Senator Luis Sepulveda - District 32 Community Update

Dear Neighbor, 

I hope you and your family are healthy and staying safe. In honor of Earth Day, the NY State Senate passed groundbreaking environmental legislation that would ban the use of small plastic bottles in hotels, prohibit state forests from being used for gas production, and provide that sales of new passenger cars be zero emissions by 2035, among many other important pieces of legislation. We also celebrated #WaterWeek by expanding water protections in the state of New York. This legislation will add new chemicals to the list of emerging contaminants, require public parks to test for lead contamination in drinking water, and ban the use of coal tar to limit groundwater contamination, among other bills aimed to improve the state’s water quality. These bills are a necessary step in ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to a healthy environment and safe, clean water.

I am excited to announce that my bill (S2211) to prohibit double-bunking in state correctional facilities has passed. I will keep fighting to make tangible changes to prevent prison overcrowding and restore humane conditions for incarcerated individuals. In addition, my bill (S2209) also passed the Mental Health Committee, which would require the Office of Addiction Services and Supports to monitor programs providing treatment to incarcerated individuals in correctional facilities and provide an annual report. 

On Thursday, my team and I held an informational tax season webinar that covered important tax updates on unemployment benefits and stimulus checks. Watch it before the IRS filing date on May 17th here.

Positive COVID-19 cases are continuing to rise citywide, but especially here in the Bronx. As of Thursday, April 29, the COVID-19 positivity rate in the Bronx was 1.95%. It is important to stay vigilant of this virus and take precautions to keep our friends, neighbors, and families safe. Wear a mask, wash your hands, practice social distancing, and get vaccinated. 

My office continues to work to bring more critical resources to Senate District 32 and my team is assisting constituents with unemployment claims, SNAP and Cash Assistance, Medicaid, landlord-tenant issues, among other things. Although our office is currently closed due to the spike of COVID-19 cases, my staff continues to work remotely. To contact my office, please call 718-991-3161 or email team@senatorsepulveda.com. 

Eligibility Updates: All state-run mass vaccination sites will be accepting walk-ins for anyone age 16 and older. This includes Yankee Stadium, which is administering Pfizer vaccines in the Bronx. As a reminder, 16- and 17-year olds can only receive the Pfizer vaccine.

The City has also expanded its walk-up appointment pilot for all New Yorkers age 16 and older at City-run sites.

• Bronx location sites: 
•  - South Bronx Educational Campus: 701 St. Ann’s Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10455 (Moderna)
• - Northeast Bronx YMCA (Edenwald): 1250 E 229th Street, Bronx, NY, 10468 (Moderna)
• - Co-Op City Dreiser Community Center: 177 Dreiser Loop, Bronx, NY, 10475 (Moderna)  
• - Bathgate Contract Postal Station: 4006 3rd Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10457 (Moderna)
• - West Bronx Gymnasium: 1527 Jesup Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10452 (Moderna)
• - Lehman College - Apex Center: 250 Bedford Park Blvd W, Bronx, NY 10468 (Pfizer)

Homebound New York City residents can register here to be contacted by the City regarding eligibility for the in-home vaccination program. To schedule an appointment by phone, please call 877-VAX-4NYC or 877-829-4692.

THE 2021-22 ADOPTED BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

BOOSTING TENANT AND HOMEOWNER RELIEF

- $2.4 billion in COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program with 12 months’ arrears for rent and utilities, three prospective months of rent, a year of eviction protection, and eligibility of up to 120% AMI, regardless of immigration status.

- $100 million to convert hotel and vacant property into affordable housing.

- $200 million for NYCHA and $125 million for public housing across New York State.

HELPING FAMILIES AND WORKERS

- A $2.4 billion infusion to the childcare system to increase access and support providers.

- A $2.1 billion Excluded Worker Fund to provide one-time unemployment benefits to workers who lost employment or income during the COVID-19 pandemic but were ineligible for Unemployment Insurance or other federal benefits such as stimulus payments. The benefits program will be administered by the Department of Labor. Applicants must be able to verify their identity, residency, and work-related eligibility. Based on the ability to demonstrate work-related eligibility, applicants may be able to qualify for one of two benefit tiers.

Education/NYC Public Schools

• 3-K for All programs will be available in all 32 NYC school districts this fall and the 3-K application deadline for NYC children born in 2018 has been extended to May 28. Visit http://nyc.gov/3K to learn more and apply.
  

• Starting on Monday, April 26, families will be able to register for Summer Rising, a free summer program for all New York students grades K-8 for any child who wants to participate. Learn more at https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/summer.

• The Einstein Enrichment Program will once again be offering a free three-week academic enrichment and science exposure program to prepare students to take the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT), as well as participate in science exploration, group counseling, high school readiness activities, and mentoring. The program dates are July 12th to July 29th and sessions will be virtual, Monday through Thursday. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, June 1, 2021. For more information, please contact Alicia Martinez (Alicia.martinez@einsteinmed.org) or you can call the office to speak to an EEP Team member at 718-430-4166.

• New York Institute of Technology: The Robert Noyce STEM Teacher Scholarship provides a full-tuition scholarship for people interested in becoming teachers of STEM subjects. The scholarship is available to anyone who has an undergraduate degree in a STEM field. It leads to a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree that qualifies graduates to teach science or mathematics in secondary schools. The Robert Noyce Scholarship, therefore, offers candidates an opportunity for personal advancement and for launching a rewarding career in education at no cost. For more information or to apply, visit the link here.

• The Bard Prison Initiative (BPI) has announced the launch of its third tuition-free microcollege, which will open in Harlem this fall. This new microcollege will enroll students who are formerly incarcerated or directly impacted by the justice system and others who aspire to careers in advocacy, community building, or social justice. The Bard Microcollege for Just Community Leadership will be housed at the Countee Cullen branch of the New York Public Library on 136th St. Find more information about the program here.

• The New York State Youth Leadership Council (NYSYLC) launched the undocu grad school guide for undocumented students thinking about grad school. They will be hosting an Instagram live to discuss the guide and hear from undocumented students about their experiences going to grad school. In addition, NYSYLC is awarding 11 scholarships and 3 fellowships. The deadline is May 14, 2021. Apply at NYSYLC.org/scholarship.

On Thursday, I joined Urban Health Plan, NYS Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul, Councilmember Salamanca, and Assemblymember Burgos on a tour of the Simpson Pavilion vaccination site in the Bronx. Please get vaccinated!.

District Office:

900 Rogers Place Bronx, NY 10459  718-991-3161