MAYOR ADAMS ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER CREATING MORE STREAMLINED AND ACCOUNTABLE MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES PROGRAM

 

Executive Order 34 Unifies M/WBE Program Under Agency Chief Contracting Diversity Officer

 

EO Streamlines City’s M/WBE Program to Promote Centralized Accountability, Real-Time Outcome Tracking, and Enhanced Contractual Opportunities for NYC-Certified M/WBEs

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today signed Executive Order 34, continuing his ongoing commitment to the Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Program. Executive Order 34 standardizes data collection from city-affiliated agencies that will help facilitate the city’s full M/WBE performance outcome tracking in real-time and ensures that city agencies have a senior staff member — with a dual reporting relationship to the citywide chief business diversity officer and their respective commissioner on M/WBE outcomes — empowered to prioritize M/WBE programming. The newly created agency chief contracting diversity officer will ensure accountability across agencies and helps to further centralize shared, city-wide M/WBE goals. 

 

“Each year, New York City spends billions on products and services. By building economic on-ramps for our minority and women business owners, we are creating jobs and improving the way government provides services to New Yorkers,” said Mayor Adams. “Our M/WBE program has already made a huge difference in our city, but there is always room for growth. Executive Order 34 provides the support needed to allow agencies to truly meet the mark by investing in our minority businesses and tracking our agencies’ progress in real time. This is not only a game changer, but how we expand economic opportunity for all across the five boroughs.”

 

“Creating a more equitable business environment for our city’s M/WBEs, particularly as we continue on the road towards a full post-COVID economic recovery, is a key priority for this administration,” said First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. “Mayor Adams’ signing of Executive Order 34 allows for further centralized accountability, empowers agency leadership to drive resources towards their M/WBE outcomes, and enhances contractual opportunities for our diverse pool of city-certified M/WBE firms. I’m excited for the great M/WBE outcomes these combined directives will surely produce.” 

 

“When Mayor Adams offered me the position of New York City’s first ever citywide chief business diversity officer, he assured me that he would be as committed to this program as I’ve been in my 30 years of M/WBE programming experience with the School Construction Authority and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority,” said Chief Business Diversity Officer Michael J. Garner. “I commend Mayor Adams for honoring that commitment by signing this executive order that will further empower me and our respective agency staff in a way that certainly puts us on a path towards achieving his aggressive M/WBE goals. The mayor has aligned his actions with his words.”

 

“New York City’s procurement system is only effective when it is equitable and inclusive of our many diverse communities and businesses,” said Lisa Flores, director, Mayor’s Office of Contract Services. “This executive order takes a bold approach and stands as concrete action to address the structural disparities that harm M/WBEs and ultimately lead to increased costs for the city and decreased quality of goods, services, and construction for which we contract. I am delighted to work with Chief Business Diversity Officer Garner in continuing to implement the mayor’s aggressive M/WBE agenda and maximize the quality and quantity of opportunities for which our M/WBEs can effective compete.”

 

Under Executive Order 34, Mayor Adams today announced that mayoral agencies will be directed to:

• Require re-evaluation of M/WBE goals before any contract is renewed in an effort to assess current M/WBE availability;
• De-bundle capital project contracts over $25 million, which will create a more level playing field for smaller M/WBE vendors in construction, where the city’s largest disparities currently exist;
• Consider at least one quote from an M/WBE vendor firm on all emergency procurements, given the city’s current response to the asylum seekers crisis; and
• Standardize M/WBE performance data for city-affiliated agencies that are part of OneNYC.

SCHUMER, AFTER YEARS OF UPSTATE NY HOSPITALS BEING SHORTCHANGED, ANNOUNCES HE HAS SECURED MASSIVE NEARLY $1 BILLION INCREASE IN PAYMENTS FROM FEDS FOR HOSPITALS – EVERY SINGLE YEAR – UNDER NEW FINALIZED RULE TO MEDICARE WAGE PAYMENTS; SCHUMER BREAKS DOWN REGION BY REGION MAJOR FED $$$ FOR IMPACTED HOSPITALS ACROSS UPSTATE NY

Schumer Has Fought For Years To Fix The Medicare Wage Index, Which For Decades Has Denied Hundreds Of Millions In Medicare Payments For Upstate NY Hospitals That They Rightly Deserved, Contributing To Financial Woes And Worsening Doctor And Nurse Shortages Across The State

After Launching An All Out Push Earlier This Year, Schumer Says Finalized CMS Rule Will Have Game Changing $967+ Million Estimated Impact On Upstate NY Every Single Year– Touching Rural And Urban Hospitals In Every Region Helping To Improve Healthcare For All

Schumer: Upstate NY Hospitals Receiving The Fair & Full Reimbursements They Have Been Denied For Far Too Long Means Better Healthcare For Communities And Families Across New York 

Following years of relentless advocacy, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has officially finalized a rule that will have an estimated nearly $1 billion impact for increased payments to Upstate New York hospitals every single year from the federal government.

