," according to Assemblywoman Jenne.

"The bottom line is we need to put the dollars in the hands of taxpayers before their school taxes are due, not weeks and often months after they have been paid. Any changes that are negatively impacting our taxpayers need to be scrutinized, and I will fight to make sure our seniors are not victimized by this bureaucratic snafu," she added.

The change in the STAR program currently only impacts people who purchased their homes after Aug. 1, 2015 or hadn't applied for STAR since May 1, 2014.

Testimony at the hearing revealed the average upstate Basic STAR payment is $750 and the Enhanced STAR payment is $1,500.

Assemblywoman Jenne votes for major ethics reforms

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, announced she supported measures Monday to strip taxpayer-funded pensions from corrupt officials and to make outside income earned by lawmakers more transparent.

“Holding public office should always be about helping New York families and communities. “If a politician betrays the public trust, they need to be held accountable and face serious consequences.It was important to take up this legislation early in the session to assure my constituents that ethics reform is a top priority," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

“Elected officials who have abused their power must face the full consequences of their actions. We must continue to enact tough standards to ensure our government is working for the people," she added.

The pension forfeiture bill revokes taxpayer-funded pensions from public officers who are convicted of corruption (A.1749).

This is the second time the bill has passed the Legislature, and it will now appear on November’s ballot as a public referendum for voters to decide whether to amend the state constitution.

The proposed constitutional amendment would apply to all elected officials at the state and local level, judges, executive appointees, policymakers, municipal managers, department heads and chief fiscal officers.

Public officials who joined the state retirement system after Nov. 13, 2011 already face the potential loss of their pension benefits if they are convicted of corruption charges directly related to their role as public officials.

“Politicians should never be rewarded for unscrupulous behavior. I won’t stand for taxpayer dollars paying for a criminal’s retirement," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

The second measure is a joint resolution that requires legislators to disclose annual outside income above $5,000 to the independent Legislative Ethics Commission (LEC), which will issue a ruling as to whether a conflict of interest exists (B.404/C.25).

The resolution takes effect immediately, and current legislators are required to submit information within 30 days if they plan to continue earning outside income.

"We know that the corruption cases that have impacted the state legislature have been tied to outside income. This legislation will bring transparency to the process and provide lawmakers with importance guidance to avoid conflicts of interest. I have opted not to take outside limit since first being elected to the state Legislature to avoid any conflicts," Assemblywoman Jenne pointed out.

Assemblywoman Jenne joins with Planned Parenthood advocates to support Reproductive Health and Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Acts

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne met with advocates from Planned Parenthood of the North Country in Albany today. Planned Parenthood supporters are in Albany to support the Reproductive Health Act, which would ensure New Yorkers retain access to safe, legal abortions, and the Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act that would require insurance companies to cover the full range of contraceptives without co-pays. Both measures passed the Assembly last year with Assemblywoman Jenne's support.

New sign welcomes visitors to Ogdensburg marina, thanks to funding secured by Assemblywoman Jenne

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne (D-Theresa) recently stopped at the marina in Ogdensburg to take a look at a newly-installed sign that will welcome boaters and tourists to the city.

She had secured $10,000 in state funding for the city that was used to purchase the sign as well as 450 feet of six-foot security fence.

The funding was aimed at assisting in the establishment of a secure docking facility at the city's municipal dock. The security fence was necessary to allow cruise ships to make stops in Ogdensburg.

Assemblywoman Jenne said the new sign is another step forward as the city works to improve its waterfront.

"It is important to make a good first impression. I'm pleased to be able to work with city officials as they try to enhance their waterfront and attract more visitors to the Ogdensburg area," she noted.

The 4 x 16-foot sign was recently installed by Ogdensburg Parks & Recreation and Department of Public Works workers during a break in the winter weather. The sign replaces a worn and out-dated sign made out of chipboard that had been installed over a decade ago.

“The funding provided by Assemblywoman Jenne has really opened avenues in regards to the city’s ability to bring cruise ships here and now we have a new marina sign that is welcoming for those visiting Ogdensburg by boat,” Ogdensburg City Manager Sarah Purdy said.

Ogdensburg Parks & Recreation Director Matthew J. Curatolo said the previous sign needed to be replaced.

“The new sign looks great and it will be a much better way to greet those visiting our city by boat. We appreciate the efforts by the assemblywoman in helping us with this sign as well as the necessary fencing and signage to begin bringing cruise ships to our city docks,” he pointed out.

Assemblywoman Jenne said the security fencing is not limited to being used solely for security purposes when large vessels with passengers are docked at the marina and need to clear customs.

"The fencing is being used for multiple purposes including security measures for events such as the Seaway Festival," she said.

The Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority also assisted in the effort to take steps necessary so cruise ships could stop at the marina by providing $5,000 to amend the United States Coast Guard's facilities security plan to include the city's municipal dock.

Assemblywoman Jenne said the need to purchase fencing stemmed from an issue in 2015 when a cruise ship wanted to stop in Ogdensburg, but the lack of a secure docking area prohibited that from happening.

IN THE PHOTOS:

TOP PHOTO:

Ogdensburg Parks & Recreation Director.Matthew J. Curatolo (r) explains the work that went into installing a new sign at the municipal marina with City Manager Sarah Purdy and Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne.

