Senator Rivera Votes NO, Speaks to Missed Opportunities in the Budget

 Doesn’t Tackle Health Exchange, Transportation Funding and Funding for Tenants Protection Unit

 

  Senator Gustavo Rivera (D,-Bronx) voted today on 7 of 11 budget bills, voting NO on S. 6254D (Capital Funds), S.6250D (State Operations) and S.6256D (Health and Mental Hygiene). Prior to today, the State Senate had voted on 4 of the 11 budget bills, all of which Senator Rivera supported on the floor of the Senate.

Senator Rivera speaks on S.5254D (Capital Funds bill):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_YFMt7B0Bw

Senator Rivera speaks on S.6253E (Aid to Localities bill):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkQ6206AL2A

“Today the legislature missed several opportunities to improve the lives of working families by not creating a New York State Health Insurance Exchange, not allocating dedicated funding for the new Tenants Protection Unit within the Department of Housing and Community Renewal and by failing to fund the MTA Capital Plan at the levels necessary to avoid a fare hike next year,” said Senator Rivera. “I voted in support of the Aid to Localities budget bill, which included the restoration of funding for Neighborhood Preservation Program that supports organizations like the West Bronx Housing Resource Center and Fordham Bedford Housing.  I was also pleased that the Aid to Localities budget bill took several important steps forward to increase funding for our community colleges, for domestic violence programs and for the creation of the Office of New Americans, which will work to engage legal permanent residents and increase access to English Language education services and citizenship services.”

“I also want to credit the students, families, teachers and education advocates who came to Albany to express their outrage that $250 million would be allocated to competitive grants, instead of to the neediest schools in our state. Thanks in large part to their advocacy, only $50 million was finally allocated to competitive grants, while $200 million went to state aid.”

State Senate Democrats proposed a total of 7 amendments to the budget, all of which Senator Rivera supports. However, each time an amendment was introduced, Senate Republicans refused to allow the amendments to come to a vote. The amendments included votes on whether to include the following bills in the State Budget:

·         Funding for a Study on the Seismic Impact of Hydrofracking

·         Inclusion of the New York State DREAM Act

·         Increasing CUNY Foundation Aid

·         Creation of a Small Business Revolving Loan Fund

·         Creation of the New York State Health Insurance Exchange

·         Providing Medicaid relief for localities

·         Creation of Senior STAR Property tax Rebate for senior homeowners.

*****************************************************

 

COUNCIL APPROVES KOPPELL-SPONSORED PREVAILING WAGE BILL

  On Wednesday, March 28, 2012, the Council passed the Prevailing Wage Bill, co-sponsored by Council Member Oliver Koppell, that would require building owners to pay building service employees the “prevailing wage”, at least the same amount that government contractors pay their workers, in facilities that the city subsidizes or where the city leases space.   Among the categories of building services workers covered by the legislation are building cleaners, porters, janitors, gardeners, firemen, elevator operators, security guards,  door persons and  window cleaners.     

 

  Every year, the New York City Comptroller determines the prevailing wage schedule for building service employees, which is in the broad range of $20 an hour, but  varies based on the size, age and condition of the building/project in which the employee works and the building service employee’s tenure. The Comptroller is also responsible for monitoring compliance with provisions of the law.

  “The building service employees provide necessary services to hundreds of city subsidized properties and projects throughout the city.  For many of these workers this bill means higher wages that will make a huge difference for their families and help level the playing field between wealthier New Yorkers and those struggling to get into the middle class,” Koppell said.

  The Mayor plans to veto the bill but it appears that the Council has more than enough votes to override the veto.

 COUNCIL PASSES KOPPELL-SPONSORED AMENDMENT TO LIVERY PASSENGER BILL OF RIGHTS

  Also on Wednesday, March 29, 2012, the Council approved a bill, co-sponsored by Council Member Oliver Koppell, Chair of the Committee on Mental Health, Mental Retardation, Alcoholism, Drug Abuse and Disability Services, requiring that the existing Livery Passenger Bill of Rights, which is posted in every livery vehicle, include the right  that disabled individuals are entitled to price and service levels equivalent to those provided to non-disabled passengers, including being able to request a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

  Presently, the Bill of Rights enumerates twelve rights that a passenger has, including having a courteous driver, clean car and not having to tip for poor service.  However, there is no specification of the service that disabled people are entitled to under rules promulgated by the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC). This bill would require that the currently existing Livery Passenger Bill of Rights be augmented to include a provision notifying disabled passengers of their rights.

  “I am pleased that this bill will enable disabled individual to be aware of their rights and be in a better position to obtain the service to which they are entitled,” Koppell said.

*****************************************************

 

What You Should Know by Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz

What Have New York State Senior Citizens Done to Governor Andrew Cuomo?

