NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi (Jacobi) CEO Christopher Mastromano announced today that Drs. John McNelis and Srinivas Reddy have been appointed Honorary Police Surgeons by NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea. Dr. McNelis is Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Jacobi while Dr. Reddy is the Associate Director of Trauma Services and Director of Pediatric Trauma. 

Honorary police surgeons are medical doctors who act as consultants to the New York City Police Department (NYPD). They lend their professional opinions, expertise and if needed, medical care to members of the service and their families.  Applicants go through a strict selection process similar to NYPD officers before being appointed by the NYPD Commissioner.  Furthermore, they must display expertise in six fields including: Cardiology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Internal Medical and Vascular Surgery.

 

“I deeply appreciate this appointment by Commissioner Shea. We’re a trauma center so we are often dealing with the aftermath of tragic situations, side by side with the police,” said Dr. McNelis. “This appointment reaffirms that partnership.”

 

“I am privileged to join the NYPD in this honorary capacity. I truly believe we are all on the same team keeping our city safe,” said Dr. Reddy.

 

“Drs. McNelis and Reddy are two of Jacobi’s frontline healthcare heroes,” said Mr. Mastromano. “It’s great to see both getting recognized beyond our hospital for the work they do.”

 

Additionally, this is not the first Jacobi surgeon to be appointed for this prestigious honor.  In 2005, Dr. Sheldon Teperman was appointed an Honorary Police Surgeon by Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly.  Dr. Terperman has been a longtime advocate for anti-gun violence efforts throughout the country, often speaking from the first-hand experiences he’s had treating traumatic injuries at Jacobi.

 

Jacobi continues to serve first responders and all patients as the Bronx’s Level 1 Trauma Center.

About NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi

 

NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi is a 457-bed teaching hospital affiliated with the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. The facility has earned numerous Center of Excellence designations, accreditation, and recognition for its renowned Level 1 Trauma Center, Burn Center, Surgical Intensive Care Unit, regional Stroke Center, Snakebite Treatment Center, Breast Health Center, Bariatric Surgery Center, and Cancer Service. The facility also offers the region’s only multi-person hyperbaric chamber, allowing up to nine patients to dive together at one time. Jacobi’s Ambulatory Care Pavilion is a stunning complement to its inpatient acute care, allowing staff to provide patients with high-quality service in a modern, state-of-the-art environment. For more information visit http://www.nyc.gov/hhc/jacobi/.

 

Newburgh Man Charged With Transporting A Minor For Criminal Sexual Activity

 

 Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bruce Campbell, Chief of the Town of Newburgh Police Department, announced that VERNON E. COPELAND III, was indicted today for transporting a minor from Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Newburgh, New York, with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity with the minor.  COPELAND was charged by criminal complaint on November 20, 2020, and arrested on August 3, 2021, in Tampa, Florida.  COPELAND will be transported to the Southern District of New York for arraignment and prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “As alleged, Vernon Copeland preyed on a 13-year-old, whom he transported from Bridgeport to Newburgh to engage in sex.  Thanks to the FBI and the Town of Newburgh Police, Copeland is in custody and facing this serious federal charge.”

FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll said: “A 13-year-old child should be spending time playing sports and going to school, not worrying about being used by an alleged criminal for his own sexual gratification. We must do better as adults in protecting these innocent children because even one being victimized by a predator is too many. A first step in helping someone who may be a victim - call 1-800-CALL-FBI if you have any information about Mr. Copeland.”

According to the allegations contained in the Indictment returned today[1]:

On or about February 7, 2020, COPELAND transported a 13-year-old minor (“Victim-1”) from Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Newburgh, New York, where he engaged, and attempted to engage, in illegal sexual activity with Victim-1.

COPELAND 36, of Newburgh, New York, is charged with one count of transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, which carries a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.  The statutory minimum and maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Ms. Strauss praised the efforts of the FBI and the Town of Newburgh Police Department.  She added that the investigation is ongoing.

Any individuals who believe they have information that may be relevant to this investigation should contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or https://tips.fbi.gov/.

The charge contained in the Indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

MAYOR DE BLASIO AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HOCHUL ISSUE JOINT STATEMENT

 

 Following their meeting today, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul released the below statement:

 

“We had a productive conversation today discussing issues that are important to New Yorkers, from fighting the Delta variant to getting our kids back to school safely this fall to keeping our communities safe. We look forward to working with each other to continue New York City's recovery and end the fight against COVID.”

