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(Friday) Extra, Extra Click here for this week's video:    Chamber joins business leaders in supporting NYS Gun Law Legislation    Mayor & City Council announce an early budget agreement for FY2023    Penn Station Master Plan Takes Major Step Forward    Department of Buildings After Hours Program Launches    Chamber presents to NYC Agencies highlighting business needs in Mott Haven    Pride Month continues! Chamber LGBTQIA+ Business Membership Drive builds momentum - Chamber launches new programs at LGBT Mixer    Legislation    New York City Council Testimony: One-Stop Shop NYC Business Portal, legacy business registry, and commercial vacancies    NYS Legislative Session Round Up    Upcoming Events    Member Spotlight    Essen Healthcare    New York Botanical Gardens

Chamber Joins NYS Leadership For Passage of Historic Gun Legislation

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce joined leaders from throughout New York State as Governor Kathy Hochul signed a landmark legislative package to immediately strengthen the state's gun laws, close critical loopholes exposed by shooters in Buffalo and Uvalde and protect New Yorkers from gun violence that continues to endanger our communities. Governor Hochul signed the bills at the Northeast Bronx YMCA flanked by Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Speaker Carl Heastie, partners in the legislature, Attorney General Letitia James and victims and survivors of gun violence. The legislative package includes:    Comprehensive Ten-Bill Package Closes Critical Gun Law Loopholes Exposed in Tragic Shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde     Legislation S.9458/A.10503 Bars Purchase of Semiautomatic Rifles by Anyone Under Age 21 by Requiring a License     Legislation S.9407-B/A.10497 Prohibits Purchase of Body Armor with Exception of Those in Specified Professions     Legislation S.9113-A./A.10502 Expands List of People Who Can File Extreme Risk Protection Orders and Requires Law Enforcement to File ERPOs Under Specified Set of Circumstances     Package Also Strengthens Crime Reporting; Closes "Other Gun" Loophole; Requires Microstamping of New Semiautomatic Pistols; Eliminates Grandfathering of High-Capacity Feeding Devices; Requires Social Media Companies to Improve Response to and Reporting of Hateful Content

Mayor and NYC City Council Announce FY23 Budget Agreement

Earlier this afternoon, Mayor Eric Adams and Council Speaker Adrienne Adams announced an early agreement for an on-time and balanced City budget for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23), which will begin, July 1, 2022. The FY23 adopted budget totals $101 billion, approx. $3 billion more than was included in the adopted budget for the current Fiscal Year (FY22). The increase was made possible in large part thanks to better than anticipated tax revenues and continued federal support. Included in this budget is $1.6 billion added to the City’s reserves, a record amount for any adopted budget. $750,000 was also added to the rainy day fund, increasing the rainy day fund to a total of nearly $2 billion.   The FY23 budget represents the first budget for Mayor Adams and Speaker Adams, both of whom are in their first year in their respective positions. This year’s budget negotiations between the Mayor and the Council were largely amicable, and this is the earliest an agreement has been announced in several years. The Speaker also highlighted a new Council Initiative that will allocate $100,000 to each of the 51 Council Districts for Members to allocate to programs aimed at increasing public safety and providing victim services. She also noted that the Council and Administration came together to baseline several key programs including fare fairs which provides metro cards to low income New Yorkers and funding to expand summer youth employment programs by providing 100K slots for this summer.

Chamber Joins Governors Hochul and Murphy to Launch Penn Station Modernization with Increased Connectivity to the Bronx

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce and newly appointed MTA Board member Lisa Sorin, joined Governors Hochul and Murphy as well as leadership from the MTA and Amtrak in announcing step forward in the Penn Station Master Plan implementation. Releasing a Request for Proposals to being work on this massive public work project, Governor Hochul noted, "The transformation of Penn Station into a world-class, commuter-focused transportation facility befitting the central hub of the greatest city in the world cannot come soon enough." This major step in the redevelopment of one of the region's major transportation centers includes:    MTA, in Partnership with Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT, Seeking Firms to Design Penn Station Reconstruction    Firms to Begin Designing Generational Transformation of Penn Station as Outlined by Governor Last Fall    New Station Will Feature Massive Single-Level Concourse with High Ceilings and Natural Light, Greater Connectivity to Platforms, Larger Entrances and Intuitive Travel Paths    Empire State Development Convenes Public Realm Task Force ToComplement Overall Development Plan and Prioritize Public Spaces and Social Services, Invest in Affordable Housing, Increase Transit Access and Shared Streets, Activate Pedestrian-Friendly Streetscape Video of Penn Project and Its Benefits to Commuters, Residents and the Public Can Be Seen Here

