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Archived Constituent Notices
Traffic Task Force Issues Recommendations Mayor Bloomberg announced the Staten Island Traffic Task Force Recommendations on reducing congestion on Staten Island's roadways.
The Recommendations lay out short term, medium term, and long term plans to alleviate the problem
Archived Constituent Notices and News Alerts
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Reminder: Deadline to sign up for the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit for 2006 is May 15
Medicare beneficiaries have the opportunity to enroll in the Part D Prescription Drug Benefit until May 15, 2006. Beneficiaries who enroll after May 15, 2006 will pay a penalty equal to 1% of the base premium for each month they delay. For example, if a senior enrolls on October 15, 2006, they will pay an additional 5% of the base premium for the entire time they are enrolled in the program.
For
additional information visit my Medicare
Prescription Drug Plan Information Page
Vito helps make SI Ferry Eligible for Federal Port Security Funding Congressman Fossella secured a legislative fix to the SAFE Port Act (H.R. 4954) that would make the Staten Island Ferry eligible for federal port security grants.
In a letter yesterday, Fossella and Congressman Jay Inslee (D-WA1) requested that Homeland Security Chairman Peter King make a technical correction to the legislation clarifying that ferry systems would be eligible for funding under the program. King passed a Manager’s Amendment today containing the fix.
Vito and CB10 Chair update community on Brooklyn seawall repairs... Vito, joined by Community Board 10 Chairman, Craig Eaton, announced that the repairs to the Brooklyn seawall which began last year are over 50% complete and the project is estimated to be finished by this summer. some stats at this point: ·46 of an estimated 60 barges of new rip rap seawall have been installed 1,500 of 3,000 square yards of asphalt have been removed. ·2,500 square yards of 5,000 square yards of sidewalk have been removed. ·45 of 115 new benches have been installed.
Vito calls on FBI and Coast Guard to resolve turf battle to better protect NY... ...Fossella said a turf battle between the United States Coast Guard and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) could hamper the federal response to a terrorist attack aboard passenger and cargo vessels, including the Staten Island Ferry. In letters today to Secretary Michael Chertoff, Department of Homeland Security, and Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez, Fossella urged the agencies to establish regulations that delineate each agencies responsibilities in the event of a terrorist attack, including who serves as lead responder...
Development in Dubai Ports Deal... Thursday, March 9, 2006: Dubai Ports World announced today that they are backing out of part of the deal to take over some operations of U.S. Ports including N.Y. Harbor. The announcement stated that DPW was backing out of its stake in the U.S. Ports deal. More... Read Vito's Statement
Vito helps lead fight to protect Port Security Rep. Fossella has remained at the forefront of the fight to keep New York's ports from falling under the control of a company owned by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Vito was among the first House lawmakers to voice concern over the deal. He also called for Congressional hearings into the matter, joined with his colleagues in the House and Senate to call for an extensive federal review of the sale and is urging the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to explore all legal options to block the UAE from assuming control of 6 American ports. Read More...
Congressional Hearings Federal Review Port Authority Letter
Vito pushes for crackdown on Hamas funds Rep Fossella sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow, urging him to launch an investigation into fundraising by Hamas in the United States. “As the elected leaders of the Palestinian Authority, Hamas will likely increase its international fundraising efforts and raise hundreds of millions of dollars to fund its terrorist agenda,” Fossella said. “As history shows, there is every reason to believe that this money will be used to terrorize and murder in cold-blood innocent Israelis. That is why I have asked the Treasury Department to investigate and crackdown on any and all fundraising activity connected to Hamas...
Fossella Pushing for Free Trade Agreement with South Korea Thursday, February 2nd, 2006 Rep Fossella, joined by US Trade Representative Rob Portman, and South Korean Minister of Trade to announce their support for a new Free-Trade Agreement with South Korea.
Vito calls for a federal 9-11 Health Czar Wednesday, January 25th 2006 Standing with Rep. Carolyn Maloney and sick 9-11 rescue workers, Vito called for the appointment of a health professional to coordinate the federal government's response to health impacts on 9-11 workers. Vito and Maloney were joined by 13 other New York House Members and the State's 2 Senators in sending a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt calling for such an appointment.
Fossella visits Staten Island Kidney Center Vito visited the Richmond Kidney Center in Sunnyside to meet with staff, visit with patients, and discuss public health issues.
