TESTIMONY OF BP DIAZ RE: RGB Bronx Hearing

RE: Bronx Rent Guidelines Board Hearing of June 11, 2015

I testify to urge that the Rent Guidelines Board consider a rent freeze for tenants when it votes on the proposed 2015 increases.

I was heartened last year when the Rent Guidelines Board approved a historically low rent increase. This was a first step in the right direction for our City by keeping the increase to a more manageable level for our tenants. However, it did not go far enough. We still have to offer vital relief to the poor and middle-class of our City, given how many residents are struggling and have not seen their own paychecks increase over the past few years. 

I believe that, in order to address the city’s growing income inequality, we should consider a rent freeze combined with a property tax decrease so that the people of this city have more money in their pockets to address basic needs, while also providing a respite for property owners who would not see an increase from their tenants.

In addition, the city needs to work to do more to diversify its housing stock not just by creating opportunities for low and middle-income housing but also developing greater prospects for homeownership.

New York City should be a place everyone can afford to live in and we should utilize every mechanism to preserve affordability for all New Yorkers. With that said, a rent freeze would be a major step towards assuring that affordability exists.

Thank you.

Bronx Borough President 

Ruben Diaz Jr.

YOU ARE INVTED TO 7th ANNUAL "FAIR @ THE SQUARE" * SATURDAY JUNE 20TH * 11 AM - 6 PM

7^th ANNUAL “FAIR @ THE SQUARE”

SATURDAY, JUNE 20^th 11 AM - 6 PM

Everyone Must Be at a Staff Meeting in a Manhattan Night Club From This Assembly Office

Below is Assembly Speaker and 83rd Assembly District Assemblyman Carl Heastie's office after I went into the district office for the third time in as many days to seek answers about a scathing New York Times front page story on Assemblyman Heastie's Campaign Spending and reporting of donations. On Wednesday when i went into the office, Mr. Jamil Bailey told me that I would have to talk to the Press person from the office. I was given a phone number to call which was incorrect to which Mr. Bailey apologized and corrected. Upon calling the second number there was no response. I went back today arriving at 12:15 PM. Mr. Bailey was not in the office and a young lady below told me that he was out to lunch. When I explained about the two phone numbers Mr. Bailey gave me I was given a third number that I was told would work. I then asked when Mr. Bailey would be back. I was told that the office worker did not know when Mr. Bailey would be back from lunch, and when I asked when he left to go to lunch the worker ran to the back to get someone she said was the Chief of Staff.  

It seems that my visit and inquiry as to the scathing New York Times article got results as Mr. Mike Whyland sent the following to my editor at the Bronx News.

To follow up on your inquiry  re the Times story -

The Board of Elections has verified that all expenditures were proper and within their guidelines.

Michael Whyland

NYS Assembly

Office of Speaker Carl E. Heastie

My answer will appear in my next 100 PERCENT column in the Bronx News, Parkchester News, and Coop-City News Assemblyman Heastie, as your constituents want answers. 

Abrazo Boricua in New York

Last night at Maestro's Caterers Mayors, Dignitaries and community leaders traveled from Puerto Rico to join more than 500 people who attended the Abrazo Boricua in New York. 

The Abrazo Boricua in New York has been coordinated by Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz, Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, and Assemblyman Michael Blake. 

This annual celebration is a prelude to the National Puerto Rican Day Parade in recognition of the many contributions of the Puerto Rican community to the development of the City of New York. 

This year, the Abrazo Boricua in New York was dedicated to: Dr. Ricardo “Ricky” Rosselló, Mr. José Perez, Dr. Rosa Gil and Ms. Maria Del Pilar Avila – four distinguished members of our community both here in new York and in Puerto Rico. 

Photos of the Abrazo Boricua are below.

Above - Ms. Yolanda Cruz sang both the American and Puerto Rican Anthems.

Below - A photo of the packed room as usual for one of Team Diaz Abrazos. 

Above - Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo speaks, as State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson, and Assemblyman Michael Blake are seated on the Dias. Seated in front you can see State Committeeman and son of Assemblyman Sepulveda his son Julian Sepulveda. 

Below Assemblyman Crespo awards Mr. Jose Perez with several citations for his work on behalf of furthering Puerto Rican causes as President of Mastermind Ltd. 

Above - Sra. Maria Del Pilar Avila the Executive Director of the New American Alliance receives her awards from Assemblyman Michael Blake.

