WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz

Why I Am Against A Constitutional Convention

You should know that on November 7, 2017, New Yorkers will vote on whether or not to spend millions of dollars to hold a State Constitutional Convention.

You should also know that under the New York State Constitution, every 20 years on Election Day, New Yorkers are asked to answer this ballot question: “Shall there be a convention to revise the constitution and amend the same?”

It is also important for you to know that I believe that a Constitutional Convention will hurt the men and women in New York who are already struggling to pay their bills and raise their families, among them are union workers from transit to teachers, retirees, those seeking employment, those who find themselves in court, and even our environment will almost certainly suffer irreparable damage.

Some of the reasons why I am opposed to a Constitutional Convention are:

(1) Currently, the Constitution guarantees that pensions benefits for every public employee are protected and cannot be diminished or impaired.  A Constitutional Convention would almost certainly result in the lowering of pension benefits across the board for all public employees.

(2) The public sector union currently has the right to collective bargaining. With a Constitutional Convention, it is most likely that those collective bargaining for public sector unions will end.  This will do away with the right to good jobs and good wages.

(3) Presently, under the Constitution, all workers have the right to access public sector jobs. A Constitutional Convention will most probably turn back the hands of time and allow for discrimination, favoritism and nepotism in hiring.

(4) The Constitution currently provides for right to a free public education. A Constitutional Convention could take away this right, harming our children's fundamental right to education.

(5) Workers compensation rights are currently protected by the Constitution. A Constitutional Convention will almost certainly alter workers compensation, making work especially dangerous for many men and women who face serious injuries every day on the job.

(6) Our watersheds, state parks and wild preserves are being protected by the Constitution.  A Constitutional Convention can do enormous harm to our environment by opening up our watersheds, state parks and wild preserves to developers so they can be seized or plundered by the private sector.

(7) Our Constitution requires for judges to be elected into office by voters. A Constitutional Convention would almost certainly end the election of judges in favor or lifetime appointments, thereby opening our judicial system to many levels of corruption.

It is for this reason that I am opposed to, and ask everyone to vote “NO” to a Constitutional Convention. Otherwise, union workers, children, retirees, those seeking employment, those who find themselves in court, and even our environment will almost certainly suffer irreparable damage.

I am Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know. 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz

  Andrew Cuomo, Bill de Blasio and Eric Schneiderman, the Great Defenders of the Immigrants: Please, Give Me A Break!

You should now that the top leaders of this State and City have come out, according to their own pronouncements, to defend the immigrants from the abuses that are being committed by Donald Trump.  Among these leaders are Governor Andrew Cuomo, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, and Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

These three great leaders are now competing among themselves to show the world which of them loves the immigrants the most.

The problem with all of this, my dear reader, is that the abuses, the oppressions, the discrimination, and the bad treatment against the immigrants have been happening for many, many years before Donald Trump.

These three leaders: Governor Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, are the ones who, right under their noses have either been persecuting the immigrants, or have been allowing the same abuses they blame Donald Trump for causing to the immigrants.

You should know that for many years before Donald Trump, New York State Assemblyman Francisco Moya and New York State Senator JoséPeralta have been fighting with the Governor to establish a $20 million dollar fund to create what is known as the DREAM Act, in order to help immigrant students obtain a college education.

But surprise, surprise!

It is important for you to know that it has been Governor Andrew Cuomo who for many year has been playing with the feelings and sentiments of the DREAM’ers, and behind doors has done everything possible to kill the DREAM Act.

Now our beloved Governor, in a loud voice, is busy bragging about how he has come out against Donald Trump, making believe he is the great defender of the immigrant …. Please, give me a break!

On the other hand, here in the City of New York, we have more than 100,000 immigrant men and women who work in the livery taxi industry.

For years and years, the abuses and persecutions committed against these immigrant men and women who drive livery taxis are longstanding and pervasive.

The Taxi and Limousine Commission, under Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Administration, has oppressed, persecuted and abused these immigrant livery and taxi drivers like no one else in history.

These taxi and livery drivers are being subject to abuse, entrapment, fines that range from $1,000 to $10,000, and license suspensions without even giving them the opportunity to come before a Taxi and Limousine arbitrator to listen to their story.

These immigrant drivers are punished with points on their licenses for traffic infractions bigger that what the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles applies for the same infraction to you and me.

It is important for you to note that the City of New York and the Taxi and Limousine Commission, under Mayor Bill de Blasio and years before Donald Trump, has persecuted, abused and mistreated immigrants without compassion, preventing these immigrants from bringing food to their families’ tables.

Now our Mayor is busy organizing big demonstrations against Donald Trump to defend the immigrants because he is a great defender of the immigrant.  Please, give me a break!

Mr. Mayor, you should first solve the problems of those thousands and thousands of immigrant men and women here in the City of New York who under your Administration, are trying to make a decent living driving in the streets of our city.

Bring down those fines and have more compassion for the livery and taxi drivers, if in fact, you love the immigrant as you say you do.