...Fossella toured the dialysis unit and talked to patients who were undergoing treatment. "We want to help this facility and others like it, and to enhance the quality of care and the funding that needs to follow it," he said... (SI Advance Story)
Fossella: Bring this Terrorist to Justice Sunday, January 22nd 2006 In an Op-Ed printed in the Washington Times Rep. Fossella called for Lebanon to extradite convicted terrorist and murderer Mohammed Ali Hammadi who is guilty of torturing and murdering U.S. Navy Petty Officer Robert Dean Strethem in 1985. He was recently released from a German prison after serving only 18 years of a life sentence only to return to Lebanon and go into hiding.
Vito Tours Brooklyn VA Hospital with VA Secretary Nicholson Secretary of the Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) James Nicholson toured the Brooklyn VA Hospital with Rep. Fossella. The Secretary spent about 2 hours learning how important the Brooklyn VA hospital is to local veteran's and why it should remain open as part of Vito's ongoing effort to highlight the importance of this vital facility. (story)
New Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Coverage under the new Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit began for those currently enrolled has begun. The enrollment period for 2006 is still open through May 15, 2006. For the first time in history seniors can now get comprehensive prescription drug coverage through Medicare! For more general information, answers to some common questions and useful links on the new plan visit my Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Info page.
Vito saves federal student aid for St. Vincent's School of Nursing Monday, December 19th - $1.93 million in federal student aid for nursing student's at St. Vincent's School of Nursing was saved last night by Rep. Vito Fossella ensuring the school is able to keep it's doors open. (story)
Vito votes to keep Middle-Income taxes lower Wednesday, December 7th - Congressman Vito Fossella today voted to protect 17 million mostly middle-income Americans from being hit with higher federal tax bills next year by extending the increase in the levels of income that would be exempt from the Alternative Minimum Tax. (story)
Elmo to Vito: Welcome to Sesame Street! Vito visited the set of Sesame Street on Monday to meet the cast and crew and talk about the importance of public broadcasting. In June, Fossella voted to restore $100 million in federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which allows educational programs like Sesame Street to air.
Vito Rescues $125 Million in 9-11 Funds: Tuesday, November 22nd - This morning Vito secured a commitment from House leadership to restore $125 million for 9-11 workers which was removed from the President's FY-'06 budget proposal. (story)
Read the letter from Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert
Tax Relief: On Wednesday, November 16th, Vito testified before the House Committee on Ways and Means with his opposition to the President's Tax Commission Proposals to cut Federal Income Tax deductions for State and Local Income Taxes as well as Mortgage taxes paid by New York's homeowners.
The survivors of the disaster in Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Thailand and elsewhere in the Indian Ocean need all the aid we can give. Many have lost family members as well as their homes and their livelihoods. To make a much needed financial contribution to the recovery effort in the form of a check or money order, please contact Victoria Larsen in my office at 718-356-8400.
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) is a good source for information about relief efforts. Their website is updated around the clock.
Identity Theft:
In Today's technological society the problem of Identity Theft is more and more prevalent. This crime can be particularly harmful to an individuals future as your credit can be damaged. If caught early victims can often recover with the help of Federal Trade Commission and the major Credit Bureaus. For information on how to protect yourself from this crime, or what to do if you become a victim, please visit my Consumer Resources page.
Working to Ensure Appropriate Justice for New York's Worst Criminals
Following Thursday's decision by the NY State Court of Appeals declaring the State's capital punishment law unconstitutional, Vito called on Legislature to convene a Special Session to redraft the law, thus ensuring prosecutors have all available options to fight crime.
Read the Letter* to Assembly Speaker Silver! (*Requires Adobe Acrobat) (Text only Format)
Vito Scores a victory for New York's Anti-Terror Funding
Thursday night, Vito scored a victory for New York City in the battle to secure additional anti-terror funding. Using a legislative tactic known as a point of order, Vito stripped threatening language in the Fiscal Year 2005 Homeland Security Appropriations bill, keeping the door open to rewriting the funding formulas to distribute federal anti-terror aid based on threat instead of population. (more)
Vito also worked late into the night to require an additional $450 million in anti-terror funding be distributed to high-threat cities like New York. While the amendment did not pass, Vito will continue fighting to get New York City the money it needs to keep residents safe from future acts of terror.
The Death of Former President Ronald Reagan
President Reagan will long be remembered as one of America’s finest Presidents. President Reagan never doubted what makes this country the greatest in the history of the world -- individual freedom, personal responsibility and unlimited opportunity for all people. He understood that the flame of freedom is America’s to share, and our responsibility to extend to the oppressed in all corners of the world. His eternal optimism, his belief in the American Dream and his commitment to advancing the cause of freedom marked his Presidency. President Reagan literally changed the world for the better, and to this day we continue to reap the rewards of his vision of a strong, proud, free and prosperous America.
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