MARCH 16–CONGRESSMAN LATIMER REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON

Rep. George Latimer's header image

Dear Neighbor,

 

Happy Spring! It has been a busy few weeks in DC, with the President giving his first address to Congress, my first bill passing out of Committee, and my first virtual conversation with residents of Westchester and the Bronx.

 

I want to take a moment to honor the life of Dr. Hazel Dukes, who passed away earlier this month and was laid to rest this week. She was a President of both the national NAACP and its NY chapter and was a courageous trailblazer who left a lasting impact on our state. She will be missed but her legacy will live on.

 

This month is also Women’s History Month, and last week we celebrated Women’s History Day. As your member of Congress, I will continue working to protect a woman’s right to choose, support women-owned businesses, and promote equal access to quality education. This support is even more important this year.

In DC

Last week I held my first district conversation, this one via Zoom, with over 800 people joining for all or part of it, and over 600 questions submitted. I am glad I was able to provide an update on what my colleagues in the Democratic Caucus are doing to stop President Trump and Elon Musk’s unconstitutional actions. I was also able to answer questions on how tariffs are affecting our local economy, the proposed Con Edison rate hike, and how we are combatting House Republican policies that could result in cuts to Medicaid.

 

I look forward to doing more of these conversations, both in-person and virtually, in the coming months!

 

Also last week, the first bill I introduced passed unanimously out of the House Small Business Committee. This bill will increase transparency and predictability for small businesses that contract with the federal government. Oftentimes small businesses put in a lot of effort and time applying for these contracts. And they deserve to know if a federal agency decides to cancel a solicitation and why. This bipartisan bill now heads to the House floor for a vote. I will keep you updated on its progress. You can watch my remarks here.

 

The President delivered his first address to Congress last week. I was hoping to hear him lay out his plan to help everyday Americans. You can read my full statement here.

 

This week I voted against the partisan government funding bill, that did not include sufficient guardrails for how federal agencies and Elon Musk can spend the money Congress appropriates. Congress needs to reassert its authority on the power of the purse and this bill gives this power away. Additionally the bill has significant cuts to housing programs for seniors and domestic violence survivors, and cuts funding for veterans’ healthcare. My priority is to make life less expensive for working families. This funding bill does not achieve that goal. It does the exact opposite. Read my full statement here.

Meetings in DC

In the last two weeks, I held a number of meetings with groups from our district and across the country. These include the YMCA, local firefighters, the Tourette Association of America, and Fight Colorectal Cancer.

At Home: Westchester and the Bronx

I would like to highlight a recent win my constituent services team had helping local business owners who were the victims of identity theft perpetrated against the Small Business Administration. They lost $20,000 because of this identity theft and my staff was able to recoup this money for them.

 

If you need help with getting in touch with a federal agency or are struggling to receive federal benefits, my office may be able to help. Contact my White Plains or Bronx offices to start the process.

 

Along these lines, I am excited to announce that my casework team will be starting up mobile office hours. Their first stop is at The Doles Center in Mount Vernon on March 27th from 1-5pm.

Social Post of the Week

Floor Speeches

Stay in Touch

Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, Twitter/X and YouTube to stay up-to-date on what I am working on. If this newsletter was sent to you by someone else, you can sign up for it here: https://latimer.house.gov/contact/newsletter-subscribe

 

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to my offices with concerns or questions. We are here to serve you!

 

More soon.

Sincerely,
Rep. George Latimer's signature image

Rep. George Latimer

Member of Congress

Washington D.C. Office
1507 Longworth

House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Bronx Office

177 Dreiser Loop
Room 3

Bronx, NY 10475

White Plains Office

222 Mamaroneck Ave.
Suite 312
White Plains, NY 10605
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MARCH 15 –Janet Langsam: Improbable Feminist A Compelling Retrospective to Open April 2 at the Neuberger Museum of Art

