Tonight I will be hosting my fourth live telephone town hall meeting from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

To ask a question, or just listen in, you are invited to call toll-free 877-228-2184 and enter event ID 19135.

Live audio of the tele-town hall will be streamed on www.westchestergov.com. To avoid excess Web traffic at the beginning of the call, please log on between 6:45 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

I also want to invite you to submit questions in advance via email (askastorino@westchestergov.com) or social media. Use hashtag #askastorino on Twitter (@RobAstorino) or ask me a question via Facebook (facebook.com/robastorino).

Maintaining an ongoing, open and direct dialogue with the residents of Westchester is important to me.

I look forward to answering your questions on a wide range of important topics.

Bazzo 05/30/12

Contact: Tom Staudter | ThomasS@westchesterlegislators.com | 914-995-2819 (office) | 914-815-4462 (cell)

Astorino Administration Hid $2.5 Million in Child Care Allocations

Missing Revenue is Nearly Equal to Shortfall Causing “Emergency” Increase in Family Share

White Plains, NY – New York State published on Friday, May 25 its Child Care Block Grant numbers for the period of April 1, 2012 through March 31, 2013, and it listed the Social Services District allocation to Westchester County as $25,130,444. This sum differs from the figure that Westchester County Budget Director Lawrence Soule has presented to the Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL), however. Soule’s figure for the 2012 Department of Social Services’ child care funding request and presumptive total–$$22,680,067—is $2.45 million less than what New York State is actually sending to Westchester.

Apparently, the Astorino Administration cannot get its numbers straight when it comes to building a case for increasing the family share for child care subsidies, a move County Executive Robert P. Astorino has pushed and pushed for since last year, and which will now take effect on June 1. Westchester legislators are still trying to find out what numbers were sent to New York State’s Office of Children and Family Services that resulted in the approval of the increase.

“On Friday, when the increase in the family share for child care subsidies kicks in, hundreds and hundreds of Westchester residents will feel an economic pain that is, quite frankly, a tax increase on their low-income status,” said Legislator Alfreda Williams (D-Greenburgh), chair of the BOL’s Community Services Committee. “We are already hearing from child care providers that families are beginning to drop out of the program because of the new costs. Instead of supporting a program that helps working mothers, County Executive Astorino is making things harder for them—and without any real financial justification. This continuing assault on women and families has to stop.”

Indeed, the Astorino Administration’s Budget Director reported to the BOL’s s Budget & Appropriations Committee in mid-May that Department of Social Services (DSS) spending for the first quarter of 2012 is projected to be $5 million less than budgeted. And while overall child care costs for low-income families was projected to be $3 million over its $25 million budget, Soule admitted that revenues generated by the 20% family share costs, increased from last year’s 15% and put into effect on February 1 of this year, need at least 90 days for reliable revenue tracking and were not factored into his calculations.

Now, the $3 million shortfall is largely negated by the real block grant figures from the State.

Last year, the DSS ran a surplus in relief spending of nearly $1.7 million; overall, DSS has averaged a $17 million surplus for the past five years. The Budget Director has noted that money could be shifted around DSS this year to pay for any shortfalls in the child care subsidy programs. Still, the Astorino Administration has proceeded in its move to increase the family share to 35%.

“The Astorino Administration has provided phony numbers, again and again, to bolster ideological decisions that are simply wrong for Westchester,” said Legislator Judy Myers, chair of the BOL’s Budget & Appropriations Committee. “Maybe it’s time for County Executive Astorino to spend some time talking with the people who will be affected by the child care increases and hear from them first-hand what kind of financial hardships his actions will soon be causing them. He can also explain to them why his Administration understated two-and-a-half million dollars in revenue allocations to make the case for the increases they will now be paying.”

Bazzo 05/30/12

CONTACT: Bill O’Reilly (917) 922-5115

MOUNT PLEASANT REPUBLICAN CHAIRWOMAN ENDORSES CARVIN FOR CONGRESS

“Joe Carvin is a proven tax-cutter who can be trusted as a responsible steward of taxpayer’s money”

White Plains, NY-May 29…Mount Pleasant Republican Chairwoman Nancy Meehan today endorsed Joe Carvin’s candidacy for Congress in the 17th district (Westchester-Rockland).

