2019 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FROM SENATOR ALESSANDRA BIAGGI

Albany Office: 188 State Street, Legislative Office Bldg Room 905 Albany, NY 12247 518-455-3595 District Office: 1250 Waters Place, Tower 1 Suite 1202 Bronx, NY 10461 718-822-2049

EDITOR'S NOTE:

We congratulate the entire New York State Legislature on the historic amount of legislation that was passed this year so far. 

Tuesday June 16th State Senator Alessandra Biaggi and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz will host a state legislative Town Hall meeting at the Riverdale YMHA located at 5625 Arlington Avenue (West 256th Street) from 7 PM - 8:30 PM.  

BRONX PARKS CONNECTIONS AUGUST 24

Mix and mingle with Bronx community leaders, hear from NYC Parks staff, and get the latest resources from community organizations. At this workshop, learn how your group can care for your park while celebrating your local neighborhood. Meet your outreach coordinator, enjoy networking over a free lunch, and get plugged into the community of dedicated volunteers in the Bronx. Date: Saturday, August 24 from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Location: Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture, 450 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451 Link: More Info/Register For questions or concerns, contact your borough outreach coordinator: Leenda Bonilla | Bronx Senior Outreach Coordinator Community Districts:  2, 7, 8, 9  718.430.1861 | Leenda.Bonilla@parks.nyc.gov Carlos Acosta | Bronx Outreach Coordinator Community Districts: 1, 4, 5, 6 718.430.1815 | Carlos.Acosta@parks.nyc.gov Ismael Guzmán | Bronx Outreach Coordinator Community Districts: 3, 10, 11, 12 718.430.4667 | Ismael.Guzman@parks.nyc.gov Partnerships for Parks A joint program of City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks Facebook | Instagram | Twitter www.partnershipsforparks.org

WFP Election Alert - Tiffany Cabán's Democratic race headed to recount

Last night, right at the start of a long holiday weekend, the Queens County Board of Elections finished counting the remaining absentee and some of the affidavit ballots from last week's election for District Attorney. The election now appears headed to a full manual recount.¹

We need to fight to make sure every valid vote is counted and every voter has a voice.

Can you contribute X or more right now to support Tiffany Cabán's recount fight and help us make sure that every vote is counted?

The Board of Elections invalidated over 2,000 affidavit ballots yesterday — ballots cast by people who, for various reasons, were told they could not vote on Election Day. When all the votes are counted, we are confident Tiffany Cabán will be the next Queens District Attorney. But recounts are expensive, and this one could take weeks.

In a recount like this, the establishment has the full force of the machine on their side, including many of the judges and commissioners who are supposed to be fair arbiters of the law. Tiffany has YOU.

Contribute now to help WFP and Tiffany Cabán make sure every vote is counted.

Let's make sure democracy — and justice — prevail in Queens.

More soon,

Working Families Party

Source:

1. Katz-Cabán Queens DA Primary Race Heads to Recount, The City, July 4, 2019

Become a Working Families Party Sustainer! Other political groups have corporate donors. We have you. 

This is a message from New York Working Families Party.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

This was a Democratic Primary. 

Why was the Working Families Party involved in a Democratic Primary?

Why is the Working Families Party seeking donations to be involved in the Democratic Party process?

The New York State Attorney General should investigate the Working Families Party role in the Queens Democratic Party Primary for Queens District Attorney.

Crips Gang Member Charged With Racketeering

The Defendant’s Racketeering Acts Include the September 2016 Murder of Yunior Manion, 21, An Innocent Bystander

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of a superseding federal indictment charging JAHSON FEVERIE, a/k/a “Jah,” with racketeering conspiracy, including the September 27, 2016, murder of Yunior Manion, 21, in the Bronx, New York.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said:  “As alleged, the defendant was a member of a violent gang who killed an innocent young man in a pointless, gang-related dispute.  We thank the FBI and the NYPD for their outstanding work investigating this terrible murder.  We will continue our efforts with our law enforcement partners to prevent such senseless acts of violence.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “No one deserves to be killed at the hands of someone else, but Yunior Manion was innocently standing on the street and got caught in a gang war crossfire.  He lost his life over drugs and guns.  The FBI New York Metro Safe Streets Task Force won’t let the violence and crime these gangs thrive on go unchecked.  We will use every method necessary to stop these criminals and restore safety in the communities they have terrorized.”

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “The individual arrested in this case allegedly took the life of an innocent bystander while recklessly discharging a firearm at a rival gang member.  The NYPD and our partners in law enforcement will continue to target gun violence and street gangs by dismantling their networks and taking dangerous criminals off our streets.”

