Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers On State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic April 5, 2021

 

11 PM Curfew Lifted for Casinos, Movie Theaters, Bowling Alleys, Billiard Halls, Gyms and Fitness Centers Beginning Today

4,434 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide

906 Patients in the ICU; 577 Intubated

Statewide Positivity Rate is 4.38%

57 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Beginning today, the 11 p.m. curfew currently in place for casinos, movie theaters, bowling alleys, billiards halls, gyms and fitness centers will be lifted. The 11 p.m. curfew for food and beverage establishments and the 12 a.m. curfew for catered events remains in effect. Both curfews will be evaluated later this month.

"When it comes to COVID, it's undeniable that the behavior of a community makes the difference, and that means wearing masks, social distancing, and washing hands. Some people will say they're tired of COVID, the weather's warm and the death numbers are down, but the community that accepts that philosophy first will have a higher transmission rate. We all understand COVID fatigue, but the pandemic is not over," Governor Cuomo said. "There are still variants and you can still get sick, and yes people are vaccinated, but not enough of them. You're seeing communities where we did have problems and implemented significant public education to address them, but more importantly, the people knew in their community they had an issue. They saw people going to the hospital, and they responded. But people are now relaxing, and as people relax with COVID it's a problem. This is a formidable enemy. You put your hands down at your side, you think it's over, the enemy attacks. And that literally is community by community."

It is important to note that data, including test results and hospital rates, reported early in the week are often not completely reflective of the current situation due to lower discharges and testing volume over the weekend. Data trends over a period of time, such as using 7-day averages, are a preferred metric.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 150,225
• Total Positive - 6,583
• Percent Positive - 4.38%
• Patient Hospitalization - 4,434 (+61)
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.57%
• Patients Newly Admitted - 474
• Hospital Counties - 50
• Number ICU - 906 (+24)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 577 (+15)
• Total Discharges - 164,496 (+410)
• Deaths - 57
• Total Deaths - 40,813

Attorney General James Secures $4.25 Million After Provider of Air Inflation Services and Owner Admit to Tired Scheme Evading Taxes

 

Company and Owner Failed to Pay Over $2.4 Million in Sales Tax

SSVE and Owner Also Underpaid Income Tax and Employee Withholding Tax

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced she has secured $4.25 million from a provider of air inflation services operating throughout New York, as well as its owner, after they were caught evading taxes. The agreement resolves claims that the Nassau County-based company Service Station Vending Equipment, Inc. (SSVE) — a provider of self-service, coin-operated air machines used to inflate automobile tires — and its owner, William McCabe, knowingly failed to pay sales tax due on sales of air inflation services, as well as engaged in fraudulent tax avoidance schemes by underreporting sales and paying workers off the books.

“As New York continues to suffer budget shortfalls, we won’t allow any company to further deflate our state’s finances and avoid millions in tax payments,” said Attorney General James. “While a few quarters may not seem like a lot at once, over nearly a decade, SSVE and its owner pocketed $2.4 million through their tired scheme. If New Yorkers need to pay for their air, we’re going to ensure those selling it pay their taxes. Those who aim to cheat the system should know that their fraud will blow up in their faces because my office will continue to aggressively pursue those who defraud taxpayers and the state.”

In 1997, SSVE requested an advisory opinion from the New York state Department of Taxation and Finance (DTF) on whether sales from its coin-operated air machines were exempt from sales tax. In response, the DTF issued an advisory opinion that explicitly stated that receipts from sales of services rendered by air inflation machines are subject to sales tax.

Two decades later, in January 2016, SSVE’s newly-hired accounting firm discussed several tax and accounting issues with McCabe, including SSVE’s failure to collect the appropriate amount of sales tax. Despite that discussion, McCabe continued his behavior and refused to change his sales tax collection practices with respect to air inflation services.

In an effort to further avoid the payment of sales tax, in 2016 and 2017, SSVE and McCabe hired a lobbying firm to lobby state legislators on two pieces of proposed legislation that would have provided an exemption for sales tax on sales from coin-operated air inflation machines. Neither bill was ever enacted.

Despite their actual knowledge that sales from SSVE’s air inflation machines were subject to sales tax, an investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that SSVE and McCabe evaded more than $2.4 million in sales taxes for services for the period from 2010 through 2018. SSVE and McCabe also evaded income taxes, employee withholding taxes, and workers’ compensation payments to the New York state Insurance Fund by underreporting sales and paying workers off the books.