“In this year’s election, Westchester residents have an opportunity to elect a representative with a deep understanding of how to fix Washington and grow our economy,” said Chairwoman Meehan. “Joe Carvin is a proven tax-cutter who can be trusted as a responsible steward of taxpayer’s money. He will be a refreshing change from the career politicians that have driven jobs out of New York and given us unprecedented levels of debt.

“I’m honored and grateful to receive Chairwoman Meehan’s enthusiastic support of my candidacy,” said Mr. Carvin. “There are common-sense, pro-growth solutions to fix our economy, but we need the right leaders in Washington who have the courage put what’s right before politics. I’ve governed that way with great success as Rye Supervisor and I intend to bring that same approach to Congress.”

Bazzo 05/30/12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jessica Proud (914) 438-5325

STATEMENT ON TODAY’S QUINNIPIAC POLL ON U.S. SENATE RACE

May 30, 2012

“Continuing last week’s momentum-building endorsement from Rudy Giuliani, today’s Quinnipiac Poll showing Congressman Turner as the favorite among Republican voters is more great news for the campaign heading into the final four weeks. As he campaigns around the state, Rep. Turner’s record and vision for fixing the economy and creating jobs in New York is clearly resonating with voters.

“Following the Republican primary, there is a clear path to victory against Ms. Gillibrand. Her habitual flip-flops and conspicuous silence on important issues facing New Yorkers have left nearly half of the electorate either unsatisfied or unconvinced of her job performance. When we emerge victorious from the primary, Ms. Gillibrand will be unable to hide from her record as the Most Liberal Senator in Washington and voters will have a stark choice between a businessman who will address our nation’s fiscal crisis and a politically-expedient politician.” -Jessica Proud, Turner campaign spokeswoman

Bazzo 05/30/12

New political consulting firm in Hudson Valley
Offers free initial consultation to Republican candidates and committees

“No campaign too big or too small.” That’s what John Hicks, President and CEO of Red Pillar Consulting, LLC says about his new political consulting firm. The four principles of the firm first met when they helped to elect Rep. Nan Hayworth (NY-19) in 2010.

Hicks (Warwick) has worked in politics for forty years. He served for many years as a county party chairman, served as an elected public official, and has managed dozens of successful campaigns, including one of a successful congressional challenger.

Jesse Dwyer (Greenwood Lake), a veteran of congressional, county, and local campaigns, and himself an elected official, is an expert in logistics and timeline management. “At 26, Jesse’s grasp of the fundamentals and logistics of political campaigning is incredible,” said Hicks. “He has honed his private sector marketing and development skills by leading several Hudson Valley companies in their marketing efforts.”

Charlie Banks (Nyack) brings to the firm a background in online media management and polling at a nationally recognized firm, and he has applied these skills to campaigns ranging from local all the way up to presidential. Hicks says he has “never met someone with his combination of skills and political instincts.”

Though Michael Knowles (Bedford Hills) only recently graduated from Yale University, he has already served as a senior advisor to candidates seeking a broad range of offices, including President of the United States. “Michael is a keen judge of character and abilities in a candidate, and he uses that insight to produce written and audio/visual components for a campaign that compel voters,” Hicks said.

The experts at Red Pillar believe that their combination of talents is not often, if ever, found in a political consulting firm.Services include identifying the first steps in running for office, organizing political committees, fundraising, petitioning, securing the nomination, issues research, polling, direct mail design and techniques, web- and social media-based strategy and outreach, press releases, radio and TV ads, get-out-the-vote activities, and election day operations, including ballot security.

“Entering into the political arena and conducting a good campaign can be a daunting experience. Our firm can help make the process much easier. In order to introduce our team and our skills, we are offering a free one time consultation to any candidate or political committee within the lower Hudson River Valley,” Hicks said. “We’ll go anywhere.”

Red Pillar works directly with many other businesses and individuals, including printers, mail houses, and specialty firms specializing in the needs of political candidates and committees, thus insuring the best possible price and most effective outcome of critical strategies used in running a winning campaign.

