WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz

District 32 Bronx County, New York

If Charter Schools Help Our Black and Hispanic Children, Why Are Our Black and Hispanic Elected Officials Opposed to Them?

You should know that charter schools are a blessing to help our Black and Hispanic children to be able to obtain a good education in our poor areas.

These charter schools have been opened in minority communities where Black and Hispanic children reside.  There are very few charter schools in other communities.

If this is so, then why are our Black and Hispanic legislators opposed to these charter schools opening in our barrios.

It is important for you to know that in the Tuesday, August 2, 2016 edition of the New York Post, there is an article, “Minority report – charter tops” that was written by Selim Algar that states:

1.     Minority charter students are twice as likely to be proficient in math than public school peers;

2.     Minority charter students are 50 percent more likely to be proficient in English than public school peers;

3.     76 percent of charter schools outperformed their district schools in math;

4.     71 percent of charter schools outperformed their district public schools in English

The questions we all have to ask ourselves are:

1.     If charter schools give Black and Hispanic children a guarantee for a better education so they can compete, then why oppose charter schools to continue operating in our area?

2.     If our Black and Hispanic legislators say that they wish to improve education opportunities for our children, then why are the majority of these legislators opposed to progress for our children by rejecting charter schools?

We legislators all have to recognize the importance of our public schools and we have to assign resources so teachers and principals will have all the resources necessary in order for our children to get a good education in their public schools.

On the other hand, it is well known that there is a high percentage of our Black and Hispanic children who are being left behind in our public schools, which we know by the high percentage of students dropping out, and other students being promoted to the next grade without knowing how to read or write.

The charter schools have to be competitive, and they are.  They have proven that our children are smart, intelligent and with the right tools, resources and attention, they can compete with anyone else.

We all know that children in public schools that are located in other ethnic communities get better resources, buildings, equipment, maintenance, protection, and overall better attention than what is given to our children in our barrios.

You should also know that I, together with the Reverend Wyatt Tee Walker and Reverend Floyd Flake were the first ones who fought for the establishment and creation of charter schools in New York City.

In 1999, the three of us were part of the first charter school opening in the City: the Canaan Charter School in Harlem.  I was happy to see this documented on page 27 in the book written by Mary C. Bounds titled “A Light Shines in Harlem.”

Since that time, and as a New York State Senator, even with the opposition of Black and Hispanic legislators, we have approved 460 charter schools, we have at least 34 charter schools that serve the families of my Senatorial District, and for this, I am very proud.

As a minority State Senator who wishes the best for our community, I will continue to fight to get more charter schools in my district because parents who I represent want the opportunity to send their children to a charter school or a school of their choice.  

I will also continue to fight for more resources for the public schools in my district so teachers have the resources they need to educate our children.

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

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz 
District 32 Bronx County, New York 

Donald Trump Recognizes the Value of Evangelicals in America

   You should know that in his acceptance speech on Thursday, July 21, 2016, as the Republican Party Nominee for President of the United States of America, Donald Trump said the following:  “I would like to thank the evangelical community because, I will tell you what, the support they have given me — and I'm not sure I totally deserve it — has been so amazing. And has been such a big reason I'm here tonight. They have much to contribute to our policies.”

It is important for you to know that whether you like Donald Trump or not, he is the only candidate who has publicly recognized the importance of Evangelicals in our nation.

Everyone else mocks us calling us fanatics, religious zealots, radicals, repressive and oppressive.

In front of millions of viewers, Donald Trump told the world that he values Evangelicals.

I, for one, am an Evangelical. I am a Democrat, and to be more specific, I am a Conservative Democrat, and everyone knows it.  I have been the Pastor of the Christian Community Neighborhood Church for many years here in the Bronx, and I also serve as the President of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization, which is comprised of more than 150 Evangelical ministers in the Metropolitan area.

My dear reader, I am excited and very glad that the work of Evangelicals has been recognized from such a prominent official who is the running for the Presidency of the United States of America.

I hope and pray that other leaders, including Hillary Clinton, Governors, Mayors and other elected officials will start to pay attention to the Evangelical movement and our socially conservative values.

I pray that they will publicly recognize that we are part of America, unlike some who have publicly stated that we are not welcome in places like New York.

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

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Here we have the makings of another race where Ruben Diaz will be on one side, and Ruben Diaz will be on the other side. This makes Ruben Diaz a winner no matter who wins. It appears that Donald Trump is smarter than Ted Cruz or John Kasich, as Trump won New York in the Republican primary without having to pander to the likes of those who are looking to get those famous TRUMP DOLLARS now.

I do hope you are feeling better Senator Diaz Sr., and you were missed at the Abrazo Dominicano. 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz 
District 32 Bronx County, New York 

IS ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC SCHNEIDERMAN INVESTIGATING HIMSELF? 

You should know that in 1992, the City of New York sold a piece of property located at 45 Rivington Street in New York City to a not-for-profit corporation called the Rivington House Healthcare Facility for $1.5 million dollars. The deed contained a covenant (a promise) that the use and development of the property was limited “in perpetuity” – to a not-for-profit health care facility.  As we all know, “in perpetuity” means forever. 

On October 9, 2014, the Rivington House signed a contract for sale of this property to New Rivington Property’s LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Corporation. New Rivington Property LLC is a business owned by two individuals. 

