Friends and Neighbors,
As we celebrate the joy of the holiday season and partake in the numerous events taking place throughout our district, I’m hoping that you also remember our neighbors in need.
We kicked off the holiday season with our Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway. I am so grateful to our community partners who helped make this year's turkey giveaway an enormous success. I am proud to say that our office handed out more than 2,000 turkeys which were given away at community events at Tracey Towers, Scott Towers, Brady Court, R.A.I.N. Boston Senior Center, Bronx House, Parkside Senior Center, Pelham Parkways Houses, Zimmerman Playground, Parkside Houses, Allerton Allies Fridge, Allerton Coops, as well as all of the community associations who partnered with us and helped hand out Thanksgiving turkeys throughout our community.
Everyday should be about giving back to the community. It is not just how much we give but also how much love we put into giving. For this Thanksgiving holiday we have worked hard to make sure that families throughout our district receive turkeys and have a meal on their table. It is essential that no family suffers from a lack of food especially in days of celebration.
None of this would have been possible without our colleagues and community partners. Thank you to all of you for your much appreciated contributions.
Start 2024 with a new job!
On December 2nd we saw more than 100 residents join us for a job fair that connected city, state, and private employers with members of our community. As we continue to wrestle out of tough economic times, we are so proud to partner with the Dept. of Labor to help those in our community.
Looking Towards The Future:
The only way I can do it is with your help.
I urge you to contact our community office with your ideas, issues, and concerns because we're a TEAM.
PHONE: 718-409-0109
EMAIL: district80@nyassembly.gov
Community Winter Coat Drive:
Turkey Giveaways are also a reminder that far too many in our community are faced with the prospect of not having appropriate clothing for the winter months. That's why throughout the month of December, my office will serve as a drop off location for a winter coat drive. If you have winter coats that you no longer wear, my office will make certain that they’re distributed to those in need.
Community Toy Drive:
We know that everyone wants to create a holiday to remember for their family, but it's not always easy to. To help, our office is also holding a toy drive. As you shop for the perfect gifts for your loved ones, please consider purchasing a small gift for a child whose parents may not be able to afford one.
I am proud to announce that on November 17th, 2023 Governor Hochul signed my bill A7692 into law, directly impacting licensed cannabis dispensaries in the City of New York.
Recently Introduced Bills
Following the poisoning of several infants due to their exposure to fentanyl illegally stored at a Bronx day care, which tragically resulted in the death of a one-year old boy I introduced A8237. This bill would require at least one employee at each type of day care center in New York be trained to administer Narcan, which can reverse an opioid-induced overdose in an emergency.
I believe that expanding the availability of this lifesaving medicine furthers our shared goal to prevent opioid overdoses in New York and protect our most vulnerable members of society.
I also introduced A8051A that would authorize and permit appearance enhancement licensees to apply dye to eyelash and eyebrow hair, a popular service licensees are unable to provide. Appearance enhancement licensees are highly trained professionals licensed to engage in the practice of natural hair styling, esthetics, nail specialty, cosmetology or waxing.
The bill, named “Sabria's law,” in recognition of a New York City-based hair stylist and salon owner named Sabria will establish rules and regulations for practice and operations that will ensure clients are afforded the best service possible.
A8260 – This bill imposes an excise tax on the gross receipts of the sales of firearms, major components of firearms and ammunition and establishes the gun violence prevention and school safety fund.
A8266 – Requires banks to report annually on the amount of revenue earned from overdraft fees, prohibits banks from imposing overdraft fees during a ten day grace period and regulates the imposition of overdraft and non-sufficient fees.
Clean Slate Act Signed into Law
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On November 16th, the Clean Slate Act that I proudly co-sponsored was signed into law, providing a pathway to automatically seal the records for over 2 million New Yorkers with certain criminal convictions who have remained law abiding members of society following the completion of their sentence.
Our criminal justice system rightly holds people accountable who have committed crimes. We must also foster their reentry back into society to improve their chance of living a productive life. I have seen firsthand far too many social and economic impediments that prevent individuals convicted of a crime from moving forward with their lives, a cycle we must break.
I want to thank my colleagues in the Assembly Majority, especially Assemblymember Catalina Cruz for championing this important bill in the People's House and to all advocates who made their voices heard.
Recently Co-Sponsored Bills
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A1710A – This bill provides for minimum wage requirements for miscellaneous industry workers.
A3306 – Prohibits the use of reverse location and reverse keyword searches.
A3353 – Establishes the “Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act," which prevents the displacement of lower-income tenants and preserves affordable housing by providing an opportunity for tenants to own or remain renters in properties where they reside.
A8021 – Enacts the “New York emergency expedited temporary permit act” to allow asylum seekers to apply for and be granted temporary work permits while their federal immigration status is being determined.
A7666A – The purpose of this bill, known as the "Cannabis Adult-Use Transition Act," is to increase safe and legal retail access for New York consumers while the State continues to move toward the full implementation of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act.
A7389 – This bill extends the benefits of the variable supplements fund for transit police members of the New York City employees retirement system.
A8052 – Requires sellers of limited use motorcycles to have purchasers proof of registration of such vehicles at the time of purchase.
Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Grant
In 2022, there were 959 reported hate crimes across New York State – a record amount for a calendar year according to the Division of Criminal Justice Services. This shocking statistic is a sad, yet sobering reminder of the reality that many marginalized and vulnerable people and institutions face. This must change.
The Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes (SCAHC) Grant was established in 2017 to strengthen security measures and prevent hate crimes. As the threat landscape expanded so too does the Grant's mandate, which now includes funding for cybersecurity measures to prevent hate crimes. $139.8 million has been awarded to fund over 2,700 projects across New York since the SCAHC Grant began.
The SCAHC application process will begin in the coming weeks and additional eligibility information will be made available. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this Grant further please contact our Albany office at 518-455-5844.
Final Thoughts
Finally, I want to remind everyone to be mindful of your neighbors in the weeks ahead, particularly the elderly, and check-in on them from time to time.
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