–
Michael Knowles
Vice President, CMO
Red Pillar Consulting, LLC
o: 845.986.8464
c: 917.727.9253
Bazzo 05/30/12

3.4 Million New Yorker’s Fled the State Between 2000 and 2010

Press Contact: Becky Miller

RMiller@NYGOP.org

518-462-2601

ALBANY…MAY 29, 2012…Today, New York State Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox responded to the report that New York State lost 3.4 million people between 2000 and 2010:

“Last year, we learned that New York joined Ohio as the only states in the nation to lose two seats in the US House following the 2010 census.

“Today, we learned that New York has the dubious distinction of being the state with the highest outmigration in the nation from 2000-2010.

“During that period, 3.4 million[1] New Yorkers fled our borders for low-tax havens like Florida, taking over $45 billion in income with them.

“Governor Cuomo has admitted that “New York has no future as the tax capital of the nation.”

“The geese that have laid golden eggs for New York are taking flight, and New York’s counterproductive tax scheme is the main culprit.

“Republicans have proposed tax cuts for both capital gains and small businesses.

“New York is the financial capital of the world; it will not remain so if it continues to tax capital gains as ordinary income at New York’s high rates and to burden small businesses with onerous taxes.

If New York is to keep up with our low-tax, high-growth competitors, we need comprehensive tax reform to attract capital investment, to give hope to New York’s investors and entrepreneurs and to keep and create jobs in the Empire State.”
Bazzo 05/30/12

CONTACT: Kevin Mercuri,

Propheta Communications; kevin@propheta.com

212-901-6914

STEVE KATZ RECEIVES ENDORSEMENT FROM

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER DEAN SKELOS

May 29, 2012; Yorktown Heights, NY – Citing his conservative record and tireless efforts on behalf of the State, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, (R, C, IP; 9th Senate District) endorsed Steve Katz today as he kicked off his reelection bid for the redistricted 94th Assembly (currently 99th) seat.

Katz, whose legislative goals in the Assembly often mirrored Skelos’ in the Senate, welcomed the endorsement. The Majority Leader’s support came a day after Katz handily won his party’s nomination with 97 percent of the vote at this week’s Republican Convention.

“Steve Katz possesses a keen understanding of the State’s economy and the challenges we face,” said Dean Skelos. “His first term in the Assembly exhibited common sense conservative values that promise to restore responsibility and sanity to Albany. He is a Conservative’s Conservative.”

Katz’s tireless efforts to push Albany into the 21st Century (which could save the state billions of dollars) take center stage in his bid for reelection His primary goals will include:

ü Tax relief

ü A moratorium on unfunded mandates that drain local towns and city coffers.

ü Healthcare reform within the State

ü Ethics reform that restores honesty and integrity to Albany

“Senator Skelos’ support is an important vote of confidence for my campaign,” said Steve Katz. “As a small business owner and father of three, I face the same challenges and frustrations as my constituents. I believe my common sense approach produces positive change; and this is why I pursue a second term”

Katz’ myriad accomplishments include:

ü Legislation that reins in real estate property taxes for seniors and the disabled with annual incomes of less than $40,000

ü Amendments that limit the terms of legislative members

ü A Medicaid opt-out provision for Counties

ü Last week’s announcement concerning a relief from unfunded mandates for Counties. A bill is currently being drafted by Katz’s office

###

www.Propheta.com

About Steve Katz

Steve Katz (www.katz4ny.com) currently serves the New York Assembly, 99th District (redistricted to the 94th) and resides in Mohegan Lake, NY with his wife and children. His tenure in the New York Assembly brought about a number of key pieces of common-sense conservative legislation. Dr. Katz is currently spearheading a statewide law requiring a photo ID for elections and has worked tirelessly as an assemblyman to reduce New York’s tax burden and eliminate excessive regulations on businesses. Katz is a veterinarian and has been a small business owner for over 25 years.