 

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli: July Statewide Local Sales Tax Collections Up More Than 21 Percent

 

Strong Rebound Continues After Large Decline in 2020

 Local government sales tax collections in July increased by 21.2% over the same month in 2020, marking the fourth consecutive month that collections exceeded 2020 results, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today. Collections totaled close to $1.6 billion, up $276 million from July of last year.

“Last month’s impressive sales tax performance reflects this year’s strengthening economy and positive jobs numbers,” DiNapoli said. “Overall collections around this time last year were severely weakened by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. New York’s local governments are seeing much stronger collections in 2021. However, with recent increases in infection rates occurring across the state, local officials must continue to monitor changing economic conditions and maintain vigilance when it comes to their finances.”

July’s significant growth in local sales taxes reflects the fact that collections during the same month of 2020 were weak, with sales activity still recovering from the first wave of the pandemic. However, collections were also strong even by comparison with pre-pandemic 2019, growing 11.2%, or $159 million, over July of that year.

New York City’s collections totaled $649 million, an increase of 14.2% or $81 million compared to July 2020. Every county outside of New York City also saw year-over-year collections for July grow by double digits, ranging from 17.3% in Lewis County to 35.7% in Wayne County.

During the last month of each calendar quarter, the state Department of Taxation and Finance reconciles quarterly distributions against what had been reported by sales tax vendors for the reporting quarter and adjusts payments to local jurisdictions in those months upward or downward accordingly.

During the other months, including July, the payments are based on estimates. The next reconciliation will be reported in mid-October and will provide more information on the regional picture of sales tax collections for the third quarter (July-September) of 2021. 

Table

Monthly Local Sales Tax Collections by County and Region (for detailed monthly breakdown)

WILLIAMS, HOCHUL JOINT STATEMENT AFTER NEW YORK CITY MEETING

 

 New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams and incoming New York Governor, current Lieutenant Governor, Kathy Hochul released the following joint statement after their Tuesday afternoon meeting in New York City. 

"We had an important dialogue this evening discussing issues that are of vital and immediate importance to New Yorkers, including expanding and escalating COVID-19 vaccination efforts, reframing how we address public safety while reducing gun violence, and expediting distribution of relief funding for renters and owners alike. We also discussed the need to remove unnecessary barriers and fund excluded workers -  largely immigrants - who have been blocked from federal aid. These must and will be immediate priorities of this new Administration."

"We look forward to working together, upstate and downstate, to help New Yorkers recover from this pandemic and renew New York City."

141 Days and Counting

 

I need more caffeine in my coffee these reporters questions are about the same thing, and are putting me to sleep. COVID-19 this, and COVID-19 that, I'm surprised one of them haven't asked me if the city is going to make sure those who want to go inside have to show their vaccination ID, why then don't people who want to vote not have to show their voter ID. 

 Anyone who decides to be Kathy Hochul's Lt. Governor has to be crazy, because I am going to be the governor of New York State after next years election. I understand there is going to be a fight for the soon to be vacant 86th Assembly seat of Victor Pichardo between Yudelka Tapia, and Adolfo Abreu. Good luck at Montefiore Hospital Victor.

SCHUMER REVEALS: OVER 145 DEFICIENT AND UNSAFE BRIDGES ACROSS ROCHESTER & THE FINGER LAKES REGION; SENATOR SECURES NEARLY $13.5 BILLION TO FINALLY FIX DILAPIDATED & DOWNRIGHT DANGEROUS BRIDGES ACROSS NY, CREATING JOBS, SAFER ROADS, AND SAVING LIVES

 

Finger Lakes Region Has At Least 145 Dangerous Bridges Posing Worsening Safety Issues With Each Passing Day; JUST Bridge Repairs Backlog Runs Over $200 Million

Senator Secures Major Funding To Address Structurally Deficient Bridges, Road Repair Backlog

Schumer: It’s Time To Invest In Finger Lake’s Bridges Before Poor Conditions Prove A Bridge Too Far

 After securing $346 million for Monroe County and the City of Rochester in the American Rescue Plan to address the region’s greatest needs as New York recovers from the worst of the COVID pandemic, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer stood at one of Monroe’s “poor-rated” bridges, the Rt 590 bridges over Monroe Avenue in the Town of Brighton, and announced $13.5 billion for New York in the recently Senate-passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA), to address the backlog of repairs needed to fix the county’s deficient bridges, highways, and roads. Of that amount, an estimated $1.9 billion is exclusively for a new bridge replacement and repair program. New York will also be able to compete for a share of the $12.5 billion in competitive grant funding for the new Bridge Investment Program in the bill. Schumer revealed that at least 145 bridges in the Finger Lakes region have been deemed to be in “poor condition” and are deteriorating every day, posing safety and structural issues if repairs are not made ASAP.

