Westchester/Putnam Assemblywoman Sandy Galef along with State Senator Martin Golden have introduced a bill in Albany that would require municipalities to allow public access to the proposed terms of school district  or municipal bargaining agreements.

"The reason for this legislation is to make sure the process is open so that the public can examine where their tax dollars are going. What this does is require that when a contract has been negotiated between unions and municipal governments or schools that it go up on the internet over several weeks so that the public will have a chance to review it and comment on it."

Galef says when a municipality or a school district "spends public dollars," it's important such information be disclosed before a vote takes place.

Her bill proposes collective bargaining agreements covering salaries and benefits of all school district peronnel and public employees be released prior to their implementation.
"School taxes represent 70-80% of a homeowner's property tax bill.  Homeowners deserve to understand where their money is going," said Galef.

Prominent Lincoln re-enactor Fritz Klein, who has brought Lincoln to life on the History channel, Discovery  Channel, and National Geographic, among others, was in Peekskill Saturday to mark the 150th Anniversary of Lincoln's historic visit to the City in 1861. 

Several Westchester County lawmakers were sworn in to office New Year's Day.Newly-elected  40th District State Senator Greg Ball (R-C Patterson) took the oath of office at the Putnam County Courthouse in Carmel today. Ball succeeds former State Senator Vincent Leibell.

Assemblywoman Sandy Galef (D-Ossining) says she's pleased with new roadway improvements made by the State Department of Transportation on Route 9 between the Annsville Circle in Cortlandt Manor and into Putnam County.  The roadway, which has been the site of numerous fatal accidents over the past few years now has rumble strips installed in the center line, in the hopes of preventing motorists from drifting into the opposite lane of traffic.

Peekskill officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony today to mark the completion of the two year $73 million renovation of a portion of route 9 that runs through the city.

Four lanes of traffic were officially reopened today for the more than 33,000 vehicles that use the roadway daily.

The massive construction project involved road widening, rock blasting, the replacement of four bridges, new curbs, sidewalks, closed drainage systems and retaining walls.

State and local lawmakers were on hand in Peekskill today to take the wraps off a newly completed affordable senior-housing complex over looking the Hudson River.

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino was joined by several Westchester County Legislators as well as Deputy Peekskill Mayor Don Bennett, Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, Greg Watson, the Regional Director of the NYS Division of  Housing and Community Renewal, and officials with Conifer Realty LLC, which was responsible for construction and design of the facility. It features one and two bedroom units. Rent is about $800 a month for one bedroom apartments and $900 for two bedrooms.

Assemblywoman Sandy Galef (D-Ossining) has released the results of her most recent consituent survey. The questionaire was answered by 732 constituents and focused on issues relating to budgeting and saving.
The largest response in the survey indicated 97% of people questioned agreed that State Lawmakers should do away with member items in the 2010-2011 budget. 85% of respondents thought that the state should freeze spending for the next two budget years and 84% believe the state should cap its spending based on the Consumer Price Index.