Bazzo 05/29/12

May 28, 2012 202.360.8132

SCHUMER: CLEANING YOUR BARBECUE GRILL WITH A METAL BRUSH THIS SUMMER COULD HAVE SERIOUS HEALTH CONSEQUENCES; CALLS FOR SAFETY REVIEW TO DETERMINE WHETHER METAL BRISTLE GRILL BRUSHES ARE SAFE FOR CONSUMER USE

Metal Bristles from Grill-Cleaning Brushes Can Break Off, Become Imbedded in Food and Then Accidentally Eaten; Two Men Recently Had Emergency Surgery After Ingesting Metal Bristles, and Many More Cases Have Been Reported Across the Country

Schumer, Joined by Consumers Union, Calls on Consumer Product Safety Commission and FDA to Launch Safety Review Into Whether Metal Bristle Grill Brushes Are Safe and to Warn Consumers About Dangers of Metal Bristle Grill Brushes This Summer

Schumer: Metal Bristles Are One Topping No One Wants on Their Burger This Barbecue Season

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today, joined by Chuck Bell, Programs Director at Consumers Union, called on the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to determine whether metal bristle grill brushes are safe for consumer use after Consumer Reports publicized reports of two serious injuries involving the brushes in the last week alone. Two men from New Jersey and Washington State were recently hospitalized and underwent emergency surgery after accidentally swallowing a metal bristle that had broken off their grill brushes and become attached to their food. According to reports, nearly a dozen people across the country have reported similar accidents to the CPSC over the last three years, and according to a study published by the American Journal of Roentgenology, six patients in Rhode Island alone, over an 18-month period, accidentally swallowed wire grill brush bristles. Schumer today called on the CPSC and the FDA to launch a review of whether the bristles are safe and also issue warnings to consumers about the dangers of ingesting these metal grill bristles.

“Metal bristles are one topping no one wants on their burger this holiday season,” said Schumer. “Grilling season should be a great time for the whole family, not a time to be worried about an emergency visit to the hospital. I urge the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the FDA to launch a safety review of these products and warn consumers about their potential dangers. I’m also urging consumers to use caution when using these metal grill brushes this summer to avoid more accidents like these.”

“Grill brushes that have metal bristles can pose a serious, unexpected hazard, if the bristles come off the brush and become lodged in foods,” said Chuck Bell, programs director for Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports. “If the bristles are swallowed, they can cause choking and/or perforation of the digestive tract. Consumers Union strongly supports Sen. Schumer’s call for a federal safety review of metal grill brushes by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Food and Drug Administration. We urge the CPSC and FDA to issue safety advisories to warn consumers about the problem, and to initiate any appropriate follow-up actions including product recalls, if particular products are found to be unsafe or defective. While the injuries involving these products may be relatively rare, they can be very serious when they occur. We urge the CPSC and FDA to promptly investigate the problem and act quickly to protect consumers.”

When consumers use metal bristle grill brushes to clean grills, metal bristles can break off and accidentally become imbedded in food cooked on the grill. In the last week alone, two men, one from New Jersey and one from Washington State, were hospitalized and forced to undergo emergency surgery to remove metal bristles from their stomachs after having accidently ingested them. According to reports, the New Jersey man had to undergo surgery to remove the 1 ½-inch-long metal wire and repair the hole in his large intestine. In the case of the Washington man, doctors initially couldn’t find anything wrong with him. Only after they gave the man a CAT scan did they find a metal wire that had penetrated one of his intensities. Doctors had to remove a half-foot of his small intestine.

These two cases are only the latest example of the potential dangers of metal bristle grill brushes. According to news reports, the CPSC has received nearly a dozen complaints of similar accidents from across the country, and those numbers are likely much lower than the actual number of cases. In an article in the American Journal of Roentgenology, Rhode Island Hospital physicians identified six cases during an 18-month period at one Rhode Island hospital of patients accidentally ingesting metal grill brush bristles that had wound up imbedded in grilled meat after metal bristle brushes were used to clean the barbecue. Surgery was performed on three patients, including one patient in which the metal bristle perforated the patient’s stomach and liver. Doctors in the study found the results “striking” and said that the “public should be aware of this potential danger.”