What does Governor Andrew Cuomo have against the Senior Citizens of New York State?
You should know that last year he refused to extend the Millionaires Tax, but apparently thought that it was appropriate to slash approximately $58 million from EPIC, the State program that provides prescription drug insurance coverage for eligible Seniors. The impact of this cut, and the partial restoration of $22 million, forced many seniors to be socked with a co-pay of 25% of the cost of their prescription drugs!

Apparently, Governor Cuomo was not satisfied with last year’s proposal to cut services to Senior Citizens.  This year the Governor recommended a $48 million dollar cut to EPIC. The Senate Republicans, yes, you read that correctly, the Senate Republicans proposed to completely restore this cut in their one-house budget resolution, but were prevented by our own Democratic Legislators in the Assembly for including the full restoration in the final budget.  

You should know that the Democratic Assembly, refused to include a single dollar in restoring EPIC.  I cannot figure out for the life of me why the Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Democrat Sheldon Silver who controls the Assembly have allowed the Senate Republicans to look like the heroes and the protectors of Senior Citizens in the fight for EPIC.

So, where are we now? Final budget negotiations have restored $30 million to EPIC. This restoration will mean that the maximum co-pay for EPIC will be $20. Sounds great, doesn’t it?  Not so fast! After all, it is important that you should know that the Seniors of New York State will have to wait until January 1, 2013 to be able to benefit from this so-called victory.  In other words, no Senior Citizen should get sick between now and January 2013.

I was not surprised when I read the following statement issued by AARP: “The average EPIC enrollee is a 78-year-old widow who takes four prescriptions. Since the devastating EPIC cut took effect on January 1^st  of this year, we have been hearing very troubling stories of seniors leaving the pharmacy counter without their medications because EPIC no longer provided co-pay assistance”. You should know that these are the consequences of the cuts proposed by Governor Cuomo and voted for by the State Legislature.

Now we all have to ask: “What is this 78 year-old widow supposed to do between now and January 1, 2013?” Hope and pray that she doesn’t get any sicker and find that she needs a fifth or sixth prescription?

 AARP and Statewide Senior Action Council, two of the major advocacy organizations for Seniors in New York State, are hailing this as a “win” and as a “victory” for Seniors. What win? What victory?
The Statewide Senior Action Council, another group that advocates for Senior Citizen’s rights, in its testimony during this year’s budget conference committee, stated that: “The cuts to the EPIC program which were enacted last year have taken full effect on January 1, 2012 and are a shock to many older persons.  They are having a devastating impact on those with low incomes…” Some state legislators have told us they didn’t realize that what they voted for in the budget would lead to the devastating cuts in EPIC.”

Did I understand that correctly? Some legislators didn’t know that their votes would lead to such devastating cuts? What a travesty!

Well, there is no mistaking now what a vote in favor of this budget will do. It is true that co-pays will be limited to no more than $20 for each prescription but not until January, 2013!

Until then, what are the seniors in my district and throughout the State supposed to do?  You should know and remember that elderly New Yorkers don’t only live in the South Bronx.  They live all over New York State: in Senator Roy McDonald’s District; in Senator Jim Alesi’s District; in Senator Mark Grisanti’s District; and even in Senator Stephen Saland’s District.

What are all these seniors supposed to do when their Senators, including the Black and Hispanic Senators are voting proudly and praising Governor Andrew Cuomo for a budget that hurts them the most?

I am Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

******************************************************* 

 

Baseball in The Bronx UPDATE

Baseball In The Bronx!

Dear Friends, Colleagues and Neighbors, FREE triple play passes are now available for the BASEBALL IN THE BRONX exhibition at the Bronx Museum                  April 13 - May 13 FREE TRIPLE PLAY PASSES INCLUDE:  Admission to the BASEBALL IN THE BRONX exhibit Admission to any of the BASEBALL IN THE BRONX special events Ride the BASEBALL IN THE BRONX trolley from the museum to the stadium during Opening Week Get your Triple Play Pass today ONLY at the 161st Street BID To reserve tickets for your family, school, club, team or other organization, please contact the BID at carygood@aol.com  ADMISSION AND REFRESHMENTS ARE FREE, courtesy of the 161 st Street Business Improvement District with the generous support of SBS' Avenue NYC Program, The New York Yankees Foundation, The Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, Bronx-Lebanon Hospital and Sparrow Construction.    For a Full List of the week-long events and lectures check out the link below:   Baseball In The Bronx Lineup

FREE TRIPLE PLAY PASSES INCLUDE:

•  Admission to the BASEBALL IN THE BRONX exhibit
• Admission to any of the BASEBALL IN THE BRONX special events
• Ride the BASEBALL IN THE BRONX trolley from the museum to the stadium during Opening Week

Get your Triple Play Pass today ONLY at the 161st Street BID

To reserve tickets for your family, school, club, team or other organization, please contact

RARE PHOTOS OF MANTLE, SINATRA, MARIS AND HOWARD TO GO ON DISPLAY

Recently discovered photographs of Elston Howard, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Frank Sinatra will be on display at the upcoming, "BASEBALL IN THE BRONX", at The Bronx Museum of the Arts beginning Opening Day, Friday, April 13.

