LAWMAKERS COOPERATE

ACROSS THE AISLE

            Collaboration across the political aisle on two issues of interest to Catholics in Brooklyn and Queens marked a breakfast held for State legislators representing the two boroughs, hosted by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio.

            At the informal gathering in the Bishop’s residence in Brooklyn, a dozen members of the Assembly and Senate traded observations on measures proposed by Albany lawmakers during the current legislative session, including education tax credits and tax benefits in the Greenpoint/Williamsburg development zone. Sponsors of the latter bills came away from the session with new allies.

            For Sen. Martin J. Golden, a Bay Ridge Republican, it was support from three Brooklyn Democratic legislators for the education bill (S01939) he authored and introduced in February. It would establish an income tax credit for qualified elementary education, secondary education, and home instruction expenses of eligible kindergarteners and a credit for a teacher’s unreimbursed expenditures for qualified classroom or teaching supplies.

            Reaching across the aisle, Assemblyman Vito J. Lopez (Ridgewood-Bushwick) offered to sponsor a similar measure in the Assembly, and Assemblymen Joseph R. Lentol (North Brooklyn) and Frank R. Seddio (Canarsie) agreed to lend their names as co-sponsors. The bill (A08203) was introduced in May.

            When the legislators’ conversation turned to the Greenpoint/Williamsburg tax abatement measure (A06878), sponsored by Assemblyman Lopez in March, Sen. Golden agreed to introduce a similar bill (S3977) in the Senate, which he did.

The measure, co-sponsored by Mr. Lentol in the Assembly, sought a minimum threshold of affordable housing units in the waterfront area of the district, where redevelopment has been a contested issue.

During the meeting, issues on the 2005 legislative agenda of the New York State Catholic Conference, such as embryonic stem cell research and funding for social services, were also discussed. Among the attendees was Richard E. Barnes, the executive director of the State Catholic Conference.

In welcoming remarks, Bishop DiMarzio thanked the legislators who took a position opposing the reinstitution of the death penalty in the State. He also urged support of a “consistent ethic of life” on matters including abortion and euthanasia, and expressed the Church’s concern about embryonic stem cell research.

The bishop also stated his commitment to build a grassroots network that educates members of the 217 parishes in Brooklyn and Queens on important public policy matters.

Father Kieran E. Harrington, director of the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs, who coordinated the event, said an energetic effort will be made “to identify parishioners, educate them on the issues and motivate them to have their voices heard in the public square.”

It has been a tradition for Brooklyn’s bishop to meet with State legislators since the days of Bishop Francis J. Mugavero, who hosted annual receptions for them in Albany. Bishop Thomas V. Daily continued the practice, inviting them to the bishop’s residence. Last year, Bishop DiMarzio met them in Albany.