BOTTOM PHOTO:

Ogdensburg Parks & Recreation Department employee Zach Barr screws in a bolt for a new sign at the municipal marina. The sign was purchased through funding provided by Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne and replaced an aging and outdated sign. Parks & Recreation and DPW workers used a bucket and lift to get into the air to install the sign.

Assemblywoman Jenne: Assembly's progressive tax structure plan puts families first

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne (D-Theresa) said a millionaire's tax extension proposal unveiled by state Assembly leaders Thursday will provide the funding needed to fund education and economic development.

In an effort to continue putting New York families first and fund important priorities, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Chair Herman D. Farrell announced a progressive tax proposal this week that includes new tax brackets for New York’s highest earners to address income inequality and ensure funding for critical services.

"This tax plan proposal makes sense in an economy where we are seeing an increasing disparity between the state's top earners whose wealth continues to climb and the majority of hard-working middle class families in the state who are finding it increasingly challenging to balance their income and the cost of necessities," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"We cannot ignore the income inequality in today's economy. The extension of the millionaire's tax will provide the state with the funds necessary so our rural schools can continue to offer their students a quality education, provide the monies necessary to insure Northern New York residents have access to health care and offer financial assistance to make college more affordable," she added.

Assembly Speaker Heastie pointed out state lawmakers raised the minimum wage for millions of New Yorkers last year and lowered personal income tax rates for middle-class families.

When the tax code expires after 2017, all taxpayers earning over $300,000 would be taxed at a rate of 6.85 percent. The new proposal reestablishes the surcharge on higher income earners and includes the following brackets:

Income	Rate
$1 million - $5 million	8.82%
$5 million - $10 million	9.32%
$10 million - $100 million	9.82%
Over $100 million	10.32%

This proposal fiscally compliments New York’s SFY16-17 budget which included a gradual reduction in personal income taxes for middle class earners. When fully phased in, the tax cuts will benefit an estimated 6 million New Yorkers.

Under the new tax structure, the state would generate $5.6 billion in additional revenue than under the current tax law and would affect an estimated 66,134 taxpayers. The new rates would take effect after the tax year ends in 2017.

Assemblywoman Jenne: Restore NY funds will help communities move projects forward

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne said the announcement that over $2 million in Restore NY Communities Initiative funds have been allocated to the North Country is great news.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Thursday that two Restore NY grants had been awarded to Jefferson County projects and three projects had received funding in St. Lawrence County.

They are:

• Village of Massena, Slavin's building rehabilitation, $500,000.
• Village of Potsdam, Congdon Hall renovation, $120,000.
• City of Ogdensburg, Demolition of the former Garn's building, 17 Main Street, and the former St. Joseph's Nursing Home, 420 Lafayette St., as part of the city's Brownfields Opportunity Area effort, $500,000.
• City of Watertown, Masonic Temple redevelopment, $500,000.
• Town of Watertown, Carolyn Pontiac property renovation, $500,000.

Assemblywoman Jenne said the funding will allow communities to do work that they have long identified as projects that can rejuvenate vacant and historic structures or raze blighted buildings so those properties can be redeveloped.

"These are projects that community leaders have been talking about for the past few years and this funding will allow those projects to move forward. Several of the projects awarded funding are in downtown corridors, and I am pleased we will see long-desired projects progress," she said.

The Restore NY program provides local governments with financial assistance to encourage economic development and revitalization of downtown areas and neighborhoods throughout the state.

Watertown, Massena, Potsdam and Ogdensburg were four of 75 communities in the state awarded Restore NY monies in the latest funding round.

Cities, towns and villages were all eligible to apply for support for projects that include demolition, deconstruction, rehabilitation, or reconstruction of vacant, abandoned, condemned and surplus properties.

IN THE PHOTO:

The City of Ogdensburg has received $500,000 from the Restore NY program to demolish the former Garn's building, 17 Main St., (pictured) as well as the former's St. Joseph's Nursing Home, 420 Lafayette St. The city had applied to Restore NY for $500,000 to demolish the two vacant structures within the city’s Downtown Brownfield Opportunity Area. These properties were both acquired by the city through tax foreclosure. The city's Planning Department intends to combine Restore funds with funding available through the National Grid Brownfield program to complete the asbestos abatement and building demolition.

Assemblywoman Jenne: This year's Special Day Expo will be held at Ogdensburg airport

OGDENSBURG -- The fifth annual expo featuring bridal and special event planning services will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Ogdensburg International Airport, 5840 state Route 812.

This year’s event, “Redisovering Your Backyard: Special Day Expo,” will again feature a fashion show and the popular cake dive for brides to be.

“We are again teaming up with the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority, but we will hold this event at a wonderful new venue, the recently opened Ogdensburg airport terminal. I think the airport is an ideal spot for this event, and I'm excited about this new opportunity," Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne said.

"The airport has become a destination for thousands of folks from the North Country that use the facility to travel to and from Ogdensburg to Florida. I'm pleased this event will also help draw people to the area and see the steps the OBPA has taken to make the airport an important option for travelers on both sides of the border," she added.

