Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera!

 

SENATOR RIVERA IN THE COMMUNITY

SENATOR RIVERA JOINS FIRST ANNUAL YEMENI AMERICAN IFTAR

This past weekend, Senator Rivera joined the First Annual Yemeni American Iftar hosted by The Alliance of Yemeni Americans, Yemunity, and the Yemeni American Platform. He was honored to receive the Friend of the Community Award. Thank you to Mr. Zaid Nagi for the invitation to such a wonderful celebration! 

On this day a year ago, a devastating fire destroyed six stores in the Burnside Avenue corridor including the Bronx Optical Center. Today, Senator Rivera had the honor to join store owner Jessica Betancourt at the grand reopening of her new location.

Congratulations to Ms. Betancourt for her resilience through such a difficult process, and thank you to Council Member Pierina Sanchez for securing $96,000 for each business affected by the fire through The Bronx Economic Development Corporation!

Senator Rivera joined State Senator Kristen Gonzalez for a tour of Bellevue Hospital to learn more about the facility and its mental health services. The visit provided an opportunity to discuss the important work being done to deliver quality mental health care in public hospitals.

Thank you Senator Gonzalez for the invitation!

SENATOR RIVERA IN ALBANY

SENATOR RIVERA ATTENDS POLITICO'S THE "NEW YORK AGENDA: ALBANY SUMMIT"

This week, Senator Rivera joined an affordability panel at Politico Live's New York Agenda: The Albany Summit. From health care to housing to public transportation, it was a meaningful conversation about the work ahead and how we can keep pushing for a more affordable New York for all.

Thank you to moderator Jason Beeferman and to my colleagues Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal and Senator Jeremy Cooney for a great conversation!

SENATOR RIVERA PARTICIPATES IN BRONX DAY IN ALBANY!

This week, Senator Rivera joined the celebration of Bronx Day in Albany! Bronx Day is an opportunity to join Bronx business leaders and colleagues in recognizing the energy, talent, and strong sense of community that define the Bronx.

For the event's evening cultural and business showcase, Senator Rivera proudly nominated Anthony and Paul Ramirez Co-owners of The Bronx Beer Hall to receive one of Bronx Day's Change Maker awards.

For over 10 years, the Bronx Beer Hall has contributed to the success of the Belmont Business Improvement District by being a place that celebrates and showcases local artists, while also providing excellent products and service while creating economic opportunity in the district.

Thank you to the Ramirez brothers for their dedication and contributions to the district!

This week, Senator Rivera joined 1199 SEIU for a press conference on the Home Care Savings and Reinvestment Act.

Senator Rivera strongly believes that privatizing home care has allowed managed care companies to enrich themselves while leaving some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers without the quality care they deserve.

Senator Rivera's Home Care Savings and Reinvestment Act, S.2332, would help New York State save billions annually, and these savings could then be reinvested directly into strengthening the home care system for both consumers and home care workers. Watch his remarks here.

This week, Senator Rivera proudly stood with the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) as they called for a just healthcare system that serves both medical professionals and patients, not corporate profits.

New York is ready to protect the most vulnerable and defend access to care by creating a single-payer system for New York State through the New York Health Act. This bill (S.3425), which Senator Rivera proudly sponsors, would guarantee affordable and comprehensive care to all New Yorkers.

Thank you to NYSNA for being such a fearless New York Health Act champion! Watch his remarks here.

At this week's Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY)’s Physician Advocacy Day, Senator Rivera spoke about one of the biggest problems in our healthcare system: insurance companies continue to stand between doctors and the care patients need. Physicians should be able to focus on treating their patients, not wasting hours fighting with insurance companies over what will or will not be covered.

Senator Rivera will continue making the case for the New York Health Act, which would guarantee healthcare for every New Yorker and take power away from the insurance companies that keep failing both patients and providers.

If we want a healthcare system that truly works, we need to stop protecting a broken status quo and start building one that puts people first. Thank you MSSNY for your invitation!

This week, Senator Rivera joined the Environmental Advocates NY and colleagues where he urged the Executive and the Legislature to pass his Lead Pipe Replacement Act, S.6892/A.7878. This bill addresses the urgent public health threat posed by lead service lines and affirms the state’s responsibility to remove them with urgency.

Senator Rivera hopes that his colleagues join the effort to eliminate toxic pipe infrastructure, protect New Yorkers from lead contamination, and ensure access to clean water. Thank you EANY for your invitation!

SENATOR RIVERA DESIGNATES MARCH AS RED CROSS MONTH IN NEW YORK STATE

Senator Rivera had the honor of designating March as Red Cross Month and recognized three distinguished volunteers on the Senate floor. Thank you to Bobbie Krukowski, John Hatch, and Mary Davis for the outstanding humanitarian work they do with the Red Cross.

The American Red Cross in Greater New York's commitment to serve makes a critical difference in the lives of New Yorkers facing desperate situations. To learn more about the Red Cross and ways that you can volunteer, visit the Red Cross website.

Join the Physicians for a National Health Program - NY Metro (PNHP), the Montefiore Social Medicine program, unions, and other partner organizations at their 2026 New York Health Act Lobby Day on Tuesday, March 17th!  Senator Rivera is the proud sponsor of the New York Health Act (S.3425), which would establish a universal, single-payer healthcare system in New York State.  With 33 Senate co-sponsors and 73 Assembly co-sponsors, New Yorkers need to make clear to legislators that the New York Health Act is necessary now because it will make healthcare a guarantee for everyone. Sharing your personal stories, as patients and caregivers, is a powerful way to show how this transformational policy will be.

RSVP HERE

About Literacy in Community: Since 1996, LINC has worked to harness the power that exists in every community to make literacy a value and right of all children and promote educational equity. Early literacy is critical for children’s lifelong social and health benefits. Our two-generational Community Literacy Model connects families with each other and with resources that already exist in the community to surround children with literacy-rich environments inside and outside of home. When a child reads, a community succeeds!   

UPCOMING SERVICE CHANGES AFFECTING THE 4 TRAIN THROUGH SEPTEMBER

For the latest updates, customers are encouraged to:

• Visit https://www.mta.info
• Use the MyMTA app
• Call 511
• Sign up for MTA real-time alerts and the Weekender Newsletter