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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Friends, I encourage everyone to contact their state assembly members and senators to urge them to co-sponsor, if they are not already co-sponsors, the Blind Persons Right to Parent Act and the Electronic Information Act. The Blind Persons Right to Parent Act is A1721 in the New York State Assembly and S4536 in the New York State Senate. The Electronic Information Act, which would provide a continuous source of funding for newsline in New York State, is A4590 in the Assembly and S3599 in the Senate. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I was made aware by members of my chapter of another bill in the Assembly and Senate that may be of interest to people who ride paratransit. There is a bill which has been introduced that relates to extending the distance that paratransit busses will travel. To quote from the bill: It “requires accessible busses to be available within a service area measuring one and a half miles of any bus line of the authority or its subsidiaries.” It would help a great deal to extend this area for paratransit riders for jobs, doctor appointments and other places. The bill in the Assembly for this is A5012. It is sponsored by Assembly member David DiPietro. The Senate bill is S510. It is sponsored by Senator Tim Kennedy. The number for the New York State Assembly switchboard is 518-455-4100. The number for the New York State Senate switchboard is 518-455-2800. The last day of the current session for the Assembly and Senate is Wednesday, June 19. The New York Assembly and Senate do not meet during the summer or fall. The only exception to this rule is when a special session is called. Regards, Chris Minkler. <o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>