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Mid Hudson Times, Wednesday, January 9, 2019
Schmitt fills his staff
Cuomo veto denies
school district amnesty
for $13 million fine
Continued from page 1
Photo provided
Assemblyman Colin Schmitt (R,C,I,Ref-New Windsor) from the 99th Assembly District was sworn in Sunday at his local
Inauguration Ceremony held at the Washingtonville Knights of Columbus Hall in Washingtonville. Orange County Clerk Annie
Rabbitt administered the Oath of Office to Schmitt before a room over 200 attendees.
Assemblyman Colin Schmitt (R,C,I,Ref-New Windsor)
last week announced that his district office is open and
serving residents of the 99th Assembly District. The
district office is currently located at 11 Main Street
Chester. The office is open Monday through Friday 9am
to 5pm. He can be reached via telephone at (845) 469-6929
or email at [email protected].
“My office is open and we hit the ground running on
day one helping constituents, reviewing legislation and
meeting with local government leaders, first responders
and members of the community,” said Schmitt who
was sworn in Sunday at the Washingtonville Knights of
Columbus Hall. “I am also honored to have a top notch
team joining me in serving the residents of the 99th
Assembly District. Jane Kunzweiler, Jena Knight and Joe
Haas have joined my staff and are already busy at work.
Please feel free to stop by our office, give us a call or send
an email at any time if we can be of assistance. It is an
honor and privilege to work for you.”
The appointees include:
Jane Kunzweiler, Director of Constituent Services
Jane is an experienced professional in the customer
service and business development sector and has served
others in various community and religious organizations.
Jena Knight, Director of Community Affairs
Jena has a depth of experience that will be of
tremendous value to the 99th District having worked in
various governmental, political and community roles
and is well known for helping with Veterans causes.
Joseph Haas, Constituent Liaison
Joe is a lifelong resident of the 99th Assembly District
and has established a recognized record of success for
his leadership in Washingtonville area community and
religious organizations.
Schmitt continued, “I am grateful to Jane, Jena and
Joe for their eagerness to serve our district in my office.”
Stewart Shop robbed
The Town of Newburgh Police Department is
investigating an armed robbery at the Stewart Shops,
located at 407 S. Plank Road in the Town of Newburgh.
The Robbery occurred on January 3, 2019 at
approximately 5:30 a.m.
The suspect is described as a male, approximately
5’9”- 5’11”, with a medium build. He was wearing a black
sweater with white stripes on the arms and shoulders,
blue jeans and a royal blue over yellow mask.
Anyone with information regarding the incident or
that may have been in the area around that time is asked
to contact the Town of Newburgh Police Department
Detective Division at (845)564-1100. Tips can remain
anonymous.
is imperative to providing a quality education to our
scholars.”
The district paid more than $5 million towards the
penalty as part of a five year plan to pay back the state.
Cuomo’s veto enforces building aid payments from
Panama Central, Roscoe Central, Chester Union Free,
and Newburgh Enlarged City school districts. The
veto also denies state transportation aid to Fulton City,
Port Washington Union Free, and Corning City school
districts.
“I have vetoed similar bills in the past due to
their financial impacts outside of the state budget
process,” said Cuomo in the veto memo. “While bills
of this nature have infrequently been signed due to
extenuating circumstances, these present bills do not
contain such circumstances. These bills would violate
existing agreements that were previously negotiated
with the Legislature during the budget negotiation
process. I am therefore constrained to veto these bills.”
Legislators representing Orange County are
working diligently to find ways to get the bill signed in
the next legislative session.
“The Newburgh School District is already repaying
the penalty by making annual payments of $2.5 million
which amounts to a greater percentage of the tax
levy than was being paid by North Syracuse,” said
Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson (D-Newburgh). “I
am confident that Senator James Skoufis and I will
pass legislation in the upcoming session and take the
appropriate steps to rectify this situation.”
Earlier this year Cuomo approved amnesty legislation
for North Syracuse and Henry Hudson school districts.
Skoufis and Jacobson argue this legislation is identical
to the bills vetoed by Cuomo for NECSD and Chester
Central.
“With his two vetoes, Governor Cuomo has
demonstrated disturbing disregard for Orange County’s
students, including the over one-third children in the
City of Newburgh who live in poverty,” said Skoufis.
“The new year will reset the legislative clock. I will
be urging the senate to quickly re-pass these two
bills in early 2019 and take any and all actions to see
them enacted. Doing so would send an unmistakable
message, at least the legislature is looking out for our
students.”
In a letter to Cuomo, Assemblyman Colin Schmitt
(R-New Windsor) called for a bipartisan solution to the
vetoes through discussion of the executive budget.
“Since we are in agreement that the budget process
is now the solutions to these fines, I urge you to follow
through and ensure the executive budget you propose
fully relieve both districts of the millions of dollars
in state imposed final cost report fines,” said Schmitt.
“The students and taxpayers of Chester and Newburgh
deserve a budget that delivers a bipartisan solution to
this issue.”