In a letter to the CPSC and the FDA today, Schumer called on the agencies to launch a safety review of the products to determine whether they are safe for consumers. In the letter, Schumer requested that the CPSC review hospital injury data to determine whether there is a pattern of injury that would require a product recall. Schumer also asked the CPSC to evaluate whether manufacturers or importers have failed to report product-safety-related information as required by law. Finally, Schumer requested that both agencies take immediate action – such as an advisory on their websites – to warn consumers of the risk of serious injury from accidentally ingesting metal grill brush bristles that are loose or have already broken off.

A copy of Schumer’s letter is below.

May 28, 2012

The Honorable Inez Moore Tenenbaum The Honorable Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D.

Chairman Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration

Consumer Product Safety Commission Department of Health and Human Services

4330 East West Highway 10903 New Hampshire Avenue

Bethesda, Maryland 20814 Silver Spring, Maryland 20993

Dear Chairman Tenenbaum and Dr. Hamburg,

I write today to request your attention to a serious consumer safety problem involving brushes with metal bristles used to clean grills and barbecues. I am alarmed by recent news reports of consumers swallowing metal bristles that had become embedded in food after using a grill brush to clean the grill. In both cases, the men had to undergo emergency surgery to remove the bristles and repair the significant internal damage caused by the metal wires. I am asking both agencies to look into this serious consumer product and food safety issue.

With public reports of two serious injuries in the last week alone, I am concerned that there are many more that have gone unreported. I respectfully request that the CPSC review hospital injury data to determine whether there is a pattern of injury that would require a product recall. I also ask that you evaluate whether manufacturers or importers have failed to report product-safety-related information as required by law. As you know, manufacturers and importers have an obligation to report a potentially hazardous product – a product containing a defect which creates an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death – to the CPSC immediately.

As we head into the summer grilling season, I also am concerned that the risk of injury from loose grill brush bristles is not obvious to the consumer. I respectfully request that both agencies take immediate action – such as an advisory on your websites – to warn consumers of the risk of serious injury from accidentally ingesting metal grill brush bristles that are loose or have already broken off.

Thank you for your attention to this important consumer safety issue. I ask that you please keep me informed of developments.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

United States Senator
Bazzo 05/29/12

May 27, 2012 202.360.8132

SCHUMER: NEW AIRLINE SEATING ASSIGNMENT RULES WILL SEPARATE CHILDREN FROM THEIR PARENTS UNLESS PASSENGERS PAY AN EXTRA FEE FOR WINDOW OR AISLE SEATS; CALLS ON AIRLINES TO ALLOW FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN TO SIT TOGETHER WITHOUT EXTRA FEE

Major Airlines Now Charging More for Window and Aisle Seats, Making it More Difficult for Families With Children to Sit Together On Flights Without Paying Additional Fee

Urges US Dept of Transportation to Implement Rules Restricting the Practice So That Children Don’t Have To Sit With Strangers

Schumer: Airline Fees Shouldn’t Serve as a Barrier Between Mother and Child

United States Senator Charles E. Schumer called on U.S. airlines to allow families with children to sit together in consecutive seats without having to pay a premium for an aisle or window seat assignment. Over the last year, airlines have begun to charge additional fees for aisle and window seats, which if not paid can result in children and families being separated from each other on flights. With the busy summer travel season set to begin for families this week, Schumer is calling on the major airlines to allow families with children to sit together without an extra fee and is asking the United States Department of Transportation to regulate the practice.

“Children need access to their parents and parents need access to their children,” continued Schumer. “Unnecessary airline fees shouldn’t serve as a literal barrier between mother and child.”

Major Airlines, including American, Delta, and US Airways charge for “preferred seats” at the window or on the aisle, or both. American charges upwards of $25 for a preferred seat, Delta can charge up to $59 and US Airways charges up to $30. A recent Associated Press report pointed out the growing trend of charging more for aisle and window seats and noted that on a July flight from Dallas to San Francisco only 28 seats out of 144 that were available to passengers without having to pay an extra fee and 21 were middle seats.