It is important for you to know that in order for any not-for-profit corporation to sell real estate property in New York, it must first obtain review and consent by both the New York State Attorney General’s Office, and then, a Supreme Court Judge in New York, 

And so, after signing the contract, the owners Rivington House submitted a petition that first went to the NYS Attorney General’s Office, and then to the NYS Supreme Court to be granted this permission to sell. 

On December 16, 2014, Justice Eileen Rakower of the Supreme Court of New York County signed an Order permitting the sale of this property to the New Rivington Property’s LLC for the price of $28 million dollars. 

Alongside the Judge’s signature on this Order that permitted the sale of the property was the stamped endorsement and consent of the New York State Attorney General’s Office. 

Prior to signing and consenting to such an Order, it seems that the NYS Attorney General’s Office overlooked or ignored the restrictive covenant in the 1992 deed that said the use and development of the property had to be limited to a not-for-profit corporation. 

Clearly, the purchaser of this property was not a not-for-profit corporation. This should have raised some concern in the Attorney General’s Office before consenting to the sale. 

Then, in November of 2015, the City of New York signed a deed to the New Rivington properties surrendering their “in perpetuity” claim on the property under the 1992 deed for the price of $16,150,000.00 

Upon receiving full and clear title to the property at 45 Rivington Street, the New Rivington Properties LLC flipped the property in February, 2016 to the Rivington Street Investors, LLC, another Delaware LLC, for the whopping price of $116 million dollars, using (and I kid you not) the Bank of the Ozarks to finance the purchase of this property. 

Now we have, surprise, surprise ... of all people offering to investigate the second half of this sale, the New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, whose Charities Bureau started this process in motion by approving the sale of this property to a business group for a mere $28 million dollars. 

It seems that certain individuals reaped an incredible profit on this Manhattan real estate deal.  Will the Attorney General be looking in-house to see how much finger pointing should be done at his own agency? 

If there is a complaint that the City of New York received undue compensation for releasing their claim on this property, then certainly the prior owner, the Rivington House, was also given less than fair market value for their sale. 

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

What You Should Know

Editors Note: 

I do not agree or disagree with the following statement by State Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr. I will say that this campaign for Governor should have been a hands down victory in the Democratic Primary for Governor Andrew Cuomo, but the entire campaign has turned into a Walt Disney cartoon. Use your own imagination of which Disney character plays the real people.

What You Should Know
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District

Why Rob Astorino is My Candidate

You should know that on Tuesday, November 4th from 6AM – 9PM there will be a General Election in the State of New York.  You will have the chance to elect Members of the State Legislature, and a new Governor for the State of New York.  You should also know that I am supporting and voting for Rob Astorino, the Republican Candidate for Governor for the State of New York.

There are various reasons that compel me to ask you to support and vote for Rob Astorino for Governor – and not to support nor vote for Governor Andrew Cuomo.

You should know that I am supporting Rob Astorino for Governor because of his outstanding and firm position on life. I do not understand how there could be any minister or preacher of the Gospel or ANY Christian believer who would support Governor Andrew Cuomo when he publicly tells all how he is pushing for an agenda to promote abortion up to the 9th month - and open the door for partial-birth abortion.

Rob Astorino is a God-fearing person who has proven his ability to stand firm for life and protecting the unborn.  Rob Astorino is a strong supporter of family values and traditional marriage. Rob Astorino won’t compromise these principles to attract votes.

  

In Rob Astorino, we will have a Governor who will be open to all New Yorkers: Women, Men, Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, Gay, Straight, Religious, Atheists, Conservative, and Liberal.  He will never tell anyone they are not welcome in the State of New York.

Those are some of the reasons why I am supporting and voting for Rob Astorino for Governor.

For those of you who question me as a Democrat for crossing party lines at election time – especially when we as Democrats have been fighting for years to pass the DREAM Act, you should know that  Governor Andrew Cuomo is trying to have it both ways and wants to blame the Republicans for not passing the DREAM Act.

My dear reader, I would like to remind you that in 2012 Governor Andrew Cuomo supported two Senate Republican candidates to keep the Republicans in control.  It was also Governor Andrew Cuomo who managed to create the Senate Independent Democratic Conference to keep the Republicans in control.  And this year, Governor Andrew Cuomo is supporting Republican Senator Mark Grisanti instead of his Democratic opponent to keep the Republicans in control.

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me on November 4th to send the greatest message we can by voting for Rob Astorino for Governor of the State of New York.

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

What You Should Know

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District

  Governor Andrew Cuomo's Private Plane 

You should know that this week, while New York Governor Andrew Cuomo jetted off with his staff in a private plane to pander to leaders in Santo Domingo and Puerto Rico, the Dominican Hispanic elected officials were not given the same courtesy treatment as his staff and and had to travel on a commercial plane.  The same is true for the Puerto Rican Hispanic elected officials traveling to Puerto Rico from New York to support Governor Andrew Cuomo.  No private plane - they all had to fly commercial like Cuomo and is staff traveled like royalty in his private plane. 

You should know that despite his many flaws, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg never relegated any elected officials who accompanied him to travel on commercial airlines while he flew in his private plane.  Those who traveled with Bloomberg were treated like family members.  

It is disgraceful that Governor Andrew Cuomo did not welcome New York Hispanic elected officials to join him and travel with him in his private plane as they went out of their way to demonstrate support for his campaign. 

Ladies and gentlemen, if this is how Governor Andrew Cuomo treats members of his political family, what more can the rest of us expect from him? 