According to the Indictment[1]: 

FEVERIE is a member of the “Wild Card” set of the Crips gang.  Members of the gang sold drugs and used guns to further the aims of the Wild Cards.  On September 27, 2016, FEVERIE fired a gun at rival gang members.  FEVERIE instead hit and killed Yunior Manion, an innocent bystander.

FEVERIE, 18, of the Bronx, New York, was arrested in the Bronx, New York, and presented and arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara C. Moses.  This case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska.

FEVERIE is charged with conspiring to commit racketeering through the commission of various criminal acts, including murder, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1962(d), which carries a maximum term of life in prison.  The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the NYPD.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the descriptions of the Indictment constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation. 

MAYOR DE BLASIO, NYPD ANNOUNCE STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT NYC CITYWIDE BICYCLE SAFE PASSAGE PLAN

In our efforts to continue providing a safe passage for cyclists and reduce bicycle-related injuries and fatalities, NYPD is coordinating a citywide traffic initiative focused on preventing hazardous parking and moving infractions that interfere with the safe passage of cyclists. The initiative will commence on Monday, July 1, 2019 through Sunday, July 21, 2019.

This initiative will be conducted on all tours with participation from all enforcement personnel with particular attention to the following infractions committed by vehicle operators:

• All Vision Zero & hazardous parking and moving violations, especially:
  • Speeding, Red Light, Fail to Yield to Pedestrian/Bicyclists and Cellphone/Texting (distracted driving)
  • Vehicles that are parked in, or otherwise obstructing a bicycle lane (No Standing)
  • Double Parking
• Traffic Enforcement Agents will enforce the above hazardous parking violations throughout the city commencing on July 1, 2019 through July 21, 2019
• All Traffic Safety Personnel in all 77 precincts will participate and enforce the above Vision Zero and hazardous parking and moving violations commencing on July 8, 2019 through July 21, 2019.
• Patrol Supervisors will respond to a scene of a bicyclist/pedestrian struck in order to conduct a thorough investigation on whether Administrative Code 19-190, “Right of Way” law has been violated.
• Auxiliary Officers will conduct high visibility education outreach educating drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians on safer bicycle, vehicle and pedestrian tips to reduce injuries and fatalities.

"We are seeing a dangerous surge in cyclist deaths on our streets, and we are taking action." said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "I have directed the NYPD to immediately launch a major enforcement action that will encompass every precinct and crack down on dangerous driving behavior like parking in bike lanes. At the same time, I have charged the Department of Transportation with developing a new cyclist safety plan to make biking in our city safer. No loss of life on our streets is acceptable. Last year was the safest year on record—and we have to keep pushing the envelope and increasing our efforts until we achieve Vision Zero."

"The NYPD will work with all of our city partners to implement a comprehensive plan to reduce and ultimately eliminate bicycle fatalities," said NYPD Commissioner James P. O'Neill. "The NYPD vigorously supports Vision Zero, and enthusiastically promotes safety for everyone on our city's streets."

Governor Cuomo & Legislative Leaders Announce Members of the Public Campaign Financing Commission

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senate Minority Leader John Flanagan and Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb today announced the members of the Public Campaign Financing Commission. Established as part of the FY 2020 Enacted Budget, the Commission will have the binding power to implement public campaign financing for legislative and statewide offices, authorizing up to $100 million annually in public funds. The commission will determine specific aspects of the public financing system, including eligibility thresholds, public financing limits and contribution limits for participating candidates. The commission's findings will be due in a report by December 1, 2019 and will be binding unless modified by law within 20 days.

The commission is composed of 10 members: Two appointed by Governor Cuomo; two appointed by Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins; two appointed by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie; one at large seat jointly selected by the Governor, the Assembly Speaker and the Majority Leader; and one appointee each for the two minority leaders.

The Governor has appointed:

• Mylan Denerstein, a litigation partner in the New York office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, and Co-Chair of Gibson Dunn's Public Policy Practice Group. Ms. Denerstein previously served as Counsel to the Governor from 2011 to 2014. Prior to that she served as the Executive Deputy Attorney General for Social Justice and Deputy Commissioner for Legal Affairs for the New York City Fire Department and as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.
• Jay Jacobs, current Chairman of the State Democratic Party and longtime Chairman of the Nassau County Democratic Party. Mr. Jacobs was first elected to the position of Nassau County Democratic Chairman in 2001, and served as the Chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee from 2009 to 2012, returning to the post in 2019. He is also an at large member of the Democratic National Committee.