She noted the event started out as a bridal expo and that remains an important part of the day, but it has expanded in recent years to better meet the needs of local businesses and North Country residents.

"The Special Day Expo provides an opportunity for residents to discover products and services that are available in their own backyards. “It’s a great opportunity to find matches between local businesses and residents planning events,” Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"I'm pleased we are able to move this event back to its original February date this year and love will be in the air with the show taking place a few days after Valentine's Day," she pointed out.

In addition to vendors that can focus on wedding day plans, there will also be businesses and artisans that can help with plans for proms, graduation parties, class reunions, anniversary parties, baby showers and birthday parties.Gifts for these types of events will also be on sale.

Efforts are currently underway to secure vendors for the event. Please call before reserving your booth to learn about the new location and booth dimensions.

For more information or to reserve a booth, email judy@addiejenne.com or call 315-386-2037. The fee is $30 for the 8 x 8 booths, $25 for the 6 x 8 booths and 4 x 8 booths, Early registration is encouraged due to space limitations, and space will be booked when the application and fee have been received. The deadline for applications - if space remains available - will be Feb. 15.

Proceeds from the event will be split by the Ogdensburg Area Zonta Club and the Ogdensburg Boys and Girls Club. These organizations provide volunteer support for the expo.

IN THE PHOTO:

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne poses for a photo with balloon dress models Riley Flanagan of Massena and Olivia Ashley of Potsdam following the fashion show at the 2016 Special Day Expo in Ogdensburg. The two models were wearing dresses created by Faye Ori of IYQ Balloon Decor.

Assemblywoman Jenne: Attorney General's settlement with anthem good news in fight against heroin epidemic

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne (D-Theresa) applauded the recent announcement that New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman had reached a settlement with Anthem, the second largest health insurer in the country, that will result in the company ending its policy of requiring prior authorization for medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.

The agreement includes Empire BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS), which insures over 4 million New Yorkers. Attorney General Schneiderman reached a similar agreement with Cigna several months ago.

"This is great news for families in crisis in the North Country. I have heard too many stories from families who had loved ones ready to take this step in an effort to get off using drugs like heroin, but they had to live the nightmare of waiting days for their insurance companies to give pre-authorization for their loved ones to be eligible for that treatment option," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"We know those delays had the potential to literally be the difference between life and another death attributed to an opioid overdose. I thank the attorney general for fighting this important battle," she added.

Anthem, according to a release from the state Attorney General's Office, required providers to submit a prior approval form for MAT coverage requests, which required the providers -- who had already received specific training regarding MAT and federal authorization to prescribe these drugs -- to answer numerous questions about the patient’s current treatment and medication history.

The Attorney General’s investigation, the release said, revealed that Empire BCBS denied nearly 8 percent of the overall requests for coverage of MAT in 2015 and the first half of 2016. This subsequently caused significant delays in patients obtaining treatment for addiction – or patients never obtaining the treatment at all.

In contrast to its policy for drugs to treat opioid use disorder, the release said Empire BCBS does not require prior authorization for the majority of drugs it covers for medical conditions, including fentanyl and oxycodone.

Assemblywoman Jenne said substance abuse treatment providers have told her over and over again that buprenorphine is a valuable tool in fighting the heroin and opioid epidemic in the North Country, the state and the nation.

"That is why I hosted an event in Alexandria Bay last year to provide training for medical professionals so they would be able to prescribe buprenorphine," she said.

The training course was co-sponsored by the Alliance for Better Communities, Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization and North Country Initiative.

"I was pleased to see Governor (Andrew M.) Cuomo include a plank in his state of the state address calling for a concerted effort by the Department of Health to recruit more doctors, physician’s assistants, and nurse practitioners to become buprenorphine prescribers. It is clear the scope of the epidemic in the North Country demands increasing the number of locations where buprenorphine is available," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

There were close to 2,800 deaths attributed to opioid overdoses in 2015 in New York State, with double digit increases from the previous year in deaths from synthetic opioids as well as heroin.

Assemblywoman Jenne has introduced legislation that makes comprehensive information pertaining to opioid overdoses more readily available to the public (A1457) and a bill requiring members of the state police, city police departments and sheriff's departments to be trained in the administration of opioid antagonists (A1460). The bill includes an opt out for county and city governments that are not interested in taking part in the program.

As of Dec. 31, 2015, law enforcement agencies from 56 counties in New York State reported the use of naloxone to the state Department of Health.

According to 2015 New York State Opioid Poisoning, Overdose and Prevention report prepared by the Department of Health, 75.8 percent of those naloxone administrations involved a heroin overdose and 42.4 percent involved a person between the ages of 25 and 34.

"As 2015 ended, 770 trained law enforcement responders reported that 958 individuals (87.3 percent) to whom they had administered naloxone responded to it. Fifty-two of them (4.7 percent) did not live," according to the report.

Assemblywoman Jenne: Extension of millionaire's tax critical to efforts to make college affordable, add more afterschool programs

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne (D-Theresa) says Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's proposals to expand after school programs in the state and increase child care tax credits for working families could benefit thousands of North Country families.