Below - Dr. Rosa Gil the Founder, President, and CEo of Comunilife receives her awards from Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, who expressed his sadness that Dr. Gills organization was not around to help a very close family member many years ago. 

Above - State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. (left and half out of the photo) introduces his honoree Dr. Ricardo "Ricky" Rossello , Doctor of Ingenieria Biomedica.

Below - Dr. Ricardo "Ricky' Rossello inspires the crowd to the pleasure of Team Diaz.

Lower Bottom - Dr. Ricardo "Ricky' Rossello, with his awards given to him by State Senator Ruben diaz Sr.

Monday June 22nd CFMC Meeting Agenda

Croton Facility Monitoring Committee Meeting

Monday, June 22, 2015 – 7:00 PM

DEP Office – 3660 Jerome Avenue, Bronx NY 10467 - (718) 231-8470

I  Welcome and Call to Order Adaline Walker-Santiago, Chair

II Consider, Adopt June CFMC Agenda CFMC Representatives

III Consider, Adopt 4/20/15 Meeting Minutes CFMC Representatives

IV Access to Jerome Park Reservoir             CFMC Representatives & Public 

V Remarks from Commissioner Emily Lloyd DEP         

VI Croton Costs Report & Construction Schedule Bernard Daly, DEP 

VII Discussion, including New Business CFMC Representatives & Public 

VIII CFMC Discussion &.Date for Next  CFMC Representatives 

CFMC Meeting

IX Adjourn

49th Precinct Community Council Meeting Tuesday, June 30th 7:30 PM at The BRONX HOUSE, 990 Pelham Parkway South

Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz Announces Passage of his Bill, S.597

   Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz announced that the State Senate passed his bill S.597 today. This bill excludes crime data or statistics in setting rates of insurance when the data or statistics are as a result of crimes committed in correctional or detention facilities. 

Earlier today at an event sponsored by the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization that welcomed NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton, Senator Diaz stated: “I  am grateful to Commissioner Bratton for sending a delegation of NYPD officials to meet at my district office when we first brought this issue to light. We all know that crimes that occur on Rikers Island - which is officially located in Queens County - should not be counted as Bronx crimes. As soon as this change was made, the crime rate in the 41st Precinct here in the South Bronx went down considerably." 

Senator Díaz stated:  “This bill is very important, not only for my constituents, but for any New York resident across the state who lives near a prison or jail. Homeowners should not be subjected to increased insurance rates as a result of crimes that are committee inside correctional facilities.” 

Crimes that are committed within prisons and other correctional facilities should have no impact on the crime statistics of the surrounding area and on the local police precincts and departments.  Local police are not assigned to prisons and jails, local law enforcement has no ability whatsoever to prevent prison-based crime or increase their patrols in order to reduce crime. 

Editor's Note:

This has not become law, as the state Assembly must also pass this legislation, and it must be signed by Governor Cuomo to become law.

MAYOR DE BLASIO APPOINTS SARAH SAYEED AS SENIOR ADVISOR TO THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS UNIT

   Mayor de Blasio today appointed Sarah Sayeed as a Senior Advisor in the Community Affairs Unit. Sayeed will specialize in issues related to the city’s Muslim community, coordinating with City agencies to determine how to best serve Muslim New Yorkers and building on the City’s existing network of outreach and engagement to improve communication and delivery of services.

“I am proud to welcome Sarah, with her strong background in community engagement and interfaith outreach, to her new role as Senior Advisor. Sarah will work with the Community Affairs Unit to further engage the Muslim community in the genesis and formation of City policy,” said Mayor de Blasio. “New York’s robust and vibrant Muslim community is an integral part of our city, and Sarah’s strong ties will help City Hall better connect with our Muslim brothers and sisters across the city to improve the lives of all New Yorkers.”

“Over the past year and a half, we have built strong links with New York City’s Muslim communities on important issues from pre-K to paid sick leave to school holidays,” said Marco Carrión, Commissioner of the Community Affairs Unit. “I am pleased that Sarah will be utilizing her experience and insight to make sure the city’s Muslim community is both heard and served by city government.”

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce Upcoming Events - Seats are Limited! Register Now!

