ADAMS ADMINISTRATION, NYS BLACK, PUERTO RICAN, HISPANIC, AND ASIAN CAUCUS, AND UNION LEADERS RALLY FOR PASSAGE OF COMMUNITY HIRING LEGISLATION

 

Proposed Legislation Would Give City Power to Require Companies That Benefit from City Contracts to Provide Employment and Apprenticeship Opportunities for Low-Income Individuals and Those Living in Economically Disadvantaged Communities  

Community Hiring Provisions is Expected to Connect 36,000 New Yorkers Each Year from Economically Disadvantaged Areas to Jobs

The Adams administration today co-hosted a rally with members of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Caucus, as well as union officials and community advocates to urge state lawmakers to pass legislation authorizing community hiring provisions for New York City. The proposed legislation — part of Mayor Adams’ “Working People’s Agenda” — would empower the city to set local hiring requirements in city-funded contracts, connecting an estimated 36,000 New Yorkers from economically disadvantaged communities to apprenticeship opportunities and jobs annually.

“Community hiring is critical to building an equitable, inclusive, and broad-based recovery,” said First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. “Leveraging the city’s contracts to deliver jobs and apprenticeships to communities with the greatest level of need just makes sense. We look forward to working with our partners in Albany to get this done before the end of session.”

“Thanks to Mayor Adams’ leadership, the city is now 99 percent of the way back to pre-pandemic job levels and the economy is returning to full strength,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “We urgently need community hiring to provide employers with increased access to local talent, ensure our recovery doesn’t leave the neediest New Yorkers behind, and maximize the city's economic gains.”

The community hiring bill would allow New York City to use its purchasing power to provide opportunities to low-income New Yorkers and those living in high-poverty areas. It would connect an estimated 36,000 people with apprenticeships and job opportunities each year.

The legislation establishes a new city Office of Community Hiring and Workforce Development, which would be empowered to set forth hiring goals for city procurement contracts. These hiring goals mandate that a certain percentage of jobs or apprenticeship opportunities created through these contracts would go to low-income New Yorkers, or New Yorkers who reside in an area that is considered economically disadvantaged.

Once these hiring goals are set forth, the city will be allowed under the legislation to incorporate community hiring into the award methodology for contracts, considering criteria that include a bidder’s ability to meet or exceed community hiring goals. Finally, the legislation enables the city to connect contractors with referral sources, such as workforce development programs, that will help them meet their hiring goals by referring qualified talent.

“Our economic recovery and future prosperity depend on the diverse talents of all New Yorkers connecting and contributing to the economy,” said Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development Executive Director Abby Jo Sigal. “Talent is New York City’s most important resource, and what makes our city great. Through community hiring legislation, we can leverage the city’s purchasing power to generate employment, apprenticeship opportunities, and economic mobility for low-income New Yorkers.”

“Our low-income communities are still reeling from the economic impact of the pandemic, and creative solutions like the community hiring program are critical to our efforts to level the playing field for vulnerable New Yorkers,” said New York City Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Wasow Park. “We are so grateful for the incredible support for the city’s advocacy to amend the relevant state legislation to better reflect the urgent needs of New Yorkers and prioritize the true recovery of New York City.”

Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) - Teen Project Studio Still Accepting Applications

 

Teen Project Studio + 2.0 is still open for registration! ~ This Class is FREE by application only, for ages 14 - 23. Classes meet twice a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays (4 to 6 PM)

Click Here to Apply

BRAC COVID-19 Protocols Use of masks during classes is required.

NYS Office of the Comptroller - DiNapoli: Employment Among Mothers in NYC Improves but Remains Higher than Pre-Pandemic Levels

 

The unemployment rate for mothers in New York City has improved but it remains higher than it was prior to the pandemic, according to a report released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The report also found that 5.7% of city moms in the workforce were unemployed in 2022 compared to 3.4% nationally. Black mothers in the city are the hardest hit, facing an unemployment rate of 9%. The city and state have improved access to early education and child care for working mothers and families, but more can be done to improve outreach and expand these opportunities.

