Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz Hosts Summer Concert Series with Bronx Council on the ArtsAssemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz Hosts Summer Concert Series with Bronx Council on the Arts

  Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz,  in partnership with the Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA ), will present seven summer concerts beginning July 18th and ending August 23rd in the Northwest Bronx. Venue hosts and co-presenters include the Amalgamated/Park Reservoir Housing Cooperatives, the Riverdale YM-YWHA and Henry Hudson Park. All shows will be free and open to the public. “I am pleased to provide funding to the Bronx Council on the Arts for this amazing free concert series,” says Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (District 81). “All of the performances are superb. I encourage my neighbors and constituents to attend and I know you will have a great time!”

Performers will include Ginetta’s Vendetta at the Amalgamated Train Park (July 18, 7-9pm), the Just Nuts Party Dance Band at Henry Hudson Park (July 24, 7-9pm), John Benitez and his Salsa Band at Amalgamated Train Park (Aug 2, 7-9pm), the Mystery Tour Beatles Tribute Band at Henry Hudson Park (Aug 9, 7-9pm), The Gene DiNapoli Variety All-Star Show at Riverdale YM-YWHA (Aug 21, 7-9pm), the New York Skyscrapers and Friends at Riverdale YM-YWHA (Aug 22, 7-9pm) and River of Dreams at Riverdale YM-YWHA (Billy Joel Cover Band) on Aug 23, 7-9pm. 

“The summer concerts that Assemblyman Dinowitz makes possible are a great way for us to meet families and individuals from around the Bronx, in a way that’s different than our year-round Bronx Writers Center and Longwood Art Gallery programs,” says Bronx Council on the Arts Deputy Director Charlie Vázquez, who also directs Bronx Writers Center programs. “I began my creative journey as a young musician in the Bronx and that’s what summer’s for: to have fun and meet new people.” 

BELTZER RECEIVES ENDORSEMENT FROM SMALL BUSINESS CONGRESS

On the steps of City Hall Wednesday, Michael received the endorsement from the Small Business Congress for Bronx City Council District 18. Founded by Sung Soo Kim, called the Godfather of Small Business is the city’s leading authority on small business for three decades and is one of the City’s leading small business advocates. The Congress is comprised of Merchant and Business organizations throughout the City. 

“I am honored by the support of the Small Business Congress,” said Michael Beltzer, Democratic Candidate for Bronx Council District 18 “The work of the Congress has been vital to protecting the hard work of our small business owners, many of whom immigrated to The Bronx to open shops that give our neighborhoods character. I fully support the Small Business Congress’s platform to fight back against greedy landlords and big box stores looking to push small businesses out. I join their call for an Emergency Commercial Eviction Freeze as too many of our owners are on month to month leases. I will work with the Small Business Congress on the City Council to pass the Small Business Jobs Survival Act to ensure our local mom and pops are not being thrown out to the street.”

“I am honored to endorse with enthusiasm the candidacy of Michael Beltzer for Bronx District 18,” said Small Business Congress founder Sung Soo Kim. “Only independent minded candidates like Beltzer have the courage to stand up to big real estate interests and the powerful political machine. Due to commitment to serve his community, Beltzer is the only hope to save our struggling small businesses and jobs. I call upon all Southeast Bronx residents who love their mom and pop businesses and their neighborhoods to stand with Beltzer in this fight to restore democracy in government and take back our communities from real estate speculators and predatory landlords.” 

Michael has experience with the businesses and merchants throughout Bronx Council District 18 as a former Merchant Organizer for The Bronx Chamber of Commerce and through Bronx Community Board 9. Michael looks forward to forging even stronger connections with the owners and shopkeepers along Westchester, Castle Hill, Metropolitan and Soundview Avenues and commits to continuing to organizing our commercial corridors and supporting the existing Merchant Associations in their future successes.