This is Senator Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

Editors Note:  Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. has endorsed Republican Rob Astorino for governor over the incumbent Democrat  Andrew Cuomo.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

   Things That You Should Know

 
You should know that on June 24, 2014, New York State will host its Primary only for candidates running for the US Congress. This legal change was made 2 years ago when Federal District Court Judge Gary L. Sharpe ruled in a lawsuit that a September primary will not allow sufficient time to send absentee ballots to military voters.  This will be the second time that New Yorkers will experience separate primaries for federal and state races.
You should also know that the Bronx has become a hot topic for the June 24th Congressional Primaries. There are two contested Congressional seats within the borders of the Bronx that will be decided by Bronx County voters.
You should know that Congressman Charlie Rangel, who now represents part of the Bronx, will be facing a rematch by State Senator Adriano Espaillat.  Every single Hispanic elected official has thrown his and her support behind the aspirations of Adriano Espaillat - except for Bronx Congressman José Serrano and his son, Senator José Marco Serrano - who as of yet have refused to support the Dominican-born Congressional candidate.
There is also a Dominican woman by the name of Yolanda Garcia who announced her candidacy, and is expected to take Dominican votes away from Adriano Espaillat.
These two issues about Congressman Serrano's refusal to endorse Espaillat - and Yolanda Garcia's possible draw from Dominicans -may prove to be Espaillat's Achilles' heel.
A similar picture is painted on Congressman Rangel's side where an African-American leader, Reverend Michael Walrond is another contender against the incumbent Congressman. Reverend  Waldron is the pastor of the First Corinthian Baptist Church in Harlem and ministries director of Al Sharpton’s National Action Network.  He is expected to draw votes away from Congressman Rangel's Harlem base.  This could be Congressman Rangel's Achilles' heel.
You should know that Charlie Rangel is getting support from former US President Bill Clinton, US Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, and the Minority Leader of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.
You can see how this June 24th Congressional Democratic Primary will draw all eyes on Bronx County and the elections of Charlie Rangel and Adriano Espaillat.  Both candidates come with heavy endorsements and carry heavy expectations - and they both have their Achilles' heels.  Therefore, this is may very well be the war of the Titans!
Aside from this, you should know that Congressman José Serrano - who has always counted on the Bronx Democratic County's endorsement and support - has learned how different it will be for him this year as he will be responsible for collecting his own petitions. He will need close to 1,200 valid signatures - and he only submitted a little over 4,000.  In the past, the Bronx Democratic County has always helped him to come in with 15,000 - 20,000 signatures. This lesson given by the Democratic Bronx Committee to Congressman Serrano will make everyone understand how different it is when you don’t have County support.
You should also know that in September there will be a regular Democratic primary for New York State Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, State Senate and State Assembly. Again, the Bronx will be a hot topic where there are two State Senators who might be facing tough and serious primaries.
First, New York City Councilmember Fernando Cabrera is expected to challenge State Senator Gustavo Rivera.  This race is gearing up to be a very interesting September primary.  And - State Senator Jeff Klein is expected to be challenged by former New York City Councilman and former New York Attorney General Oliver Koppell.
We all know that perception is everything in politics.  That said, on Tuesday, April 22nd, Senator Jeff Klein held a press conference to kick off his re-election campaign with the support of almost every elected official from Bronx County.  There were union leaders and business leaders and community residents all gathered in what I can only describe as a majestic show of force. I can only imagine that a show of force like that would send shivers up the spine of anyone expected to challenge Senator Jeff Klein.
If I were one of the potential contenders in Senator Jeff Klein's primary race, after hearing about and seeing what happened at the April 22nd gathering, I would probably issue a press release saying something like this:  "After consulting with my family and loved ones, at this time I have decided not to run for any office so I can spend more time with my family and children."
That is something I would do if I were one of those challengers - but I am not one of them.
I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and these are things you should know.

 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

It is wrong. It is evil. It won't work.

  You should know that according to some news reports, there is a movement afoot in Albany to break up the IDC-Republican Senate Coalition, which serves as the existing alliance that controls the New York State Senate. The IDC-Republican Senate Coalition is made up of the Senate Republicans and the five Independent Senate Democrats, led by Senator Jeff Klein.

You should also know that two years ago, five Democratic Senators: Senators Jeff Klein, Diane Savino, David Valesky, David Carlucci, and Malcolm Smith broke away from the Senate Democratic Conference and formed what they call the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) joining together with the Senate Republicans.  In this arrangement to control the State Senate, both leaders - Senator Dean Skelos - the Republican leader, and Senator Jeff Klein - the IDC leader, would share the power of the Senate.

It is also important for you to know that last year, after Senator Malcolm Smith had some problems with the law, he first got the cold shoulder, and later got the boot from the IDC. The vacancy Senator Malcolm Smith left after he was expelled from the IDC was recently filled by Senator Tony Avella - who also decided to break away from the Senate Democratic Conference.

Currently, there are three different Conferences in the New York State Senate: the Republican Conference, led by Senator Dean Skelos; the Democratic Conference, led by Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins; and the IDC Conference, led by Senator Jeff Klein.

It is a body with three heads.  It is the "Senate Troika" but only two of them benefit and share power, forcing the other one to go around trying to make people believe that he (or she) is part of the equation - even though everyone knows he (or she) is not.