The third leader, the Honorable and Distinguished New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, another great defender of the immigrant, has also come out against Donald Trump.

It is important for you to know, my dear readers, that many years ago, the State of New York created a Workers compensation fund exclusively to help the livery taxi drivers.

For years and years, drivers have been complaining that this fund has not been properly managed, and that they are not receiving the help they need when they get hurt on the job.

To that effect, on November 15, 2016, I wrote a letter to New York State Eric Schneiderman (please see the attached) asking if the Attorney General would look into these complaints to see if, in fact, the livery and taxi drivers’ workers compensation fund has been improperly run or not.

As of today, the Attorney General has completely ignored my letter, and I have not even received a response to it.

Now, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has brandished his sword as Don Quixote de la Mancha against Donald Trump to defend the immigrant.

But right here, in the State of New York, right under his nose, thousands and thousands of immigrant livery taxi drivers are still waiting for Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to tell them if there is anything wrong with their workers compensation fund.

Mr. Attorney General Schneiderman, please solve the problems of the immigrant livery and taxi drivers’ workers compensation fund right here if you really love the immigrant and want to defend the immigrant, because otherwise, I am going to say: Please give me a break.

I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz

Kudos to Our Leader Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins! 

You should know that after many years of ignoring my proposals to protect New York State’s senior citizens, Governor Andrew Cuomo has finally seen the light. 

You should already know that because of the alliance between a group of breakaway Democrats, led by Senator Jeff Klein to form the Independent Democratic Conference and keep the Republicans in power, senior citizens have been suffering. 

  

It is important for you to know that for years, my proposals as a Democrat to protect and support senior citizens have been ignored.  The partnership between the Independent Democratic Conference and the Republicans has kept projects for senior citizens that I proposed, on hold. 

Now, Governor Andrew Cuomo has taken my proposals to protect and help senior citizens and has announced them as his own   These are the very same proposals that the Senate Majority  has refused for years to support. 

In her Statement referring to how Governor Cuomo mirrored Senate Democratic efforts, our Leader Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins wrote: 

“Another day and another set of proposals by the governor that mirrors initiatives long supported by Senate Democrats. 

The increased availability for electric vehicle charging stations proposal mirrors efforts pushed by Senator Parker. The wage theft proposal is similar to a bill advanced by Senator Peralta and the protecting seniors proposals are similar to bills created by our Aging Committee Ranker Senator Diaz. 

If all Democrats had united and given us our rightful majority these proposals would pass the Senate,” she said, referring to the Independent Democratic Conference, which caucuses with Senate Republicans. 

Here are just a few examples of how my colleagues and I in the Senate Democrats have already advanced legislation which mirrors what Governor Cuomo is calling for in his State of the State presentations:  … The Governor’s proposals to protect our seniors from financial abuse and homelessness that are similar to bills created by Senator Ruben Diaz, who has led this fight as the Ranking Member of the Senate’s Committee on Aging.” 

Bills protecting seniors from financial abuse and homelessness include: 

 S.262B – Creates a financial exploitation prevention program to aid seniors from being financially exploited (Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr.) 

 S.115 – Creates the senior housing task force (Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr.) 

 S.145 – Creates a senior housing partnership/public authority (Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr.) 

 S.274 – Creates the senior tenant advocacy bureau (Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr.) 

I was delighted to read that Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins’ Statement that was covered on January 9, 2016 in Crain’s, the Legislative Gazette, and other publications. 

While I am relieved that services may finally be provided for our senior citizens, I cannot accept any excuse to prevent or delay senior citizens from receiving any and all of the assistance they need and deserve. 

Kudos to Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins for giving credit where credit is due! 

I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

It is nice to see that State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. is on the Democratic side today.

It must mean that Senator Diaz Sr. is running in a Democratic primary this year for City Council.

It is great to see that Senator Jeff Klein and the IDC have learned from the mistakes of the 'Four Amigos' (of which Senator Diaz Sr. was a part of) when you cross the isle, to work for the people and not yourself. 

Could it be those bells ringing on the Ice Cream trucks that Senator Diaz Sr. uses for his campaigns that have him thinking he is a Democrat, and sponsoring Democratic legislation. 

Wasn't it the New York State Republican Leader Ed Cox who was with Senator Diaz Sr. and Councilman Rafael Salamanca at his toy giveaway at the start of this new year?

Also wasn't it Senator Diaz Sr. who stood with Republican candidate for governor Rob Astorino on East 149th Street as Senator Diaz endorsed Republican Astorino for Governor, and not Democrat Andrew Cuomo?

And wasn't it Senator Diaz Sr. who met with Republican Ted Cruz during the Republican Presidential primary?

Governor Cuomo must have known that.

Senator Diaz Sr. is a perfect example of why term limits is needed in the state legislature.

At least today we know Senator Diaz is on the Democratic side, or is he? Senator Diaz Sr. should do his job in Albany, and not start campaigning for the 18th City Council seat.

That is What You Should Know.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz

Governor Cuomo Calling A Special Session to Kill New York City’s Taxi Industry

You should know that Governor Andrew Cuomo is planning to call us legislators back to Albany for a Special Session next week.

