Sunday, June 8, 2025

Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera!

This week, Senator Rivera joined The Release Aging People in Prison Campaign (RAPP), Center for Community Alternatives, Vocal-NY, and other advocacy organizations to call for the passage of a number of bills to reform our archaic sentencing laws and parole system. These include:

Fair and Timely Parole (S.159)
Earned Time Act (S.342)
Second Look (S.158)
Elder Parole (S.454)
The Challenging Wrongful Conviction Act (CWCA, S.6319)

"I believe in redemption but our State’s broken parole system & sentencing laws do not. Instead they unjustly condemn New Yorkers," said Senator Rivera.

Watch a reel here.

This week, Senator Rivera joined a virtual press conference with Protect Our Care New York Coalition and Congressmember Dan Goldman to condemn House of Representatives members, especially those from New York, who voted for Trump's "Big, Beautiful" bill, which would enact significant cuts to Medicaid.

"Congressional Republicans should be ashamed for voting for Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” which includes devastating cuts to Medicaid and food stamps to fund huge tax breaks for the ultrawealthy. Millions of Americans rely on these life-saving programs for their healthcare and to feed their families. This is the MAGA agenda— cruelty is the point. New York Representatives who voted for this disaster must be held accountable for this disastrous vote," said Senator Rivera.

To watch a reel of Senator Rivera's remarks at the press conference, click here.

SENATOR RIVERA CELEBRATES PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE KINGSBRIDGE ARMORY'S NEW DEVELOPER AND THE NORTHWEST BRONX COMMUNITY CLERGY COALITION

This week, Senator Rivera joined colleagues and community members at a press conference to celebrate the agreement reached by the Kingsbridge Armory's new developer, 8th Regiment Partners LLC, and the Northwest Bronx Community Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC). This is an important achievement were the community will have a say in the Armory's future.

"This project is the culmination of a decades-long effort to make the Armory the vibrant space that it was always meant to be. I'm committed to maintaining a watchful eye to ensure that the new project fosters economic growth, leads in sustainability, generates good-paying union jobs, and keeps our community at the center," said Senator Rivera.

Thank you to Steven Ochoa-Camacho, District Deputy Manager from Bronx Community Board 7, for joining Senator Rivera in outreach efforts around the district ahead of the second Kingsbridge Armory Public Hearing last Tuesday.

Click here to see more pictures.

"To all of my Muslim neighbors in the Bronx and across New York, I wish you peace, harmony, happiness, good health, and prosperity for those celebrating Eid. Eid al-Adha Mubarak to you, my friends!"

Last week, Senator Rivera started Pride Month celebrating the 4th Annual Riverdale Pride Event at Riverdale Neighborhood House! It was a wonderful event that brings all of us together and brings awareness to LGBTQIA+ issues in Riverdale.

With the federal government actively persecuting LGBTQ+ Americans, we must remain as committed as ever to ensure New York’s LGBTQ+ communities feel supported and loved.

Thank you Laura Levine-Pinedo for hosting this event!

This week, Senator Rivera taught a civics class to a group of 9th graders at In-Tech Academy! They learned about how state government works, the state budget process, and the importance of being civically engaged.

Thank you all for the warm welcome!

SENATOR RIVERA VISITED THE BRONXDALE HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE SCHOOL'S GENERATION CITIZEN PROGRAM

This week, Senator Rivera visited the Bronxdale High School in Pelham where 12th grade students participating in the school’s Generation Citizen program presented their final projects about a number of issues affecting our borough.

They spoke about the importance of being civically engaged and how their advocacy efforts are crucial to improve our communities’ future.

Thank you all for the invitation and warm welcome!