After you elected me to represent all of the residents of the 35th District in the New York State Senate, I continued to listen closely to you, my constituents about the issues and concerns that were most important to you. Since November 2006, there has not been a day that I have not taken my obligation to you, or the trust you have bestowed upon me, very seriously. As we near the end of my first Legislative Session in Albany, I want to take this opportunity to update you on the significant things that have been accomplished, and to highlight the work that continues to improve the quality of life for those who live in Westchester County, and for all New Yorkers.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and generosity.

One of the first promises I made to my community after taking office, was that I would work tirelessly to prevent the closing of Community Hospital At Dobbs Ferry. On many levels, I was told that this was a losing battle, and that the hospitals slated for closure were a foregone conclusion. However, after much hard work with my colleagues in government and with the support of and extremely dedicated group of hospital administrators, medical professionals, support staff and you the residents of the community, I was thrilled to announce in January, that this deserving medical facility will in fact remain open and continue to provide community health services.

I have passed an appropriations bill that allowed the City of Yonkers to receive an additional $20 million in State Aid and other incentives for municipal operations, so that the City could avert a financial crisis. Additionally, in the final State Budget, Yonkers received more than $228 million in School Aid – increasing the amount of State Aid originally earmarked for Yonkers and more importantly, allowing the School District more flexibility in spending those dollars. Funding quality public education remains one of my top priorities and to more fully develop serious and thoughtful proposals to address this challenge, I have assembled a Task Force, “AFFIRM Ed”, whose mission is to develop serious recommendations for education funding reform, thanks to a distinguished group of experts in their fields who have generously devoted their time and energy to this enormous “task”.

Recently, with my colleagues in the NY State Senate, I co-sponsored, “Operation Protect Your Home” a foreclosure prevention forum which enabled thousands of Westchester County Home owners to review their mortgages and loans with representatives from their individual banks and service lenders, as well as to meet with counselors about strategies for avoiding pre-foreclosure or foreclosure proceedings. This is a beneficial opportunity for households that are facing imminent financial crisis.

On the subject of our State Budget, many of the highlights of the results of the hard-fought battles my colleagues and I waged, collectively on behalf of all those we represent, are included on this website for your review. They reflect a commitment to the quality of life and the quality of services that residents of Westchester County rely upon and deserve. Throughout this website are updates on specific legislative policies and proposals that I have introduced, supported and voted into law during this Session, and I will continue to focus on the issues that you have told me matter the most to you.

Together, with Governor Paterson at the head of the State Government, I am committed to working for --broader and affordable health care for all, and informed health care choice for women, bettering education for our children, providing affordable housing and tax relief for the residents of the 35th district, government reform, and continuously bringing home additional resources from the State of New York.

The November elections are historic in many ways. In addition to an historic Presidential election, for the first time in New York State, we may have a Democratic Majority in the State Senate. My re-election is critical to retaining our current standing and in gaining the Senate Majority. I am proud to be a part of this important historic development and I am grateful that you can partner with me to chart a new and better course for New York State.

Much has been done, and much remains to be done as we pursue an aggressive agenda for change, opportunity and reform – and I look forward to the work ahead.

All the Best,

Friends of Andrea Stewart-Cousins • P.O. Box 1107 • Yonkers, NY 10702
914.961.3355 (office) • 914.961.3356 (fax)

For more information contact andrea@andreastewartcousins.com