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins has appointed:

• DeNora Getachew, New York City Executive Director of Generation Citizen. Ms. Getachew was previously Campaign Manager and Legislative Counsel for the Brennan Center's Democracy Program and Policy Director for the Public Advocate's Office.
• John Nonna, County Attorney for Westchester county and co-founder of the Democratic Lawyers Council. Mr. Nonna previously served as a Westchester County Legislator and as Mayor of Pleasantville.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has appointed:

• Rosanna Vargas, currently serving as associate law clerk to a NYC Civil Court Judge in Bronx County criminal court. Prior to that, Ms. Vargas served as the Bronx Democratic Commissioner and later as the President of the Board of Commissioners for the Board of Elections of the City of New York. Ms. Vargas also has commercial litigation experience representing clients in trials, mediations and arbitrations in state and federal courts.
• Crystal Rodriguez, current chief of staff to Buffalo State College President Katherine S. Conway-Turner. Previously, Ms. Rodriguez was the chief diversity officer for the City of Buffalo where she developed the Opportunity Pledge to encourage diversity and provide opportunity to all in Buffalo, and made it easier for businesses to apply for New York State's Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) certification. Prior to working for the City of Buffalo, she served as a law clerk in the New York State Unified Court System and worked as an adjunct professor at SUNY Buffalo.

At large seat jointly selected by the Governor, the Assembly Speaker and the Majority Leader:

• Henry Berger, an election law attorney with more than 40 years of experience litigating issues in state and national elections. He is also a former Special Counsel for the City of New York.  

Senate Minority Leader John Flanagan has appointed:

• David Previte, principal attorney at Hinman Straub, PC and former Chief Counsel to the New York State Senate Majority.

Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb has appointed:

• Kimberly Galvin, Co-Counsel and Co-Director of the State Board of Elections' Campaign Finance Compliance Unit. Ms. Galvin previously served as Chief of Staff and Counsel to the Republican Leader in the New York State Assembly.

BRONX PRESIDENT DIAZ ISSUES NEGATIVE RECOMMENDATION ON BRONX JAIL ULURP

  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. has issued a negative recommendation on the de Blasio Administration’s proposal to build borough-based jails in four boroughs, including a new jail in the Mott Haven neighborhood of The Bronx.

“Throughout this process the city has refused to address the concerns of The Bronx, nor has the administration adequately included our borough in its planning process. Although I adamantly support the closing of Riker’s Island, I must remain steadfast in my opposition to any plan that not only builds a new jail at the wrong location but also refuses to address the legitimate concerns raised by individuals and organizations on all sides of the issue,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Borough President Diaz has long held that there is a much better site for a proposed jail, specifically replacing the existing Bronx Family Court location and combining with adjacent vacant space next to the Bronx Hall of Justice on East 161st Street to construct a modern court and detention facility that meets the needs and concerns of all impacted stakeholders.

"The city has proposed a jail that is the wrong size and in the wrong place," said Borough President Diaz. "It is unfair to the people of The Bronx to force them to accept the burden of a plan that even the de Blasio administration admits is not the best it can be while also dismissing their concerns as unreasonable. The Mott Haven community would be better served through a reinvestment of city resources into the surrounding area."

Borough President Diaz’s complete ULURP recommendations can be read athttps://on.nyc.gov/328JSBu.

Maps of the proposed jail sites are available for download at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmBRbmet.

Borough President Diaz held his ULURP hearing on the jail proposal on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at The Bronx County Building. Photos from that hearing can be downloaded athttps://flic.kr/s/aHsmExaWDh.

The Bronx Democratic Party - Less Than Two Weeks Until The Dinner

Our 2019 Dinner is less than two weeks away. We are looking forward to acknowledging and celebrating several incredible honorees. Our Chairman Marcos A. Crespo and the rest of the team are thankful for your support, and we truly hope to see you at the dinner taking place Wednesday, July 17th at 6PM.

To purchase single tickets to our dinner online please click HERE. CLICK HERE FOR CONTRIBUTION FORM (required w/ payment)

Bronx Chamber of Commerce Upcoming Events!

