Senator Clinton Introduces Student Borrower Bill of Rights
August 1, 2006
On May 26, 2006, Senator Hilary Rodham Clinton introduced the “Student Borrower Bill of Rights Act of 2006” (S.3255). According to findings set forth in the Bill, between 1994 and 2005, student loan borrowing increased a staggering 76 percent. Read More
Shadows: The Dark Side of Strength
August 1, 2006
So many of us have been so overwhelmed lately. We’ve taken on so much; we’re not sure where to draw lines; we’re desperately trying to deliver so many services to so many constituencies. We need to figure out how to re-group; how to breathe.
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Reflections & Renewal
August 1, 2006
We are – and here we hope to stay – ten years after the Gingrich Revolution brought the end of Federal funding for support services, the restrictions on local services and the massive devolution of our country’s most basic safety net and with it, the most fundamental changes in our country’s approach to immigrants we have ever seen in our lifetimes. Our services were cut and curtailed just as our client communities needed us most. Read More
Lead Poisoning Legislation Poised for Consideration Next Year
August 1, 2006
Despite an impressive session-end showing of support from housing advocates (as well as from health professionals, educators, trial lawyers and even the National Paint and Coatings Association), the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention and Safe Housing Act, (A. 4201-D / S. 2513-D) just didn’t have enough time to clear all of the committees it needed to get through in order to become law this year. Read More
Child Support by Debit Card
August 1, 2006
Beginning on September 15, 2006, persons who currently receive child support in the form of a paper check, will receive debit cards in the mail and a letter from the State Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) advising them that unless they opt out within 20 days, they will have to access their child support funds with that debit card in the future. Read More
SSA Issues Administrative Message Addressing Homesteads Owned by Domestic Violence Survivors Who Have Fled Their Abusers
August 1, 2006
In late 2004, advocates from the Empire Justice Center contacted the Social Security Administration (SSA) on behalf of survivors of domestic violence who were facing complicated bureaucratic hurdles when they had to flee from their homes to escape abuse.
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New Federal TANF Regulations Eviscerate Community Service Activities for Welfare Recipients
August 1, 2006
As required by the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005 (Public Law 109-171), the Department of Health and Human Services has promulgated interim regulations governing the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program which narrow the definition of many permissible work activities, and which make a number of other significant changes to the federal regulations governing work programs. Read More
New York State Passes the “Home Equity Theft Prevention Act”
August 1, 2006
On July 26, 2006, after unanimous votes in both the New York State Assembly and Senate, Governor George Pataki signed into law the “Home Equity Theft Prevention Act.” Read More
New Protection from Medical Debt
August 1, 2006
New York State took a major step to combat medical debt this session when the Legislature and Governor Pataki agreed upon the terms of comprehensive charity care legislation Read More
Medicaid Back-Up for Medicare Part D to Continue
August 1, 2006
The New York Medicaid program will continue its wrap around coverage for dual eligibles, those eligible for both Medicaid and the new Medicare Part D drug program, until January 1, 2007. Read More
State Returns Illegally Intercepted Refunds to Low Income Taxpayers
August 1, 2006
In 1997 and 1998 nearly 28,000 low income taxpayers had their New York State tax refunds taken to recover alleged public assistance overpayments. In many cases, their taxes were taken without adequate notice or an opportunity for a fair hearing. Read More
Legislative Roundup
August 1, 2006
This year, Empire Justice developed our most comprehensive legislative agenda to date. The combined expertise of GULP and PILOR allowed us to focus on a broad array of legislative initiatives all aimed at improving the lives of civil legal services clients. With such an extensive agenda, it was a very busy year. Read More