Schumer made the case that a family of four, traveling on a traditional McDonald Douglas MD-80, with two seats on the left side of the plane and three seats on the right side of the plane, would have to either separate or pay an additional $100 total in order for the family to sit next to each other for the round trip flight. If the flight has a layover in both directions that cost could skyrocket to an additional $200 on top of the base price and fees for checked baggage.

Besides the cost implication for travelers, Schumer raised concerns with the U.S. Department of Transportation over the safety implications of children being forced to sit separately from their parents because of onerous fees. Schumer noted that a single parent, traveling with two children could well wind up having one child seated out of direct sight and next to strangers. Schumer questioned whether airlines that charged fees for consecutive seating on an aisle or window would assume liability for the safety of a child who wasn’t seated next to their parent because of onerous airline fees.

In his letter to the airlines, Schumer called on the carriers to voluntarily reconsider their pricing scheme, particularly for families traveling with children. He also questioned whether it made sense for the airlines to push a pricing strategy that would require additional attention of airline crew and flight attendants who would have to respond to children who could otherwise be accommodated by their parents.

“Requiring parents to pay an additional fee to make sure their kids are sitting next to them and in sight is ridiculous and simply over the top,” said Schumer. “This ill-conceived ploy to foist more fees on travelers could have profound implications for the safety of children on airlines and it needs to be revisited.”

Copies of Schumer’s letters to airline trade association, Airlines for America and Secretary LaHood can be found below.

Dear Mr. Calio:

I am greatly concerned by the decision of certain airline carriers to implement new pricing schemes that charge extra fees for so-called “preferred seating” for aisle and window seats on domestic flights. I am particularly concerned with the implications that these new fees will have on families traveling with children, who could wind up sitting in different aisles and out of the direct line of sight of their parents because of cost. The last thing an airline should be doing is making it more difficult for parents and children to have access to each other. I am urging your member airlines to reconsider the practice, particularly when it comes to consecutive seating for families with children. A parent should not have to pay a premium to supervise and protect their child on an airplane and abstaining from charging such premiums should be the industry standard.

Preferred Seating fees have had the effect of severely limiting the availability of window and aisle seats, making it more difficult for families, particularly with children, to sit in consecutive seat assignments without incurring substantial additional cost. In fact, for a family of four to travel together on a round trip flight on American Airlines, on a standard McDonald Douglas MD-80 with one layover, it could cost an additional $200 just for the four members of the family to sit together, due to the fact that most aisles seats on the airline are considered premium and can cost an additional $25 per seat.

Parents and children should be seated in adjacent seats while flying, as children often require additional assistance and supervision. Unfortunately, the practice of charging additional fees for window and aisle seats will have a profound impact on parents’ ability to provide that attention. Additionally, these new pricing schemes raise safety concerns for children who are traveling out of direct sight of their parents. Will airlines that charge a premium for consecutive seating assignments assume liability for the safety of a child who isn’t seated next to their parent because of these onerous fees?

Flying with children is a stressful endeavor for any parent and saddling them with additional fees or the burden of not being able to attend to their children while flying only makes this experience more difficult. The practice of charging families additional fees to sit together is not only onerous, but it also raises safety concern for children sitting alone in another part of the aircraft or with strangers, to say nothing of the additional attention it requires of airline crew and flight attendance would will be needed to respond to children who could otherwise be accommodated by their parents. Airlines should not come between a parent and a child. It is unacceptable that parents would be expected to pay a premium to simply supervise their children throughout the duration of a flight.

I strongly urge you to commit to working with your member airlines to make flying a safe and family friendly experience by making it an industry standard to forego additional fees on seating assignments for parents and children wishing to sit in adjacent seats. Thank you for your attention to this important request. Please contact my Washington office at 202-224-6542 with any questions.

Dear Secretary LaHood:

I write today to urge the Department of Transportation to issue a new guidance for airlines separating children from their parents due to new pricing schemes that place a premium fee on aisle and window seats and serve as an obstacle to consecutive seat assignments. The decision to charge additional fees, in some cases as high as $59 a seat, to have parents seated with their children raises safety concerns for the well-being of the child passengers and the ability of parents to properly supervise and access their children.

