Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera!

SENATOR RIVERA IN THE COMMUNITY

SENATOR RIVERA CELEBRATES PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE WITH MAYOR MAMDANI AT GRACIE MANSION

Senator Rivera was proud to celebrate with his fellow Nuyoricans at Mayor Zohran Mamdani's Puerto Rican Heritage Reception at Gracie Mansion! Senator Rivera wants to wish all his fellow Puerto Ricans a happy parade weekend and a safe time celebrating Boricua pride.

SENATOR RIVERA JOINS MAYOR MAMDANI TO PROMOTE NEW 2-K PROGRAM IN THE BRONX!

This week, Senator Rivera joined Mayor Zohran Mamdani at the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, a care provider in his district, to encourage families to apply to the newly created 2-K program. This program will provide free early care and learning for two-year-olds beginning in Fall 2026. The program will provide free early care and learning for two-year-olds and launches in select neighborhoods across Districts 6, 10, 18, 23, and 27 in the Fall of 2026, with plans to expand citywide in future years. In The Bronx, these are the neighborhoods that will offer seats: Fordham, Belmont, Norwood, Morris Heights, Van Cortlandt Village, and Kingsbridge. Dates to keep an eye out for: June 26, 2026: Application Closes  August 4, 2026: Offer Release  You can apply online, by phone at 718-935-2009, or in person at a Family Welcome Center.

Senator Rivera submitted virtual testimony during this week's Rent Guidelines Board Bronx Public Hearing urging the Board to support a two-year rent freeze. Since his election in 2010, Senator Rivera has consistently stood with our City’s rent-stabilized tenants against any rent increases.

Ahead of the Board's final vote on June 25, Senator Rivera is pushing for a rent freeze as he recognizes that New Yorkers are already severely rent-burdened and with our City facing a crushing affordability crisis, even a small increase could push a household into a financial crisis. Listen to this testimony here.

Last weekend, Senator Rivera's Chief of Staff Rachel Ferrari participated as a panelist at the inaugural Bronx Economic Development Summit organized by the Bronx Economic Development Corporation and Our Bronx. At the summit, she spoke about the economic development work we've done at the office, including her extensive work to ensure community participation and ownership in the Kingsbridge Armory.  

The summit was an opportunity to celebrate the first draft of the Bronx’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). Years in the making, the goal of this draft is to shape a bold, inclusive, and sustainable economic future for our borough.

This CEDS is a federally funded project supported by the U.S. Economic Development Administration within the Department of Commerce that has a public comment period of at least 30 days.

To offer feedback, you can either email CEDS@OurBronx.org with “CEDS feedback” in the subject line or complete an online survey by Monday, June 15th at 11:59PM. Visit this link for more info: https://www.bxedc.org/ceds-draft-report. 

SENATOR RIVERA PARTICIPATES IN JOINT BRONX COMMUNITY BOARD 5 & 7 OPIOID TOWN HALL

This week, Senator Rivera joined a Town Hall on the Opioid Crisis organized by Bronx Community Board 5 and 7, where we discussed possible solutions through current and future legislation. During the town hall, Senator Rivera mentioned the legislative efforts that he has championed so far including his bill that created our State's Opioid Settlement Fund as well his Safer Consumption Services Act, which would allow the operation of Overdose Prevention Centers in the parts of our State that need the most.

Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions, share perspectives, and engage in a productive conversation about the challenges our neighborhoods face and the resources needed to support long-term solutions.

Thank you to Community Board 5 Chair Osiris Guzman and Community Board 7 Chair Leurys Acosta for hosting this very important discussion as well as my fellow panelists and everyone who joined us.

Last weekend, Senator Rivera's staff started Pride Month celebrating the

5th Annual Riverdale Pride Event at Riverdale Neighborhood House! It is 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!