These never-shown-before pictures capture the glory of the team and the 1950’s and 1960’s.

BASEBALL IN THE BRONX is co-produced by The 161st Street BID and The Bronx Museum.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The project is generously supported by The New York Yankees Foundation and The NYC Small Business Services, Avenue NYC program. Additional funding  provided by The Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, The Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation and Sparrow Construction.

**************************************************

Sen. Klein Encourages Constituents to Submit Their Suggestions for “Women of Distinction”

  State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein called on his constituents today to submit their suggestions for dedicated and distinguished community leaders for the New York Senate’s “Women of Distinction” program.

The submission deadline will be the close of business on April 5, 2012.   

The “Women of Distinction” program was created by the Senate in 1998 to recognize the historic contributions of New Yorkers in celebration of National Women’s History Month, observed each March. Senator Klein will join each of his colleagues in each placing forward one distinguished and accomplished woman from their respective districts.

Each honoree nominated travels up to Albany to spend time with Senator Klein and will be honored by a legislative resolution on the Senate Floor. A photograph and biography for each honoree will be displayed in a special public exhibit in the Legislative Office Building.  In the past, Senator Klein has honored distinguished women such as Virginia Gallagher of City Island in 2011, Eileen Frey of Eastchester in 2010, and Roseann Carotenuto of Throggs Neck in 2009.

“I’m pleased to yet again have the opportunity to place forward an accomplished respected leader from my district for Woman’s History Month”, said Senator Klein. “There are many women who are deserving of such a distinction and I look forward to reviewing the input of my constituents on this important matter.”

“I was extremely honored to be selected by Senator Klein for my service to the City Island community,” said Virginia Gallagher, a longstanding community advocate on City Island and administrator of Pilot Cove Manor Senior Citizen Housing. “Going to the Senate and reception afterwards was fabulous. It was a highlight to meet and speak with the Lieutenant Governor as well.”

“I was honored to be honored” said Eileen Frey, who administers a charity on behalf of her late son who was killed in the line of duty with the Eachester Police Department.  “The people in Albany and the ceremony were lovely.”

“It was an amazing experience” said Roseann Carotenuto, the superintendent of Bronx Catholic Schools for the New York Archdiocese “It was an honor given to me by Senator Klein built upon the hard work of not only myself but our students, teachers and administrators.”

Constituents of the 34^th Senatorial District are encouraged to submit their suggestions to the Senator’s office by either calling (718) 822-2049 or preferably by sending a short submission to the Senator’s email at jdklein@nysenate.gov. The deadline for all submissions is April 5^th 2012.

*************************************************************

Assemblyman Dinowitz and State Senator Klein Sponsor Legislation Prohibiting Employers from Demanding Facebook Password in Interviews

  

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx) and State Senator Jeffrey Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) are sponsoring new legislation that would prohibit employers from demanding login information, including usernames and passwords, to popular social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter as part of their hiring process.  Assemblyman Dinowitz has introduced the bill in the Assembly (A.9654), and State Senator Klein will soon introduce the legislation in the State Senate.  The legislation would also protect the privacy of current employees.

Employers are beginning to use various new tools in decisions concerning the hiring, promotion, and discipline of prospective and current employees.  Recently, there have been reports of employers demanding login information, including usernames and passwords, to popular social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as to email accounts and other extremely personal accounts.  This information is being used as a condition of hiring, promotions, and lateral movement within companies, and in matters relating to disciplinary action including firing of individuals.

This type of request can lead to unfair and discriminatory hiring practices and constitutes a serious invasion of privacy by the employer.  Employees have the right to make their social media public or private through the individual websites, and they should have every right to maintain this level of privacy in their workplace or during an interview.  In this economy, many people cannot walk away from a job and are forced to submit to employers’ requests for passwords for fear that they will not be hired otherwise.  This bill would remedy this serious issue, maintaining prospective employees’ right to privacy and reducing the risk of unfair and discriminatory hiring practices by employers.

“This legislation will address a terrible and growing abuse by certain employers.  Employers should not be snooping on social media communications that are private, and they certainly should not be given passwords that are supposed to be kept secret.  It’s like an employer asking for a copy of your house keys so they can have a look around your home,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz.  “The right to privacy and protection from coercion and discrimination must be maintained.  I urge all of my colleagues in the State Legislature to protect the rights of job seekers and support this bill.”

“Even in this digital age, turning over your password to an employer is a bridge too far,” said Senator Klein.  “I’m proud to stand with Assemblyman Dinowitz in taking this stand to protect an individual’s privacy.”