NYC Department of Buildings Launches After Hours Service Program

Beginning Tuesday, June 7, 2022, Department of Buildings offices will be open every Tuesday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm for homeowners, tenants, small business owners, and building managers. During Buildings After Hours, homeowners, tenants, small business owners and building managers are encouraged to visit their local borough office where DOB staff can answer questions and provide the information needed to:    plan for a home renovation or construction project    address an open violation on a property    obtain more information about a property    use online resources including the Buildings Information System (BIS) and DOB NOW. Staff from the following offices will be available at every borough office: borough commissioner’s office, borough operations, development inspections, enforcement inspections, and plan examination. Staff from the Administrative Enforcement Unit will be available in the Manhattan borough office.

Chamber Moves Forward in Addressing Business Needs in Mott Haven

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce President, Lisa Sorin joined Mott Haven Avenue NYC Program Manager, Tony Billups in sharing the results of a year-long Commercial District Needs Assessment (CDNA) completed in partnership with New York City Department of Small Business Services. CDNAs identify the needs and opportunities for local neighborhood revitalization, with recommendations for merchant organizing, public programming, district marketing and branding, streetscape enhancements, business support services, and other quality of life improvements that can be funded by Neighborhood 360° Grants, Avenue NYC grants, or other organizations. The Chamber in partnership with Third Avenue Business Improvement District has been diligently working in the Mott Haven area to identify consumer and business needs, while navigating government agencies to ensure services are equitably provided - ensuring that this vibrant commercial corridor is well-positioned to serve the South Bronx. The full CDNA Report will be released during the Summer of 2022.

Chamber Delivers Testimony on Key Business Legislation NYS Legislative Round Up & Hotel Conversion Law

On Thursday, June 9, The Bronx Chamber of Commerce delivered testimony before the New York City Council Committee on Small Business addressing the following proposed legislation: Int 0116-2022, One-Stop Shop NYC Business Portal - This bill would require the Commissioner of Small Business Services (“SBS”) to create a “One-Stop Shop NYC Business Portal,” through which with all applications, permits, licenses, and related information needed to open and operate a small business in the City would be available in a single, easily accessible, and easy-to-navigate location on the SBS website, as well as via a mobile application. Int 0197-2022, Establishing a legacy business registry and preservation fund - This bill would require the Commissioner of Small Business Services (“SBS”) to establish a Legacy Business Registry to recognize businesses that have operated in New York City for a minimum of 20 years and that have significantly contributed to the history, identity or character of a neighborhood or community in the City. Int 0383-2022, Supplemental registration statements and the dataset for ground floor or second floor commercial premises. This bill would change the timeline requiring that when there is a new vacancy or change of ownership in commercial premises that requires filing a new registration statement, such supplemental registration statement must be filed 1) at the same time as the registration statement, if the change or vacancy occurs from January 1 to May 31 and 2) within 60 days of the change or vacancy if it occurs from June 1 to December 31. The legislative calendar in Albany ended with a possibility of the Legislature being called back to session pending U.S Supreme Court rulings. In all, the Senate passed 1,634 bills and the Assembly passed 1,245 bills, with 1,006 bills having passed both houses which either have been or will be acted upon (approved into law or vetoed) by the Governor prior to December 31st. We will be updating you on many of those bills over the next several weeks, but here are a few of interest:   Wage Lien Bill (SWEAT Bill) The State Senate adjourned the legislative session and DID NOT pass the Wage Lien Bill (SWEAT Bill) that would allow a lien to be placed on the personal assets of business owners, managers, and investors based solely on the accusation of a wage dispute. Its failure to advance is because of all our advocacy, and members’ emails, phone calls, and meetings with their senators urging them not to support this misguided proposal. The Chamber has advocated for years to stop this bill from advancing as it is misguided and lacks commonsense. Even with this good news we’re sure this is not the last we will hear about the Wage Lien Bill, so please stay engaged with the Chamber so we may continue to fight together against anti-small business legislation. 21st Century Anti-Trust Legislation The New York State Senate advanced a landmark bill for the second time that's intended to strengthen the state antitrust statute to help rein in large corporations, including technology companies, accused of abusing their dominant positions. The state Senate passed S.933C, known as the 21st Century Antitrust Act, however; the bill did not move from Committee in the NYS Assembly before the end of the legislative session. Hotel Conversion Law Governor Kathy Hochul signed new legislation (S.4937C/A.6262B) to create more flexible rules for converting underutilized hotel space into permanent housing. Governor Hochul signed the bills with Senator Brian Kavanagh, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and housing and labor advocates.