Gov. Cuomo, in his state of the state addresses, called for an expansion of the middle-class child care tax credit aimed at making child care more affordable. The plan would see tax benefits for families earning between $60,000 and $150,000 more than double.

"This is an important program that could benefit young families struggling with the necessities, paying off student debt and providing quality child care for their children. We know families at the lower end of the middle class often struggle with child care costs, and this initiative offers a helping hand," Assemblywoman Jenne, formerly known as Assemblywoman Russell, said.

She said she was also pleased to see Gov. Cuomo's call to fund additional seats in after school programs in communities like Watertown that are in areas that are already receiving funding under the Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative.

"It's an opportunity to build on the success of the first round of funding for the poverty initiative I have secured for the City of the Watertown. It's a program that we need to build out and roll out in other communities, not just cities, that also have high poverty rates," she said.

"We know these initiatives work, and after school programs have shown they can help close the achievement gap. Studies have shown students in after school programs get better grades, stay in school rather than dropping out and are less likely to be involved in juvenile crime," according to Assemblywoman Jenne.

She said funding for community schools is also critically important in rural areas, where there is a demonstrated need for wrap around programs, including health and mental health services, that are linked to academic success, but are often difficult to access for the most of our working poor families.

Assemblywoman Jenne said she will also be scrutinizing the governor's 2017-18 budget proposal when it is released this week to get more information about his plan to offer free tuition to SUNY schools for students from families with incomes under $125,000.

"This is one of a number of proposals the governor has unveiled over the past two weeks that have great potential but deserves greater scrutiny. I clearly support the effort to make college more affordable for students from low-income and middle-class families, whether it be scholarships or increasing funding for the tuition assistance program to help students meet the cost of college," she said.

But Assemblywoman Jenne said it will be critical the governor not fund the program with dollars already allocated to SUNY schools.

"Our North Country SUNY schools face fiscal challenges tied in part to the reduction in the number of local students enrolled at the state colleges in the region. Part of that is due to drops in the number of high school graduates in the region, We need to make sure funding to make college affordable for state students isn't carved out of dollars already being funneled to our SUNY schools. Funding for the governor's initiative must come from a new funding stream," she stressed.

Assemblywoman Jenne acknowledged the programs proposed by the governor would add new costs to the state budget in a year when state lawmakers will be dealing with fiscal challenges as they hammer out a 2017-18 spending plan.

"These are all valuable programs, and it will be imperative not to let the millionaire's tax expire this spring. The funds generated by the millionaire's tax, first imposed in 2009, will provide the dollars necessary to help make life better for millions of New Yorkers at a time when we are seeing the growing gap of income disparity in our state and nation," she said.

Assemblywoman Jenne: Assembly passes bills to safeguard reproductive health rights

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, said she helped pass two pieces of legislation Tuesday to defend women’s reproductive health rights in New York State.

The bills affirm a woman’s right to choose (A.1748) and ensure contraception is covered by insurers at no cost to the consumer (A.1378).

“For far too long and with recent intensity, those who have no business doing so have tried dictating what a woman should do with her own body,” Assemblywoman Jenne, formerly known as Assemblywoman Russell, said.

“The Assembly Majority is sending a clear message that we stand with all women and will fight to ensure New Yorkers have access to critical health care services. That fight is even more important today than it has been in the recent past,” she added.

One measure, the Reproductive Health Act, protects a woman’s right to an abortion in New York State (A.1738).

The other bill, the Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act, requires health insurance companies to cover all FDA-approved contraceptives prescribed by a medical provider at no cost to consumers (A.1378).

Assemblywoman Jenne has long fought for quality health care for all, but she said in light of the growing national concern over the attacks on a woman’s right to choose, New York must stand up to protect these fundamental constitutional rights.

“We have come too far to let decades of progress be undone,” Assemblywoman Jenne said. “I’ll keep fighting for women in every corner of this state so they can continue to make their own reproductive health care decisions.”

She pointed out recent studies have shown the abortion rate in the United States is at its lowest level since the early 1970s, and she said the study's authors credited access to affordable long-term contraceptives as one of the major factors behind that decline.

"We also know providing women with access to affordable contraceptives also makes good fiscal sense for our health care system," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

A study by the Brookings Institute, for example, suggested every dollar spent on providing women with long-term reversible contraceptives saves more than $7 in health care and other costs associated with unplanned pregnancies.

"It is unfortunate Congress is preparing to repeal the Affordable Care Act, a move that means many residents of the North Country will be faced with losing affordable family planning coverage. This is another action that would hit our middle-class and working poor families the hardest," according to Assemblywoman Jenne.

The Reproductive Health Act (A.1748, Glick) updates New York State law with protections recognized by the courts under the New York Constitution and United States Constitution.

The bill updates portions of the Penal Law which have not been updated since 1970, three years before the Roe v. Wade decision. This update acknowledges that pregnancy termination is a lawful procedure and eliminates undue burdens on women seeking to exercise the right to make reproductive decisions.

The Comprehensive Contraceptive Coverage Act (A.1378, Cahill), introduced by New York Attorney General Eric T. Scheiderman, would codify the requirement under the Affordable Care Act that all health insurers provide cost-free contraceptive coverage as a part of their insurance policies.