You should also know that in my opinion, it is ridiculous to call us to Albany at the very end of the year just to vote to remove any responsibility from Uber to get approval from local authorities, and do whatever they want. This will kill all of New York City’s livery bases, destroy our local taxi industry, and effectively cut the throats of our taxi drivers.

On the other hand, these State regulations they would like to ram through would not apply in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Ladies and gentlemen, you should also know that I am only one vote, and my vote may not really count because I am sure that Governor Andrew Cuomo has already made a deal with the Assembly Speaker and the Senate Leader to have enough votes for him to do whatever he wants to do.

But for right now, this Black guy from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, with the kinky hair and the broken English is not planning to go back to Albany until January 4, 2017.

So, for all of those Uber followers and supporters who want to kill New York City’s local taxi industry, I am afraid you will have to do it without my vote and in my absence.

I am not planning to go to negotiate my salary increase so that Uber and the Governor can get away with killing New York City’s taxi industry.

I am Senator Ruben Diaz and this is what you should know.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz

  Mott Hall V, A Shining Star in Our Community

You should know that I had the pleasure of meeting with Mr. Peter Oroszlany, the Principal of Mott Hall V, on Friday, August 19, 2016, in my District Office. Mott Hall V is a zoned school in the New York City Public School System.

It is important for you to know that Mr. Oroszlany, Mott Hall V's founding Principal who has been there for 12 years, took exception to a recent column I wrote celebrating the growing number of charter schools that serve families and children in my district, and their achievements.

Mr. Oroszlany claimed that while charter schools are able to pick and choose their students, Mott Hall V cannot reject any students, and educates public school children from grades 6 through 12 who reside in the area.

I appreciate Mr. Oroszlany's dedication to his students, and I need to echo how very proud we all are of the  85% - 90% graduation rate of Mott Hall V. This is tremendous!

I applaud the Mott Hall V’s graduates who have received full-freight scholarships and Posse Foundation Scholarships to Ivy League colleges and some of our nation’s top universities.

Some Mott Hall V students face serious challenges that include poverty, immigration status, and broken families, but due to great efforts of the school’s administration and its faculty, their students remain undeterred and still succeed in spite of the odds.

Mott Hall V is, in fact, one of the schools where many parents outside of my district wish their children could attend.

It is important for you to know that whenever I have an opportunity to allocate resources and capital funds to help the public schools in my Senatorial District, I do so with great eagerness.

You should also know that due to the ugly bureaucracy that exists in the New York City Department of Education and the New York State Dormitory Authority, there remain outstanding capital grant funds for public schools in my district that I allocated and were approved as far back as 2010.

This more than a five-year delay in disbursing the funds for our public schools is between the New York City Department of Education and the New York State Dormitory Authority. This is a disgrace, and hurts our public school children.

If our public school children did not have to wait 5 or 6 years for needed resources that seem to flow into the Charter Schools without delay, our public schools would be in better shape. If more available resources actually reached the desks of our public school children, then our public schools would be more competitive and our children would absolutely be prepared to compete.

Everyone who is helping our children to have the same opportunities as children in other areas of the city deserve to be celebrated, whether they are from public schools, charter schools, or private schools. Those who are not and who stand in the way of our children’s success should be publicly held accountable.

Ladies and gentlemen, when I write about the miseries of public schools in my Senatorial District here in the South Bronx, and what we need to do to help our children and families to have access to quality education, I need to also celebrate the great successes of Mott Hall V, its administration and faculty, students and families.

Congratulations to Mott Hall V!

I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz

We Condemn California Pastor’s Message That Rejoices In Orlando Massacre

You should know that Sacramento California Pastor Roger Jimenez of the Verity Baptist Church in Sacramento, California, has been reported in the media as rejoicing in the massacre that took place this weekend at the Orlando gay nightclub.

It is very important for you to know that as the President of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization, my fellow ministers and I condemn his rejoicing in those killings.  We condemn Pastor Jimenez’s statements: “The tragedy is that more of them didn’t die,” and “I’m kind of upset he didn’t finish the job because these people are predators.”

Pastor Jimenez’s message is deplorable, and any preacher who shares that mindset does not understand the Bible.  Pastor Jimenez should realize that all of the victims of the Orlando shooting are human beings, and any preaching to harm their lives is un-Christianly.

As Christians, the Members of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization know that all human life, at all of its stages of development, is sacred. This is why we are pro-life, and work to protect the lives of the unborn. This is why we are against the death penalty. Only God, the Creator of all life, can decide when a life can be taken.

You should already know that my ministers and I have joined the Bangladesh community in solidarity in my district when they have been targeted and assaulted, and we have joined with churches, mosques and synagogues when members of their communities have been singled out for attack. We have condemned all acts of violence.

My fellow ministers and I will continue to keep the victims and the families of this awful massacre, as all of the Orlando community who grieve and fear, in our thoughts and prayers.

I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.