“This is one of the biggest shots in the arm for federal funding Upstate NY hospitals have seen in decades. This will be a monumental boost to healthcare for our families and to help our healthcare providers fix budget shortfalls, address doctor and nurse shortages and so much more. For years, our hardworking healthcare providers have faced unfairly low Medicare payments, receiving cents on the dollar for the care they provide, but now after over a decade of fighting I am proud to announce I have secured the rules change which will bring nearly $1 billion every single year to hospitals across Upstate NY,” said Senator Schumer. “Years from now, we will look back at today as a pivotal moment for our Upstate New York hospitals. From Albany to Buffalo, and Binghamton to Watertown, hospitals big and small, in rural and urban areas, will finally get the support and full reimbursements they have long deserved and have been denied for too long.”

Schumer explained that the Medicare Wage Index rate is used to determine how much money the U.S. government pays hospitals for labor costs when they treat Medicare patients. Each metro area is assigned a rate that dictates whether they receive more or less than the national average for health care labor costs, however, historically hospitals in Upstate NY had received less than the true cost of providing healthcare for the areas they served. For example, since the 1980s, hospitals in the Albany area have received only 86 percent of what the average hospital receives to account for wages, which is not reflective of the true wages and labor market in Albany. The new FY24 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) rule will now increase the Capital Region’s adjustment to 122 percent of what the average hospital receives in wage adjustments, finally acknowledging that the region needs much higher than averages wages to compete and bring in the best providers, thereby bringing hundreds of millions in federal funding to Capital Region hospitals each year helping to improve healthcare for the communities they serve. You can find an estimated region by region breakdown below:

Overall, Schumer explained that the new finalized rule change which was announced today will amend the Medicare formula to include an estimated $967+ million in increased federal funding for hospital systems across Upstate New York. This past May, Schumer launched an all-out push to ensure that the proposal would be finalized by CMS, working with fellow representatives, New York hospitals and other stakeholders to support the proposal. Later that month, the senator rallied with major healthcare and hospital leaders from across the Capital Region and personally wrote to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks- LaSure to finalize the proposed rules change.

Hospitals in every region of Upstate New York are expected to benefit from this rules change. A full breakdown on the impact for all regions across Upstate New York annually can be found below:

Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation Opens Investigation into Civilian Death in Monroe County

 

The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of a civilian who died on August 6, 2023 following an encounter with a member of the New York State Police (NYSP) in Monroe County.

On the evening of August 6, an NYSP trooper attempted to initiate a traffic stop on I-490 in Rochester. The driver of the vehicle did not comply and instead drove away from the scene, prompting the trooper to follow. The pursuit continued until the driver jumped a curb and got out of his vehicle in the town of Gates, at which point the trooper attempted to arrest him. During the encounter, the individual allegedly fired a gun at the trooper and the trooper returned fire. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials recovered a gun at the scene.

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.

These are preliminary facts and subject to change.

MAYOR ADAMS UNVEILS ICONIC HIP HOP IMAGERY INSTALLATION IN CITY HALL ROTUNDA

 

Installation Celebrates 50 Years of Hip Hop History

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today unveiled an imagery installation celebrating 50 years of hip hop culture in the City Hall Rotunda. The installation captures posters and flyers from the early days of hip hop, featuring legendary figures such as Run DMC, Clive Campbell aka DJ Kool Herc, Salt-N-Pepa, and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Donations were made possible thanks to the Universal Hip Hop Museum’s curators and historians, Pete Nice and Paradise Gray.