Friendly Reminder 

Monday, June 15th, 2015

Bronx Day in Albany

Join the Chamber for Lunch Reception

Bus leaving from Pelham Split Rock at 8:00A.M 

Spaces are limited to RSVP please contact events@bronxchamber.org 

Drivers: Please RSVP

----------------------------------------------

Upcoming June Events: 

Beso Lounge Merchant Mixer - June 11th

Councilman King Boston Road Clean Up - June 12th

Bronx Day - June 15th

Small Business Services Workshop - June 23rd

Empire Casino BBQ and Networking - June 25th

Business Expo and Trade Show - June 30th

Call 718-828-3900, email events@bronxchamber.org or log on to our website at www.bronxchamber.org 

for more information

The Assembly Might Kill Rent Control as They Killed the Dream Act

What You Should Know 
By Senator Rev Rubén Díaz 
32nd Senatorial District 

You should know that even though a majority exists in the New York State Assembly to permit passage of the Parental Choice in Education bill, the Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie says the bill won’t get to the floor for a vote unless there is enough support among Democrats alone to back the bill. 

 

This completely ignores this bill’s bipartisan success that has been championed by coalitions throughout New York State, headed by Cardinal Timothy Dolan. These coalitions include Interfaith Leaders, and more than 150 labor unions, community-based organizations, businesses and schools.

 

If the vote were taken today and we added up the numbers, there most certainly ARE enough votes among the Assembly’s Democrats and Republicans combined to pass the Parental Choice in Education bill - even though there are not 76 Democrats in the 150-Member chamber to support the bill.  The result of this bill’s passage would help children and families – especially in our Black and Hispanic communities – to have better education resources and provide financial relief to families in our communities who need it the most. 

 

The Assembly Speaker is even opposed to linking an extension of rent control to the passage of the Parental Choice in Education bill. 

 

This begs the question: “Why put in jeopardy rent control which is set to expire next Monday just because there aren’t enough Democrats to pass the Parental Choice in Education bill?” 

 

My dear reader, there was no such opposition by the Assembly Speaker and Assembly Members to support tax credits for wealthy developers – and not even for people who wanted to buy luxury yachts and private planes.  You may recall earlier this year how nicely Speaker Carl Heastie chummied up with former Senate Leader Senator Dean Skelos to justify tax breaks such as these for the wealthy to buy private planes and yachts. They both said it would be good for business and create more jobs. They were willing to give tax credits to purchase private planes and yachts, but not for parents to send their children to the school of their choice. Oh really?   

 

You may also recall earlier this year that I wrote a column titled “All or Nothing” when the DREAM Act was linked to the Parental Choice in Education bill.  I wrote: 

 

“As you already know, the DREAM Act has been designed to help the children of undocumented parents, and undocumented students who already have earned their high school diploma or GED to receive financial assistance for college.  The Education Investment Tax Credit is designed to provide a tax credit for businesses and individuals who donate money to private and parochial schools’ scholarship funds.  Both of these bills offer more educational opportunities for New York’s students.” 

 

“Speaker Carl Heastie and the Assembly know that the Assembly voted four (4) years in a row to pass the DREAM Act - to no avail - because the Senate didn't want to vote for it … Do they really want the DREAM Act to pass?” 

 

Today, again I ask: “Why is the Assembly Speaker refusing and rejecting these opportunities that our children and their families deserve?”  When the Governor wanted to pass the DREAM Act he linked it to the Education Investment Tax Credit bill, and the Assembly opposed it. Consequently killing the DREAM Act and denying the opportunity for thousands of undocumented youth. 

It looks like the Speaker of the Assembly is doing the same thing to Rent Control since the Governor is also linking it to the Parental Choice in Education bill. 

 

Ladies and gentlemen, I believe that New Yorkers elected us to represent all of them - not to cater to special interests and not to make ourselves look powerful by refusing to work in a bipartisan effort. If  the Assembly allows Rent Control to expire and puts in jeopardy thousands of poor and needy residents of the City of New York, the Assembly will have no one else to blame but themselves. 

 

The art of politics is to know how to honestly negotiate with others in order to protect and to serve the people who elected us. 

This is Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

NEWS FROM ASSEMBLYMAN JEFFREY DINOWITZ

Dinowitz Bill to Protect Consumers From Fees on Gift Cards and Certificates Passes Assembly

       Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz announced that his bill to prevent fees from being assessed on gift cards and certificates has passed unanimously in the State Assembly (A.7610). “Too often have consumers either purchased or been given a gift card, only to later find out that there is little to no money left to spend due to exorbitant fees assessed on the card due to inactivity,” Assemblyman Dinowitz said.