“New York City mothers are having a tougher time getting work compared to other women around the country,” DiNapoli said. “More mothers in the city are now looking for work than before the pandemic, and some are seeking flexible work opportunities. The city and state should continue to build on their efforts to provide child care and other support services for mothers and families.”

DiNapoli’s report compares the unemployment and labor force participation rates of mothers in New York City before, during and after the pandemic with the rest of the state and the nation. In 2022, the labor force participation rate for city moms was 68.8%, well above the 2019 rate of 62.2%.

Employment outcomes vary by race and ethnicity. Black mothers faced the largest spike in unemployment during the pandemic, at 15.5% in 2020. After improving in 2021, their rate remained virtually unchanged at 9% in 2022, compared to 6.5% nationally. In contrast, unemployment rates for white, Asian and Hispanic mothers came down from 2021 to 2022. DiNapoli’s report raises concerns that the historic unemployment gap between Black and white mothers could remain stagnant or widen if all parts of the local economy don’t fully recover.

Some mothers in the city appear to be looking for flexible options outside full-time work, especially compared to the rest of the state and the nation. Prior to the pandemic, nearly 50,000 city mothers preferred part-time work, and this number jumped to nearly 64,000 in 2022, an increase of 28.5%. This compares to declines in the share of mothers in the workforce who preferred not to work full-time in the rest of the state (-4.5%) and the nation (-11.5%) from 2019 to 2022.

Additionally, more women in New York City pursued self-employment in 2022. Self-employment among Black women rose by more than 70% from 2021 to 2022, a larger increase compared to white, Hispanic and Asian women. However, white women remain the most likely to be self-employed at 10.9% in 2022. DiNapoli recommends enhancing outreach to women-owned businesses to help them become certified Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE) and improve their opportunities for new business.

Report

New York City’s Uneven Recovery: Mothers in the Workforce 

Related Reports

New York City’s Uneven Recovery

DEC AND NYSERDA ANNOUNCE STAKEHOLDER INFORMATION SESSIONS ON DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMYWIDE CAP-AND-INVEST PROGRAM TO REDUCE CLIMATE POLLUTION

 

Sessions Advance New York State’s Efforts to Meet Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Requirements under Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) today announced the first in a series of stakeholder information sessions on the development of the State’s economywide Cap-and-Invest Program to reduce the pollution driving climate change. The Cap-and-Invest Program was recommended by the Climate Action Council’s final Scoping Plan and was proposed in Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2023 State of the State Address and Executive Budget. DEC and NYSERDA are developing the program to meet the greenhouse gas emission reduction and equity requirements under the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act).

DEC Commissioner and Climate Action Council Co-Chair Basil Seggos said, “New York is taking significant steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change, including the development of an economywide Cap-and-Invest Program carefully designed to decrease pollution while prioritizing affordability to support New York’s transition to a clean energy economy. This first phase of stakeholder sessions announced today will provide information about program elements and encourage New Yorkers’ input to help ensure we meet our ambitious emissions reduction requirements while we advance a cleaner, greener, and healthier environment.”

NYSERDA President and CEO and Climate Action Council Co-Chair Doreen M. Harris said, “New York State, under Governor Hochul’s leadership, has demonstrated its continued commitment to meet its ambitious climate goals, and designing a Cap-and-Invest Program will further help to accelerate our critical climate action efforts. The upcoming stakeholder sessions are opportunities for open and valuable feedback to help ensure that New York’s future Cap-and-Invest Program is created in a way that prioritizes affordability and equity while ensuring all New Yorkers benefit from our growing green economy.”

The first phase of pre-proposal webinars, scheduled throughout June, will provide an overview of New York’s potential program and similar programs designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in other states and jurisdictions. The webinars will present an opportunity for key stakeholders and the public to provide feedback on program design features. In addition, the presentation will include a link to a webpage where stakeholders can access the outline and questions and provide comments. All stakeholder input will be considered by staff as part of the program development.