TUESDAY 6/16: THE PUBLIC THEATER HOSTS A FREE TOURING SHAKESPEARE OF 'AS YOU LIKE IT'

PLAN AHEAD! UPCOMING TRAIN SERVICE CHANGES

UPCOMING D TRAIN SERVICES CHANGES (JUNE 12-15) Planned – Stops Skipped June 12–15, Fri 11:45 PM to Mon 5:00 AM In Upper Manhattan and the Bronx, uptown D trains will skip the following stations: 155 St 161 St–Yankee Stadium 167 St 170 St 174–175 Sts For service to these stations: take the D to Tremont Av and transfer to a downtown D. For service from these stations: take the D to 145 St and transfer to a Norwood‑bound D. Reason for service change: Electrical improvement work.

UPCOMING 4 TRAIN SERVICES CHANGES (JUNE 13-14) Service Change: Planned Station Skip June 13–14 (Saturday 3:45 AM to Sunday 10:00 PM) In the Bronx, Manhattan‑bound 4 trains will skip Mosholu Pkwy. Additionally, the last stop for some Woodlawn‑bound trains will be Kingsbridge Rd during days and evenings. Alternate Travel Options: For service to Mosholu Pkwy: take the 4 to Bedford Park Blvd–Lehman College and transfer to a Woodlawn‑bound train. For service from Mosholu Pkwy: take the 4 to Woodlawn and transfer to a Manhattan‑bound train. Service Frequency Note: In the Bronx, the 4 train will run every 16 minutes during days and evenings. For Woodlawn‑bound riders whose trains terminate at Kingsbridge Rd, transfer there to a Woodlawn‑bound 4 to continue your trip. Reason for Service Change: Track replacement work. Reminder: Long-Term 4 Train Service Changes (Through September 2026) Service Change: Planned Station Skip Now through September 2026 In the Bronx, Woodlawn‑bound 4 trains will skip Burnside Av. Riders may use nearby 176 St or 183 St stations as alternatives. Additional Travel Alternatives: For service to Burnside Av: take the 4 to 183 St and transfer to a Manhattan‑bound train. For service from Burnside Av: take the 4 to 176 St and transfer to a Woodlawn‑bound train. Reason for Service Change: Station improvement work.

UPCOMING 5 TRAIN SERVICES CHANGES (JUNE 13-14) Service Change: Planned Station Skips June 13–14 (Saturday and Sunday, 5:45 AM to 7:00 PM) In the Bronx, Dyre Av‑bound 5 trains will skip Morris Park, Gun Hill Rd, and Baychester Av. Additionally, all 5 trains will board from the Manhattan‑bound platform at Pelham Pkwy. Alternate Travel Options: For service to Morris Park, Gun Hill Rd, or Baychester Av: take the 5 to Pelham Pkwy or Eastchester–Dyre Av, then transfer to a downtown 5. For service from these stations: take the 5 to Pelham Pkwy or E 180 St, then transfer to a Dyre Av‑bound 5. Reason for Service Change: Track maintenance. **These service change affects one or more ADA‑accessible stations, and travel alternatives may not be fully accessible. Riders are encouraged to contact 511 for trip planning assistance.

New SNAP Work Requirements: What You Need to Know

New federal rules are changing SNAP work requirements for some New Yorkers. Starting this year, certain adults may need to work, attend job training, or volunteer to keep their benefits.

You may be affected if you are:

● Between ages 18–64

● Not living with a child under 14

● Not exempt due to a health condition or other reason



If these rules apply to you, you may need to take action each month to avoid losing your SNAP benefits.



Check your status and learn what to do: on.nyc.gov/snap.

As a reminder, should extreme heat occur, New Yorkers are advised to stay cool and stay hydrated. Avoid spending prolonged periods of time outdoors. Call 911 immediately if you or someone else shows signs of heat-related illness, such as confusion, dizziness, or difficulty breathing. For more preparedness tips, visit: nyc.gov/BeReady or nyc.gov/beattheheat.