“It’s long past time to make urgent repairs to the nearly 150 structurally deficient bridges in the Finger Lakes. Crumbling bridges and road are a hazard to motorists, and impede economic development. With an over $400 million backlog of repairs needed for Rochester Finger Lakes region roads, bridges, and highways, we cannot afford to wait any longer,” said Senator Schumer. “Not only will the $13.5 billion I fought to secure in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework provide ample funding to finally address this backlog and fix dangerous bridges in the Finger Lakes, but it will also be a major boon for the regional economy by creating good-paying construction jobs and making roads safer for everyone. Structurally deficient bridges cost New Yorkers time and money, and we must invest in the Finger Lakes’ infrastructure before poor conditions prove a bridge too far.”

According to the Rochester-Finger Lakes region’s transportation repair plan produced every 4 years called the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), from 2020-2024 the region has $834 million in transportation funding needs for road, highway, and bridge repairs but only enough funding on hand to cover $405 million.  Moreover, currently the cost to complete all the required repairs needed to fix Rochester Finger Lakes bridges is $341 million, yet only $108 is allocated in the 4-year TIP due to current funding levels, thereby creating an over $200 million repair backlog for bridges alone. Schumer said this means that with an overall $405 million backlog, over 50% of the Finger Lakes’ transportation needs are not being undertaken which is why he is pushing for the $13.5 billion in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill to address this backlog.

Schumer explained that structurally deficient bridges impact the economy negatively because they are frequently closed or posted for weight restrictions, forcing heavier vehicles such as trucks, busses, and farm equipment to find alternate routes that result in lost time and money. According to The Road Information Program, 10% of New York’s bridges are structurally deficient and continue to bear over 11.5 million vehicles per day. In the Rochester-area, nearly 12% of bridges are structurally deficient and bear over 1.14 million vehicles per day.

New York’s bridge system is vital to supporting the Finger Lakes economy, particularly its agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism industries, and are vital to the connectivity of the state. Nearly $1.3 trillion in goods are transported in New York every year – mostly by truck – and approximately 3.5 million full-time jobs in New York are dependent on the state’s transportation network. Schumer argued that fixing the state’s structurally deficient bridges sooner rather than later is imperative because bridge repairs become exponentially more expensive as damages increase and conditions worsen.

“Our transportation system is aging and ailing, and this investment to repair bridges in the Finger Lakes will prove invaluable to connecting New Yorkers for the next century,” added Schumer.

TIP is a staged, multi-year program of projects, which identifies the timing and funding of all highway, bridge, transit, intelligent transport system, bicycle, and pedestrian transportation projects scheduled in the region for the next for years that require federal transportation funds.

Below is a breakdown between what is needed for Finger Lakes transportation projects vs. current level of funding. The Schumer-led Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill is expected to make up much of the difference.

	ESTIMATED TOTAL COST	CURRENT FUNDING AVAILABLE
Bridges	Over $341 million	$108 million
Highways	Over $416 million	$201 million
Preventative Maintenance	Over $275 million	$184 million
Bicycle/Pedestrian	N/A	$3.8 million

Schumer was joined by Representative Joe Morelle, Brighton Town Supervisor Bill Moehle, and Rochester Building & Construction Trades Council President Grant Malone

“The roads and bridges we use every day—to get to work, to go to the grocery store, to pick our children up from school—are crumbling, and we cannot continue to kick the can down the road,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “That’s why I’m so proud to support the bipartisan agreement that will take historic action to modernize and upgrade our infrastructure. I am grateful to Majority Leader Schumer for his leadership on this important legislation and look forward to our continued work together to strengthen our communities.”

In addition to the $13.5 billion provided in highway and formula bridge funding, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act also provides $12.5 billion for a competitive bridge program that states and localities can apply to. For the first time, the bill also creates the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program which provides $1 billion in competitive grants for planning and projects to remove, retrofit, or mitigate existing highways that were built through neighborhoods and created a barrier to mobility and economic development. The popular RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) grants, formerly known as BUILD or TIGER, fund transportation projects of national and regional significance and are funded in the bill at $7.5 billion over five years. The INFRA (Infrastructure for Rebuilding America) grant program, another competitive program that funds transportation projects with a strong connection to improving freight operations, is funded at $3.2 billion. Finally, New York is also expected to receive $175 million over five years to support the expansion of an EV charging network in the state, and the ability to apply for the $2.5 billion in competitive EV charging grants.

