School employees and officials who report fraud and abuse of taxpayer funds will be protected under a new state law sponsored by State Senator Michael Balboni (R-East Williston). The law will ensure that those who blow the whistle on illegal fiscal practices in New York schools are immune from civil liability and other retaliatory action by their employers.

"School funds should be dedicated to the education of children not to pad the pockets of unscrupulous school district employees and officials. Honest employees should not have to fear for their jobs if they do the right thing and report wrongdoing," said Balboni. "The whistleblower protections put in place by this law will build on the important school district accountability laws enacted by the state last year and encourage school district employees to speak up when they witness abuses of taxpayer money."

State Senator Michael Balboni (R-East Williston) and the New York State Council on the Arts recently announced three grants to support area cultural and arts programming in Great Neck, Port Washington and Roslyn Harbor.

"I am pleased to continue to support these enriching community programs that bring arts and culture into our daily lives," said Balboni.

The Council on the Arts grants were awarded to: Great Neck Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, $4,200 for workshops; Long Island Traditions (Port Washington); $42,000 for general operating support; and Nassau County Museum of Art (Roslyn Harbor), $17,850 arts in education programming.