News from Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Resources and Updates

 

Dear Neighbors,   We had a great week as we traveled across the borough spending time with many of you. On Thursday, we held our Women's Herstory Month event and honored some incredible leaders and trailblazers making a difference in our city. Our office joined colleagues for street co-namings, we celebrated Ghanaian Independence Day, cut the ribbon on an affordable housing development, we honored senior center program directors, and so much more.   I also want to remind you that tax season is here. If you or someone you know needs assistance, New York City has a number of free resources available to you and your family. You can visit BronxWorks for more information.   If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 718-590-3500 or by emailing webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.   In partnership, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON ON SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST CONFIRMED COVID-19 FATALITY IN NEW YORK CITY   "As a city, we saw an unprecedented attack on our way of life with the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. Countless lives lost as a result of this pandemic. Friends, family, neighbors, loved ones and so many others who were taken from us too soon. We unfortunately know this too well in the Bronx because our borough was the epicenter of the pandemic in our city. Our neighborhoods were disproportionally impacted by COVID-19 as a result of years of systemic health inequities and we are still fighting for health justice in the Bronx.   Today, is a reminder that we must never forget those that we lost. We owe it to them and our essential workers that continue to be on the front-lines everyday keeping us safe, to not only keep their memories alive, but continue to fight for health justice for all New Yorkers.   We will light Bronx Borough Hall amber this evening in remembrance of those we have lost to COVID-19 and as a reminder that there is continued work that needs to be done."

In the Community

BP Gibson joins Bridgefield Civic League and their Women's Empowerment event. BP Gibson joins Council Member Althea Stevens for the Street Co-Naming in honor of business owner and community leader Andy "The Barber" Foxe.

BP Gibson attends the Hello Spring Pop-up shop with the Garifuna Community supporting local businesses. BP Gibson joins Mayor Adams for the release of his Economic Development Plan in Hunts Point.

BP Gibson celebrates Ghanian Independence. BP Gibson joins with clergy leaders and the community to remember the lives of a Bronx mother and her 6 year-old child who lost their lives due to domestic violence.

BP Gibson joins Executive Superintendent Tobia and Principal Soler at PS 68 to discuss issues impacting The Bronx community and our students. BP Gibson joins colleagues, HPD, Phipps Houses and Acacia Network to cut the ribbon on Santaella Gardens, an affordable housing development in Soundview.

Borough President Gibson joins Council Member Althea Stevens for the Street Co-Naming in honor of Bishop Roy Bryant Senior. Borough President Gibson joins with Program Directors from R.A.I.N. Inc Senior Centers from all around the borough. Celebrating Culture in The Bronx

On Thursday, March 10, 2022, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson hosted her first Annual Women's HerStory Month celebration at The New York Botanical Garden. This year's honorees included: Executive Director and Co-Founder of Amplify Her Marti Speranza Wong Founder of Black Trans Nation T.S. Candii President and CEO of The Bronx Community Foundation Meisha Ross Porter FDNY Fire Lieutenant Joann Diaz Women's Academy of Excellence Student Yasmeen Muthana received a youth award.

City Hall Updates

Economic Blueprint New York City Mayor Eric Adams unveiled “Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery,” outlining his vision for the city’s economic recovery and the future of the city’s economy, all built on equity and inclusivity. “As we attempt to recover from the devastating financial impact COVID-19 had on our economy, I look forward to working with Mayor Adams, the Bronx Overall Economic Development Cooperation, and all of our industry partners in restarting the New York City economic engine,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “We need to leverage our public-private partnerships and relationships with community partners to support our businesses, business improvement districts (BIDs), entrepreneurs, cultural partners, and chambers of commerce to create a more inclusive economy. Every industry has been impacted by the pandemic, and we need to make sure we provide them with the necessary resources to come back stronger than before.” Summer Rising New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced an expanded summer program that will connect 110,000 elementary and middle school students to fun, culturally-relevant, hands-on experiences to strengthen their academic, social, and emotional skills. Enrollment will begin in early April for Summer Rising, a free program that will be administered by the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) and the New York City Department of Education (DOE). The program will build on the support Mayor Adams is already providing New York City youth after his announcement of 100,000 summer jobs for city youth last month.    "Investment into our communities starts with investing in our youth, and The Summer Rising Program is doing just that," said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. "This program, which will provide 110,000 students with opportunities this summer, on top of the expansion of The Summer Youth Employment Program announced last month, demonstrates a real commitment from Mayor Adams and his administration to ensuring our youth have access to resources and opportunities that allow them to learn, grow and prepare themselves for the future. Thank you to Mayor Adams, Chancellor Banks and everyone who collaborated to make this possible."

City Council Members and Bronx BP Gibson Introduce Legislation Capping Credit Card Minimums  This legislation will support consumers by regulating outsized credit card minimums that put an unfair financial burden on customers   New York City Council Members Keith Powers, Marjorie Velázquez, Julie Menin, Carlina Rivera, and Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson introduce legislation to bolster consumer protections in credit card transactions across New York City. The proposed law prohibits businesses from setting a minimum purchase requirement greater than $10 for credit card transactions.  “COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on our residents and many are still attempting to recover financially,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “Prohibiting businesses operating in NYC from setting a minimum dollar value greater than ten dollars for credit card purchases is an important step towards economic equity and justice in our city. As we encourage our communities to put money back into our local economy, we want to ensure no one is punished for their socioeconomic status or for using a credit card. I thank Council Member Powers for his partnership on Intro. 611 and I look forward to pushing this important legislation forward.” “Too often, New Yorkers are faced with outsized credit card minimums, forcing them to either buy more items than they’re prepared for or take their business elsewhere—which generally is a larger retailer,” said City Council Member Keith Powers. “This important legislation eliminates that choice by ensuring consumers aren’t priced out of establishments, while still providing businesses with ample room to navigate transaction fees. It’s a win-win for consumers and businesses alike.” This bill will strengthen existing federal law by providing New Yorkers with clear disclosure of credit card transaction maximums at cash terminals, a transparent, publicly-accessible reporting mechanism, and ultimately, a much-needed local enforcement structure to ensure businesses are in compliance. As our city only becomes more reliant on credit cards, this legislation is imperative as it strengthens consumer protections and makes it easier to use credit cards across the city. In 2010, the federal government passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. This monumental package included a provision stating that businesses are allowed to set credit card minimums only up to $10 dollars, as long as the same standard applies to all credit cards accepted by that merchant.    The legislation introduced today, however, will give the City the necessary power to enforce and execute this provision of the Dodd-Frank Act on a local level through the Department of Consumer and Workplace Protections (DCWP). It will also maximize transparency by requiring businesses to post notice of the prohibition on or near any sale terminal, and order the DCWP to create a form online so the public can report any businesses in violation.