Current New York State law requires notice of expiration dates as well as any fees that will be charged along with other terms and conditions that must be clearly and conspicuously stated on the card, package, or accompanying printed document. Fees are currently not allowed to be assessed prior to the thirteenth month of dormancy, but New York State does not specify how much of a fee can be assessed, offering consumers little to no protection. Consumers purchase gift cards just like other products sold that have no fees assessed after the initial purchase.

“Businesses selling gift cards have already made the profit of selling it, so there is no reason that a consumer should be penalized with fees for not using it within a specific time frame,” said Mr. Dinowitz, who chairs the Assembly’s Consumer Affairs Committee. “It is simply unconscionable that a consumer who pays for a gift card in full should lose their investment because of the amount of time passed before spending the funds.”

If the legislation becomes law New York will be joining twenty other states that have passed similar legislation preventing any fees on gift cards and certificates, with some only allowing a fee at the time of purchase.

Assemblyman Dinowitz Announces

New York State Mobility and Opportunity for Vulnerable Employees (MOVE) Act

    

        Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz introduced a bill to stop employers from requiring low-wage employees to sign non-compete agreements, preventing them from seeking higher paying jobs. The bill, known as the Mobility and Opportunity for Vulnerable Employees (MOVE) Act, will ban the use of non-compete agreements for employees making less than $15 an hour, or $31,200 annually (A.8108). This legislation is modeled after recently introduced federal legislation by Senator Al Franken (D-Minnesota).

“Requiring low-wage workers to sign non-compete agreements as a condition of employment is a practice that must end immediately,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “Practices like these by employers hinder workers’ ability to move up in the world by using their experience to find better paying jobs; the MOVE Act will help remove barriers for those currently stuck in their low-wage jobs so they can work toward a better life for themselves and their families.”

Additionally, the bill requires that any company using non-compete agreements for employees not defined as “low-wage,” must disclose the use of such an agreement at the beginning of the hiring process.

“By removing these barriers we will be a taking a big step forward in making sure that those workers who need it most are being protected,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “Ensuring the ability of low-wage workers to work hard and climb out of poverty is a paramount issue.”

Though similar legislation has been proposed in Congress, Assemblyman Dinowitz asserted that “New Yorkers just can’t wait for the gridlock in Congress to subside to protect low-wage workers.”

Abrazo Boricua in New York

What the Carl Heastie Campaign Was Spending Money on According to The New York Times

  In a lengthy New York Times Article  titled - 'Carl Heastie's Campaign Spending Blurs Line Between Politics and Personal'. The New York Times goes into detail of what have been called questionable or even unexplained campaign expenses as many are listed after the Times staff went over Assemblyman Carl Heastie's Campaign filings since he was elected to office..  

   The article opens that on the eve of Carl Heastie's 39th Birthday (Heastie is now 47) a tab for $270.00 for food is listed as a campaign expense. The Times writes that the $270.00 tab was from the Happy Valley night club in Manhattan which the Times wrote did not serve food, and that the club was famous for its dance floor and Go-Go dancers. Happy Valley has been permanently closed for years now.

  The next item in the Times article is how $30,000.00 has been spent over 9 years on Heastie's BMW by his campaign, while Heastie has collected over $51,000.00 in mileage reimbursements from the state meant to cover auto repairs of elected officials. 
  The Times goes on to say that from 2001 the Heastie Campaign has taken in over $1.1 Million Dollars, with details of spending mostly left out. Also with no explanation of where almost $150,000.00 came from. The Times says Heastie claimed that the donations were less than 50 dollars and did not have to be itemized under state law. 
  The Times continues to detail a $97,910.00 unexplained or to whom the recipient was for said campaign expenditure. The Times also references the Mooreland Commission in which Assemblyman Heastie was one of 28 elected officials under investigation for spending at least $10,000.00 over a six year period without identifying a recipient or omitting the information. The Times adds that the U.S. Attorney's office has taken up the investigation files from the Mooreland Commission which was disbanded by Governor Cuomo last year.
   Unexplained Credit Card Bills involving a check for $8,203.00 to American Express, and almost $17,000.00 more in unexplained credit card bills paid by the campaign are mentioned in the Times article. The Times goes into details about his Frequent car repairs, naming names and amounts. 
   The Times then mentions Campaign funds paid to two of Heastie's Girlfriends, buy football tickets to his Alma Mater Stony Brook University (on Long Island), and frequent meetings or staff events at Manhattan Night Clubs. Several such meetings and or Staff Events are listed and the amounts listed that go up to $1,700.00 for 3 events at H &Y Duet located on West 48th Street in Manhattan.
    The entire New York Times article on now Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie's Campaign Spending can be found at the link in the first sentence of this blog posting. 

