Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. has announced that the Census Bureau is currently seeking applicants for a variety of jobs, many of which offer training and competitive pay ranging from $6.25 to $30.50 per hour. Examples of jobs are Census takes, crew leaders and local census office managers and are available to anyone including senior citizens, homemakers and students.

"An accurate count in Census 2000 is vital to New York for many reasons," Fuschillo said. "Currently, over $180 billion in federal funds is distributed to state and local government on the basis of census numbers. If we are to count on Congress to give our community its fair share of federal resources, we must rely on ourselves to get an accurate count in this Census."

According to Fuschillo, applicants should be at least 18 years of age and must be willing to work evenings and weekends. Those ages 16 and 17 may be hired for positions not involving driving so long as they meet federal, state and local employment requirements. All efforts are made to have people work within the neighborhoods in which they live. Most census takers will work from mid-April to mid-June 2000.

Interested applicants should call 1-888-325-7733.

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. has said that 26 new laws were passed during the 1999 legislative session many of which are scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2000.

"The 1999 legislative session included significant achievements to benefit the people of New York State," Fuschillo said. "New laws include a record increase in state aid to our schools; reformed special education to better serve students; the enactment of the Jobs 2000 (J2K) program to build a foundation for high tech job growth in the next century; reduction of a broad array of business taxes to make New York State more economically competitive and expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit to keep more people at work rather than on welfare."

"I am confident the 2000 legislative session will be very productive," Fuschillo said. "I will be focusing on making college tuition 100 percent tax deductible; expanding EPIC to reduce prescription drug costs for seniors; eliminating the gross receipts tax on electricity and natural gas to reduce energy costs; reform the state budget process and expand the state's support for critical health care programs."

The following laws have recently taken effect or are scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2000:

Asthma affects thousands of children throughout the state, often causing them to miss school. Previously, students could be barred from carrying inhalers while in school. Fuschillo wrote the law that now permits students to carry and use a prescribed inhaler while in school. (Effective: 7/27/99) Drivers who ignore school speed zones are endangering the lives of children. A new law will now double the fines and potentially imprison any driver who operates their vehicle in excess of a posted school zone speed limit. (Effective: 11/1/99) Students who walk to and from school can be subject to traffic hazards, roadway construction, or other dangers. A new law now extends the Child Safety Zone Law until June 30, 2001. This law permits bus transportation for students who walk to and from school under certain hazardous conditions. (Effective: 6/22/99) Additionally, another new law now requires school buses to drive with their headlights on. (Effective 7/1/99) Cardiac arrest, stopped breathing and choking are life-threatening situations that need immediate attention. According to the American Heart Association, a person properly trained in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) can save or prolong a life until medical assistance arrives. A new law now permits local school districts to offer CPR as part of the health education curriculum in senior high schools. Fuschillo, chairman of the Senate Consumer Protection Committee, was an outspoken advocate for the new law that provides a state tax free week (Jan. 15 - 22, 2000) on all clothing and footwear costing up to $500 per item. The new law will permanently lift the state's portion of sales tax on all clothing and footwear costing up to $110 per item effective March 1, 2000. There is no limit on the number of items a consumer can purchase. Previous tax-free weeks have already saved taxpayers over $100 million. Fuschillo wrote the law that now provides an additional 10 percent Real Property Tax Exemption to any veteran who is a recipient of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. This medal was awarded to recognize those who participated in certain US military operations, operations in direct support of the United Nations or U.S. operations of assistance to friendly foreign nations. (Effective 11/1/99) The Metropolitan Transit Authority, in consultation with the New York City Transit Authority, Long Island Rail Road, and the Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company, is now directed to establish a no-fare program for personal care attendants traveling on those systems with an Americans With Disabilities Act paratransit-eligible individual. (Effective: 1/26/00) Fuschillo wrote the law that will authorize SUNY Farmingdale to construct a 70,000 square foot hi-tech pharmaceutical research facility. It will create hundreds of labor and hi-tech jobs and enable medical research on Long Island to save lives around the world. (Effective: 9/15/99) "Megan's Law"' which created the Sex Offender Registration Act, has provided powerful tools to inform residents if a convicted sex offender is located in the community. A new law will now require the names of sex offenders who committed their crime in another state but now reside in New York State to be listed in the Sex Offender Registry. (Effective: 1/1/00) False Bomb Threats terrorize children, disrupt education, and put emergency personnel at risk. A new law will now sentence anyone up to four years in prison for reporting a bomb threat or planting a false bomb device on the grounds of a school or public facility. (Effective: 12/1/99) While parents are often proud to see their children venture off to college, they have great concerns for their safety since independent campus living is new to students. A new law will now require colleges to coordinate with local law enforcement agencies to expedite criminal investigations of violent offenses or reports of missing students on campus. (Effective: 1/1/00) The application of DNA to law enforcement strengthens the power of evidence, assists in solving crimes and effectively removes violent criminals from our streets. A new law will now require all violent felons and certain nonviolent felony offenders to submit DNA samples upon conviction. This database will be used to cross-reference to other crimes committed throughout the state. (Effective: 12/1/99) Fuschillo authored the new law that now requires all ATMs to display a sign notifying the consumer of a fee, state the amount of the fee, and provide an option to cancel the transaction without charge. If an ATM does not comply, the ATM owner will be fined $250 per transaction and banned from charging fees. (Effective: 11/1/99) Telemarketer con artists posing as legitimate sweepstakes companies often call senior citizens and trusting consumers with promises of valuable prizes. Fuschillo wrote the new law that now restricts a sweepstakes company from employing a courier not licensed in New York State to pick up cash or checks before permitting the consumer to receive their prize winnings. (Effective: 7/1/99) Thousands of homeowners are purchasing or leasing hot/cold bottled water dispensers. The hot water dispenser can pose a danger to young children. Fuschillo wrote the law that now requires businesses who sell hot/cold bottled water dispensers to inform consumers that a hot water safety device can be installed free-of-charge. (Effective: 9/1/99) A new law now defines "regular gasoline" as 87 octane only, in order to prevent misleading advertising at the pump. (Effective: 7/6/99)