SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA JOINS 20 FOOT IUD: “FREEDA WOMB” AT HER DEBUT IN NEW YORK

 

Chair of the NYS Senate’s Health Committee joins "The IUD Express" Tour and Giant Inflatable IUD to Rally for Reproductive Rights

State Senator Gustavo Rivera (D, WF - Bronx) joined Americans for Contraception’s “IUD Express” Tour at Times Square today to celebrate New York’s reproductive care protections with “Freeda Womb,” a 20-foot inflatable IUD. Senator Rivera is reminding Americans that the right to birth control, under assault from Republican lawmakers, cannot be taken for granted.

New York State has enacted policies to protect reproductive care from radical right wing agenda that threatens bodily autonomy. Senator Rivera supported codifying $25 million for New York’s Reproductive Freedom and Equity Grant Program this year to ensure access to abortion in the state and reimburse providers for uncompensated care, on top of an additional $1 million to support abortion services under the grant program. Last year, he supported legislation that allowed physicians and nurse practitioners to prescribe non-patient specific orders for contraceptives; to expand protections for reproductive health services from subpoenas and investigations from other states. Senator Rivera knows how important it is to make sure New Yorkers play their part locally and nationally to protect these rights.

During the November election, New Yorkers will consider a proposed constitutional amendment that would ensure that pregnancy outcomes are no longer grounds for discrimination. Its passage would enact the Equal Rights Amendment, which Senator Rivera supports. 

“I’m proud that New York is expanding reproductive care access while offering a safe haven for other Americans who are losing that access and whose lives are put at risk when they cannot seek necessary medical services in their own state,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair of the Health Committee. “I urge New Yorkers to support the Equal Rights Amendment and enshrine critical protections into our state constitution by voting for Proposition 1 on their November ballots. A lot is at stake in the upcoming election, so we brought a giant IUD to Times Square to remind folks that across the country these rights are being taken away and threatened.”

Assemblyman John Zaccaro Celebrates the End of Summer!

Friends, 

As I traveled around the 80th Assembly District this summer, it has been a joy to see so many friends and neighbors.  These past few months, our community has enjoyed numerous outdoor events, watched Movies Under the Stars, and experienced some unprecedented heat! 

 

But we still have much more planned...

 

First, let me begin by highlighting a major milestone for our community: Tracey Towers’ 50^th Anniversary. 

 

The tallest residential building in the Bronx at the time of its debut, Tracey--as it is affectionately called by its residents--continues to serve as a beacon of hope and a community of its own within our larger Bronx community.  Tracey Towers is a true melting pot of cultures that reside in the more than 840 apartments and reflects the very best of New York City. 

 

On August 3rd, we celebrated Tracey's 50th in true Bronx fashion with an all day party!  I was proud to present the residents and Tenant Organization President Jean Hill with a New York State resolution, which was voted on and passed by the New York State Assembly and signed by Governor Hochul commemorating this momentous occasion. Congratulations to the residents and community of Tracey Towers.  We're looking forward to the next 50 years!   

Tracey Towers 50th Anniversary Celebration

My first resolution I introduced in the Assembly commemorated the 50th Anniversary of Tracey Towers and acknowledged the dedication of the Tracey Towers Tenant Organization.

Another Year of Back to School Events!

No matter the task, our community expects us to go big—and back to school is no exception. In tandem with our community partners, we have secured hundreds of school supplies and backpacks this year to ensure that the future leaders of tomorrow are prepared, today. 

Working together with my friend Councilmember Rafael Salamanca students received free school supplies and plenty of free popcorn and cotton candy! 

No student should have to worry about lacking supplies to start off the new school year. My Office works tirelessly to ensure all students, parents and families are set for back to school!

Bronx Park was full of fun activities and lots of free school supplies for our students to start off the new school year right. My office looks forward to next year's back to school bashes!

Movies Under the Stars!

No summer in The Bronx is complete without Movies Under the Stars! We packed Loreto Playground and Zimmerman Playground for a night of fun, free food and drinks and of course – movies!  

New Laws Taking Effect 

While the next legislative session doesn't begin until January 2025 the work done on behalf of all New Yorkers continues year-round. Below are many new laws that took effect this summer:

• June 1st, 2024 – Requires the Department of Health to develop, maintain, and distribute to practicing and licensed physicians in New York a resource library related to continuing medical education and training opportunities regarding nutrition. 
• June 7th, 2024 – Enacts the 9/11 Notice Act, which provides for notice to past and present employees of eligibility for the September Eleventh Victim Compensation Fund and the World Trade Center Health Program.
• June 19th, 2024 – Requires certain manufacturers of prescription drugs to notify the superintendent of any proposed increase of the wholesale acquisition cost of such prescription drugs. 

I was proud to co-sponsor A1707A that will provide advanced notice to the State Department of Financial Services of increases in the price of prescription drugs, which is effective as of June 19th, 2024. 

• June 19th, 2024 – Enacts Sammy's Law, which authorizes New York City to establish speed limits below 20 miles per hour. I was proud to co-sponsor this bill that will keep our streets more safe for pedestrians, motorists and will prevent more vehicular tragedies from occurring.
• July 1st, 2024 – Requires school districts and charter schools to notify parents and students of the availability of advanced courses as well as any financial assistance that may be available. 
• July 1st, 2024 – Requires menstrual products to be offered for free in nonpublic schools.

July 1st, 2024 – Increases the income eligibility threshold for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), a bill I have co-sponsored since I began my term in the Assembly and spoke at a press conference in support of its inclusion in the final state budget. 

• July 19th, 2024 – Expands the crime of assault in the second degree to include harassment of a transit agency or authority. 
• August 6th, 2024 – Requires the Department of Health to establish a directory for doulas on its website for the purposes of Medicaid reimbursement and promoting doula services to Medicaid recipients. 
• August 15th, 2024 – Requires school districts to obtain documentation that a student or the parent or guardian of such student complete and submit the Free Application For Federal Student Aid or complete a waiver form. 

If you have any questions about any legislative matter please call my Albany office at 518-455-5844 and ask to speak to Justin.