 

“This installation tells the visual narrative behind hip hop’s influence on New York City and the globe over the past 50 years,” said Mayor Adams. “Hip hop inspired me as young Black man growing up in New York City. The music was about turning pain into purpose, fighting the power, and telling people of color that you could go from rags to riches. By bringing hip hop into City Hall, we are celebrating that a block party in the Bronx 50 years ago is now a major force for change and deserves to have a seat at the table.”

 

“Hip hop reflects the rhythm and soul of our city's neighborhoods, people, and creative energy, and this amazing installation explores the legacy of this quintessentially New York art form," said New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo. “At City Hall, we see the posters highlighting the shows and performances where hip hop’s diverse artists and audiences were forged. This is an incredible way to think more deeply about the role of hip hop in our city and our culture as we celebrate its 50^th anniversary, and I encourage everyone to check it out.”

 

“It’s great to be alive to see hip hop go from its humble beginnings in the streets of the Bronx to the upper echelon of New York City government,” said Paradise Gray, chief curator, Universal Hip Hop Museum. “For the 50^th anniversary, we are beginning to see hip hop take its true place as a cultural treasure.”

 

“The opportunity to share the significance beyond these flyers in City Hall is historic for hip hop, especially to give recognition to the pioneers on the flyers and to the artists who created them like Phase 2 and Buddy Esquire,” said Pete Nice, co-curator, Universal Hip Hop Museum. “These are the foundational documents of hip hop’s earliest artifacts, and I want to give special thanks to the mayor for his support of the installation in City Hall.”

 

The hip hop installation at City Hall is part of a larger initiative by the Adams administration to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of hip hop. As the birthplace of the genre, New York City will celebrate and honor hip hop’s musical and cultural transformation over the past 50 years through a wide variety of citywide initiatives, including a series of block parties and events and a collaboration with LISA Project NYC to create 50 murals across all five boroughs. These initiatives will pay homage to hip hop’s rich history and community impact as well as provide powerful inspiration for the future of this influential art form.

Governor Hochul Urges New Yorkers to Prepare for Severe Weather Impacts Throughout New York State Monday Into Tuesday

 

Entire State Today Could See Excessive Rainfall and Damaging Winds with Possibility of Power Outages and Flash Flooding

Southern Tier and Western Portions of Mid-Hudson Region Expected to Experience Several Storms with High Winds Bringing the Possible Threat of an Isolated Tornado

New Yorkers Should Monitor Local Forecast, Prepare Households and Vehicles for Severe Weather Impacts, Use Extra Caution When Traveling Especially Near Flooded Roadways and Infrastructure

 Governor Kathy Hochul today urged New Yorkers to prepare for severe weather beginning later today as thunderstorms bringing excessive rainfall, damaging winds and the potential for isolated tornadoes are in the forecast across the state. Flash flooding and power outages are possible in vulnerable locations. Parts of the Southern Tier and western portions of the Mid-Hudson Regions are expected to experience the strongest winds, including the possibility of an isolated tornado through this evening. On Tuesday, severe thunderstorms are forecast to impact areas east of I-87 with excessive rainfall, flash flooding, and damaging winds expected for areas mainly north of I-90. Governor Hochul directed her administration to prepare for weather impacts and stand ready to support local officials with emergency response. New Yorkers should monitor local forecasts, prepare their households and vehicles for severe weather, and use extra caution when driving, especially near potentially flooded roadways.

“A strong weather system is expected to impact the state today with heavy rainfall and high winds, especially in the Southern Tier and western portions of the Mid-Hudson Valley, and more severe weather is set to impact additional upstate regions on Tuesday,” Governor Hochul said. “My administration is fully prepared to respond to any weather-related emergencies and assist our local government partners. I urge all New Yorkers to watch the weather forecast closely this week and prepare to act, if necessary, to protect yourself and others.”

For a complete listing of weather alerts and forecasts, visit the National Weather Service website at alerts.weather.gov. New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for NY Alert, the State's free emergency alert system, at alert.ny.gov. County-by-county emergency information can be pushed by text or email.

New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “More summer storms are on the way today into tomorrow. Keep a close eye on the forecast and prepare now so you can take action in the event of a flash flood emergency or tornado.”

State Agency Preparations

New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services' State Watch Center is monitoring weather and travel conditions, and coordinating any response needs with local governments. State Fire and State Emergency Management teams are prepared to respond with personnel and resources, in the event of flash flooding.

New York State Department of Transportation

The State Department of Transportation is prepared to respond to the weather event with nearly 3,500 operators and supervisors available statewide. Statewide equipment numbers are as follows:

• 1,393 large dump trucks
• 317 large loaders
• 84 chippers
• 77 wheeled and tracked excavators
• 30 traffic tower platforms
• 21 vacuum trucks with sewer jets
• 14 tree crew bucket trucks

Thruway Authority

Thruway Authority staff is closely monitoring the weather forecast and is proactively inspecting storm drains across the system, ensuring equipment is ready to respond to any wind or flood related issues, as well as checking rock slopes in areas that are expecting heavy rain. The Thruway Authority has 653 operators and supervisors prepared with small to medium sized excavators, plow/dump trucks, large loaders, portable VMS boards, portable light towers, smaller generators, smaller pumps and equipment hauling trailers, as well as signage and other traffic control devices available for any detours or closures. Variable Message Signs and social media are utilized to alert motorists of real time weather conditions on the Thruway.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

New York State DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers, Forest Rangers, Emergency Management staff, and regional staff are on alert and monitoring the developing situation and weather forecasts, and actively patrolling areas and infrastructure likely to be impacted by severe weather. All available assets, including swift water rescue teams, are positioned to assist with any emergency response.

New York State Police

State Police are prepared to deploy additional Troopers, as needed, to affected areas. All State Police specialized vehicles, including four-wheel drive vehicles and Utility Task Vehicles, are staged and ready for immediate response. All Troop emergency power and communications equipment has been tested.

Severe Weather Safety Tips

Disaster Supplies

Have disaster supplies on hand, including:

• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• First aid kit and manual
• Emergency food and water
• Non-electric can opener
• Essential medicines
• Checkbook, cash, credit cards, ATM cards

Flash Flooding

• Never attempt to drive on a flooded road. Turn around and go another way.
• If water begins to rise rapidly around you in your car, abandon the vehicle immediately.
• Do not underestimate the power of fast-moving water. Two feet of fast-moving flood water will float your car, and water moving at two miles per hour can sweep cars off a road or bridge.

Lightning

• Follow the 30-30 rule: If the time between when you see a flash of lightning and hear thunder is 30 seconds or less, the lightning is close enough to hit you. Seek shelter immediately. After the last flash of lightning, wait 30 minutes before leaving your shelter.
• Lightning hits the tallest object. If you are above a tree line, quickly get below it and crouch down if you are in an exposed area.
• If you can't get to a shelter, stay away from trees. If there is no shelter, crouch in the open, keeping twice as far away from a tree as it is tall.

Tornado

• If outdoors and a Tornado Warning is issued, seek shelter immediately. If there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in a ditch or low spot with your hands shielding your head.
• If at home or in a small building, go to the basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of the building. Stay away from windows. Closets, bathrooms, and other interior rooms offer the best protection. Get under something sturdy or cover yourself with a mattress.
• If in a school, hospital, or shopping center, go to a pre-designated shelter area. Stay away from large open areas and windows. Do not go outside to your car.
• If in a high-rise building, go to an interior small room or hallway on the lowest floor possible. Do not use elevators — use stairs instead.

For more information on personal preparedness and how to stay safe during severe weather, visit: dhses.gov/safety.

NYPD Announces Citywide Crime Statistics for July 2023

 

Overall crime driven down across New York City in July as shootings continue to decline

For the month of July 2023, New York City saw a 35.4% drop in shooting incidents compared to July 2022 (113 v. 175). The decrease in shootings extends the 26.5% decrease in shooting incidents citywide through the first seven months of calendar 2023 compared to the same period a year ago (596 v. 811) – meaning 274 fewer people have been shot this year compared to last year. Additionally, homicides fell by 35.3% (33 v. 51) for the month of July 2023.

The shooting declines reflect the continuing effectiveness of the NYPD’s gun-violence reduction strategies, and help in allowing every community in New York City to thrive. The NYPD is focusing tirelessly on combating gun violence and working with government and law enforcement partners to carry out that important work. In July 2023, the NYPD continued to make historic numbers of gun arrests – 391 arrests were effected for the month. Overall, NYPD officers have seized 3,933 guns from the streets of New York City and made 2,561 gun arrests through the first seven months of 2023.