Small Business Workshop: Managing a Profitable Company Wednesday | July 10, 2019 | 6:30-7:30pm (doors open at 6:00pm) Flyer Admission: Free Location: Third Avenue HUB, 2825 Third Avenue, 3rd Floor, Bronx, NY 10455

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce invite you to a B2B Business Networking & Card Exchange sponsored by Ponce De Leon Tuesday | July 16, 2019 | 6:00-8:00pm (doors open at 5:30pm) Admission: Free for up to two Chamber company representatives; $15 for guests; $20 for non-members. Flyer Location: Ponce De Leon Federal Bank, 2244 Westchester Avenue, Bronx, NY 10462

Free Small Business Open House presented by Ridgewood Savings Bank: Unveil Your Inner Self Thursday | July 23, 2019 | 6:00-8:00pm (doors open at 5:30pm) Topics: “How to Increase your Social Media Networking” with John Trieu “How to Choose your Banking Soulmate” with Brian Tynan ‘How your Business Improvement District Works for You” with Richard Bassik “Getting Smart with your BIC/BOEDC” with Rafael Roger Flyer Admission: Free Location: Residence Inn by Marriott, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 1776 Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY 10461

State Comptroller DiNapoli: $16 Billion in Unclaimed Funds Waiting to be Claimed

Getting Your Lost Money Back State Comptroller DiNapoli is working hard to put lost money back into the hands of New Yorkers. There's $16 billion waiting to be claimed and the Office of the State Comptroller returns over $1.5 million a day and we want to do more. It's easier than ever to see if there are any unclaimed funds in your name. Simply visit our website and search your name to get started.

PUBLIC SCHEDULE FOR MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO FOR THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2019

On Thursday, Mayor de Blasio will be in Iowa. There are no official events scheduled.

Later, the Mayor will travel to Texas.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

It would have been nice for the Mayor of New York City to be in New York for the Annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks display. 

Mayor de Blasio can always watch the Macy's Fireworks Display on television if local New York stations are carried on Texas cable systems.

Then again we can also watch our Mayor of New York City on television not in New York City.

Council Member Ruben Diaz Sr - INDEPENDENCE DAY A DAY OF AMERICAN PRIDE

What You Should Know

By Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz

District 18, Bronx County

 

  You should know that today, 4^th of July, Americans throughout our nation celebrate America’s Day of Independence from British Rule 243 years ago.

Having won the Revolutionary War, America was on the genesis of becoming the greatest nation on earth. We are a free independent sovereign Nation thanks to all those great Americans that have shed their precious blood on a battlefield fighting for all the freedoms people in America enjoy today.  

Thanks to their strength and sacrifice on July 4^th, 1776, America declared its independence and as a result, the most important document in American History was written. That document isThe Declaration of Independence. 

The Declaration of Independence was an official act by all 13 American colonies in declaring America’s independence from British rule. The war between the American colonies and Great Britain lasted eight years from 1775-1783.

Today July 4^th, 2019 as you take a day off from work, visit friends and family, enjoy a barbecue, or however it is that you are celebrating America’s Independence, I encourage you to take a moment to remember those who made and paid the ultimate sacrifice. We should recognize that our freedom wasn’t free, a price was paid for our freedoms. Also, thank a veteran for his and her service and remember those families who lost loved ones on the battlefield.

You should know that thanks to the Declaration of Independence many wrongs in American History have been righted, and Americans today can celebrate and say with pride.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”

Today my wife Leslie and I will take a moment to reflect on how fortunate we are and what a privilege it is to be in America and call ourselves Americans.  You, my dear reader, should do the same. Americans have much to be grateful for.  

America we Salute You! Happy Birthday and God Bless America!

I’m Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz and this is what you should know.   

Statement by 79th District Assemblyman Michael Blake on Independence Day

“Today, we celebrate the United States of America’s 243rd Independence. Let us remember that our pursuit for opportunities continue while we don't forget those whose lives were lost and the generations of color forever impacted. We thank those who served our country to give us a chance for Freedom.

When the founding parents of our great nation declared Independence from the British Empire, they sought to establish a land where one may be truly free, and have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We all must live out these principles daily, especially in the face of our moral fabric being stretched to the core by a person and Institutions seeking to divide us as a people. From how we treat Black people who were enslaved back then as too many still are incarcerated now to migrants seeking a better way of life, where they desire to leave a life of tanks in a street to display political power to Tribal nations who had so much taken from them without respect restored.

With a never yielding spirit seeking justice, we must continue fighting for what we know is right. We must ensure that everyone is treated fairly. We must defeat the root causes and symptoms of racism, sexism, anti-semisitism, Islamophobia, anti LGBTQ and people of disability rhetoric, which still plague this nation today and seek to rise above the pain to achieve an everlasting promise.

The fight is not over. We may have declared freedom from the British, but, we are still fighting for full Independence from challenges within our cities, state and country. Until every single American including all Bronxites, of all races, woman, man or child, immigrant or non-immigrant truly has a possible chance at life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, we will continue to work to achieve that dream.

As we celebrate today, let us continue to press ahead to achieve Independence and opportunity for all.

Happy Independence Day.

Sincerely, 

Assembly Member Michael A. Blake