New York State Assemblyman Rob Walker visited our CWCA membership meeting Sept. 26 and those of our membership and community who attended reached a great treat.

Assemblyman Walker started off with good news. Yes, we all wanted to hear about the rebate checks and when they were coming. He said that the checks were on the way, in the amount of $200 to $500. He expanded upon the STAR program and discussed a program that would provide $1.75 billion in additional property tax relief by indexing the Standard and Enhanced STAR exemptions to the current median housing value, therefore increasing current STAR exemptions by 70 percent.

Assemblyman Walker also discussed restoration aid to school districts. He explained that all school districts in the state sustained cuts in operating aid in the 2003-2004 state budget. Taxpayers absorbed these shortfalls via increased property taxes. He went on to say that he advocates for allocating aid to school districts to reflect appropriate regional cost factors. He feels schools should be audited every three years and that they should be accountable by the state comptroller. He also feels external auditors should be changed in order to reflect accurate auditing and mentioned that 45 percent of the state budget currently goes toward fraud.

Assemblyman Walker was most generous and proud of the first highly successful Women of Distinction Award program. He mentioned two women specifically, Westbury's Mildred Little and Ann Sweat, who were both present at the meeting and thanked him for the recognition.

There was a question and answer session in which Assemblyman Walker said there was a bill pertaining to a cap on senior taxes. He also reiterated that there would be another rebate next year on taxes.

Westbury Village Trustee Peter Cavallaro thanked Assemblyman Walker for all of his participation in Westbury and especially thanked him for his Little League involvement.

I personally thanked Assemblyman Walker for an extensive update and overview of the many programs that affect us as well as for all the literature he and his assistant, Diane, brought to the meeting.

The next CWCA meeting is scheduled for Oct. 24 at which time Nassau County Comptroller Howard S. Weitzman will present information on the county's finances. He will also expand upon state aid to our schools and provide information about homeowner's taxes and more. Please plan to attend.