 

*************************************************************

 

12 PARKS IN THE BRONX TO BE SPRUCED-UP ON 'NEW YORK CARES DAY SPRING

  

New York Cares needs an additional 2,000 volunteers to give New York City a ‘spring greening’ and revitalize the city’s waterfront.

New York Cares is seeking 5,000 volunteers to take part in on New York Cares Day Spring on Saturday, April 21, 2012 from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM.  Now in its 18^th year, this citywide day of spring greening will revitalize more than 80 parks, gardens, playgrounds and community centers across the five boroughs. This year volunteers will spruce-up 12 green spaces in The Bronx, including Drew Gardens where New Yorkers will clean-up along the river, work on a wheelchair ramp, paint signs, and beautify the garden beds.  Team registration has been extended until April 6, 2012.  Individuals can register until April 20.

“We still need an additional 2,000 volunteers to sign up to be able to tackle all the work that needs to be done on New York Cares Day,” said Gary Bagley, Executive Director of New York Cares. “This year, we have a special focus on the city’s waterfront, in addition to our traditional gardening projects. Volunteers will restore 10 miles of coastline across New York City to make these areas more sustainable for plant and animal life and more accessible for city residents.” 

New York Cares Day Spring is an annual day of service run by New York Cares, the city’s largest volunteer organization, and is sponsored by HSBC for the sixth consecutive year.

“HSBC is proud to support New York Cares Day for the sixth year in a row,” said Kevin Martin, Senior Executive Vice President, Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management, HSBC Bank USA. “Helping to make New York City a greener and cleaner place showcases HSBC’s commitment to the environment and the communities we serve. We look forward to working alongside our fellow New Yorkers to help improve this great city we call home.”

“New York Cares Day Spring is an annual rite of the season, and we thank New York Cares and HSBC for bringing 5,000 volunteers to New York City’s parks, playgrounds, community gardens and coastlines to clean up and green up these vital public spaces,” said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “Parks are New Yorkers’ backyards, and the perfect place to start your spring cleaning. We are grateful to all of the citizen volunteers whose generous donations of time and labor will improve their neighborhood parks and open spaces.”

New Yorkers (12 years old and up) can register to volunteer at www.newyorkcaresday.org, with a registration fee of $20 per person. The website provides details including how to participate and how to make a donation in honor of a team or a volunteer. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

New York Cares Day Spring (formerly Hands on New York Day) is a serve-a-thon, similar to a walk-a-thon, where participants raise money in honor of the time they spend volunteering to support the cost of the event and New York Cares’ year-round volunteer programs. Each year, New York Cares mobilizes 54,000 volunteers to help 400,000 New Yorkers in need.

Green spaces in The Bronx slated to be spruced-up on New York Cares Day include:

• Van Cortlandt Park
• Crotona Park
• St. Mary’s Park
• Claremont Park
• Bissel Garden
• Drew Gardens
• Palmas Del Caribe Garden
• Pelham Bay Park/Orchard Beach
• Seton Falls Park Preserve
• Jacqueline Denise Davis Garden
• Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum
• Soundview Park  

***********************************************************

BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ ALERTS BRONXITES TO    DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE TAX LEIN ASSISTANCE

 

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. is urging borough property owners who may have unpaid property taxes, water, sewer or other charges to take advantage of an upcoming tax lien assistance session hosted by the Department of Finance. The event is co-sponsored by his office and the City’s Department of Environmental Protection.

Property owners whose names appear on the Department of Finance’s 90 Day Notice of Lien Sale list may attend the assistance session, to be held on Monday, April 23, 2012, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event will take place at the City Department of Finance’s Business Assistance Center, located at 3030 Third Avenue, 2^nd Floor, Bronx, NY, 10455.

Representatives from the City’s Departments of Finance, Environmental Protection and Housing Preservation will be on hand to offer property owners assistance at the information session. Borough President Diaz will also record a robocall to effected property owners, alerting them to the upcoming session and how they can get assistance.

In addition, eligible seniors, veterans or individuals with a disability may be able to be removed from the lien sale. For more information on the event or the lien sale, Bronxites are urged to contact Borough President Diaz’s office at (718) 590-7093.

“My office wants to make sure that as many Bronxites as possible are able to take advantage of the City’s assistance before their liens are sold and this help is no longer available. Those Bronxites who may be part of this lien sale should take advantage of these opportunities to get help, before it is too late,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

In the Bronx, a total of 2,727 properties are included in the lien sale. By Bronx Community Board, the liens break down as follows:

Community Board #1—179                          Community Board #2—160

Community Board #3—226                          Community Board #4—176

Community Board #5—185                          Community Board #6—193

Community Board #7—144                          Community Board #8—85

Community Board #9—344                          Community Board #10—215

Community Board #11—228                        Community Board #12—569

*************************************************************