These webinars will focus on obtaining input regarding anticipated program design details such as applicability and thresholds, allowance allocation and auction, stability mechanisms, compliance and enforcement, and reporting and verification. A second round of pre-proposal stakeholder outreach is expected to be held later this year.

For a full list of scheduled webinars, please see below. Recordings of the webinars will be posted online following the meetings. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available at capandinvest.ny.gov.

• June 1, 1 to 3 p.m. – Cap-and-Invest Overview 
• June 6, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Natural Gas-focused webinar
• June 8, 1 to 3 p.m. - Liquid Fuels-focused webinar
• June 13, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Energy Intensive and Trade Exposed Industries-focused webinar
• June 15, 1 to 3 p.m. - Waste-focused webinar 
• June 20, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Cap-and-Invest Analysis Inputs and Methods
• June 22, 1 to 3 p.m. - Electricity-focused webinar

In addition to these scheduled webinars, DEC and NYSERDA will continue to engage with various stakeholders regarding the development of the program, including around labor, equity, disadvantaged communities, and other key issues. 

The Enacted FY 2023-24 Budget advances Governor Hochul’s priority to create an affordable, equitable, and effective Cap-and-Invest Program that promotes climate action, creates high-quality jobs, and protects and invests in disadvantaged communities. The Budget creates the Consumer Climate Action Account, which ensures not less than 30 percent of future proceeds will be provided to New Yorkers as a critical step toward protecting affordability. In addition, the Budget establishes a Climate Investment Account, which will direct two-thirds of future proceeds to support the transition to a less carbon-intensive economy. The Budget also creates a Climate Affordability Study process to provide recommendations on the most impactful use of funds to protect New Yorkers.

The program will prioritize the frontline, disadvantaged communities in the State that for far too long have suffered from pollution and environmental injustice. The program will not allow the use of offsets that could allow high-emitting sources to continue to pollute, and will instead be designed to ensure pollution burdens are reduced. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, a minimum of 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of Cap-and-Invest resources will directly benefit disadvantaged communities, and the program will be designed to ensure pollution burdens are reduced in frontline communities.

Over the coming months, DEC and NYSERDA will design a Program that sets an annual cap on the amount of greenhouse gas pollution that is permitted to be emitted in New York. Every year, New York’s pollution cap will be set lower to meet the Climate Act’s greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements of 40 percent by 2030 and at least 85 percent from 1990 levels by 2050. Large-scale greenhouse gas emissions sources and distributors of heating and transportation fuels will be required to purchase or obtain allowances for the emissions associated with their activities. Proceeds will support the State’s critical investments in climate mitigation, energy efficiency, clean transportation, and other projects, in addition to mitigating potential consumer costs associated with the Program.

For more information about New York’s climate efforts, visit the Climate Act website at climate.ny.gov.

New York State's Nation-Leading Climate Plan

New York State's nation-leading climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues fostering a green economy across all sectors and ensures that at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation's most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is on a path to achieving a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and economy-wide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York's unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $35 billion in 120 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $1.8 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $1.8 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 165,000 jobs in New York's clean energy sector in 2021 and a 2,100 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, New York also adopted zero-emission vehicle regulations, including requiring all new passenger cars and trucks sold in the State be zero emission by 2035. Partnerships are continuing to advance New York's climate action with nearly 400 registered and 100 certified Climate Smart Communities, nearly 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the State's largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the state to help target air pollution interventions and combat climate change.

Brookdale Hospital Agrees to Civil Settlement to Resolve Allegations that Former Employees Defrauded a Federally Funded Nutrition Program

 

The Alleged Scheme Involved Defrauding a Federal Program that Provides Grants for Supplemental Foods, Health Care Referrals, And Nutrition Education for Lower-Income Women And Children

 The Brookdale Hospital Medical Center, a nonprofit hospital based in Brooklyn, has agreed to pay $300,000 to the United States to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act based on the conduct of former employees who engaged in a scheme to defraud the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).  Brookdale cooperated fully throughout the investigation.  The settlement agreement, which resolved claims under the Federal False Claims Act, was approved yesterday by United States District Judge I. Leo Glasser. 