Under the proposal, insurance companies would have to provide cost-free coverage for at least one type of all FDA-approved contraceptives, including emergency contraception.

The bill would also apply to voluntary sterilization procedures, extending coverage to both men and women, and would prohibit insurance companies from using medical management review restrictions to delay contraceptive coverage. In addition, the measure would also allow patients to receive a 12-month supply of contraception at a time.

Assemblywoman Jenne focused on governor's initiatives that could benefit North Country economy

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne (D-Theresa) said a number of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s State of the State proposals could benefit hard-working North Country residents, but she said she will need to see more details to see the impact those proposals would have on the region.

"My major focus is legislation that is aimed at improving the economy of the North Country, enacting programs aimed at improving the lives of the working poor and middle-class families and providing equitable funding to our public schools so our graduates have the skills necessary to be effective members of the workforce," Assemblywoman Jenne, previously known as Assemblywoman Russell, said.

She said issues in the North Country in recent years have demonstrated Gov. Cuomo's proposal to invest $2 billion in critical water infrastructure across the state is necessary.

"Communities in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties, including the town of Orleans, have demonstrated the need for state funding to make critical water infrastructure improvements," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"Many of our communities have aging water and waste water infrastructure, and the state funding will assist those local governments make the necessary repairs while keeping access to this critical infrastructure affordable for ratepayers. It will also benefit the local economy by providing employment opportunities and improving water systems so they can accommodate new economic development opportunities," she noted.

Assemblywoman Jenne said Governor Cuomo's Buy American plan that would require all state entities to give preference to American-made goods and products in any new procurements over $100,000 is encouraging.

"It is important for the state to play a leadership role in the Buy American movement that will benefit local manufacturers and businesses. The Buy American campaign will benefit local employees and some of our region's largest taxpayers," she noted.

But Assemblywoman Jenne said during debate over the merits of the Buy American proposal lawmakers also need to consider the impact of the policy would have on our Canadian neighbors.

"Canada is our largest trading partner, and Canadian businesses play a critical role in the North Country economy. We see the importance of Canadian businesses on our region's economy each day with products moving across the three bridges and on railroad tracks connecting the United States and Canada. We need to make sure we don't impose policies that harm that valuable relationship," she pointed out.

Assemblywoman Jenne suggested Governor Cuomo also needs to add funding to improve the trail system in the North Country to his initiatives for 2017.

The governor has proposed completing the Hudson River Valley Greenway and Erie Canalway trails by 2020 to create the Empire State Trail, the largest state multi-use trail in the nation.

To achieve this, the state will develop 350 miles of new trail in three phases to create a 750-mile pathway for hiking and biking.

"The proposal does not include any funding for trails in the North Country that run along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. Tourism conferences I have attended on both sides of the border in recent months have demonstrated there is a need to provide bike trails on the American side that we can connect to the well-planned trail network north of the border," she said.

"We have heard over and over again there is strong interest in creating a trail network that connects the two countries, and we need to provide the infrastructure to make that happen in our region. This initiative would benefit the tourism industry that is so important to our region's economy," according to Assemblywoman Jenne.

She also said state lawmakers also need to scrutinize the state's economic development programs to see steps that can be taken to make sure programs are benefiting rural areas like the North Country.

"It is time to give some power to our SUNY schools, to provide them with funding for economic development initiatives that would work best for their institutions. SUNY Potsdam, for example, would benefit from funding for an Entrepreneurship Center for Music, Arts and Film, while SUNY Canton has laid the groundwork for an entrepreneurship accelerator project," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"We have seen the success Clarkson has had with its incubator programs. Let's give our local SUNY schools the funding they need to build on their strengths. That work has the potential to positively impact our region's economy far more than the benefits we have seen from the existing state programs in our region," she noted.

Assemblywoman Jenne, who serves on the state Assembly's Agriculture Committee, said Gov. Cuomo's proposal to expand efforts that would authorize farmers to work with the state to conduct research to determine the viability of hemp as an agricultural commodity has potential.

"I think hemp production could play an important role for farmers around the region and state as they seek to diversify their operations. It has the potential to play an important role in growing our ag industry. I have heard from local business people and farmers in the North Country that are very interested in getting into hemp production, and they think it is a market that has great potential in this region," she said.

Assemblymember Jenne has frequently advocated for the North Country and for policies that would increase employment and stimulate businesses and infrastructure in the region. She said she will continue reviewing the proposals set forth by Governor Cuomo to best represent the North Country.

Assemblywoman Jenne: Health care is a right, not an entitlement

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne (D-Theresa) called the turnout in Canton this weekend for a march to protest the Affordable Care Act a demonstration of support for a health care system that provides access to quality health care for all Americans.

The Affordable Care Act has provided millions of additional Americans with health care coverage and has also meant that more patients being treated at our financially-strapped rural hospitals have insurance coverage aiding those institutions' bottom lines.

She said health care costs were also skyrocketing before the Affordable Care Act was signed into law.

Assemblywoman Jenne noted the new law included important provisions including allowing young people to remain on their parents' insurance plans until age 26 as they started their work careers typically at the lowest rungs on the income ladder and prohibited insurance companies from denying coverage to people with pre-exisitng conditions.