Chamber LGBTQIA+ Membership Launch Builds Momentum

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce continues it's focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion not only in June, but all year long. In addition, to strongly supporting the Hate Has No Business Here Campaign for Bronx businesses, the Chamber will provide cultural and business competency trainings in the homophobia, transphobia, and xenophobia. The Chamber, with Chamber members Ponce Bank, Third Avenue Business Improvement District, and philanthropic partners will launch a LGBTQIA+ financial mastery program, LGBTQIA+ business certification program, and begin work to create a 21st century LGBTQIA+ Bronx Business Directory for procurement opportunities. On Thursday, June 9 The Chamber joined the 1 Bronx Pride in recognizing Bronx LGBTQIA+ leaders and their dedication to the borough. These leaders and pioneers included:     Tym Moss, LGBT Activist & Award Winning Actor     Egypt LaBeija, LGBT Leader, Personality and Performer     Assemblymember Amanda Septimo, LGBT Ally     Emmanuel Esteban Hernandez, Longtime Director of the 1 Bronx Pride Festival     Lewis Chaim Goldstein, LGBT Elder, Statesman, and Leader     Audrey Dejesus, LGBT Leader and Educator Keep the Bronx Pride going throughout June and attend:    Riverdale Pride, Sunday, June 12 at Riverdale Houses, 5521 Mosholou Avenue    Bronx Borough President Pride Reception, June 15, Rosa'a On Park, 2568 Park Avenue    Big Gay Bronx Brunch, Saturday, June 18 at ChocoBar Cortes, 141 Alexander Avenue     1 Bronx Pride Festival, Sunday, June 19 at 149th Street and Third Avenue in the HUB.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - JUNE 10, 202

 

Governor Encourages New Yorkers to Keep Using the Tools to Protect Against and Treat COVID-19: Vaccines, Boosters, Testing, and Treatment

17 Statewide Deaths Reported Yesterday 

 NOTE: Beginning the weekend of June 11, HERDS data collection from health care facilities will no longer occur on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as holidays. Data from the previous Friday will be reported the following Monday or next non-holiday. Further, Saturday and Sunday cumulative data, as well as Monday if a holiday weekend, will be reported on the second workday of the given week. As a result, some data may appear higher than actual trends.

NOTE: Updates to the CDC’s cumulative death data files were paused starting June 6, 2022, while the CDC upgrades its system. Reporting is expected to resume on June 21, 2022. Any questions about this should be directed to the CDC. During this time, total deaths and new daily deaths reported through HERDS will continue as normal.

Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.

"While we continue to monitor the numbers, we must remain vigilant against this virus and stay prepared for any potential surges later this year," Governor Hochul said. "I urge all New Yorkers to keep up to date with vaccinations and booster doses in order to protect yourself and those around you from serious illness and hospitalization. Test often, especially if you are experiencing symptoms, and talk to your doctor about available treatments if you test positive."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:    

• Cases Per 100k - 28.98
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k – 30.31
• Test Results Reported - 104,000
• Total Positive -  5,663
• Percent Positive - 5.10%**
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 5.41%**  
• Patient Hospitalization -  2,009 (-12)  
• Patients Newly Admitted - 353
• Patients in ICU - 210 (+8)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 72 (-2)   
• Total Discharges - 310,708 (+328)  
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 17 
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 56,289

** Due to the test reporting policy change by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and several other factors, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.   

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.     

Important Note: Effective Monday, April 4, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is no longer requiring testing facilities that use COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to report negative results. As a result, New York State's percent positive metric will be computed using only lab-reported PCR results. Positive antigen tests will still be reported to New York State and reporting of new daily cases and cases per 100k will continue to include both PCR and antigen tests. Due to this change and other factors, including changes in testing practices, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.   

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 71,670        

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.       

• Total vaccine doses administered - 39,083,194 
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 39,220
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 108,948
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 92.7%   
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 84.1%   
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0%   
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 87.5%   
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 83.8%   
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 73.7%   
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 82.2%   
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 74.5%   
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 90.7%   
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 77.5%        

Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows **:       

Borough	Tuesday, June 7, 2022	Wednesday, June 8, 2022	Thursday, June 9, 2022
Bronx	3.55%	3.65%	3.48%
Kings	4.25%	4.25%	4.33%
New York	6.26%	6.07%	5.93%
Queens	5.50%	5.52%	5.45%
Richmond	5.15%	5.38%	5.29%

Note, the next report will be on Monday June 13, 2022.

