This went out to Democrats throughout the state today -

Dear Friend,

The State Budget is complete and now comes the hard work: cleaning up Albany.

Last November, a majority of legislators from both sides of the aisle and in both houses made a promise to change how business is done and raise the ethical bar for public officials in New York through ethics reform and independent redistricting.

Keeping Our Promise
Senate Democrats, Governor Cuomo and the Assembly are in agreement – meaningful, effective and lasting ethics reform must:

• Require the full disclosure of outside sources of income, including for legislators who are practicing lawyers (S.382/Rivera).

• Increase transparency and restrictions on the personal use of campaign funds to ensure contributions are used only for elections, not personal use (S.3053/Krueger).
• Strengthen oversight and enforcement for all public officials by giving the Public Integrity Commission the power to investigate the legislature and refer any findings to District Attorneys or the Legislative Ethics Commission for possible action

Senate Republicans have already reneged on their promise to give New Yorkers independent redistricting; now they appear to be stalling progress on ethics reform. It’s frustrating, but anyone who has watched Albany over the years isn’t surprised. I ran for the Senate last fall on the promise to clean up state government, and that promise will be kept.

Senate Republicans: Do As I Say, Not As I Do
In January of 2009, Senate Republicans killed the most significant ethics reforms in more than a generation. That package was not enough, but it was a good first step. After pressure mounted from the public and good government groups, they relented and joined Assembly and Senate Democrats to pass the plan, only to turn their back on it again two weeks later. They claimed their support changed because the proposal did not go far enough.

Well, now is their chance. Senator Dean Skelos is partner in a law firm with lobbying business before the state. This is his opportunity to keep his promise to voters and pass an ethics reform package which requires full disclosure, strips lawmakers from both sides of the aisle convicted of public corruption of their pensions, and ensures that the Legislature – after decades of working in the shadows – will finally be held accountable to the public.

Sincerely,
Senator Gustavo Rivera

 

 

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ
RE: Rat infestations in Bronx Community Board Area's

  In response to new data from the City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) concerning rat infestations in various Bronx community board areas,  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. released the following statement:

“The rising incidents of rat infestation in our Bronx neighborhoods show just how significant the DOHMH’s recent decision to eliminate the jobs of 63 pest control workers, workers whose jobs were specifically to battle the City’s rat population. Rats are dirty and disgusting, and their presence in any neighborhood is a major blow to the quality of life of that community.

“It is time for the City to rethink their actions and rehire these pest control workers, so that we may begin in earnest our assault on the borough’s rat population and the associated problems that come with these vermin. A small amount of savings is just not worth destroying the quality of life in neighborhoods across the City,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

  Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer has made a similar statement about the Manhattan community board areas. 

 

Democrats and the Lost Opportunity for Affordable Housing

   New York State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) released the following statement: 

   “As the June 15^th rent stabilization deadline approaches, I remain deeply concerned for the well-being of 2.5 million New Yorkers and their families who voted for Democrats to take control.  They elected us so that we would not let the opportunity to protect their right to affordable housing slip through their hands. 

   Democrats missed the chance to force a vote on rent control during Budget negotiations.  Democrats – especially Black and Hispanic legislators – should never have agreed on the Budget until the issue of rent control and stabilization was determined.  If affordable housing were addressed during that great race to beat the clock, New Yorkers would have won. 

   Unfortunately, the opportunity for Democrats to do something about rent control has passed. I have no delusions that the Senate Republicans will ever compromise on rent control or even bring this to the table for a vote this Session.  In their defense, I must wonder, why should they?  Since they are in the majority, why should they capitulate? 

   Governor Andrew Cuomo, (who actually served as HUD Secretary) met today to discuss rent control and stabilization laws with Senate Majority Leader John Sampson, Senator Adriano Espaillat (who serves as the Top Democrats on the Senate Housing Committee) and Senator Liz Krueger (who has championed this cause more than any other Senator prior to the Early Budget vote).  The issue of rent control has been cast aside until sometime – perhaps in May – after our Senate 2-week vacation from Albany.  We know that if these laws are not in place by June 15^th, they will sunset, expire, and be nearly impossible to resurrect.

 

DON’T CUT CASE MANAGEMENT TO HOME-BOUND SENIORS BY $6.6 MILLION 

  A coalition of aging service advocates lead by the Council of Senior Centers and Services (CSCS), Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (FPWA), United Neighborhood House (UNH), CityMeals on Wheels, the Human Services Council, and UJA-Federation will assemble on the Steps of City Hall to inform the public and to speak out against the proposed cuts to case management. 

    Mayor Bloomberg is proposing the $6.6 million cut, a 30 % cut to case management. The Mayor tried this cut mid-year, but the funds were restored by the city council. Now, the mayor is trying to cut case management again.