Schumer also outlined other wins for the Finger Lakes region in the Bipartisan Infrastructure bill. The Finger Lakes will receive:

• $27,038,025 for Rochester’s Frederick Douglass Airport and $5,430,000 for other Finger Lakes airports.
• For transit, over $94.5 million estimated for the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority divided over five years.
• The region will also receive a sizable portion of the over $20 billion devoted for the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds, including a carve out within the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to replace lead service lines in communities like the Finger Lakes.

Attorneys General James Co-Leads Coalition in Taking Action Against Georgia’s Discriminatory Voting Law

 

 New York Attorney General Letitia James and District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine today co-led a coalition of 22 attorneys general in opposing Georgia’s discriminatory law that would make it more difficult for millions of Georgians — especially Black Georgians — to vote. The law disproportionately impacts low-income and rural communities, and includes provisions that impede Black voter mobilization efforts, such as banning government entities from distributing unsolicited absentee ballot applications, criminalizing the distribution of food and water to voters waiting in line, requiring ID for absentee ballots, and limiting the placement of ballot drop boxes.

In an amicus brief filed in United States v. Georgia, the coalition is pushing back against misguided efforts to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) against Georgia to overturn this law. The attorneys general argue that the DOJ is correct in its argument that Georgia intentionally discriminated against Black and minority voters, in violation of federal law, and that the case should proceed to trial. The brief also suggests that Georgia’s purportedly non-discriminatory reasons for adopting the law — to prevent voter fraud — are not valid.

“Georgia’s new voting law serves but one purpose — to continue generations of oppressive actions that disenfranchise the votes and voices of Black people,” said Attorney General James. “This law is a direct attack against the people of Georgia, and an attack against the democratic values that this country prides itself on. I stand with my fellow attorneys general to reject all attempts to suppress the will and the rights of Black Georgians.”

“The impact of Georgia’s new election law is clear — it will ensure that only some votes are counted while making it harder for Black voters to have their voices heard,” said Attorney General Racine. “Following a historic election with record Black turnout, the legislature responded by making it harder for Black Georgians to vote. We have seen this destructive and anti-democratic playbook before. The right to vote is sacred. States must promote free and fair elections, and expanding the opportunity for all voters is critical to making that possible. We urge the court to let this case proceed to trial.”

According to the Brennan Center for Justice, during the 2021 legislative session, more than 400 bills to restrict voting access were introduced in 49 states. In addition, at least 18 states passed and enacted 30 restrictive laws making vote-by-mail and early voting more difficult, putting in place harsher voter ID requirements, and making voter purges more likely, among other restrictive actions.

The coalition of attorneys general are specifically urging the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia to allow the case to move forward because:

• The federal government’s complaint properly alleges that Georgia intended to discriminate against Black and minority voters. The U.S. Supreme Court has long held that to prove discrimination, a plaintiff does not need to show direct evidence of discriminatory intent. Rather, bedrock civil rights law makes clear that parties can prove intentional discrimination by pointing to circumstantial facts and context that suggest an impermissible motive — including the political incentives and wider racial dynamics underlying an enactment. At this early stage in the case, plausible allegations of intent are enough to warrant the case moving forward. Given the overwhelming evidence demonstrating that Georgia enacted these laws in response to the results of the 2020 election — where record Black turnout unseated two Republican senators and delivered Georgia to a Democratic president for the first time in nearly 20 years — the DOJ has clearly met the necessary evidentiary burden for this case to proceed.
  
  
• Georgia’s supposedly non-discriminatory reasons for passing the law do not hold up under scrutiny. While Georgia has the authority and discretion to enact some laws that improve “election security” and “voter confidence,” states cannot invoke those interests as pretext for impairing the opportunities of vulnerable voters. Other states have been able to achieve those exact same goals through policy decisions that expand voter access, while keeping the risk of voter fraud minimal. For example, New York, the District of Columbia, and other states like California, Nevada, and Vermont have enacted reforms that simultaneously expand access and promote election security. When a state suddenly claws back existing access for voters — particularly voters of color after an historic election — without any genuine need or evidentiary basis, courts should be skeptical that “election integrity” is the genuine reason for the reduction in voting opportunities.

Attorneys General James and Racine led the amicus brief and were joined by the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

This action is the latest in a series of measures that Attorney General James has taken to fight back against attempts to suppress the right to vote in communities of color. In June 2021, Attorney General James sued the Rensselaer County Board of Elections for denying communities of color access to early voting sites. In May 2021, Attorney General James sued two people for their efforts to suppress Black voters through disinformation robocalls ahead of the 2020 election.