In order to get back into a game that they lost a long time ago, the Senate Democratic Conference, led by Senator Mike Gianaris - - sorry, I meant Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (sometimes it's confusing to know who the real leader is) someone leaked to the press a so-called meeting between Senator Jeff Klein and Senator Mike Gianaris to negotiate with Senator Klein for him and the other four IDC Senators to return back to the regular Senate Democratic fold.
Apparently, someone forgot to notify and invite Senator Klein, because according to him: "They never coordinated a meeting between me and Senator Gianaris."
You should also know that there are some questions I have to ask regarding such a meeting:
Question #1:  Who forgot to read the Senate Rules in regard to power-sharing between both Conferences and the IDC?  According to Senate Rules, it would take 38 votes to break the shared power arrangements between the Republicans and the IDC.  So as you can see, it is impossible to get to this point with only 31 Democratic votes in place at this moment.  We will have to wait until after the 2014 General Election when a new Senate is elected and then we can see if the new Senate would like to change that rule.

Question #2: In the upcoming Democratic Primary, thanks to Senator Michael Gianaris (who chairs the New York State Democratic Senate Campaign Committee) Senator Jeff Klein may very well be facing a challenge.  In contrast, Senator Jeff Klein is supporting candidates against  Senators such as Timothy Kennedy from Buffalo, and Gustavo Rivera from the Bronx.  If Senator Jeff Klein wins his re-election and if even one of the candidates he is supporting is able to defeat one of the opponents, it seems to me that Jeff Klein will become Superman, and so I have to ask: Why and for what should he come back to the regular Democratic Conference?

I believe the opposite result will happen and Senators from the regular Democratic Conference will run to the IDC.
Question #3: Why would Senator Klein meet with Senator Gianaris to discuss the possibility of power-sharing with the Senate?  Common sense says a meeting of that caliber would have to be with Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins who as far as I know, is the Leader of the Democratic Conference - but I could be wrong.
You should know that no one has worked harder than I have to see that Senator Jeff Klein and the Members of the IDC come back to join the regular Senate Democratic Conference.  I have written different articles about this. I have spoken publicly about my desire to see them come back, and I have spoken in closed Democratic Conference to my colleagues about this.

Rumor has it that Senate Andrea Stewart-Cousins never authorized and never even knew about a meeting.   Rumor has it that Senator Klein was never contacted about a meeting and never agreed to such a meeting.  Rumor has it that Senator Mike Gianaris was never contacted about this meeting – nor was he the one who called for the meeting.
So ladies and gentlemen, what is going on here?  Who is talking to the press?  It seems that there are forces trying to inflict confusion by spreading ill-advised rumors, making believe that Senator Klein is the one who don’t  wants to get together, and that Senator Klein is the one who is rejecting all opportunities of peace offerings so the Senate Democrats can regain power and control the Senate.

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

 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York 

  New Police Commissioner William Bratton is Showing Respect to Our Community
You should know, that the new administration at 1 Police Plaza, is showing great respect and a new sense of consideration for our community here in the South Bronx.

It is important for me to mention that on Monday, February 10, 2014, Assemblyman Marcos Crespo and I sent a letter to the new Police Commissioner, the Honorable William Bratton, requesting a meeting.

The purpose of the request was to discuss what we believe is an injustice done to the residents of the Bronx, especially those residing in the area of the 41^st Precinct, where crimes committed in Queens County are being applied to Bronx County, therefore increasing the crime statistics in the Bronx and decreasing the crime statistics in Queens.

You should know that this outrageous and unfair situation where crimes committed in Rikers Island, which is located in Queens, are being applied to the 41^st Precinct located on Longwood Avenue in the South Bronx, has been amply documented and explained in the New York Daily News by Denis Slattery and other reporters.

We have been questioning ourselves why it is that the residents of the South Bronx have to carry the burden of seeing that their area’s crimes are increased, the insurance companies are increasing their rates and the South Bronx is being painted by everyone as a high crime area, while the area in Queens where Rikers Island is located is being painted like a crime-free zone.

For me, it was impressive to see how soon our request for the meeting with the Commissioner was responded to. It is a fact that in the previous administration, my requests and letters were very, very, rarely responded to.

To the credit of the new administration at 1 Police Plaza, the timing in which the letter was responded to took me by surprise. On Friday, April 4, 2014, the Honorable William Bratton sent to my Bronx Office, a delegation to meet with Assemblyman Crespo and myself. That delegation was composed of the Assistant Commissioner for Office Management, Analysis and Planning, Ronald J. Wilhelmy, the Assistant Commissioner for Intergovernmental Affairs, Susan Petito,  the Deputy Commissioner for Operations, Dermot Shea, the Deputy Inspector for Crime Analysis and Planning, Raymond Martinez and Ariana W. Caplan, State Legislative Affairs from the Mayor’s Office.

The interest shown by the Commissioner by sending this delegation of high ranking members of the Police Department to come to the South Bronx to try to find solutions to these old inequities that have been facing the residents of the area where the 41^st Precinct is located, merits praise and thanks for their attention to this long-standing issue.

It is important to know that crimes in the Bronx have been decreasing. But as long as crimes committed in Queens County are being applied to Bronx County, it is prejudicial not only to the residents of the 41^st Precinct, but to every resident of Bronx County.

I know and you should know that there is no easy solution, and that this problem will not be fixed by a snap of the fingers.  But to know that the new Police Commissioner and his administration are taking notice and paying attention and working together with us to try to find a solution, it is refreshing, it is admirable, and it is exciting.