Multi-media works by the artist, feminist, and cultural icon debut in
groundbreaking Museum exhibition. Ms. Langsam is shown in an
 her retirement  from ArtsWestchester as Executive Director last June
 Tracy Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., director of the Neuberger Museum of Art, Purchase New York
is pleased to announce the opening of
Janet Langsam: Improbable Feminist, a retrospective exhibition celebrating
the multifaceted artistic practice and career of one of the region’s most
influential artist-advocates.
Presenting a selection of the artist’s paintings, mixed-media works, and
archival materials, the exhibition offers visitors an intimate look at
Langsam’s artistic evolution before she went on to serve as New York City’s
Deputy Commissioner of Cultural Affairs and CEO of ArtsWestchester.
“This exhibition highlights Janet Langsam’s unique approach to artmaking,”
said Fitzpatrick. “The work is shaped by her personal history, cultural
shifts, and a desire to challenge conventions.”
Langsam’s artistic production was grounded in the 1960s and 70s, a time when
balancing creative aspirations with societal expectations was particularly
challenging for women.
While her work is rooted in that era’s feminist movement,
her approach to art was deeply influenced by childhood experiences
growing up in the Rockaways during the turbulence of World War II.
Frequently referring to herself as “a kid from the Rockaways,” Langsam found
sustenance in the beaches of the Rockaway peninsula-feelings that ultimately
found their way into her future paintings and collages.
The ever-changing horizon of the sky and ocean became a metaphor for possibility, stability,
and transformation-imagery that appears throughout her abstract paintings
and collages.
“No matter what is going on in the world, we can count on the
dawn and the dusk; a constant in its infinite variations, whether we are
there to observe or not,” says Langsam, who now lives in White Plains, New
York.
Inspired by the Dada movement’s reaction to chaos, Langsam embraced a
“reactionary imagination,” using found materials and everyday objects to
create work that challenged cultural norms.
From readymade assemblages of
household items to collages made from supermarket posters and magazine
images her art transformed the mundane into statements of identity,
resilience, and critique.
Before shifting her primary focus to ensuring public access to art and
securing funding for artists of all backgrounds, Langsam had already gained
public attention with a 1972 article in The New York Times.
Reflecting on that moment, Langsam noted, “It was great being featured … but I really
didn’t care for the headline. I mean, really… A Day in the Life of Nonstop
Housewife? Here I was, a leader in the community, exhibiting my artwork,
teaching…. That headline framed everything I was doing-everything I
was-within the context of being a housewife. I was a housewife, and proud of
that part of my life, but it was just one part of my life.”
Fitzpatrick underscored the significance of the exhibition, stating,
“Janet’s work embodies the spirit of resilience and transformation. Her
journey from artist to cultural icon is a testament to her unwavering
commitment to the arts and community. With this exhibition, the Neuberger
Museum of Art spotlights the body of work by an artist whose impact extends
far beyond the canvas.”
Opening April 2 with a public reception beginning at 5:30pm,
Janet Langsam: Improbable Feminist will be on view through June 29, 2025.
The exhibition is organized by the Neuberger Museum of Art and curated by
Fitzpatrick with Curatorial Assistant Rem Ribeiro. Generous support for this
exhibition has been provided by the Friends of the Neuberger Museum of Art.
The reception is free and open to the public; advance registration is
requested
A free
drop-in tour
probable-feminist>  will be held on Wednesday, May 21, from 12:30pm-1:30pm.
The Neuberger Museum of Art is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to
5pm. Admission is always free. For more information and directions, please
visit the Museum’s website at purchase.edu/neuberger
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MARCH 15–CITY ASSESSMENT ROLL IN! VERY SLIGHTLY UP! THREAT OF BILLION DOLLAR TAKE AWAY OF COMMUNITY FUNDS BY HUD THREATENS MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING THROUGH REHABS

 

WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE By John F. Bailey. March 15, 2025:

THE ROLL STAYED EVEN TOTAL ASSESSED VALUE WAS  JUST ABOUT THE SAME AS LAST YEAR.

THE GOOD NEWS FOR THE COMMON COUNCIL IS THEY DO NOT HAVE TO RAISE PROPERTY TAXES TO MAKE UP FOR CERTIORARI LOSSES. THEY ARE HEADED FOR A $60 MILLION INTAKE OF SALES TAX RECEIPTS IF THE PRESENT TREND CONTINUES.

