Email from Rep. Malliotakis Here's a quick update on what I've been working on during a busy few weeks in Washington, DC, Staten Island and Southern Brooklyn   My friend, Here's a quick update on what I've been working on during a busy few weeks in Washington, DC, Staten Island and Southern Brooklyn... HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH   COMMEMORATING THE ANNIVERSARY OF SUPERSTORM SANDY I was joined by a bipartisan group of Staten Island elected officials, representatives of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New York, NYC Parks Department, and NYC Department of Environmental Protection to commemorate the 12th anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, remember the 24 Staten Islanders we tragically lost, and deliver progress updates regarding the first phase of Staten Island's East Shore Seawall project. Our main priority continues to be protecting our community and ensuring that lessons learned from Sandy guide our approach to future emergency preparedness. LEARN MORE RETURNED $58 MILLION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES My office has helped constituents recover $58 million owed to them by federal agencies. Whether it be IRS, Social Security, Veterans Affairs or another agency, we are here to help cut through red tape and bureaucracy. We’re proud of our success rate in resolving issues, delivering results & getting money that our citizens are owed. If you need assistance with a federal agency, please do not hesitate to contact my office. REQUEST HELP WITH A FEDERAL AGENCY FIGHTING FOR NEW YORK CITY STUDENTS It's not only unconscionable that disabled students across our city are being denied the accommodations they are legally entitled to, but it’s plain cruel to take away an already paid for listening device from a deaf 5th grade student. Rep. Ritchie Torres and I wrote to the United States Department of Education requesting that it hold the city accountable for violating federal law by withholding Individualized Education Services Program accommodations that children with disabilities are entitled to under the 1975 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). READ OUR LETTER   TACKLING WIDESPREAD CHECK FRAUD   After more than 200 constituents reported a total $3.8 million stolen by fraudsters, we’ve been working with federal agencies and law enforcement to tackle rampant check fraud plaguing our community. I encourage taxpayers to sign up for direct deposit to avoid becoming the next victim. LEARN MORE   VISITING GREAT KILLS HARBOR CONSTRUCTION SITE Great Kills Harbor is being dredged by Army Corps of Engineers to remove 170,000 tons of sand to deepen the channel for emergency and recreational access. Another great infrastructure project taking place in our district with funding that I secured! LEARN MORE STREET RENAMING FOR AIR FORCE & NATIONAL GUARD VET LEON WALLACE I joined City Councilmember Kamillah Hanks, the 369th Veterans Association, and daughter Lisa Wallace for the Street naming ceremony for U.S. Air Force & National Guard Veteran, Leon Wallace. I was also proud to honor Leon on the House floor in 2022. WATCH MY FLOOR SPEECH NORTH CAROLINA HURRICANE RELIEF DRIVE   I joined Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella, Councilmember Joe Borelli, Assemblyman Mike Tannousis and local non-profits to kick off a community collection to help our fellow Americans in North Carolina. My office later joined with the other local elected officials at Mount Loretto to drop off donations brought to my office by constituents for the North Carolina Hurricane Relief Drive. Thank you to everyone who helped our fellow Americans! IN THE NEWS   Millions of Dollars in Tax Refund Checks Are Getting Stolen Taxpayer refund checks are getting stolen in the mail. And then, when the Treasury Department issues the taxpayer a new check through the mail, the replacement is getting stolen too. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis said her office has fielded 218 cases of stolen checks totaling $3.8 million, with amounts ranging from a few hundred dollars up to $500,000. In one case, it took a constituent four tries to get a refund check delivered. READ MORE Lawmaker: Helicopters seem to be ‘violating FAA rules,’ flying at ‘low and potentially unsafe levels,’ over Staten Island STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - There’s nothing neighborly about these flights. Staten Islanders are fed up with persistent noise from low-flying helicopters, including sightseeing choppers flying out of Linden Airport in New Jersey. “There seem to be operators who are violating FAA rules and also flying at low and potentially unsafe levels,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn). She said, “We are keeping FAA informed of complaints we received and the agency is investigating.” READ MORE Feds urged to hold NYC Department of Education accountable for the lack of special needs services NEW YORK -- Almost two months into the school year, special needs students and their parents are feeling the effects of being denied services due to new regulations put in place by the New York City Department of Education. Lawmakers are now calling on federal officials to hold the city accountable. The fifth grade school year isn't going the way 10-year-old Sienna Sheen had hoped. "We're calling for the U.S. Department of Education to intervene and hold the city accountable to make sure that these children are receiving the accommodations that they are entitled to, as is required under state and federal law," Rep. Nicole Malliotakis said. READ MORE Washington DC Office 351 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-3371 Staten Island Office 1698 Victory Blvd Suite 2L Staten Island, NY 10314 (718) 568-2870 Brooklyn Office 7716 Third Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11209 (718) 306-1620   [link removed] Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) | 351 Cannon House Office Building | Washington, DC 20515 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice