Governor Hochul Announces $100 Million to Repave Roads Impacted by Extreme Weather

 

Investment Funds Repaving Work at 64 Project Locations Across New York State

Complements Record Level of Investment in the State-Owned Highway System

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $100 million in State funding has been released to support the renewal of State roadways impacted by extreme weather. The funding supports repaving projects at 64 locations, totaling almost 520 lane miles of pavement, and complements the record level of investment in infrastructure across New York State.

"We are making historic investments in transportation infrastructure to create safer roads and smooth, hassle-free commutes for all travelers," Governor Hochul said. "New York is home to extreme weather year-round, and this $100 million in funding will be vital to helping ensure that our road conditions are safe for our hardest-hit communities." 

Through sustained investment in transportation infrastructure, New York State is enhancing quality of life for all New Yorkers, making State highways safer and more efficient while encouraging local commerce and tourism. The current Department of Transportation five-year capital plan provides historic funding for road and bridge repair and modernization, and this critical infrastructure funding will help restore hundreds of lane miles of highway impacted by extreme weather.

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "Weather in New York is getting more intense more often, necessitating the need for vital and timely maintenance of our infrastructure. Governor Hochul understands the critical need to keep our infrastructure in a state of good repair, and this funding will renew vital travel corridors across the state while restoring hundreds of miles of roads to help them better withstand Mother Nature's challenges."

A complete list of paving locations, which will begin this year, is available below.

Capital Region

• $759,000 to resurface Route 23 from the bridge over Schoharie Creek to Route 23A in the Town of Prattsville, Greene County.
• $448,800 to resurface Route 23A from 0.3 miles east of Route 23 to 0.2 miles west of Airport Road in the Town of Prattsville, Greene County.
• $2.1 million to resurface Route 22 from Route 346 to the bridge over Hoosick River in the Towns of Hoosick and Petersburgh, Rensselaer County.
• $1.9 million to resurface Route 67 from Route 9 to Mechanicville City Line in the Towns of Stillwater and Malta, Saratoga County.
• $828,000 to resurface Route 30 from Schoharie County Line to Easton Road in the Town of Duanesburg, Schenectady County.
• $1.9 million to resurface Route 40 from Route 149 to Route 22 in the Towns of Fort Ann, Granville and Hartford, Washington County.
• $3.6 million to resurface Route 20 and Old Route 20 (Route 980C) from their Route 22 intersections to the Massachusetts State Line in the Town of New Lebanon, Columbia County.

North Country Region

• $3.6 million to resurface Route 22 from Lake Shore Road to Fish and Game Road in the Towns of Westport and Essex, Essex County.
• $800,000 to resurface Route 9 from 0.3 mile south of South Junction Road to Sunset Drive in the Towns of Peru and Plattsburgh, Clinton County.
• $1.4 million to resurface Route 11B from Bangor (0.3 miles east of Route 13) to Route 30 Intersection in the Towns of Bangor and Malone and the Village of Malone, Franklin County.
• $1.1 million to resurface Route 11 from Pierrepont Manor (just south of Route 193) to Adams Village South Line in the Towns of Ellisburg and Lorraine, Jefferson County.
• $202,500 to resurface Route 26 from the Route 12 Intersection to north Lowville Village Line in the Village of Lowville, Lewis County.
• $1.3 million to resurface Route 26 from Denmark (near Wilson Road) to Jefferson County Line in the Town of Denmark, Lewis County.
• $386,610 to resurface Route 812 from Dutton Road to Croghan/Diana Town Line in the Town of Croghan, Lewis County.
• $352,000 to resurface Route 11B from 0.8 miles east of Route 49 to just east of Route 458 in the Town of Hopkinton, St. Lawrence County.
• $1.1 million to resurface Route 345 from Potsdam West Village Line to 02 miles east of Route 35 in the Town of Potsdam, St. Lawrence County.
• $342,000 to resurface Route 411 from Route 180 intersection to 3/4 mile east of Route 13 in the Town of Orleans, Jefferson County.

Mohawk Valley Region

• $1.4 million to resurface Route 331 from the Montgomery County Line to Route 29 in the Town of Oppenheim, Fulton County.
• $1.4 million to resurface Route 5S from Steele Creek to the Mohawk Station (East Main St) in the Town of German Flatts and the Villages of Ilion and Mohawk, Herkimer County.
• $2.5 million to resurface Route 5S from the Montgomery - Otsego - Schoharie Solid Waste Authority Transfer Station to Fultonville in the Towns of Root and Glen and the Village of Fultonville, Montgomery County.
• $1.2 million to resurface Route 167 from 0.8 miles east of Route 46 to Route 168 in the Towns of German Flatts, Little Falls and Warren, Herkimer County.
• $1.5 million to resurface Route 20 from the Otsego County Line to Chestnut Street in the Town of Sharon and the Village of Sharon Springs, Schoharie County.
• $1.7 million to resurface Route 28 from Route 357 to Main Street in the Towns of Franklin and Oneonta, Delaware and Otsego Counties.

Central New York Region

• $2.3 million in additional funds to add resurfacing of Carrier Circle and Military Circle to the project resurfacing Route 635/Thompson Road from Route 290 to Route 298 and Route 298 from Route 598 to Carrier Circle in the Towns of DeWitt and Salina, Onondaga County.
• $3.4 million to resurface Route 31 from Cicero North Syracuse High School to South Bay Road in the Town of Cicero, Onondaga County.
• $5.3 million to replace pavement markings and audible roadway delineators on various state highways in Cayuga, Cortland, Onondaga, Oswego, Seneca and Tompkins Counties.

Finger Lakes Region

• $2.5 million to resurface Route 383 from Village of Scottsville to Route 36, Route 36 from Route 383 to Monroe/Livingston County Line, Route 251 from Oatka Creek to the bridge over Genesee River, Route 940H from Route 251 to Monroe/Livingston County Line, and Route 253 from Route 383 to the bridge over Genesee River in the Town of Wheatland, Monroe County.
• $1.5 million to resurface Route 96 from the east Phelps Village Line to the Ontario/Seneca County Line in the Town of Phelps, Ontario County.
• $540,000 to resurface Routes 5 & 20 within the Village of Avon, Livingston County.
• $500,000 to resurface Route 31 from Village of Palmyra west village line to east village line and Route 21 from Route 31 to north Palmyra Village Line in the Village of Palmyra, Wayne County.
• $2.2 million to resurface Route 20A in the Village of Warsaw and Route 19 from the south Warsaw Village Line to the north Wyoming Village Line in the Towns of Warsaw and Middlebury, Wyoming County.
• $2 million to resurface Route 64 from Routes 5 & 20 to Taylor Road in the Towns of East Bloomfield and West Bloomfield, Ontario County.
• $2 million to resurface Route 20 from Route 77 to Route 98 in the Towns of Darien and Alexander and the Village of Alexander, Genesee County.
• $719,000 to resurface Route 31 from just east of Macedon Hamlet Line to just west of the Palmyra Village Line in the Town of Macedon, Wayne County.
• $575,000 to resurface Route 54A from Steuben County Line to 0.3 miles east of Route 32 intersection in the Town of Jerusalem, Yates County.

Western New York Region

• $1.5 million to resurface Route 270 from Erie County line to Route 31 in the Towns of Cambria, Pendleton and Lockport, Niagara County.
• $2.44 million to resurface Route 219 from 0.3 miles North of Irish Hill Road intersection to the 219 Expressway North bound ramp at Peters Road in the Towns of Ashford and Ellicottville, Cattaraugus County.
• $1.9 million to resurface Route 430 from Route 394 to Long Point Road in the Towns of Chautauqua and Ellery and the Village of Mayville, Chautauqua County.
• $650,000 to resurface Route 20 from Eden-Evans Center Road to Sturgeon Point Road in the Towns of Evans, Erie County.
• $2.2 million to resurface Route 5 (Buffalo Skyway) from Kane Street to the Buffalo Skyway Bridge in the Cities of Buffalo and Lackawanna, Erie County.
• $366,000 to resurface Route 18 from Off Ramps at Route 104 to On Ramps at Route 104 in the Town and Village of Lewiston, Niagara County.
• $841,000 to resurface Route 104 from Model City Road to Dickersonville Road in the Town of Lewiston, Niagara County.
• $1.1 million to resurface Route 18 from Hess Road to Route 148 in the Towns of Newfane and Somerset, Niagara County.
• $1.3 million to resurface Route 248A from the Pennsylvania state line to Route 248 in the Towns of Independence and Willing, Allegany County.

Southern Tier Region

• $500,000 to resurface Route 225 from South Corning Village Line to just west of the Route 44 intersection in the Village of South Corning, Steuben County.
• $550,000 to resurface Route 414 from Steuben/Chemung County Line to Kerrick Hollow Road in the Town of Hornby, Steuben County.
• $500,000 to resurface Route 409 from the Route 14 to Watkins Glen State Park upper entrance in the Village of Watkins Glen and Towns of Dix and Reading, Schuyler County.
• $850,000 to resurface Route 14 from West Broad Street to just south of Hickory Grove Road in the Village and Town of Horseheads, Chemung County.
• $500,000 to resurface Route 225 from Route 352 to 0.2 miles west of the Bennett Road intersection in the Hamlet of Golden Glow Heights and Town of Big Flats, Chemung County.
• $550,000 to resurface Route 367 from Route 427 to Pennsylvania State Line in Village of Wellsburg, Chemung County.
• $800,000 to resurface I-99 from Pennsylvania State Line to the bridge over Glendening Creek in the Town of Lindley, Steuben County.
• $1.5 million to resurface Route 12 from Theresa Boulevard to Oak Hill Road in the Town of Chenango, Broome County.
• $1.3 million to resurface Route 206 from Route 41 to just west of Cemetery Road in the Towns of Coventry and Bainbridge, Chenango County.
• $1.7 million to resurface Route 96 from Route 21 to Route 34 in the Towns of Candor and Spencer and the Village of Spencer, Tioga County.
• $1.5 million to resurface Route 97 from just south of Ferry Street to John Deck Road in the Towns of Fremont and Hancock, Delaware and Sullivan counties.

Mid-Hudson Region

• $5.2 million to resurface Route 35/202 from the Taconic State Parkway interchange to Route 118 in the Town of Yorktown, Westchester County.
• $3.6 million to resurface Route 52 from Route 311 to Fowler Avenue in the Towns of Carmel and Kent, Putnam County.
• $3.6 million to resurface Route 28 from Hurley Mountain Road to Waughkonk Road in the Towns of Ulster and Kingston, Ulster County.
• $1.2 million to resurface Route 97 from 0.5 miles north of Kirks Road intersection to Cochecton town Line in the Town of Tusten, Sullivan County.

Long Island Region

• $9 million to resurface Northern State Parkway from Meadowbrook State Parkway to Wantagh State Parkway in the Town of North Hempstead and the Village of Westbury, Nassau County.

Chiropractor Sentenced To 30 Months In Prison For Defrauding The NBA Players’ Health And Welfare Benefit Plan Of $1,300,000

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that PATRICK KHAZIRAN, a/k/a “Dr. Pat,” was sentenced to 30 months in prison for his role in a scheme to defraud the National Basketball Association (“NBA”) Players’ Health and Welfare Benefit Plan (the “Plan”).  U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Caproni imposed the sentence. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As a medical provider, Patrick Khaziran had a responsibility not to abuse his position of trust.  Instead, Khaziran used his role as a licensed chiropractor to generate dozens of fraudulent invoices for at least 22 former NBA players.  He did this to enrich himself and his co-conspirators at the expense of the NBA Players’ Health and Welfare Benefit Plan.  This sentence sends a clear message that those who engage in health care fraud schemes, particularly medical providers, will face stringent penalties.”   

According to the Information, public court filings, and statements made in court:

The Plan is a health care plan providing benefits to eligible active and former players of the NBA.  KHAZIRAN is a chiropractor licensed in the State of California who owns and operates a chiropractic and rehabilitation office in Los Angeles, California (“Chiropractic Office-1”). Chiropractic Office-1 serves the general public and also provides rehabilitation services to professional athletes.

From at least in or about 2016, up to and including at least in or about 2019, KHAZIRAN participated in a scheme with several other former NBA players, including Terrence Williams and Keyon Dooling, to defraud the Plan.[1]  KHAZIRAN’s role in the scheme was to provide false documentation showing that former NBA players received certain medical services when, in truth and in fact, the medical services were never provided. 

KHAZIRAN accomplished his role in the scheme in two ways.  First, beginning in 2016, KHAZIRAN created, and caused others to create, fraudulent invoices for former NBA players.  The former NBA players that received fraudulent invoices, in turn, submitted the fraudulent invoices to the Plan to request reimbursements to which they were not entitled.  Second, KHAZIRAN charged, and caused others to charge, the Plan-issued debit cards of former NBA players.  The Plan-issued debit cards were intended to be used by Plan participants to pay for eligible medical services at the point of service.  However, KHAZIRAN charged the Plan-issued debit cards of former NBA players for medical services that were never actually provided.  In total, KHAZIRAN’s fraudulent invoices and fraudulent debit card charges resulted in approximately $1.3 million in losses to the Plan.  In return for his participation in the scheme, KHAZIRAN received approximately 33% of that amount, i.e., approximately $439,000.  The remaining fraud proceeds were kept by the former NBA players with whom KHAZIRAN conspired.

In addition to his prison term, KHAZIRAN, 40, of Los Angeles, California, was ordered to forfeit $439,000 and pay restitution of $1,300,000.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

[1] Williams and Dooling have plead guilty and await sentencing.

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Resources for Your Business

 

Register - Click Here

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Bronx NYS Executive Budget Presentation by the Office of Governor Kathy Hochul. Hope Knight, President, CEO, and Commissioner of Empire State Development will outline the Governor's budget and policy priorities and how they impact the Bronx, New York City and New York State. The 2023 New York State of the State message included 147 initiatives to create a more affordable, more livable and safer New York – including the “New York Housing Compact”, a strategy to address New York’s housing crisis which includes the vision to build 800,000 new homes over the next decade; a transformational plan to strengthen mental health care; a plan to increase capacity for inpatient psychiatric treatment by 1,000 beds and add 3,500 housing units serving individuals with mental illness; and major public safety initiatives and investments to drive down gun and violent crime.   The presentation will highlight the Governor’s efforts to raise the minimum wage annually and index to inflation, her desire to help New Yorkers address rising cost of living, the launching of the cap-and-invest program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. Chairperson Wright will also speak to the Governor’s plan to provide $165 Million in relief to more than 800,000 utility customers and plan to make child care More affordable, accessible, and fair in New York.   Please join us in welcoming Commissioner Knight as she shares the 2024 New York State Executive Budget & Policy Proposal.

For the complete Bronx Chamber Events Calendar, featuring educational workshops, networking events and other opportunities hosted by the Chamber, its members, & partners, please visit and bookmark our website events calendar link in your browser - new events are added weekly!

Thursday, February 9 from 11:30am to 12:30pm The Power of Capital All entrepreneurs need to inject cash into their businesses to either launch, grow or keep the doors open. Most businesses phase challenges acquiring financial assistance from lenders because their businesses are not bankable. The goal of this course is to help your business grow and become more bankable. Click HERE To Register Wednesday, February 15 at 6:00pm A Celebration of Black History Impact of Black Owned Businesses on the Bronx Speed Networking Event Join the Bronx Chamber of Commerce to celebrate our borough's Black businesses and leaders.  Enjoy happy hour drink pricing and complimentary hors d'oeuvres while you meet and mingle with fellow Chamber members and new prospective members during Speed Networking. Click HERE To Register

Friday, February 24 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm Building Business Operations Many businesses fail not because of a bad business idea, but because there was no system that standardized, measured, and improved its operations. The goal of this course is to help you translate your business concept into an efficient operation that continuously improves and raises your bottom line. Click HERE To Register Wednesday, February 22 at 10:00am Coffee & Conversation w. NYC Councilmember Amanda Farias Chair, Committee on Economic Development Bronx Chamber President Lisa Sorin, and Legislative & Policy Chair, Michael Brady moderate a discussion with Councilmember Farias, on Bronx economic development, workforce development, women's health and wellness, and merchant organizing. Click HERE To Register

Purchase Tickets and Sponsor  - Click Here

NY State Comptroller DiNapoli Calls on Companies to Adopt Better Workers' Rights Policies

 

Shareholder Proposals Filed at Walmart, CVS, Netflix, DoorDash and Gannett

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced a series of shareholder proposals filed at several major companies on workers’ freedom of association and collective bargaining rights. The proposals were filed with Walmart Inc., CVS Pharmacy Inc., Netflix Inc., DoorDash Inc. and Gannett Co.

“Freedom of association and collective bargaining are fundamental human rights,” DiNapoli said. “The right to join unions, without interference, and collectively bargain can help improve workers’ health and safety, as well as increase their training, skills and productivity. It’s in the companies’ own interests, and in the long-term interests of shareholders, to ensure workers are treated fairly.”

All of the proposals were co-filed with New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, on behalf of the New York City Retirement Systems, with the exception of Gannett.

“Respecting workers’ rights to organize – and not interfering when they do – should be the standard expected of any responsible employer,” Lander said. “Aggressive anti-union practices that spill into the press, violate labor laws, or contradict a company’s own policies can pose reputational and financial risks for businesses. We’re proud to make that standard clear to more of the country’s major employers, as reflected in the New York City Retirement Systems’ agreement with Apple and ongoing efforts with Starbucks. We are pleased to join Comptroller DiNapoli and the New York State Common Retirement Fund to emphasize that the long-term value is dependent on the wellbeing of a company’s workforce, and we expect portfolio companies to act accordingly.”

For Walmart and CVS, the proposals urge each company’s board of directors to commission and oversee an independent, third-party assessment of the company’s adherence to its stated commitment to workers’ freedom of association and collective bargaining rights. Those commitments follow the International Labor Organization’s Core Labor Standards and are written in each company’s human rights statement.

The proposals for the other companies ask their boards to adopt and publicly disclose a policy on their commitment to respect their employees’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining in their operations.

DiNapoli noted each company has faced numerous labor and workers’ rights controversies.

• Since 2001, the U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has received approximately 250 complaints filed by Walmart employees alleging the company used disciplinary actions and retaliation as well as coercive statements and actions to stop employees from unionizing.
• In 2018, CVS was accused of attempting to undermine the validity of the election results at a Brooklyn store with the NLRB, delaying negotiations of a collective bargaining agreement. In 2022, CVS was accused of interfering in union elections in California, leading to an administrative law judge ruling for a new election.
• DoorDash has faced criticism related to its human capital management and workforce practices, which includes independent contractors who have advocated for better compensation and benefits, and the ability to negotiate with DoorDash on policies like the setting of rates and tips.
• Netflix has faced numerous controversies that have led to protests, staged walkouts, demands regarding the company’s culture, and poor overall stock performance, which directly impacts employee compensation.
• Gannett has been accused of stalling on bargaining with unionized newsrooms and not bargaining in good faith. Amid news that additional employees have considered organizing unions, Gannett allegedly threatened to lay off workers, cut benefits, force employees to work unpaid overtime and take unpaid leave.

With changing labor trends related to the pandemic, DiNapoli has continued to focus on the impact of the growing labor movement, workers’ efforts to unionize, and the demand for higher wages and benefits. He believes companies need to rethink their approaches toward their workforces, as the ability to establish and maintain constructive relationships with workers is a hallmark of a company with a sound, sustainable and profitable long-term strategy.

About the New York State Common Retirement Fund

The New York State Common Retirement Fund is one of the largest public pension funds in the United States. The Fund holds and invests the assets of the New York State and Local Retirement System on behalf of more than one million state and local government employees and retirees and their beneficiaries. The Fund has consistently been ranked as one of the best managed and best funded plans in the nation.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Community Resources & Updates

Dear Neighbor,

 

Thank you for joining us for another week in review.

The time has come for our 2023 State of the Borough! We have made much progress in our quest for a better Bronx, and we cannot wait to share with you all that we have done and all we hope to accomplish. Join us as we celebrate our Borough and outline our plans for the future on Wednesday, March 1st at Manhattan College (Kelly Student Commons, 5th Floor) at 5 pm. To RSVP, click here.

Healthy living starts with healthy choices and New Yorkers understanding what they are consuming. That is why I am proud to join my colleagues in the City Council in support of Int 687, which would require chain restaurants to post labels when a food item has a high sugar content. Our team is also preparing to launch a Borough-wide Diabetes Taskforce in the months ahead - a coalition of Bronx stakeholders and experts committed to providing healthy alternatives for our residents and families.

Tax Season is also upon us. Single-filing New Yorkers who earned $56,000 or less in 2022, or families who earned $80,000 or less, are encouraged to file their taxes for free using NYC Free Tax Prep. NYC Free Tax Prep provides free, professional tax preparation that can help New Yorkers keep their full refund, including valuable tax credits, like the newly enhanced New York City Earned Income Tax Credit (NYC EITC). The new NYC Free Tax Prep for self-employed New Yorkers will also provide income tax services to freelance workers and small businesses.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.

 

In partnership,

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson.

IN THE COMMUNITY

We kicked off the start of Black History Month by honoring 7 incredible Black-owned businesses in the Northwest Bronx. Our small businesses are vital to the economic health of our Borough.

Lloyd’s Carrot Cake 

Ground Up Coffee Club 

Yoga for All

Clarity and Wellness Mental Health Counseling, PLLC

Jerry’s Barbershop

The Gummybear Foundation 

Kinesadelic Physical Therapy

Thank you for your work & contributions to the borough. We wish you continued success!

This year marks the 25th Annual Operation Save a Life campaign. Our family at ABC 7 and Bill Ritter have been dedicated to our community's fire safety and education, and their work has saved lives.

Fire Safety is of utmost importance to our Borough, as we have seen far too many fires plague our communities. 

As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Save a Life Campaign, I want to thank all of our public & private partners for joining together for such an important cause.

I look forward to our continued partnership in keeping our residents and families safe.

We joined as clergy, faith leaders, community advocates, community partners, and residents to host a Peace and Candlelight Vigil. It’s so important to lift up our families in distress, traumatized by violence in all forms, in our prayers. We lift up the family of our brother, Tyre Nichols, and all the families who have lost loved ones and children to violence. Thank you to our Bronx Interfaith Council for your commitment and partnership.