Dear Community,
Election season is right around the corner! Voting is a bulwark of our democracy and one of the most effective ways to make the change you want to see for your community. Especially during local elections, it is critical that your voice is heard. Today, October 8th, is the last day to register to vote. Register to vote in New York here and check your voter registration status here.
Below are additional important deadlines to keep in mind as we approach this year’s general election:
- The deadline to change your voting address is October 13th, 2021.
- The last day to apply online or by mail for an absentee ballot is October 18th, 2021.
- Early voting begins on October 23rd, 2021.
- Early voting ends on October 31st, 2021.
- The last day to apply for an absentee ballot in-person at your borough board of elections office is November 1st, 2021.
- Election Day is Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021. Polls will be open from 6 AM-9 PM. This will also be the final day to return your absentee ballot.
Visit elections.ny.gov for more resources and the Board of Elections’ COVID-19 voting guidance.
I would also like to wish the community a happy Navrati, which begun on Thursday. May this Navratri bring love, prosperity, and joy to your life.
This upcoming Monday, October 11th, is Indigenous Peoples Day. This Indigenous Peoples Day, we must recognize the continuous struggles faced by our Indigenous communities, honor their leadership in protecting our planet, and recommit to advocating for their right to self-determination and justice. I encourage everyone to take the time to educate themselves on the history of our nation and its treatment of Indigenous people, and reflect on how we can do more for our Indigenous communities.
With Gratitude,
State Senator Alessandra Biaggi
On October 7th, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the statewide 7-day average COVID-19 positivity rate is 2.43%.
The application for the Excluded Workers Fund is closing. The Department of Labor will no longer accept new Excluded Worker Fund applications after October 8th at 7:30pm. Due to funding constraints, there is no guarantee applications received after September 24th will be approved. We still encourage everyone to apply. If you have any questions about your application, please contact my office.
On October 7th, Governor Hochul launched a $125 million fund to give landlords the financial relief they need to pay their basic bills and mortgages. The new Landlord Rental Assistance program ensures landlords whose tenants have declined to participate in tenant rental assistance programs or who vacated with arrears (unpaid rent) are able to receive help. If you are a landlord who hasn’t been able to access funding, visit otda.ny.gov/lrap to learn more and apply.
As a reminder, Governor Hochul announced an implementation of booster doses into the State's COVID-19 vaccination program for eligible New Yorkers. There are four groups of New Yorkers who are now eligible for their COVID-19 booster dose:
- New Yorkers who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine SHOULD receive their booster dose at least six months after their primary vaccine series IF:
- They are 65 years and older or residents in long-term care settings.
- They are 50 - 64 years of age with underlying medical conditions.
- New Yorkers who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine MAY receive their COVID-19 booster dose at least six months after their primary vaccine series IF:
- They are 18-49 years with underlying medical conditions, based on your individual benefits and risks.
- They are 18-64 years and are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of your occupational or institutional setting, based on your individual benefits and risks.
As a reminder, Governor Hochul announced a vaccine incentive program in partnership with all three New York professional football teams to support vaccinations among currently unvaccinated New Yorkers. Eligible New Yorkers 18 and older can enter to win prizes for the whole family from the Buffalo Bills, the New York Giants, and the New York Jets including up to four game tickets, special in-game experiences, stadium tours, signed team gear, FaceTime calls with alumni players, and more. Eligible New Yorkers who received their first vaccine dose September 9 through October 24 can enter Here. First winners were announced September 29th, Drawing Schedule Available Here.
As a reminder, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that masks are required at state-regulated child care facilities for children ages two and up, all staff and visitors.
- New masking requirements will also apply to congregate programs and facilities licensed, registered, operated, certified or approved by the Office of Mental Health, the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, Office of Children and Family Services and the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.
- This includes but is not limited to certified residential and day programs, inpatient and outpatient mental health facilities, substance abuse programs, juvenile detention programs, juvenile residential facilities, congregate foster care programs, runaway and homeless youth, domestic violence and other shelter programs. These requirements apply regardless of vaccination status.
As a reminder, Governor Hochul has mandated that all healthcare workers in New York must be vaccinated by September 27th with no testing alternative.
As a reminder, President Joe Biden mandated that all private employers with 100 or more workers require their workers to be vaccinated or tested weekly. He also mandated that all healthcare workers in hospitals, clinics and other facilities that accept Medicare and Medicaid payments and all federal contractors must get vaccinated, with no opt out option.
As of August 17th, people 12 and older are required to show identification and proof they have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine for indoor dining, indoor fitness, and indoor entertainment and certain meeting spaces. This new requirement — called the Key to NYC — also means staff at these locations must be vaccinated. If you own any of the above types of businesses, we urge you to review the requirements and make sure you are in compliance to protect your employees and patrons and to avoid fines.
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