On the brief side...

Weprin, Monserrate Push Council Schools Plan

City Councilmembers David Weprin and Hiram Monserrate were out early Monday morning handing out literature to constituents asking them to support the City Council’s proposed "Education First" campaign.

It calls for a city income tax surcharge to fund a $4 billion to $5 billion school rebuilding program over a five-year period. Mayor Michael Bloomberg opposes the proposed tax and the whole plan.

Greeting constituents at 7:30 a.m. Monday at Union Turnpike and 188th Street in Fresh Meadows, Weprin (D–Hollis) told them, "Our schools have suffered cutbacks for years. We cannot afford to destroy our children’s futures with further cutbacks."

Monserrate (D-Corona) was at the Junction Boulevard subway stop telling constituents headed to work, "children are being left behind in the name of budget cuts, yet the mayor proposes cuts of $11.2 million in the school district budgets."

Weprin, chair of the Finance Committee, said Councilmembers throughout the city were out Monday morning campaigning for the Council program.

Maltese, Padavan Hail Vote For Referendums

State Senators Serphin Maltese (R–C, Middle Village) and Frank Padavan (R–C, Bellerose) hailed the passage last week of a resolution for a constitutional amendment to give New Yorkers for the first time the authority to enact and amend laws through the processes of referendum and initiative.

The bill is expected to go no further because the Democrat-controlled Assembly is on record as opposing the changes.

Reports out of Albany said the Senate was under heavy pressure from the state Independence Party to pass the measure. When the party’s leaders endorsed Governor George Pataki for re-election about a month ago, he endorsed their proposal for the initiative and referendum.

Padavan said he was a long-time proponent of the proposal, which, he maintained, would increase citizen participation in government.

Maltese said, "Initiative and referendum is one of the most powerful tools in politics because it gives the people the ability to make informed decisions to directly change the powers and priorities of their government."

Avella To Honor Local Vets

Councilmember Tony Avella (D–Bayside) has announced he will present Memorial Day Awards to some war veterans from his district which will honor all veterans by highlighting the specific achievements of the award winners.

The lawmaker said he’s accepting nominations for the awards at his office 38-50 Bell Blvd., Bayside, until May 17. Nominations must include the veteran’s name, address and telephone number and a brief biography describing the nominee’s life and accomplishments.

Avella said the honorees will be presented with a proclamation from the City Council on Memorial Day honoring them for their service to the country.

For more information, call Avella’s office at (718) 747-2137.

Bryant HS Gets Computer Donation

Congressmember Joseph Crowley and Bryant H.S. Principal Bernadette Kriftcher on Monday morning received a new computer lab for the Long Island City school, complete with "practical Money Skills for Life," a computer-based curriculum designed "to help high school (students) attain financial literacy," Crowley said. The lab was donated by Visa U.S.A.

Liberal Party Candidate Interviews

The Queens Liberal Party has announced it will hold candidate interviews for anyone seeking election this year to the Assembly, state Senate or Congress. The interviews will be held every Monday and Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Flagship Restaurant, 138-40 Queens Blvd., in Briarwood.

Prospective candidates must call Louis Dvorkin, party chairman, at (718) 846-6632 or Leonard Vaughn at (718) 723-6954 to schedule an interview.