BILL NUMBER: S7574
SPONSOR: CLEARE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act in relation to directing the department of environmental conser-
vation to develop and implement a tree planting pilot program in the ten
zip codes in the state with the highest incidence of asthma; and making
an appropriation therefor
 
PURPOSE OF THE BILL:
This bill authorizes an income tax surcharge on those earning over $10
million per annum to close the $70 million dollar waitlist gap for
senior services in this state.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 lays out the legislative intent for why this fund and approach
are warranted.
Section 2 establishes the Close The Waitlist Fund.
Section 3 establishes the surcharge, which will seed the Close The Wait-
list Fund. The surcharge is an extra .5 on those earning over $10
million.
Section 4 is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
It is unconscionable that many of our Older New Yorkers cannot receive
services (such as meals, care, home visits) from their local county
Aging services provider because proper funding has not been provided
over the years and thousands of people have been waitlisted. This of
course does not count those who, upon hearing there are 2,000 people
ahead of them on the waitlist just give up. Every Senior who needs
services deserves them and this bill will rectify that problem in perpe-
tuity.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill, A-Print clarifies that all monies should be directed to NYSOFA
to close the waitlist.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
Cost neutral for state and local governments.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act would take effect immediately.