Real Estate Central

Urges the Governor and the Legislature Not to Leave Albany Until
Priority Bills are Passed

ALBANY, N.Y., June 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — With two weeks left in
the Legislative Session, today AARP called upon Governor Paterson, Senate
Majority Leader Joseph Bruno and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to work
together and pass legislation on three priority issues: Foreclosure
Prevention, Prescription Drug Marketing Reform, and Cell Phone Consumer
Protection legislation.

“The 2008 Legislative Session officially ends on June 23 and it is
imperative that the Governor and the Legislature work together to ease the
burden on New Yorkers,” stated Lois Aronstein, AARP NY State Director. “A
large number of consumers are being hit from all sides, losing their homes,
paying for the high cost of prescription drugs, and dealing with cell phone
contracts that don’t provide full disclosure until it is too late.”

AARP has identified that the following legislation must be acted upon
before session ends:

Rx Marketing Reform - A.11187 (Gottfried) - This bill, introduced at
the request of the Governor, would ban drug companies from giving gifts
valued at $50 or more to doctors - excluding prescription drug samples. The
bill would also require doctors, who are paid by a drug company to speak
about one of their drugs, to publicly disclose their financial
relationships with that drug company.

Foreclosure Prevention - S.8143 (Farley) same as A.10817 (Towns) - Also
a bill introduced at the request of the Governor. This bill would prohibit
lenders from giving home loans without verifying the borrower’s ability to
repay the loan back and make mortgage fraud a criminal offense

Cell Phone Consumer Protections - S.3293 (Flanagan) same as A.2030
(O’Donnell) - This bill would ensure that cell phone companies disclose to
the consumers all hidden fees, surcharges and taxes. It would also allow
people to cancel their cell phone contract after receiving there first bill
without paying up to a $250 penalty.

“AARP is committed to working on these priority issues and involving
our membership to advocate for the passage of these bills before the end of
session,” continued Aronstein.

As part of AARP’s effort to better inform its members about legislation
supported by AARP, AARP will be recording state legislative committee and
floor votes on these bills, and informing its members of the results of how
their elected officials voted.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps
people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are
beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not
endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either
political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the
definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world’s largest-circulation
magazine with over 33 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source
for AARP’s 39 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the
only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic
community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated
charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older
persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and
sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

See Also:

• TorcUP Industrial Bolting Tools — Unleashes the RAPTOR Pneumatic Torque Wrench
• More than a million homes in foreclosure in latest report - Jun. 5, 2008
• IDG’s InfoWorld Names Digital Realty Trust’s Jim Smith One of the Top 25 Chief Technology Officers for 2008
• Personal Car Loans: Gives You The Keys Of Your Dream Car
• UK Housing Market Facing Troubled Times

[Via Real Estate Newswire]