The OAG investigation commenced when whistleblowers filed a lawsuit under the qui tam provisions of the New York False Claims Act, which allows people to file civil actions on behalf of the government and share in any recovery.

In connection with this agreement, SSVE and McCabe admitted and accepted responsibility for their failure to collect and remit the full amount of sales tax for air inflation services and admitted that such conduct violated both the New York False Claims Act and the New York Tax Law. They will pay more than $4.25 million in damages and penalties.

New Yorkers can learn more about filing a claim under the New York False Claims Act on the OAG's website.

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State Vaccination Program

 

117,418 Doses Administered in the Last 24 Hours     

More than 1.4 Million Doses Administered Over Past Seven Days   

1 in 3 New Yorkers Have Received at Least One Dose   

1 in 5 Are Now Fully Vaccinated    

Vaccine Dashboard Will Update Daily to Provide Updates on the State's Vaccine Program; Go to ny.gov/vaccinetracker     

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's vaccination program. 117,418 doses have been administered across the state's vast distribution network in the last 24 hours, and more than 1.4 million doses have been administered over the past seven days.

"As we prepare to expand eligibility to all New Yorkers over the age of 16, New York's vaccination program is moving full steam ahead to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic once and for all. We're opening new vaccination sites around the state and preparing for a future increase in supply," Governor Cuomo said. "It's important that residents and their families continue to practice safe behaviors in the interim as more and more people take the vaccine. More than 10 million New Yorkers have received a first dose and we're not stopping now, but there's a long way to go until we've reached a comfortable level of safety for all New Yorkers."

New York's vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals still far exceed the supply coming from the federal government. Due to limited supply, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment.                                     

The 'Am I Eligible' screening tool has been updated for individuals with comorbidities and underlying conditions with new appointments released on a rolling basis over the next weeks. New Yorkers can use the following to show they are eligible:

• Doctor's letter, or
• Medical information evidencing comorbidity, or
• Signed certification          

Vaccination program numbers below are for doses distributed and delivered to New York for the state's vaccination program, and do not include those reserved for the federal government's Long Term Care Facility program. A breakdown of the data based on numbers reported to New York State as of 11 AM today is as follows.                                   

STATEWIDE BREAKDOWN

Total doses administered - 10,480,155

Total doses administered over past 24 hours - 117,418

Total doses administered over past 7 days - 1,423,185

Percent of New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 33.3%

Percent of New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 20.7%

272 Days and Counting

 

What on earth is going on in the Democratic Primary for Bronx Borough President? One candidate is questioned for a very revealing photo. She comes out with an Op-Ed in my friend Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz's local newspaper, going after an opponent for what he said in a country on the other side of the earth many years ago. The other female candidate did what to a police officer who gave her a ticket, and had to pay a $5,000.00 fine to the COIB, and then there is a State Senator (whom I have no connection to) who gave himself up to police for allegedly doing what to his wife. Let me not forget the former police officer who is not being supported by a powerful police union. Do you wonder why I don't want to go to the Bronx unless I have to?

Charlene I pity the taxes that are going to be imposed on the people of New York. Let's find a state with no income tax at all where we can THRIVE. Then I can write a book like the soon to be former governor whose world is collapsing around him, but let's hope the bridge he named after his father does not collapse like his career has.

Day of Action! Bronx Progressives Invites You to Join the Public Power Launch Rally

 

Day of Action! Bronx Progressives invites you to join our comrades at Democratic Socialist of America for their Public Power Launch Rally, happening on Saturday, April 10th, 3pm at 1775 Grand Concourse (Con Edison office). Join us to demand democratic and equitable energy and support for our two bills to get us there. We’ll be joined by City Council candidate Adolfo Abreu and housing activist Samelys Lopez, and we’ll be making lots of noise for the folks at ConEd. Click to sign-up HERE. https://actionnetwork.org/events/rally-for-public-power-in-the-bronx?source=direct_link& Why is Public Power a better system? ● A democratically-accountable public utility would serve the public by      prioritizing, not delaying, a just transition to renewable energy. It would    build new infrastructure, jobs, improve public health and address the    climate crisis. ● A publicly-operated utility will make long-neglected repairs, invest in    climate resiliency to prepare our grid for the future, and structure rates    in the interest of working-class New Yorkers, all while creating good,    union jobs. ● Responsible for the common good and not private gain, publicly owned    utilities must have strong worker protections and a democratized    decision-making structure that lifts up the low-income, working-class    communities of color that are hurt the worst by climate change. ● Public utilities already exist, and they’ve proven to be better for    consumers, delivering 14% lower-cost residential service, greater    reliability, and faster responses to blackouts. Join us on Saturday, April 10th, 3pm at 1775 Grand Concours (Con Ed Office) Click to sign-up HERE. https://actionnetwork.org/events/rally-for-public-power-in-the-bronx?source=direct_link& Bronx Progressives Working Group

