SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA'S WEEKLY UPDATE

 

SENATOR RIVERA'S WEEKLY UPDATE

SENATOR RIVERA RESPONDS TO THE MONKEYPOX OUTBREAK IN NYC

New York City announced that new appointments for the monkeypox vaccine went live Friday, July 22 at 6PM. If you are eligible, you can make an appointment here.  The mass vaccination site at the Bronx High School of Science will open on three days: July 24, 30 and 31. The Bronx will finally get a second vaccination site at Lincoln Hospital while community-based organizations will also be able to administer the vaccine to the populations they serve.  Senator Rivera is thankful to Governor Hochul and the State and City Health Departments for addressing the concerns in his statement on Tuesday where he highlighted the evident disparities of the vaccine distribution in our City. Senator Rivera called on our government partners, especially at the federal level, to focus the efforts in those hard-to-reach neighborhoods like the ones he represents. Go to nyc.gov/monkeypox for more information about monkeypox.

SENATOR RIVERA URGES GOVERNOR HOCHUL TO SIGN FIRST OF HIS BILLS TO END MEDICAL DEBT

Senator Gustavo Rivera released a statement urging Governor Hochul to sign his bill, S.6522A/A.7363A, which would protect New Yorkers from suffering from medical debt. In times like these, no New Yorker should have to deal with losing their hard-earned wages or their homes due to an outrageous medical bill. This is one of three bills Senator Rivera sponsors that aim at ending predatory practices associated with medical debt in New York State.

OUT IN THE COMMUNITY

SENATOR RIVERA HOSTS FREE HOUSING ASSISTANCE EVENTS IN HIS DISTRICT OFFICE

This week, Senator Rivera hosted a series of housing assistance events at his district office to connect residents of Senate District 33 to critical housing services. As New York City’s severe housing crisis continues to deepen, Senator Rivera recognizes that it is critical for his constituents to have access to housing resources and free legal assistance in order to keep them in their homes.  Senator Rivera's office partnered once again with the New York City Department of Finance (DOF) to sign up eligible Bronxites to their rent freeze programs, SCRIE and DRIE. Senator Rivera also partnered with the Neighborhood Association for Inter-Cultural Affairs, Inc. (NAICA), a local organization that provided housing assistance and free legal services to help constituents with rent arrears, eviction prevention, and the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). Senator Rivera will continue to host similar events in the month of August.

SENATOR RIVERA MEETS MORRIS PARK COMMUNITY LEADERS TO DISCUSS DANGEROUS SINKOLE

Senator Gustavo Rivera sat down with Community Board 11's Chairman Yahay Obeid, Vice Chairman Al D'Angelo, District Manager Jeremy Warneke, and board member Tiz Nastasio, NYC DEP's Effie Ardizzone, and Morris Park Business Improvement District Executive Director Dr. Camelia Tepelus to discuss the terrifying sinkhole on Radcliff Avenue after torrential rain hit the Bronx last Tuesday.  While Senator Rivera is very grateful to our City's rapid response teams, he knows we can't plan for an emergency response after every heavy rainfall. He believes we must upgrade our infrastructure to prevent sinkholes, subway flooding, water main damage, and stormwater overflow. The climate emergency is here and these events will become more frequent if we don't take appropriate action.

SENATOR RIVERA ATTENDS B.R.A.G. ANNUAL BBQ IN KINGSBRIDGE

Senator Gustavo Rivera attended Good Shepherd Services’ B.R.A.G's (Bronx Rises Against Gun Violence) Annual BBQ in Kingsbridge. B.R.A.G. is courageously addressing the gun violence epidemic in his district. Anti-violence programs help young people make the right choices to keep all of our neighbors safer. Senator Rivera delivered $30 million for gun violence prevention programs across New York in this year’s budget, including tens of thousands of dollars for B.R.A.G.

SENATOR RIVERA ATTENDS THE YEMENI-AMERICAN BUSINESSES EXPO

Senator Gustavo Rivera attended the Yemeni-American Businesses Expo in Bedford Park. Senator Rivera took the opportunity to thank the Alliance of Yemeni-American Businesses and its President, Yahay Obeid, for his efforts to empower the many Yemeni American small business owners based in New York City and especially in The Bronx.

BEAT THE HEAT: HEAT WAVE IN NY THIS WEEKEND

UPCOMING EVENTS

FILE UNCLAIMED FUNDS AT SENATOR RIVERA'S OFFICE

Senator Gustavo Rivera's office is partnering once again with the Office of the New York State Comptroller to help eligible constituents file an unclaimed funds claim. Call Senator Rivera's district office at 718-933-2034.  Do you you have an unclaimed fund? Visit osc.state.ny.us/ouf to find out if there's money you are owed.

IN THE PRESS

SENATOR RIVERA IN THE GOTHAMIST

Senator Gustavo Rivera's bill protecting patients against wage garnishment and liens gained recognition in the press this week. Read this article to learn more about how Senator Rivera is working towards eliminating unnecessary medical financial burdens.