End of Session Gossip in Albany

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
District 32 Bronx County, New York

You should know that the Legislative Session for the year is about to end and there are eight juicy pieces of gossip that are making the rounds.  Here they are:

(1)    Word on the street is that the new Speaker of the State Assembly, the Honorable Carl Heastie has achieved a monumental goal by having Governor Andrew Cuomo take away $100 million dollars from New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and send that money to the Assembly. This way, Carl Heastie can assign $2 million dollars to each of his members to spend exclusively for capital improvement projects in city housing in the respective Assembly Members’ districts.

Rumor has it that with this show of political gamesmanship, Speaker Carl Heastie has outsmarted everyone and has made off with the candies. He has left Senator John Flanagan, Senate Majority Leader, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Leader of the Regular Senate Democrats, and Senator Jeff Klein, Leader of the Senate Independent Democrats in the dust.

(2)    About three years ago, Senator Joseph Addabbo was elected by this column as the Senator with the best hairdo, beating Senator José Marco Serrano by one vote. (See Serrano v Addabbo – The Battle of the Hairhttp://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/what-you-should-know-20) Senator Adriano Espaillat cast the deciding vote, showing all that it’s true when they say that every vote counts.

Now, three years later, Senator José Marco Serrano has not only lost 65 pounds, but he has also changed his way of dressing by wearing bow ties instead of neckties. He has grown a stylish beard and walks with an air of confidence, causing Senator Adriano Espaillat to change his vote this year, proclaiming that Senator José Marco Serrano reigns as the indisputable champion, dethroning Senator Joseph Addabbo of his title as the Senator with the best hairdo. (We all agree that the hairspray that Senator José Marco Serrano uses gives his hair that extra hold – it is definitely a good one.)

(3)    You don’t have to say that you heard this from me, but there are rumors making their way through Albany that Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan has promised absolution to those legislators who will support the Parental Choice in Education Act AND that Governor Andrew Cuomo – a most astute politician – has requested two absolutions instead of one to cover up at least two mortal sins that he has committed against the Church.

(4)    You should know that Senator Gustavo Rivera really surprised everyone during the End of Session Dinner sponsored by Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins on June 2 at Martel’s Restaurant. You might be asking, “Why? What happened?”

Well my dear reader, let me tell you.  While some people were making fools of themselves doing Karaoke, when Senator Gustavo Rivera took the microphone and started to imitate Ray Charles, he was just fantastic! He stole the show. I do believe that Gustavo has a life after politics.

(5)    Nowadays, you can find Assemblyman Felix Ortiz walking aimlessly through the corridors of power in Albany. Since Somos El Futuro was taken away from him and given to Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, Felix doesn’t seem to be too cooperative with anybody. I have not seen him at any Somos meetings and people are beginning to whisper and ask why he signed contracts in Puerto Rico for 2015 when he knew that there would be a new Chairman.

(6)    Rumor also has it that even though there are two new leaders, Carl Heastie who replaced Sheldon Silver as Speaker of the Assembly and John Flanagan who replaced Dean Skelos as Senate Majority Leader, nonetheless, the key staff and confidants of the old leaders are still in place. This gives the perception that the old guard still has some influence.

(7)    While the Legislature is busy making arrangements for the close of Session and the Senators are debating which bills and pieces of legislation should or should not get to see the light of day, Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson is occupying her time by collecting petitions to run for Mayor of Mount Vernon. Good luck with that, Ruth.

(8)    Last but not least, now that American Pharoah has won the Triple Crown, you should know that there are some high rollers here in Albany who are keeping in touch with their bookies, and who are still 75% in favor of Senator Jeff Klein becoming President Pro-Temp in the near future. They are so certain that Senator Klein will become the Senate’s President Pro Temp that to them, Preet Bharara is the only one who could stop Jeff Klein’s assent to the throne.

Ladies and gentlemen, these are some samples of the gossip that is floating around in Albany as the Session comes to a close.

This is Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

Editor's Note:

I could not agree any more with Senator Diaz Sr. on what is currently going on in Albany, but to add a few additional footnotes that appear each week in my political column "100 PERCENT" 100 PERCENT is published in the Bronx News, Parkchester News, and Coop-City News.

Veterans Pre-Career Fair Forum