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers On State's Progress During Covid-19 Pandemic April 4, 2021

 

4,373 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide

882 Patients in the ICU; 562 Intubated

Statewide Positivity Rate is 3.31%

59 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"New York was hit earliest and hardest by the pandemic, and the people of this state got through it by being smart and following the facts and the science," Governor Cuomo said. "With the new variants, we know there is more work to do to keep everyone safe: wear masks, socially distance and follow the health guidelines. In the meantime we are vaccinating as many people as possible and doing it equitably - which will go a long way toward keeping New Yorkers safe. There is light at the end of the tunnel - let's continue being smart so we get there together."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 225,411
• Total Positive - 7,467
• Percent Positive - 3.31%
• Patient Hospitalization - 4,373 (-118)
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.56%
• Patients Newly Admitted - 535
• Hospital Counties - 50
• Number ICU - 882 (-20)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 562 (-5)
• Total Discharges - 164,086 (+621)
• Deaths - 59
• Total Deaths - 40,756

Attorney General James Suspends State Debt Collection for 13th Time as Coronavirus Continues to Impact New Yorkers’ Wallets

 

New Yorkers with Student and Medical Debt Referred to AG’s Office
Will Have Payments Automatically Frozen Through April 30, 2021

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced that the state has halted, for the 13^th time, the collection of medical and student debt owed to the state of New York that has been specifically referred to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for collection — with limited exceptions — through April 30, 2021. In response to continuing financial impairments resulting from the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the OAG again renewed orders, which took effect this morning, and goes through Friday, April 30, 2021. Additionally, the OAG will accept applications for suspension of all other types of debt owed to the state of New York and referred to the OAG for collection.

“Increased vaccine distribution and expanded eligibility across our state may soon mean a return to normalcy, but hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers are still struggling to make ends meet,” said Attorney General James. “The aftershocks of the recession continue to reverberate throughout New York state, which is why we are, again, renewing the suspension of state and medical debt collection referred to my office for another month. Achieving a return to a more normal life begins with rebuilding our economy and getting New Yorkers back on their feet, and I will continue to do everything in my power to support New Yorkers so that they can support themselves.”

Millions of New Yorkers, like Americans across the nation, have been impacted — directly or indirectly — by the spread of COVID-19, forcing them to forgo income and business. Since COVID-19 began to spread rapidly across the country last year, tens of millions of residents across the nation have filed for unemployment, including more than 5.2 million in New York state alone. In an effort to support many New Yorkers economically impacted during this difficult time, Attorney General James today renewed an order — first made last March and renewed last April, in May, in June, in July, in August, in September, in October, in November, in January, in February, and in March — to ease the financial burdens for many workers and families by halting the collection of medical and student debt owed to the state of New York and referred to the OAG for collection — with limited exceptions — through April 30, 2021.

The OAG collects certain debts owed to the state of New York via settlements and lawsuits brought on behalf of the state of New York and state agencies. A total of more than 165,000 matters currently fit the criteria for a suspension of state debt collection, including, but not limited to:

• Patients that owe medical debt due to the five state hospitals and the five state veterans’ homes;
• Students that owe student debt due to State University of New York (SUNY) campuses; and
• Individual debtors, sole-proprietors, small business owners, and certain homeowners that owe debt relating to oil spill cleanup and removal costs, property damage, and breach of contract, as well as other fees owed to state agencies.

The temporary policy has also automatically suspended the accrual of interest and the collection of fees on all outstanding state medical and student debt referred to the OAG for collection, so New Yorkers are not penalized for taking advantage of this program.

New Yorkers with non-medical or non-student debt owed to the state of New York and referred to the OAG may also apply to temporarily halt the collection of state debt. Individuals seeking to apply for this temporary relief can fill out an application online or visit the OAG’s coronavirus website to learn more about the suspension of payments. If an individual is unable to fill out the online form, they can also call the OAG hotline at 800-771-7755 to learn more.