She said a speaker at the rally Sunday in Canton that drew a crowd of approximately 300 people demonstrated the positive strides that have been made as a result of the federal legislation.

The woman, now in her mid 20s, said she was diagnosed with having an inherited gene mutation that makes her a high risk for breast and/or ovarian cancer when she was 22.

She said that diagnosis was devastating but the provisions of the Affordable Care Act meant she could be screened to see if she had the gene without being concerned that a pre-existing condition would impact her ability to get health insurance. She also said it meant she could get the twice a year screenings recommended for patients with the gene mutation.

"The Affordable Care Act was a step in the right direction, and this young woman's story is just one of many that demonstrate its merits. But we know the federal legislation still has its problems. Health care is still inequitable, keeps some people from accessing basic health care and its costs are a challenge for many of our working poor families," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

She said those concerns led her to co-sponsor legislation in 2015 and 2016 calling for the implementation of a universal health care plan to cover every New York State resident, known as the New York Health Act (A.5062-A).

"I have supported the single payer system for years. Health care is a fundamental human right. It's not a privilege or an entitlement. Access to quality health care shouldn't be a privilege only available to our wealthiest families, and North Country residents shouldn't be forced to make life and death decisions based on concern that being treated for health issues could drive them into bankruptcy. I think including everyone in one system is the best way to control and drive down costs,” she said.

She said the current debate over health care at the federal level makes the the timing of the effort to enact a universal health care plan in the state even more critical.

"People are still racking up huge bills because of high co-pays and skyrocketing premiums. We have an opportunity to put people over profits and continue the goal to make sure hard working middle-class families have the same access to quality health care as the wealthiest New Yorkers. This bill has passed the state Assembly in 2015 and 2016 and I expect that it will be brought to a vote again this year. The bill has never made it out of committee in the state Senate, and that needs to happen this year," she said.

The New York Health Act would establish a universal health care system, known as New York Health, and would expand coverage eligibility to include all residents, regardless of wealth, income, age or health status.

In addition, every enrollee would have access to the full range of doctors and service providers offered. Benefits would include comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care, primary and preventive care, prescription drug costs, laboratory testing, rehabilitative care, dental, vision and hearing care.

As with private insurance, out-of-state care would be covered; both when residents are traveling and need health services or when there is a clinical reason to receive care outside the state, Assemblywoman Jenne said.

Those providing or coordinating care would be fully paid by New York Health, with no co-pays or other charges to patients. Funding for the system would be based on a shared 80/20 employer/employee payroll tax contribution, eliminating the “regressive tax” of premiums, co-pays and deductibles currently imposed on patients regardless of their ability to pay.

With health care costs increasing nationally, considerable research has shown that a universal health care system would reduce costs and pass savings along to patients, consumers and taxpayers.

A 2009 state Department of Health report showed that this type of system would provide the lowest cost for universal coverage in comparison to systems relying on private and employer-based insurance. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cites wellness and preventive health care as key measures that will help people live longer, more productive lives while reducing overall health care costs.

She said the universal health care plan would mean insurance companies would no longer serve as the middle man in the health care system between patients and their providers.

Assemblywoman Jenne said the bill's sponsor, Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, has suggested insurance company administrative costs and profits, as well as the costs health care providers incur to deal with the insurance companies consume approximately 20 cents on every dollar spent on health care.

"This is an issue that impacts each and every resident in New York State - as well as every employer. We can and must do better, and now is time for action," she said.

Assemblywoman Jenne said she is also interested in learning more details about Governor Andrew Cuomo's plan to protect state residents from the rapidly rising cost of prescription drugs.

The Governor's plan consists of a three-pronged approach aimed at preventing prescription drug price gouging in the Medicaid program, imposing a surcharge on drug manufacturers that charge exorbitant prices for their product and protect ratepayers from abusive business practices by intermediaries that drive up drug prices

"We have far too many companies selling their products at exorbitant prices that are unrelated to the cost of developing and making those drugs and that is placing a major drain on health care costs in our state and nation. I'm please to see Gov. Cuomo focusing on steps that can be taken to address this issue," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

But the assembly member said it will also be important to make sure any legislation aimed at containing the cost of prescription drugs doesn't have an unanticipated impact that gives large, national drug chains a distinct advantage over regional companies such as Kinney Drugs in the North Country.

"I will be focused on insuring that efforts to cut the cost of prescription drugs, which I obviously support, isn't based on a business model that would force a company like Kinney Drugs to shut its doors or jeopardize its valuable services, such as jeopardizing its home delivery program. We don't want the cost of implementing the program be overshadowed by the negative impact on the state's economy and Medicaid costs," Assemblywoman Jenne stressed.

Assemblywoman Jenne said as changes are made in the health care system it will remain critically important to make sure medical professionals remain the decision makers in terms of a patient's health.

"I will continue to work to protect a physician's ability to write prescriptions and not allow bureaucrats to override a doctor's decisions not to prescribe generic drugs," she noted.

IN THE PHOTOS:

Approximately 300 people marched along Main Street in Canton on Sunday to demonstrate their opposition to efforts to repeal the federal Affordable Care Act.