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

 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York 

I TOLD YOU SO

   As you know, the latest hot potato in our political world here in Albany is the leap of faith just taken by Democratic Senator Tony Avella from Queens, New York to abandon the every-day weakening Democratic Conference and jump to the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) led by Senator Jeffrey Klein from the Bronx.

You should know that with this jump, I am pretty sure that Senator Avella will be getting some benefits and privileges, e.g., office, staff, and a committee chairmanship, most likely the Aging Committee, which is currently vacant.

Senator Avella’s jump opens a “Pandora’s Box,” and now the door has been opened wide for more of us to follow his lead, although a while back I remember a statement made by Senator Diane Savino, a member of the IDC, that said “Everyone is welcome, except Rubén Díaz,” and because of that, I am afraid that in the end, I will be the last one left behind, unless Senator Savino changes her mind.

The cost of the IDC’s increase in power and influence of its leader Senator Jeffrey Klein has been the arrogance, apathy and pride of some members in our Democratic Conference.

For a long time I have been calling for their return and asking my colleagues to talk to Jeff Klein and the member of the IDC and to “make them an offer that they cannot refuse,” and bring them back so that we Democrats could be in the Majority again. The response from my Democratic colleagues, lamentably, has been that “we would rather always be in the minority.” To them I now say be careful what you wish for, you might get it.

As you know the IDC used to be composed of five members: Senator Jeff Klein, Senator Diane Savino, Senator David Valesky, Senator David Carlucci and the only minority in the group, Senator Malcolm Smith. We all know that Senator Smith got booted out, leaving the IDC with only white members. Now ladies and gentleman, my advice, my two cents worth, to Jeff Klein and the IDC is to work on one minority because you need a little diversity in your conference.

And to my colleagues in the Democratic Conference, I say that now we can really kiss the majority good-bye and as some of you have wished, we’re going to be in the minority for a long time. I told you so.

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

Editors Note:

We now know what is taking Senator Diaz so long to join the IDC. 

A Few Questions for Mayor Bill de Blasio Regarding the New York City Housing Authority

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
District 32 Bronx County, New York

A Few Questions for Mayor Bill de Blasio Regarding the New York City Housing Authority

You should know that the problems within the New York City Housing Authority are among the biggest headaches that our new Mayor Bill de Blasio will have to confront during his tenure as New York City Mayor.

The rampant problems in the New York City Housing Authority are well known and have been well documented in a series of articles written in the New York Daily News by journalists such as Greg B. Smith, Denis Slattery, Lisa L. Colangelo, Jan Ransom, Kerry Burke and Bill Hutchinson among others. They all have written vast stories about the unhealthy conditions, mismanagement, neglect, abuses, poor maintenance and lack of respect and consideration to New York City Housing Authority residents.

“Be careful what you wish for, you may get it,” is an old proverb attributed to a classic horror story that appeared in Harpers Monthly in 1902.  I fully realize that Mayor Bill de Blasio was not the Mayor when all these problems occurred. Nonetheless, they were one of the central topics and issues during his campaign.  Therefore, I have a few questions for our Mayor Bill de Blasio.

1) As a candidate for Mayor, Bill de Blasio, along with the Rev. Al Sharpton and the other Democratic candidates for Mayor: Christine Quinn, John Liu, Bill Thompson and Anthony Weiner, spent one hot, humid July night sleeping in an apartment in the Lincoln Houses.  After that sleepless night, Mr. Mayor, what did you learn from that experience and how will you use that experience to help the millions of residents who live in New York City Housing Authority apartments?

2) As recently as August, 2013, the New York City Housing Authority failed to spend fifty (50) million dollars that was allocated for repairs. While this money was allocated by the New York City Council, it was taxpayer money that should have been used for much needed repairs.
 
Mr. Mayor, what has happened to the fifty (50) million dollars and have the repairs been made?
 
3) In July, the New York Daily News reported that while forty-two (42) million dollars had been set aside for security cameras, only 11 had been installed out of a total of 86.  Mr. Mayor, what   is the status of the installation of the remaining 75 security cameras?
 
4) In August, in the heat of the summer, raw sewage was flowing from toilets and bathtubs in Senior Citizens’ ground floor apartments in the Throggs Neck Houses.
 
Mr. Mayor, what has been done to fix this disgusting problem and serious health issue that our Senior Citizens have been living with in the New York City Housing Authority apartments?
 
5) In December, the New York City Housing Authority agreed to clean up mold and related problems within 15 days and it signed off on a settlement agreeing to the supervision of a federal court.
 
Mr. Mayor, the 15 days have come and gone.  Has anyone been assigned from your administration to find out what is the status of the mold remediation?
 
6) Senior citizens were freezing in their apartments in the Throggs Neck Houses and Mott Haven Houses two days before Thanksgiving, and just last week the same problem occurred in the PS 139 Conversion Houses in Harlem because the heating systems failed.
 
Mr. Mayor, what will be done to fix the heating systems in every NYCHA building, especially those that have been so neglected in minority areas such as the Bronx and Harlem, so we don’t have to worry about Senior Citizens freezing to death?
 
Ladies and Gentlemen, we all know that these problems are not Mayor de Blasio’s fault, but they are now his problem and he has the duty and responsibility to find answers and solutions, because after all, he slept in one of these apartments on the condition and promise that if elected Mayor he would find remedies to these problems. And as I said before “Be careful what you wish for, you may get it.” 
 