Court Rejects NRA’s Bogus Counterclaims Against Attorney General James

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James today released the following statement after Justice Joel Cohen of the New York State Supreme Court rejected the counterclaims brought by the National Rifle Association (NRA) that were made in response to Attorney General James’ lawsuit against the organization:

“Today, the court reaffirmed the legitimacy and viability of my office’s lawsuit against the NRA for its years of fraud, abuse, and greed. For almost two years, the NRA has tried every trick in the book to avoid culpability for their actions, only to be repeatedly rejected by the courts. Our fight for transparency and accountability will continue because no organization is above the law.”

In today's decision, the court rejected the NRA’s claims that Attorney General James’ investigation into the organization’s self-dealing, abuse, and unlawful conduct were an unconstitutional, politically-motivated “witch hunt.” Instead, the court maintained that Attorney General James’ claims against the organization’s wrongdoing are serious and viable, and are well within her office’s jurisdiction to investigate.

In August 2020, Attorney General James filed a lawsuit against the NRA and four of the organization’s current and former top executives for failing to manage the NRA’s funds; failing to follow numerous state and federal laws, as well as the NRA’s own bylaws and policies; and contributing to the loss of more than $64 million in just three years. The suit was filed against the NRA as a whole, as well as LaPierre, Frazer, former Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Wilson “Woody” Phillips, and former Chief of Staff and Executive Director of General Operations Joshua Powell.

The NRA then moved to dismiss Attorney General James’ complaint in its entirety, stay the action, and change the venue to an Albany court. In January last year, the New York County State Supreme Court ruled that the case be permitted to continue in a Manhattan court, and not be moved to an Albany court or dismissed outright. In March 2022, the New York County State Supreme Court rejected a second round of motions brought forward by the NRA, Executive Vice-President Wayne LaPierre, and Corporate Secretary and General Counsel John Frazer as they sought to dismiss the lawsuit.

In an effort to avoid accountability altogether, the NRA filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy even though the organization still claimed to have healthy financial reserves. In May last year, a federal bankruptcy court in Texas rejected the organization’s claims of bankruptcy after the NRA sought to reorganize in Texas, finding that the NRA had filed for bankruptcy to avoid regulators and stating, “that the NRA did not file the bankruptcy petition in good faith.”

Statement by New York City Comptroller Brad Lander on FY 2023 City Budget Agreement

 

 New York City Comptroller Brad Lander released a statement on the Fiscal Year 2023 budget for New York City:

“At this moment of recovery and economic uncertainty, it is critical that New York City have a budget that focuses on the basics, invests in an inclusive and thriving future, and prepares us for the economic road bumps that lie ahead. This budget takes some good steps forward, but of course much work remains. I look forward to reviewing all the details in the coming weeks.

“While our City has begun to see many encouraging signs of resurgence—from increased subway ridership to a rebounding tourism sector—there are also reasons for caution. We must be adequately prepared to protect essential services and the most vulnerable in an economic storm.

“The Mayor and the Council are depositing an additional $1.5 billion in the City’s long-term reserves (the Revenue Stabilization Fund and Retiree Health Benefits Trust), below the $1.8 billion we recommended, but still a substantial amount. Going forward, the City should adopt a set formula to guarantee annual deposits and establish rules for withdrawals to guard against devastating cuts in a potential recession, which could be on the horizon sooner than we would hope.

“This budget takes critical steps to put NYC back on strong footing, including investments in summer youth jobs, community violence prevention, and restoring pandemic cuts to sanitation services. In our survey and townhalls across the city, I’ve heard from New Yorkers concerned about the cleanliness of our streets, and this funding is an important piece of ensuring our city’s recovery gets the basics right.

“I applaud Speaker Adrianne Adams, Council Members Tiffany Caban and Shahana Hanif, and the Mayor for including the Care for All Families campaign. Setting aside $10 million to include undocumented children in our early childhood safety net is a victory for immigrant families who can more easily balance work and care, while their children benefit from early enrichment.

“On the other hand, with median asking rents spiking and affordable housing availability shrinking drastically, our housing crisis should be top priority. This budget fails to meet the needs of this urgent moment with the level of capital funding needed for affordable, supportive and public housing.

“I’m also opposed to the cuts DOE is making to individual school budgets at this moment. Our schools have endured the hardest two years and need every penny to provide the social, emotional, and academic supports that all our students deserve this summer and fall. Meanwhile, DOE has several billion dollars in unspent federal stimulus funding. Over the next year, we will need to address enrollment declines and should revisit the Fair Student Funding formulas. But we should not be forcing schools to implement sharp cuts to their budgets this summer.

“Budgets show us where our priorities lie. Together, we must continually orient our priorities toward building a stronger, more just, and inclusive recovery for all New Yorkers.”