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Bethanne M. Dinkins, Special Agent-in-Charge, United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG), announced the settlement.

“Our Office worked with Brookdale to arrive at a fair and just resolution that holds Brookdale accountable while crediting its cooperation,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “This settlement demonstrates our Office’s commitment to holding healthcare providers accountable when their employees engage in misconduct that defrauds federal programs like the USDA-funded WIC program.”    

Mr. Peace expressed his gratitude for the support of the New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Special Investigations for their assistance in investigating these claims.

“The WIC program was created to provide food and nutrition to those who truly need this assistance,” stated USDA-OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Bethanne M. Dinkins. “Those who are involved in fraud and abuse of USDA-funded programs will be investigated by our office to the fullest extent.  Our joint investigation with the New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Special Investigations identified those who sought to defraud WIC.  USDA-OIG will continue to dedicate investigative resources, working with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, in order to protect the integrity of these programs.” 

The USDA-funded WIC program provides grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for lower-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children who are found to be at nutritional risk.  The United States contends that between 2010 and 2016, former Brookdale employees, including the former director of Brookdale’s WIC program, engaged in a scheme to defraud the WIC program by, among other things, causing ineligible persons to be qualified for WIC benefits and misappropriating WIC program funds.  The United States further alleges that these former employees falsified time sheets and other records concerning work purportedly performed by breastfeeding peer counselors, and falsified budget records to inflate Brookdale’s purported requirements for WIC funds. 

The settlement includes the resolution of a civil action brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act against Brookdale.   Under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of the settlement if the government takes over the case and reaches a monetary agreement with the defendant.  The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Young v. The Brookdale Hospital Medical Center, No. 19-CV-2272 (E.D.N.Y.). 

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

Attorney General James’ Office of Special Investigation Releases Report on Death of Lopamudra Desai

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) released its report on the death of Lopamudra Desai in Queens. Following a thorough investigation, which included review of security camera video, 911 calls, and crash reconstruction analysis, OSI concluded that criminal charges are not warranted in this case. 

In the afternoon on May 23, 2021, an off-duty officer with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) was driving her personal car to work. The officer was driving southbound on Corporal Kennedy Street and turning eastbound onto 43rd Avenue when her vehicle struck Ms. Desai, who was walking northbound in the eastern pedestrian crosswalk. Immediately following the collision, the officer exited her car and approached Ms. Desai to provide aid. A nearby witness who was a nurse joined the officer and advised against moving Ms. Desai. The officer, the nurse, and two other witnesses all called 911 to report the incident and request medical assistance. Ms. Desai was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead on May 25, 2021.  

The NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad (CIS) responded to the scene to examine the crash site and administer field sobriety tests (FSTs) to the officer, which she passed. The officer also submitted to an alcohol breath test and a drug test, which were both negative. A download of the officer’s car’s event data recorder showed no recorded events, and review of her phone’s call and text history showed no communication around the time of the incident apart from the call made to 911. 

Under New York law, proving criminally negligent homicide requires establishing beyond a reasonable doubt that a person failed to perceive a substantial and unjustifiable risk that death would occur; that the failure to perceive the risk was a gross deviation from a reasonable person’s standard of care; and that the person engaged in blameworthy conduct. In this case, there is no evidence that the officer was engaging in unnecessarily risky behavior, nor that she was speeding or impaired, and therefore OSI concluded that criminal charges could not be pursued against the officer.  

The NYPD’s patrol guide requires that if qualified to do so, the patrol supervisor must administer an alcohol test to any police officer involved in a collision that results in a death. The officer involved in this incident was not breath-tested until two hours after the incident, when CIS arrived. While there is no evidence the officer in question was impaired or intoxicated, OSI recommends that all officers or civilians involved in a motor vehicle collision be tested on scene as soon as practicable to ensure the most accurate results. 