Randy Abreu Receives Endorsement of 1199 SEIU

RANDY ABREU, CANDIDATE FOR CITY COUNCIL, RECEIVES ENDORSEMENT OF 1199 SEIU

 

  1199SEIU healthcare workers, this week, endorsed Randy Abreu, candidate for the 14th City Council district. The progressive candidate in this race believes strongly in the power of labor as an essential part of New York City's economic growth and sustainability.

 

"1199SEIU is proud to offer its endorsement to New York City Council Candidate Randy Abreu. I have no doubt that he will be a champion for all workers, including our members, and represent their concerns including healthcare, affordable housing, and economic justice," said Helen Schaub, New York State Policy and Legislative Director for 1199SEIU.

 

"Twenty years ago, my mother got a job as an 1199SEIU member, giving her the stability she needed to raise her three children," said Abreu, "I am humbled to receive the endorsement from the union that gave my mother job security, and opportunity; 1199 takes care of its members and their families, and I am proud to receive their endorsement."

 

1199SEIU represents over 220,000 nurses and healthcare workers in New York City, and over 400,000 total members along the East Coast, in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, pharmacies and home care programs.

 

Randy Abreu is the progressive Democrat running in the 14th City Council district. Raised in the Bronx, Abreu, an attorney, wants to give back to the community that raised him. Having previously worked for the United States Congress and in the administration of former President Obama, he has the knowledge and experience necessary to represent the Bronx at City Hall.

 

For more information on Randy Abreu for City Council, visit AbreuForNYC.com

STATEMENT FROM STATE SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA ON SENATE REPUBLICAN'S AFFORDABLE CARE ACT REPEAL BILL

  "This morning, Senate Republicans released the working draft of their "effort" to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. It comes as no surprise that the "Better Care Reconciliation Act" is as devastating and cruel as the recently passed American Healthcare Act.

This so-called healthcare bill shows Senate Republicans' true colors and the lengths they will go to strip away health coverage from the sickest and the poorest in our country, while giving the wealthiest Americans a massive tax break.

In their effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act, they are putting together a plan that will kick millions of Americans off Medicaid, strip coverage for millions suffering from pre-existing conditions, especially maternity care and mental health, restrict women's access to critical care, and force our seniors to pay more for coverage, while taking away critical services.

As the Ranking Member of the New York Senate's Health Committee, not only do I call on New York's Congressional Delegation to resist any measures that aims to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, but I also reaffirm my commitment to working to pass the single-payer bill I proudly sponsor in the New York State Senate."

Assemblymember Michael Blake - American Entrepreneurship Award Ceremony

  On Thursday, June 29th, I am pleased to announce we will be hosting the second American Entrepreneurship Awards Ceremony at the Bronx Museum of the Arts at 1040 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY, 10456.

The Bronx was one of two locations to be selected as recipients of the American Entrepreneurship Award (AEA). This award is a 10 year, $500,000 commitment to small businesses in the Bronx. To choose the recipients of the award, each year AEA holds a business plan competition offering new entrepreneurs and small businesses the opportunity to win funding, free business mentorship, and free business support services.

This year’s application process has been completed and the winners will be announced during the event on June 29th. There will also be an opportunity for different businesses to have a table to showcase their products, services, and ideas.

The Small Business Expo will begin at 4:00 pm, followed by a cocktail hour at 6:00 pm This event never fails to inspire me, and I hope you can join us in celebrating this important investment in our amazing Bronx community.

Space for the June 29, 2017, event at 6:00 pm will be limited. Please RSVP by no later than Tuesday, June 27. RSVP at: http://www.AEABronx17.eventbrite.com

Yours In Service,

Michael A. Blake

Allerton Avenue Food Festival! - Saturday, June 24th - 12pm-5pm

NCLV - Legislative Successes and Setbacks

  As the dust begins to settle on the legislative session that ended this week, we want to update you on how we did. It was a relatively anti-climactic conclusion since it looks likely that the legislature will have to return later this year since they could not reach agreement on a number of time-sensitive priorities.