·         Impact to seniors: Based on a CSCS survey done last November when the cut was first proposed –

Ø  Upwards of 8000 homebound elders, average age 85, will lose case management services

Ø  Almost 900 seniors were already on case management waiting lists

Ø  The average caseload, already 70, would increase to 85 and higher

Ø  112 social workers (called case managers) would lose their jobs

·         Social workers provide a valuable service to home bound seniors and can help to save lives

·         The coalition is working to “baseline” case management funds:  Baselining is a budget word which means that the Mayor allows the case management funds to remain in the Department for the Aging (DFTA) budget so there is not a cut and the funds flows into the budgets of case management agencies immediately.  This will ensure continuity of services to home bound elderly New Yorkers   

Thursday, April 14 from 10:00 – 11:00    --  Steps of City Hall  

for more information contact -- Matthew Hynes, mhynes@cscs-nyc.org, 212-398-6565 X237

 

Onion or Corn for State Vegetable

   The New York Farm Bureau, a non profit organization out of Albany is looking to name the vegetable of New York State on their facebook page here. The competition is down to either onion and corn, and since the state budget is done this has now come to the attention of some of our state legislatures. The Independent Democrat Conference here, at least three of the four members support "onion"as their choice for state veggie. It appears that one member is still on the fence not wanting to take sides on the issue. 

   We made some calls to local elected Bronx officials, but received "we will have to get back to you on the matter" from some staff members. We will update this posting as the responses come in from the elected officials as to their choice, but as it stands now the only Bronx state legislature who has weighed in on this is Senator Jeff Klein who favors onion as the state vegetable.

  Word came in from Senator Gustavo Rivera, that Senator Rivera is going with "TEAM ONION",

VOLUNTEERS TO GREEN BRONX PARKS DURING ‘HANDS ON NEW YORK DAY’ 

New Yorkers to spruce up 11 neighborhood sites in the Bronx after an especially hard winter  

More than 300 volunteers will clear leaves and debris, paint benches and picnic tables, and spread woodchips as part of New York Cares’ Hands on New York Day on Saturday, April 16 from 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. at Van Cortlandt Park (Enter at Broadway Ave and Van Cortlandt Park S) in the Bronx.  New Yorkers will also rejuvenate planting areas impacted by the hard winter.

 

17^th Annual Hands On New York Day, sponsored by HSBC Bank USA, NA., is a citywide day of spring cleaning where 5,000 volunteers will spruce up 70 parks, gardens, playgrounds, and other public spaces across the five boroughs. 

 

 

 

Senator Rivera presents Celia Cruz Winning Choir with Senate Resolution Honoring their Hard Work and Excellence

   Senator Gustavo Rivera (D,WF-Bronx) presented the Celia Cruz High School Choir with a Senate Resolution honoring them for being named the Best Choir in New York City as part of the Sing! for Wildlife competition. This was the first Senate Resolution Senator Rivera introduced and passed through the State Senate.

Senator Rivera spoke to the students congratulated the students on being an example of the great accomplishments, both artistic and educational, that can come from a commitment to arts education.

 That's Senator Gustavo Rivera (33rd S.D.) in the middle of the Celia Cruz Choir students who are holding the Senate resolution that honored the choir for their hard work and excellence. Click on the photo to enlarge it.

Press Release from Assemblyman Crespo about Cathie Black

   This came in from Assemblyman Marcos Crespo 85th A.D. before the naming Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott as new chancellor.

 Today’s announcement of Cathie Black’s departure as chancellor of the New York City public school system is welcomed news for my community and all the school children, parents and educators. While, I commend Cathie Black for her interest in serving the public in this capacity and wish her well in future endeavors I am pleased that Mayor Bloomberg has finally acknowledged what other community leaders and I have stated from the first day she was nominated. We clearly stated that Ms. Black was unqualified and unprepared to serve in the role as chancellor and address the needs of over 1.1million school children.

Now, as we move forward I call on Mayor Bloomberg to seek input from education advocates and elected officials as he continues the search for a new chancellor. Furthermore, I hope this experience will remind Commissioner Steiner and the New York State Department of Education that the voices of elected officials and community advocates must not be ignored next time a waiver is requested of a candidate for the position as chancellor.

 Added from Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz

  Statement from Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz on the termination of Cathie Black and the appointment of Dennis Walcott as New York City Schools Chancellor

  

  I am pleased that Mayor Bloomberg realized the terrible error he made in appointing Cathie Black as Schools Chancellor.  It seems her 17% poll rating did what her lack of qualifications couldn’t, expel her from this job.

  I am hopeful that Dennis Walcott will provide the leadership our schools need.  He has the qualifications and background to be a successful Chancellor.  He and his children are all products of New York City public schools, and he has extensive experience as a Deputy Mayor as well as a teacher and a member of the Board of Education.   I look forward to working with him to improve our schools.