Overall index crime was driven down by 5.7% in July 2023 (11,165 v. 11,838) compared to the same period a year ago. New York City saw a drop in five of the seven index crime categories in July 2023, including a 35.3% reduction in homicide, a 17.3% drop in rape (124 v. 150), a 13.6% decline in robbery (1,513 v. 1,752), and a 17.6% decline in burglary (1,120 v. 1,360). Hate crimes citywide declined by approximately 8% (49 v. 53) compared to last year. At the same time, grand larceny auto increased by 18.5% (1,493 v. 1,260), driven by the well-documented exploitation of vulnerabilities in the ignition system of certain Kia and Hyundai models that make them susceptible to theft.

In the city’s subways, major crime decreased 9.9% (172 v. 191) in July, reflecting the NYPD’s ongoing work to improve the overall public-safety landscape and to enhance the vital operation of the city’s public transit system.

Through the first seven months of 2023, New York City has seen reductions in five of the seven index-crime categories, including murder down 11.2% (237 v. 267), rape down 10.9% (854 v. 959), robbery down 6.3% (9,305 v. 9.932), burglary down 10.7% (8,029 v. 8,995), and grand larceny down 2.6% (28,558 v. 29,307). Since the start of the Summer Violence Reduction Plan in May, major crime in the involved deployment zones has been driven down by nearly 10% compared to last year and shootings have declined by more than 24%, mirroring the continuing decline in shootings citywide.

The men and women of the NYPD remain steadfast in their ongoing work to combat crime, improve the quality of life in New York City, and earn the confidence of those who live in, work in, and visit the city. In July 2023, NYPD officers made 4,631 index-crime arrests, a 15.3% increase compared to the number of such arrests in the same period last year. In the first seven months of this year, officers have made 30,629 major-crime arrests – the most for any similar seven-month period since calendar 1999.

“In all they do, NYPD officers represent the best of our public-service traditions – working nonstop to knock down crime and improve public safety,” said Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban. “The men and women of this department will never waver in their ongoing mission to not only keep the city safe – but to make sure all New Yorkers are living free from fear. We are the safest big city in America and we will continue to build on our measurable successes in order to keep it that way.”

*All crime statistics are preliminary and subject to further analysis, revision, or change.*

Index Crime Statistics: July 2023

	July 2023	July 2022	+/-	% Change
Murder	33	51	-18	-35.3%
Rape	124	150	-26	-17.3%
Robbery	1513	1752	-239	-13.6%
Felony Assault	2641	2631	10	0.4%
Burglary	1120	1360	-240	-17.6%
Grand Larceny	4241	4634	-393	-8.5%
Grand Larceny Auto	1493	1260	233	18.5%
TOTAL	11165	11838	-673	-5.7%

Additional Statistics For July 2023

	July 2023	July 2022	+/-	% Change
Transit	172	191	-19	-9.9%
Housing	570	552	18	3.3%
Shooting Incidents	113	175	-62	-35.4%

Rape Incident Reporting Statistics: July 2023

(Reports filed from July 1 – July 31 in years indicated)

Year	Total  Incidents  Reported	Incident  Occurred  Same Year	Incident  Occurred  Previous  Year	Incident  Occurred  2 Years  Prior	Incident  Occurred  3 Years  Prior	Incident  Occurred  4 Years  Prior	Incident  Occurred  5+ Years  Prior
2023	124	94	10	2	3	2	13
2022	150	123	6	4	1	0	16
2021	149	106	23	5	3	4	8
2020	150	107	13	6	4	1	19
2019	164	141	6	4	1	3	9
2018	147	121	5	6	1	3	11

 Rape continues to be underreported. If you are a victim of sexual assault, please come forward. The 24-hour NYPD Special Victims Division hotline is: 212-267-RAPE (7273).  

 Hate Crimes Statistics Summary for July 2023

(Representing July 1st – 31st for calendar years 2023 and 2022)

Motivation	2023	2022	Diff	% Change
Asian	4	13	-9	-69%
Black	4	0	4	***
Disability	0	0	0	0%
Ethnic	2	2	0	0%
Gender	1	1	0	0%
Hispanic	4	1	3	300%
Jewish	11	14	-3	-21%
Muslim	2	0	2	***
Religion	1	2	-1	-50
Sexual Orientation	12	16	-4	-25%
White	8	4	4	100%
TOTAL	49	53	-4	-8%

 Note: Statistics above are subject to change upon  investigation, as active possible bias cases   may be reclassified to non-bias cases and removed from counted data.