Recognizing this could be the case early on in session, we pushed to get many of our biggest priorities done as part of the budget. This strategy paid off in spades: we scored many significant victories, lead by an unprecedented $2.5 billion in funding for clean water, accompanied by new regulations and programs to keep our water safe and free from contaminants.

Despite a difficult environment for passing ambitious environmental legislation, we were able to get eight important bills passed through both houses of the legislature and a number of other priorities gained momentum that should help push them over the top later this year or next year. This would not have been possible without your help.

Here are a few highlights of bills that made it to the finish line, others that came close, and of course, a few disappointments that we will double down on next year:

Legislative Successes:

Protecting the Hudson River: NYLCV and a coalition of partners successfully advocated for the passage of A6825-A/S5197-B, sponsored by Assembly Member Barret and Senator Serino, to expand the state's power to deny oil barges from anchoring on the Hudson River due to environmental considerations. 

Protecting our Waterways from Pharmaceutical Waste: Medication waste in water systems and landfills negatively affect marine life and harm delicate ecosystems, so we were happy to support A.387-B/S.6750, which will require chain pharmacies to implement collection programs for prescription medications.

Increasing Access to Renewable Energy: Both houses passed S.688/A.7117, which will make it easier and cheaper for New Yorkers to install and use geothermal energy systems, and will level the playing field between geothermal and other renewable energy systems. We also successfully beat back A.7685/S.5126, which would have prevented the New York Power Authority form purchasing renewable energy from Canada--a critical replacement energy source for New York City as Indian Point is decommissioned.

Establishing Energy Storage: This bill, A.6571/S.5190, which will help New York State expand renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, directs the Public Service Commission to establish an energy storage deployment program to absorb excess energy when it is overproduced and release it back to the grid during times of peak demand.

Expanding Electric Vehicle Usage: We are thrilled to support the passage of A.288/S.3745, which will require power companies to provide reduced rates for off-peak hours for customers to charge electric vehicles. Incentives like these, along with a number of other state initiatives, will help spur the growth of New York's electric car market.

Decreasing Emissions from Home Heating Oil: Both houses passed A.6954/S.5422, which will increase biofuel usage requirements on Long Island and in Westchester. Heating oil mixed with biofuel can burn more efficiently and significantly reduce the emission of pollutants, which is good for New Yorkers' lungs and the environment.

Reducing School Food Waste and Feeding Hungry New Yorkers: While we didn't succeed in our effort to require all large food waste generators to donate excess edible food and compost the rest, we did work to pass S.5664-B/A.2409-B. This bill will allow school districts and colleges to donate excess food to local charities, which will help food insecure New Yorkers and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions from landfills. 

Legislative Setbacks:

Promoting Renewable Energy and Pollinator Protection: A.8083/S.6339, a new bill to create a solar array pollinator benefit program, would have helped New Yorkers address pollinator habitat fragmentation, make solar array sites more aesthetically pleasing, and help our state develop its renewable energy resources. We're disappointed that this common-sense bill did not come up for a vote in either house, but we're confident that we will get it through the legislature next session. 

Protecting Children from Toxic Chemicals: We have supported legislation to get toxic chemicals out of children's products for many years - this year, we advocated for a billrequiring all manufacturers of children's products to disclose if they use chemicals that could be harmful to children's health. While we are disappointed that defenders of the status quo blocked the bill from an open debate, we are pleased that it has bipartisan support in both houses and confident that it will advance out of committee next year.

Mixed Results on Protecting Carryout Bag Bills: We started in January with a huge fightto protect New York City's carryout bag bill, which we were not ultimately able to win, but we went full circle by the end of session, protecting Suffolk County's Carryout Bag Bill from repeal.