 

THE HUD REBUILDABLE PROGRAM BUILDINGS THAT NEED REPAIRS HAS BEEN DEALT A GAME CHANGER– A BILLION DOLLAR EXPENDITURE WAS ENDED BY THE PRESIDENT WEDNESDAY AND THAT IS A BLOW TO MANY CITIES AND TOWNS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE BILLION DOLLAR CUT IS BEING CHALLENGED IN THE COURTS

IN THE CURRENT  CITY BUDGET 2024-25 THE CITY POINTS OUT THE DREARY STATE OF ASSESSMENTS:

Assessed value has decreased by $3.0 million after decreasing $4.5 million in FY 2023-2024. Over the past ten years, the assessment roll has remained flat due to the decrease of the past two years. Much of this is due to properties that were transferred from the Assessment Roll to PILOT payments.

Until projects currently approved and/or under consideration are constructed and transfer back from PILOT payments to the Assessment Roll, it is anticipated that there will be no substantial growth in the City’s total Assessed Value.

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MARCH 15–PRELIMINARY 2025-26 WHITE PLAINS SCHOOL BUDGET PRESENTED UP 4.9% TO $277 MILLION

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. March 15, 2025: 

 SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS DR. JOSEPH RICCA PRESENTED THE PRELIMINARY 2025-26 SCHOOL BUDGET TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION  RAISING IT 4.9% TO $277 MILLION FROM $266 MILLION THIS YEAR at Education House Wednesday evening.

 

FOR THE WHITE PLAINS HOME MEDIAN PRICED HOME  OF APPROXIMATELY TO AN INCREASE ABOUT $200 FOR A HOUSE OF 17,000 DOLLARS  ASSESSED VALUE.

 

THE GOOD NEWS IS GOVERNOR HOCHUL GUARANTEES IN HER PROPOSED 2025-26 STATE BUDGET SCHOOL AID OF EVEN MORE MONEY TO THE DISTRICT A TOTAL OF GOVERNMENT AND STATE AID OF 49.6 MILLION 18% OF REVENUES.

 

 IF THE STATE LEGISLATURE APPROVES THIS BUDGET THE SCHOOL DISTRICT RECEIVES THAT AID FROM THE STATE.

THE CAVEAT IS THE UNPREDICTABLE POLICY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IN WASHINGTON AS TO WHETHER THE DEPARTMENT CUTS AID TO BIG DEMOCRATIC PARTY STATES LIKE CALIFORNIA NEW YORK.

 

 IF THE FEDERAL AID GETS SWEPT AWAY  AND SENT TO RED STATES THIS WOULD MEAN THE STATE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE IT WITH SOME SORT OF FUND BALANCE TRANSFER TO KEEP IT INTACT OR RAISE THE SALES TAX FOR EXAMPLE.

WPCNR CONTACTED Dr. Ann Vaccaro-Teich, Assistant Superintendent for Business & Operations for the School District on this possibly, and she explained—

In terms of Federal Aid, we only reflect in the district’s operating budget for 2025-26 $100k for Medicaid.  

The majority of the district’s federal aid is in the form of Grants that are passed through NYS from the U.S. Department of Education ($4.4m) and the reimbursement for student meals from the U.S. Department of Argriculture ($3.3m).  

These are not reflected in the district’s general fund (operating fund) that is put before the voters in May.   Of course, if these funds were not to be received it would have a significant impact on the district, as well as all districts.”

WPCNR NOTES, IN LIGHT OF THIS POSSIBILITY, THE LEGISLATURE MIGHT IN ANTICIPATION OF SOFT SALE TAX RECEIPTS AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF FUNDS COULD  RAISE THE SALES TAX TO KEEP THE STATE  LESS VULNERABLE FROM THE FINANCIALLY UNEXPECTED,  IN CASE OF MORE FINANCIAL PRESSURE FROM THE PRESENT  ADMINISTRATION IN WASHINGTON.

 

THE EXPENSES REFLECT 25% MORE OBLIGATIONS FOR PENSIONS AND  HEALTH CARE  AND 5% STUDENT TRANSPORTATION  AND 5% FOR DEBT SERVICE. DEBT SERVICE HAS DECLINED CONSIDERABLY OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST 7 YEARS. ONLY 4 TEACHERS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO STAFF, ENROLLMENT IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN A STEADY 7,000 THROUGH 2030.

 

THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL VOTE ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET APRIL 7 AND THE CITY WIDE BUDGET VOTE IS MAY 20.

 

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