And now Mr. Mayor, you got it.  

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

 
 

A Democratic Gimmick on the “Dream Act”: Do Nothing and Blame the Republicans

What You Should Know
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
District 32 Bronx County, New York

  You should know that here in Albany, the Capital of the State of New York, where laws for the state are debated and approved, you will find some elected officials who are doing nothing to protect our poor and needy communities and instead blame the Republicans for their inaction and lack of courage to stand for what they promised their constituents during election time.

You should know that in the Democratic Party in the Capital of the State of New York, we have a Democratic Governor, a Democratic Attorney General, a Democratic Comptroller, a Democratic Assembly, and we Democrats have thirty-three (33) out of 63 in the New York State Senate. Therefore, we have enough control and votes to approve anything we want including the allocation of 25 million dollars ($25,000,000) for the “Dream Act” within the 140 billion dollars that the Governor is proposing in the New York State Budget.

Then you might ask, why is that for the past three years we have not done it? Because there are some members of the Legislature that say one thing back in the City and to the Hispanic media and then say and do something quite different when they return to Albany, or when the Governor calls them.

I was surprised and amazed, to read an article in the New York Daily News, written by Mr. Kenneth Lovett titled: “Decision time.” This article was published on Monday, January 27, 2014 and it detailed how “a top democrat has expressed political concerns about the push to pass a bill to create a State Dream Act authorizing State financial assistance to college kids.” Mr. Lovett continues stating that “Several Legislative Democrats and Dream Act advocates said Senator Michael Gianaris…fears the issue could harm Democratic chances to get re-elected.”

There are also rumors that Governor Cuomo called Assembly members Felix Ortiz, Francisco Moya and others to his office and some of them joined the Governor by stating that “maybe it will be better for us to wait a little bit because the Republicans will not allow the vote to come to the floor.”

You should know that the Republicans never wanted to bring the gay marriage vote to the floor, it was because of Governor Cuomo and the Democrats’ pressure that forced the hands of the Republicans against their will and as you know gay marriage was voted and approved in New York State.

You should also know that the Republicans never wanted to bring to the floor “The SAFE Act legislation but the Governor and the Democrats one more time forced their hands and the SAFE Act was approved in New York State.

By writing this column, it is my intention to let you know that when we Democrats really want to do something, we do not need the Republicans because we have the votes, the unions, the Assembly, the press and the majority of Senators in the Senate.

It is my intention to let you, my dear readers know, that there is no reason why our community has to be waiting for three years to include 25 million dollars in New York State’s budget and create the “Dream Act.” We don’t have to blame the Republicans, we just have to be honest with our immigrant community and tell them if we really want it or not.

The Governor and my colleagues should put the same efforts, energy and desire that they put into passing gay marriage and the SAFE Act and once and for all stop the gimmick of blaming the Republicans and admit their lack of action.

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

 

The Four Amigos, the IDC, and Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito: How things change … or are They Just Double Standards?

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
District 32 Bronx County, New York

The Four Amigos, the IDC, & Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito: How things change … or are they just double standards?

You should know that back in 2009, when it came time to elect a new President in the State Senate, there were many candidates for the Democrats to choose from.  This was when the Four Amigos – Senators Carl Kruger, Pedro Espada, Hiram Monserratte, and I – got together and talked about how we could unite to get leadership in the Senate and make a difference.

You should know that at the time, in order for someone to become the Democratic Senate Leader, it required 32 votes, and it was a tight race.

In our planning, the Four Amigos decided what to do about each issue that each Amigo wanted to take care of.  Senator Pedro Espada wanted to be the first minority New York State Senate President Pro Tem.  Senator Hiram Monserratte wanted to Chair the Senate Consumer Protection Committee.  Senator Karl Krueger wanted to Chair the Senate Finance Committee.  And I wanted a promise that the gay marriage bill would not come to the Senate Floor for a vote.

Because of our success, the reaction to the Four Amigos was labeled a “coup” and a “scandal.”  We were vilified as the “Four Banditos.”  We were branded as being traitors, corrupt,
blackmailers, thieves, slimy, crooks, extortionists, deadbeats, selfish, greedy, shameful, stooges, clowns, opportunists - and accused us by saying the whole thing was some kind of "quid pro quo."  We were called all kinds of disparaging names.  Former New York State Governor David Paterson publicly professed that we were “disingenuous” and that we were engaged in “very nefarious practices.”

As of today, we have not recuperated from those attacks, in part because of the unfortunate personal affairs of my three colleagues – none of which were related to the demands we made in 2009.

Since that time, when another chance arose to elect a new Senate President, a different group of four Senators got together and (copied us) forming what is known as the Senate Independent Democratic Conference – the IDC.  The IDC is led by Senator Jeff Klein, and is comprised of three Senators: Diane Savino, David Carlucci, and David Valesky.  Their power-grab was formed, they claim, because they were fed up with the “selfish antics” of their leaders.

It is well known that the IDC clearly and openly made political demands, which were met by Republican Senator Dean Skelos, who agreed to share the leadership of the State Senate with Senator Jeff Klein.  The IDC Members were given Senate Committee leadership – AND a separate budget containing millions of dollars!

Those four IDC State Senators have been routinely praised for their coup/breakaway. The IDC members have been labeled as progressive leaders, virtuous, smart, bold, power-sharing and thoughtful.  They have been commended by unions, by the Governor, by editorial boards and reporters … almost everybody praises them because of what they did.