A number of bills passed one house, but stalled in the other. Legislation to lower the definition of elevated blood level would have ensured that more children exposed to lead get the treatment they deserve, and a bill to extend and expand New York City's School Zone Speed Camera program, which protects pedestrians and cyclists and has dramatically reduced speeding incidents in the City, passed the Assembly but died in the Senate. Five of our priorities passed in the Senate but not the Assembly: A Constitutional Amendment to create land banks in the Adirondacks and the Catskills and allow public utility lines and bike paths in certain lands in state forest preserves, legislation to divert unused architectural paint from landfills by requiring and retailers take back unused paint, legislation to preserve farmland and protect family farmers in Suffolk County, legislation to divert used solar panels from landfills, and a bill to require a state transportation plan.

Though it is frustrating to come so close on these bills, we're proud of how far we moved the ball forward and are increasingly confident they will get done by the end of next session. We are also confident that when the Legislature reconvenes for a special session, they will revisit our priority legislation to expand New York City's School Zone Speed Camera program and pass a constitutional amendment to support communities in the Adirondacks and the Catskills. 

Thank you for your thousands of emails to legislators, participating in the conversation on social media, and also your generous financial support. We simply could not do what we do without you. Stay tuned for our inaugural state legislative scorecard in July, which will evaluate how your representatives voted on our priorities.

  

Sincerely,

Marcia Bystryn, President

New York League of Conservation Voters

News from Senator David Carlucci 38th Senate District

Senate & Assembly Pass Legislation Protecting the Hudson River

The Hudson River is one of the most cherished natural resources in the Hudson Valley.  Adding barges to an already active waterway would have undoubtedly increased the probability of a disaster and I am glad we were able to prevent the Hudson River from turning into a parking lot for barges. 

Piermont Railroad Station Museum Restorations Are Complete

On Saturday I was honored to join the Piedmont Historical Society at their annual Family Fun Day to cut a ribbon officially completing the train station museum renovations.  I was able to secure $100,000 of State funding that will help promote Piedmont's rich history for the next 100 years. 

Standing Up for Volunteer Firefighters

As all of Rockland County's fire fighters are volunteers, it is essential to make sure they have access to the highest level healthcare benefits to protect them from the risks they take every day.  I am very pleased that both the Senate & Assembly passed the "Volunteer Firefighter Enhanced Cancer Disability Benefits Act".  Under this legislation, all fire districts, departments or companies are required to provide and maintain an enhanced cancer disability benefit insurance program for each eligible volunteer firefighter.  

Every firefighter risks his or her life in service to the community.  We owe it to those brave men and women to support them in their times of need. 

Applications for Excelsior Scholarship Program are Available

Students and residents can begin applying for free tuition to New York's public colleges and universities.  The Excelsior Scholarship program will provide free tuition this coming school year to students from families earning less than $100,000.  Students must attend a SUNY or CUNY school full-time, and be enrolled in an undergraduate program. 

Applications are available by clicking here and the deadline to get them in is July 21. 

You will need to have the following information when filling out an application:

--Income information from you or your guardian's 2015 state tax return

--Your college credit history

--Any and all financial aid you are expected to receive in the upcoming year, including aid from federal, state, institutional or private sources. 

Upcoming Events

To RSVP for any of these events, please call my office at 845-623-3627 

Senator Carlucci's Veteran's Advisory Council Meeting

Join Senator Carlucci's Veteran's Advisory Council to discuss Westchester's VET2VET program.  This program is a Veterans assistance training for law enforcement and how it could applied in Rockland.

June 28th, 2017 at 6 PM

American Legion, 20 Station Road, Pomona

Informational Forum on NYS Free College Tuition Program (Excelsior Scholarship)

July 12, 2017 at 6PM

Rockland Community College, Eclipse Lecture Hall

145 College Road, Suffern

Senator Carlucci's Senior Advisory Committee Meeting

Representatives from O&R will be on hand to help seniors understand their energy bills

July 13th, 2017, 10:30 AM

Nanuet Public Library, 149 Church Street, Nanuet

Annual Senior Fair

August 24, 2017 10AM

Rockland Community College Field House, 149 College Road, Suffern

Sincerely,

David Carlucci

New York State Senator

38^th Senate District