Assemblywoman Jenne discusses forestry issues with industry reps

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne recently met with John Bartow Jr., executive director of the Empire State Forest Products Association, to discuss the group's 2017 state legislative priorities and budget issues. They were joined at the meeting by Ryan Fleming, a logger involved in the biomass business, and Karmen and Joseph Scofield of Scofield Transport. The association's goals for 2017 include developing a revised forest property tax proposal, getting funding for a private woodland forest stewardship program and gaining funding to support existing certified logger training and attract and train new foresters and loggers.

Assemblywoman Jenne: Despite progress, the War on Poverty continues

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne says she will continue to fight to grow the North Country economy in an effort to provide the region's most disadvantaged families with an opportunity to climb out of poverty and give the working men and women in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties an opportunity to earn a living wage with benefits that protect their families.

Assemblywoman Jenne's comments came on the anniversary of the day more than 50 years ago that President Lyndon B. Johnson declared a War on Poverty.

President Johnson declared a War on Poverty on Jan. 8, 1964 to highlight poverty as a national crisis and human rights issue.

The Johnson administration's far-reaching initiatives ranged from Head Start to Medicare and Medicaid to help Americans get on their feet and provide for their families, as well as programs to reduce unemployment and ensure equal access to a good education.

Assemblywoman Jenne said positive strides have been made over the past half century, but she said far too many people in the North Country are still struggling.

"We have seen changes in the economy over the past two or three decades that have been particularly challenging for rural areas. That has led to even more economic stress in our region," she noted.

Assemblywoman Jenne said while some parts of the state have seen improved economic conditions more than 20,000 residents in the the assembly's River District still live in poverty.

"We need to continue our work to end poverty and provide families struggling to simply afford the basic necessities of life with hope for better opportunities. We need to continue to offer a helping hand to provide those families with the assistance they need so they can climb out of their current economic struggles," she said.

The assemblywoman pointed out St. Lawrence County has long had one of the top five highest poverty rates in the state, and the Jefferson County poverty rates are only slightly better.
The latest report on poverty from the New York State Community Action Association said 20.3 percent of the individuals in St. Lawrence County and 16.3 percent of the residents in Jefferson County live in poverty.

Those poverty rates climb to 24.3 percent in Jefferson County and 30.3 percent in St. Lawrence County for children under the age of 18. Assemblywoman Jenne said the challenge of poverty is greatest for female heads of households with children present, where the rates of poverty are 44 percent in St. Lawrence County and 47.5 percent in Jefferson County.

Assemblywoman Jenne, previously known as Assemblywoman Russell, said the Assembly Majority has long led the fight for better wages, increased economic opportunities and a strong safety net.

She pointed out last year’s state budget included $25 million to create anti-poverty task forces in communities throughout the state, including $1 million allocated to the city of Watertown, as part of the Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative.

The Assembly also voted last year to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and make New York’s tax code more progressive to provide real relief to those who need it the most, according to the assemblywoman.

"It's also further proof of the need for the state to live up to its obligation with proper funding for our schools in districts struggling from low wealth factors," Assemblywoman said.

"We know that approximately half of our public school students in the North Country - 53 percent in St. Lawrence County and 47 percent in Jefferson County - are eligible for free and reduced lunches.

"We know the best way to break the cycle of poverty is to provide all of our students with a quality education and the funding so schools can provide the resources necessary to impact students that struggle the most to see there is hope to better their lives," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"For generations, North Country residents used ingenuity and a strong work ethic to till our fields and find economic promise in our woods. We have to to provide opportunities so those seeking to climb out of poverty can see important values like a strong work ethic, a willingness and desire to obtain job training skills and responsibility pay off. Workers with those attributes will also benefit our region's economic development efforts," she added.

“I see the challenges facing North Country residents, and I will continue to fight for those so often left behind - those living in poverty and the working poor - because every New Yorker deserves to know if they put in the work they have a chance at a good life for themselves and their families,” according to Assemblywoman Jenne.

Assemblywoman Jenne: New session an opportunity to keep fighting for what matters most for the North Country

Assemblywoman Addie A. E. Jenne, D-Theresa, says she is ready to get to work to continue to fight for economic growth for the North Country, fair education funding policies for local schools and continued access to health care for state residents.

“I look forward to continuing to work on issues that matter to North Country families so that we can make our region and our state stronger and full of more opportunity,” Assemblywoman Jenne, formerly known as Assemblywoman Russell, said Wednesday evening following the opening day of the 240th session of the New York State Legislature.

Assemblywoman Jenne said she agreed with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie’s focus on working on policies to drive job creation, invest in infrastructure and address income inequality that he shared with lawmakers during his opening remarks to the state Assembly.

She also noted her continued commitment to getting tax relief for working families, creating more good-paying local jobs and providing funding necessary for improvements to aging roads and bridges in a move that also benefits economic development efforts.

Assemblywoman Jenne said she believes the challenges facing the state means now is not the time to let the so-called millionaire’s tax expire.

"It is now more important than ever to ensure that everyone pays their fair share. We need to close the gap between the top 1 percent of income earners and everyone else. It’s time we have a fair, progressive tax code that provides relief for those who need it the most, like hard-working North Country families," she said.