Now I am reading a column written by Michael Gartland in the December 29, 2013 edition of New York Post titled, “BLAS A ‘MARK’ MAN - Council-boss IOUs” casually listing the demands, deals, payouts and “plum paychecks” that are being made in the New York City Council in order for certain concessions to be made so that Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito will get the 31 votes she needs to be in control as the New York Council as Speaker.

According to Mr Gartland, there are many Council Members who have been promised Committee Chairmanships and other fabulous prizes if they vote for Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito to be the Speaker.

For example - and if that happens - Mr. Gartland mentioned how Council Member Julissa Ferreras will get to be the Majority Leader and receive an extra $23,000; Council Member David Greenfield will get to be the Chair of the Land Use Committee and receive an extra $18,000; Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer will get to be the Chair of the Finance Committee and receive an extra $18,000; and either Council Member Danny Dromm or Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez will get to be the Chair of the Education Committee and get an extra $10,000.  If Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito gets to be the the Speaker, she will get an extra $28,500.

My dear reader, please keep in mind that “Committee chairmanships carry generous taxpayer-funded stipends over and above the $112,500 base salary council members get annually.”

I don’t see anybody calling Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito or anyone involved in these dealings crooked or deadbeats - or requesting any investigation about possible ethical wrongdoings, or being accused of engaging in any type of "quid pro quo."  On the contrary, outgoing Council Member Lew Fidler is calling this a "standard."  He said: “No speaker has taken that job since I was there without discussing committee assignments with possible supporters.  This is standard.”

Now it is a standard thing for all City Council Members to partake in the practice of "quid pro quo" so Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito can be the Speaker of the New York City Council and in return, give back to the Council Members whatever they want or demand.

My dear reader, how things have changed!

Are we sure this is now a standard, and not a double standard?  How come it was not a standard for Senator Espada, Senator Monserrate, or Senator Kruger to ask for leadership posts?  How come it was not a standard for me to ask for the gay marriage not to come to the Senate Floor?

For us, it was considered corruption - but when I read about how Mr. Frank Seddio, the Chair of the Brooklyn Democratic organization is going around and asking and demanding (according to Mr. Gartland’s article) that “de Blasio promise his allies several city marshal’s jobs” – I have a few questions.

What would have happen if it weren't Kings Democratic Chair Frank Seddio demanding these appointments and political favors, but instead, if Bronx County Democratic Chair Carl Heastie was the one making these demands?  I can assure you that everyone under the sun would be calling for an investigation.  I can assure you that my very best friends, Gerson Borrero and Bob Kappstatter, along with the editorial boards of El Diario la Prensa and other publications would be accusing Carl Heastie of serious wrongdoing.  Where are you guys now? Why are you being so quiet? Where are all of my friends in the media who seeks purity and truth? Where is the outrage about all of the backroom dealings and threats that are going on right now?

I also have to ask myself, what ever happened to Curtis Sliwa who likes to talk about the leadership of Bronx County, and now he is keeping his mouth shut about Mr. Frank Seddio and the Brooklyn Democratic organization?  What about Governor Andrew Cuomo's Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE), and what about the Honorable Eric Schneiderman who is New York State's Attorney General?  Ladies and gentlemen, where are the subpoenas and the investigations - and the press conferences?

I have to say that, at least to me, that this is much, much worse than what we were accused of doing.  And I ask myself: Is this how things have changed … or is it just a gross case of double standards?

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

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
District 32 Bronx County, New York

Governor Andrew Cuomo Just Did it Again to Get Even with Me and Assemblyman Marcos Crespo  

  You should know that on Monday, December 16, 2013, the leaders of the New York State Republican Party, Chairman Ed Cox, New York State Senate Republican Conference Leader Dean Skelos, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino and others, at the request of myself and Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, came to the South Bronx to distribute 2,000 toys to our needy and poor children for my annual event “Christmas In The Bronx.” You should have seen the excitement that radiated from the faces of all these children!

Two days later on December 18, 2013, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed and vetoed over 60 bills. One of his vetoes, Veto #249 to be exact, was the Immigrant Service Enforcement Act (A.158A-S.786A). I am the Senate sponsor of this bill, and Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, who is also the Assembly Chair of the Task Force on New Americans, is the sponsor in that house.

You should also know that on the very next day, December 19, 2013, not one, but two articles were published in the New York Times: Immigration Remakes and Sustains New York, Report Finds and Life Expectancy of New Yorkers Rises With Influx of Immigrants, Study Finds. 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, when the venerable New York Times published not only one, but two articles on the positive impact immigrants bring to New York City, we have a Governor vetoed a bill that would strengthen protections against the rampant fraud to which immigrants are frequently subjected. How could the Governor veto a bill that requires immigrant service providers to register with the State? How could the Governor veto a bill that increases fines against immigrant service providers who seek to cheat the very people they are supposed to serve out of their hard earned money? How could the Governor veto a bill that is essentially a comprehensive consumer protection bill?

 

This bill is not only about protecting immigrants who speak Spanish. This bill is about protecting immigrants who speak Chinese, Russian, Creole, and even English speaking immigrants from Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. Consequently, the Governor’s veto is not only about his failure to protect immigrants who speak Spanish. His veto fails to protect the millions of immigrants who call New York City home.