VCJC News & Notes 5/19/23

 

Van Cortlandt Jewish Center
News and Notes

Here's this week's edition of the VCJC News and Notes email. We hope you enjoy it and find it useful! Reminders Shabbos Shabbos information is, as always, available on our website, both in the information sidebar and the events calendar. Here are the times you need:   Shabbos Candles Friday 5/19/23 @ 7:51 pm Shabbos morning services at 8:40 am.  Please join the services if you can do so safely.  Shabbos Ends Saturday 5/20/23 @ 8:55 pm Kiddush will be given by Ben Z Panush in honor of his aunt Sara Lustig’s yahrzeit.    Sunday 5/21/23, Lecture by Rabbi Viders “How the 10 Commandments Impact our Lives in Modern-day Society” We are excited to announce the resumption of our lecture series at the Van Cortlandt Jewish Center beginning on Sunday May 21st. This first lecture will explore the topic of “How the 10 Commandments impact our lives in modern day society.” As we approach the holiday of Shavuos, it is important for us to examine the meaning and teachings behind this significant event in the  Jewish calendar. Our esteemed speaker, Rabbi Viders, will guide us in a deep dive into the 10 Commandments and their relevance to our everyday lives. Doors will open at 9:30 AM for a light breakfast before the seminar begins at 10 AM sharp. We encourage all members of our community to attend this enlightening event and gain a deeper understanding of the laws and teachings of Shavous. Rabbi Viders is an experienced and renowned lecturer who has a wealth of knowledge on Jewish law and ethics. You won’t want to miss out on his insights and wisdom. Please join us on May 21st at 10 AM for this informative lecture. Spread the word and invite your friends and family to this enlightening event. We hope to see you there! There is no charge.  We plan to record the lecture and have it posted on our website. 3. Shavous Thursday, May 25 is Erev Shavuot, -- Friday May 26 is 1st day of Shavuot, Saturday, May 27 is 2nd day of Shevuot.   Candles 5/25/23 at 7:57 PM.  Candles 5/26/23 Shabbos and Shavous 7:58 PM Services 5/27/23 8:40 AM Yizkor 5/27/23 at approximately 9:40 AM Shabbos and Shavous end 5/27/23 9:02 PM.   4. Donate for Shavuos Yizkor!  It is customary to make a charitable donation in conjunction with Yizkor.  If you wish to donate to VCJC as part of your Yizkor observance, it can be done in person at the office, by check, or online through our website 5. Reminders Tell us about your preferences for the Center Light via email We are considering offering the Center Light by email (as an alternative).  It might be as a pdf, which might not work very well on mobile devices.  It might be as highlights or summaries with links to read more.  It could be a different format than that.  We are soliciting your input about this.  You can respond to this newsletter and tell us: if you prefer postal mail or would like email instead, if you would find pdf acceptable or would prefer a more mobile-friendly format, if you think this is a good idea (to save money and make the Center Light more accessible) or a terrible idea. Shiurim on the website There are now several audio shiurim on the VCJC website. You can access them via the right column on any page or the blog summary page.  Let us know how you like them or if you have any suggestions for how they are presented.  Van Cortlandt Jewish Center 3880 Sedgwick Ave Bronx, NY 10463

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Calling All Bronx High School Seniors

 



Calling all Bronx high school seniors! Please join us today, Friday, May 19th from 4PM - 8PM for our Prom Dress & Suit Giveaway at Borough Hall! We look forward to seeing you there. Happy Prom Season!

In partnership,

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

Querido Vecino,

¡Llamando a todos los estudiantes del Bronx! ¡Por favor, únase a nosotros hoy, viernes, 19 de mayo de 4PM - 8PM para nuestro Prom Dress & Suit Giveaway en Borough Hall! Esperamos verlos allí. ¡Feliz temporada de graduación!

En colaboración,

Vanessa L. Gibson, Presidenta del Condado del Bronx