Assemblywoman Jenne said she wholeheartedly agreed with Speaker Heastie's call for this to be the year the state sets a timetable for fully funding foundation aid for the state's most economically challenged public schools.

"The state has a legal obligation to provide equity in its school funding policies. This will benefit North Country schools that serve communities with a high percentage of families facing personal economic challenges," she said.

"Our students' access to quality education can not and should not be tied to a community's wealth. Our forefathers developed a system of public education designed to provide all students, regardless of their economic status, with equal access to a quality education. We have a moral obligation to follow their lead," Assemblywoman Jenne.

She also noted Speaker Heastie pointed out the governor's call for free tuition for SUNY and CUNY students is in line with legislation that has been championed in the state Assembly for years.

"I have long fought to make sure we continue to make sure college remains affordable for families in our state. Free tuition at state colleges is not a novel approach," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"It is a recognition that we are hurting our state's economic growth by sending so many of our college students into the work world with heavy student debt that limits their spending options as adults," she added.

"It's also an acknowledgement the gap in incomes between those with and those without college degrees has continued to grow wider as we have lost manufacturing jobs in the North Country and around the state and nation," according to the assembly member.

She said two other points the speaker made in his remarks are also issues that she is deeply committed to seeing achieved during the current legislative session.

"It is critical we act quickly to address full state funding of indigent legal services. This unfunded mandate has placed a heavy burden on our counties. The measure was passed unanimously in the state senate and state assembly. We know this legislation was close to becoming law in recent days, and we need to work to make that happen in the near future," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

She said in light of potential changes on the horizon at the federal level it will be important for state lawmakers to pass legislation to ensure state residents have access to affordable health care and safeguard women’s reproductive rights.

“We need to ensure that everyone has the health care they need when they need it, and that they are empowered to make decisions based on what’s right for them and their families, not what a politician dictates,” Assemblywoman Jenne stressed.

Assemblywoman Jenne eager to see more details from Gov. Cuomo's free SUNY tuition proposal

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne says she is very interested in a proposal the governor announced Tuesday morning calling for free tuition to SUNY and CUNY students whose families make less than $125,000 a year.

"I am eager to learn more about the details in the governor's proposal. Affordable higher education is something I have fought hard to ensure North Country families can access." she said.

"I have always supported funding SUNY appropriately and worked with my colleagues in the assembly to hold the line on tuition increases to help keep college affordable. An income limit of $125,000 per year has the potential to be a game changer for many North Country families that struggle with the affordability of higher education," Assemblywoman Jenne, formerly known as Assemblywoman Russell, pointed out.

She said she is interested in other budget priorities the governor will lay out in his proposed 2017-18 budget.

"This is an important step, but it will have to be evaluated with the other spending priorities the governor unveils in the coming days and weeks. I have been a long-time supporter of public education and am hopeful he will choose to make equitable funding of all public schools in New York State another budget priority this year," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"For far too long in this state, schools in districts with high property wealth have been able to offer their students far more educational opportunities than students coming from low-wealth districts," she added.

"Much like offering free tuition to SUNY students, we also need to make sure our elementary and secondary public schools receive equitable funding. We know that providing a trained workforce that can afford to live and work in New York is the best investment we can make," Assemblywoman Jenne stressed.

Assemblywoman Jenne pledges to continue fight for state to take over cost of indigent defense services

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne says she was very disappointed by the governor's decision to veto legislation that would have brought equity to indigent defense funding in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties.

"I will join with my colleagues in the state Assembly and the state Senate to fight to ensure this legislation is a priority in the 2017-18 budget deliberations. I have been a strong supporter of this legislation from day one. The cost of indigent defense is most onerous on our state's poorest counties, including St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties," Assemblywoman Jenne, formerly known as Assemblywoman Russell, said,.

"The governor has missed an opportunity to sign legislation that had strong bipartisan support in both houses of the state legislature. This veto once again keeps the heaviest burden on counties like those in the North Country with the least resources," she said.

"State funding of the indigent defense program would have ensured defendants from all economic backgrounds had effective representation. This is an issue of fairness. It would also have  put all counties in the state on the same footing and provided important mandate relief for taxpayers in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties ," she added.
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St. Lawrence County spent $2.3 million to fund its indigent defense program in 2014. The cost for indigent defense in Jefferson County is just under $2 million.

While the U.S. and New York State constitutions mandate that those unable to afford counsel be provided with legal representation, counties have struggled to properly fund and operate consistent, quality public defense programs. From providing health care services to maintaining local roads and keeping residents safe, counties simply don’t have enough money to also adequately pick up the tab for indigent legal services.

A recent settlement between the state and five counties (Onondaga, Ontario, Schuyler, Suffolk and Washington) brought this issue to light and called for the state Office of Indigent Legal Services to reform the system of legal representation for defendants who cannot afford counsel in those counties. 

By having the state pay to improve indigent defense in just those counties, though, an unequal system was created in which people in some parts of the state have better access to quality representation than those in other areas.

"That’s why the Assembly passed this legislation – so that all New Yorkers, regardless of where they live, have access to quality legal representation. The governor’s veto of this bill doesn’t make sense," Assemblywoman Jenne said.