 

Since Assemblyman Crespo and I represent communities in the Bronx, our concern is naturally for our constituents who are immigrants and who make their home here. According to the New York Times: “From 2000 to 2011, the Bronx’s foreign-born population increased by about 85,300, the largest growth of any borough.” This growth, however, is not only evident in the Bronx. Again, according to the New York Times, in Staten Island the “immigrant population grew 36 percent, the largest percentage increase of any borough.” 

 

Ladies and Gentleman, a bill of this magnitude and scope does not get introduced, negotiated, amended and passed, unanimously in the Assembly and one vote shy of unanimous in the Senate, overnight. For three long years, Assemblyman Crespo has been working tirelessly with the legislative leaders in both houses, with the Governor’s office and with New York City’s leading immigrant service providers and advocacy groups, including the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families, the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Queens Chapter for League of United Latin American Citizens, the New York Immigration Coalition, Casa Puebla and New Immigrant Community Empowerment, to craft a bill that everyone could support. Clearly, this bill had wide-spread community and legislative support.

Even as final negotiations were taking place with the Governor’s office prior to the Governor’s veto, Assemblyman Crespo was willing to amend the bill further to address the Governor’s concerns. Instead of a good faith effort on the part of the Governor, the immigrants who contribute so much to the vitality, health and well being of New York City were given a slap in the face.

You should know that when the Governor vetoes a bill, he is required by state law to issue what is referred to as a “veto message.” The Governor’s veto message in part states:“Unfortunately, this bill fails to achieve its stated purposes, because, among other things, some of its key provisions are preempted by federal law, so they are unenforceable as State law.”

Since when did the Governor of New York State become the lawyer for the Federal Government? Our Governor is not the United States Attorney General. Why is the Governor hiding behind Federal law as an excuse to veto this bill? There is no Federal gay marriage law, yet the Governor pushed that bill through, going so far as to force the Senate leaders to dispense with Senate Rules that govern floor debate. There is no Federal law that allows for the use of medical marijuana or is there a Federal law that decriminalizes marijuana, yet Governor Cuomo seems more determined than ever to make marijuana more readily available in our minority communities. There is no effort on the Federal level to expand abortion the way Governor Cuomo wants to expand abortion here in New York State.

 

You should also know that this is not the first time that the Democratic Governor who is the head of the State Democratic Party, the Party that is supposed to be the champion of the immigrant, has treated New York City and its residents with such disrespect. Governor Andrew Cuomo’s refusal to include funding for the Dream Act in the State budget and his effort a few years ago to slash funding for senior centers which serve many immigrants, are among two of the horrible examples of how our Governor has treated the immigrant community.

 

You should know my dear reader, that Governor Andrew Cuomo just did it again and I am afraid that he did it to get even with Assemblyman Marcos Crespo and me for allowing Ed Cox, Dean Skelos, and Rob Astorino to come to the South Bronx to give 2,000 toys to our needy and poor children.

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

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York 

Is Governor Cuomo Taking New York City For Granted?

You should know that on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 Governor Andrew Cuomo awarded $715.9 million in Economic Development Funding through the third round of his Regional Economic Development Council initiative. A grand event to announce this multi-million dollar jackpot was held in Albany in the Hart Theatre at the Empire State Plaza. The Master of Ceremonies for this event was none other than Maria Bartiromo, the former television host of “CNBC’s Closing Bell.”

We all know that $715.9 million is a huge sum of money and you might ask: where did all this money go? Let me tell you. The largest prizes were awarded to areas outside of New York City including Long Island that received $83 million, the Capital Region which includes Albany, Warren and Washington Counties, received $82.8 million, the Mohawk Valley, which includes the City of Utica, received $82.4 million, the Southern Tier which includes Elmira, the Town of Margaretville and Delaware County, received slightly under $82 million, and the North Country, which is near the Canadian border and includes Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake and Watertown, received slightly over $81 million.

Surprise, surprise, by now you must be asking, of that $715.9 million, how much did a Democratic city like New York City receive from a Democratic Governor? Sit down and hold on to your chair, I don’t want you to fall off your chair when you find out how much the City of New York, which includes the Boroughs of Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island received. We just received only $57.4 million for the five boroughs. And as you and I know, any one of the five boroughs has a larger population than those counties that received more money.

Ladies and Gentleman, our Democratic Governor should know that he is the Governor because of the Democratic voters in New York City. As a matter of fact, the State Comptroller, the Honorable Thomas DiNapoli, the State Attorney General, the Honorable Eric Schneiderman, and the Assembly Speaker, the Honorable Sheldon Silver are all from New York City and hold elected office because of New York City voters.

One could only imagine why a Democratic Governor, who is the head of the New York State Democratic Party, would discriminate against the voters who are the very reason he is the Governor.

What is Governor Cuomo’s message to the voters of the City of New York? Is it “later for you?” Or is it “I don’t need you now; I only need you at election time, when I will come back to you and tell you I am a Democrat like you?” How is it that the largest city in New York State with the largest Police Department and the city that has more children attending its elementary, middle and high schools than the population of many upstate counties combined, was awarded less money than anybody else?

My dear reader, I think that New York City has been taken for granted for too long. I want to make myself clear. I am not pitting Upstate against Downstate. I am aware that Upstate needs as much support and as many services as anybody else. But for the City of New York to receive only $57.4 million out of $715.9 million is too much for me to swallow. I believe that New York City has been discriminated against and taken for granted because I also believe that resources should be awarded based on population and not based on future political plans.

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