The practice of airlines charging additional fees for window and aisle seats could result in the separation of parents and their children. In fact, for a family of four to travel together on a round trip flight on American Airlines, on a standard McDonald Douglas MD-80 with one layover, it could cost an additional $200 just for the four members of the family to sit together, due to the fact that aisles seats on the airline are considered premium and can cost an additional $25 per seat. The onerous nature of the fee may well result in children being separated from their parents – and out of sight – to avoid these substantial costs. This is unacceptable and it raises safety and liability concerns for the airline, as children potentially have to sit with strangers out of the sight line of their parents in another part of the aircraft. Parents should be granted the peace of mind knowing that when they purchase tickets for a flight they will be allowed to sit adjacent to their children without having to pay a premium. Often, children require special attention that only a parent can provide. This practice unrealistically burdens flight attendants and unknowing passengers with this responsibility. Airlines simply should not be able to come between a parent and a child.

I urge the Department of Transportation to issue a new guidance that will prevent airlines from charging a premium for a parents and children wishing to sit in adjacent seats during a flight. It is critical that this issue be resolved as it has serious safety implications for families flying across the country. Thank you for your attention to this important request. Please contact my Washington office at 202-224-6542 with any questions.

Bazzo 05/29/12

Contact: Bill O’ReIlly, 212-396-9117 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is”

TURNER, CARVIN, COHEN, IZZARELLI CALL ON “ANTI-DISCRIMINATION CENTER” TO DONATE $6 MILLION TO WESTCHESTER COUNTY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

White Plains, NY–May 29…A left-wing, family-run “social action” organization — with $29,512 on its balance sheet in 2008 — was handed more than $7.4 million in Westchester taxpayer funds by the federal government in 2009 as part of a settlement between the County and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and it’s time that the organization donated a sizable portion of that money back to Westchester for the social good it purports to represent, a group of Republican candidates and elected officials today demanded.

Congressman and U.S. senate candidate Bob Turner (NY-9); Rye Town Supervisor and congressional candidate Joe Carvin (NY-17); state senate candidate Bob Cohen (NY-37), and state assembly candidate Kim Izzarelli (NY-90) called on the “Anti Discrimination Center,” (ADC) to donate $6 million of the $7.4 million taxpayer bonanza it received as a “finder’s fee” in the HUD case to workforce housing projects around Westchester county that would help county teachers, police officers, nurses, and firefighters live in the towns in which they work.

The ADC, which is housed in a lower Manhattan office building, lists just one full-time employee in its latest available 990 filing — a man called Craig Gurian (Secretary, Treasurer, and Executive Director), and one half-time employee, Lori Bikson, AKA Lori Bikson-Gurian (Vice President and Research Associate.) A Nico Gurian is listed as an unpaid ADC “director.” The group holds in excess of $6 million in assets, according to its 2010 990 filing.

“The federal government took more than $7 million in Westchester taxpayer funds and handed it to what looks like little more than a one-man show,” Congressman Turner said. “If this ‘activist’ organization felt so strongly about affordable housing issues in Westchester County, why hasn’t it given anything back to the cause? That is a question the Gurians need to answer.”

“County police officers, firefighters, and teachers of all ethnic backgrounds struggle to find housing they can afford in Westchester County,” Rye Town Supervisor Joe Carvin said. “Six million dollars would go a long way toward helping some of those families find homes near where they work. The ADC has a wonderful opportunity to put its money where its mouth is by donating $6 million back to Westchester County for this work.”

“Westchester taxpayers are beleaguered by the highest property taxes in America and the $7-plus million handed over to the ADC no doubt made those taxes higher,” said State Senate candidate Bob Cohen. “It makes me angry, frankly, that this group would criticize Westchester families for being exclusionary — and then happily take our money as though it were from a cash machine. If the ADC wants to do some good, it should donate money back to housing projects in the county.”

“Westchester taxpayers should be incensed at what happened here,” said state assembly candidate Kim Izzarelli. “More than $7 million was siphoned away from Westchester families and not a dime of it has gone back into the county. It’s bad enough that Westchester families send billions more to Washington and Albany than they get back, now their money is being handed away to activist groups. We have real needs here, too.”

Bazzo 05/29/12