Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez Responds to Mayor Bloomberg's Preliminary Budget Proposal

  

The preliminary budget proposed by Mayor Bloomberg this morning focuses way too heavily on cuts when there are clear opportunities to recover revenue. However, it is on the mayor to realize those opportunities by coming to the table with unions and the city council.

As it stands, Mayor Bloomberg's refusal to sit down with the UFT to develop a plan that works for all parties will end up costing the city $724 million in state aid over the next two years and $1 billion in the out years. This means we will immediately lose 2,500 teachers from our classrooms; vital hours of school aides and substitute teachers; 700,000 hours of after school programs, crucial for struggling students; key services for bullying prevention, conflict resolution, professional development and technology in the classrooms; and countless supplies such as textbooks and basic classroom necessities.

Additionally, because of his refusal to meet with council members to develop a new home taxi plan for the outer boroughs the city projects to lose $190 million in revenues. But the city is capable of securing the full $790 million in taxi medallion sales, currently in jeopardy in the courts, should the mayor decide to come to the table and work out a plan with council members.

Mayor Bloomberg's decision to act unilaterally on these issues will cost the city close to $1 billion in revenue over this year and the next, which will now be cut from our children's education, the most important aspect of our city's future.

I ask the mayor to come together with the respective parties to secure this much needed revenue. Collectively we can come up with new and creative revenue streams that will ensure the budget is not balanced on the backs of the middle and lower class families and our city's children.

Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez. 

 

LIU STATEMENT ON MAYOR’S PRELIMINARY BUDGET

   City Comptroller John C. Liu stated the following on the Mayor’s FY 2014 Preliminary Budget:

“In order to make up the budget shortfall resulting from City Hall’s failed negotiating strategy on teacher evaluations, the Mayor has decided to scapegoat our City’s public school teachers. The real fault, however, lies with his own misguided ideology, which could cost our children over $720 million this year alone.  He should look to the DOE’s runaway consultant spending rather than make cuts to the classroom.

“This budget illustrates the Mayor’s continuous refusal to negotiate contracts with our City’s workforce, which he is leaving for the next administration. His reliance on one-shots and a ‘my way or the highway’ negotiation strategy has led us here, and, sadly, our kids will pay the price.”

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NYC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 7th Annual Women's History Month Luncheon

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What You Should Know

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York


What is it, Senator Adams:
Ignorance, Vengeance or Pure Greed?

You should know that the latest bombshell in the saga of what's going on in the New York State Senate has been contributed to by Brooklyn State Senator Eric Adams, who suddenly and unexpectedly jumped ship to accept the Chairmanship of the Senate Aging Committee that was offered to him by Senators Dean Skelos and Jeff Klein.

As you know, even though the Democrats have 33 Senators making them the Majority of the State Senate – and thereby entitling them to be in control of the Chamber – this has been impossible to achieve due to 4 Democratic rebel Senators Jeff Klein, Diane Savino, David Valsesky, and David Carlucci – none of whom are Black or Hispanic.  
These 4 Senators decided to abandon the Democrats and join the Senate Republicans – none of whom are Black or Hispanic  – thereby preventing Black and Hispanic Senators from ruling as the Democratic Majority and obtaining the primary leadership roles in the New York State Senate.

Since that time, the Republicans and Senator Jeff Klein (leader of the rebel Democrats) have been very active trying to find any token Black or Hispanic Senator to join their Coalition, in order to prevent any appearance that their coup was, in fact, against the minority community. In that process, they have been quite successful after luring Senator Malcolm Smith to their side – and this week, they hit a home run by convincing Senator Eric Adams (from Brooklyn) to join them and accept their offer of Chairmanship of the Senate Aging Committee.

You should know that some people have been asking me why a leader like Eric Adams, who is well-respected, has a good reputation, and has been fighting on behalf of his community since his days as a New York City Police Officer and Captain, would allow himself to be used in this manner and give more power to the Republicans.  They want to know how Senator Adams could put a nail into the coffin of the Democratic Leadership in the New York State Senate.

Some of these same people have tried to explain why they believe Senator Adams has done such a thing.  There are those who believe it's because of ignorance; others conclude that it was an act of vengeance; and the rest just say it was because of pure greed.

Here are some of their explanations.

The first group of people understand that these offers by Republicans to certain Black and Hispanic Senators are only to serve in minor Committees, and that this is nothing except window dressing.  They believe that the Republicans would never allow Senator Adams to do anything important or independent because “they” will always control and rule what should be done in the State Senate.  They also say that since Senator Adams is running for Brooklyn Borough President, many Democrats might be inclined to reject him as he has rejected them  … unless he has been instructed by Governor Andrew Cuomo to do this in exchange for the Governor’s endorsement, and for the Governor’s help campaigning and fundraising for him.  If this is so, I’m afraid we’ll have to disregard the reason of ignorance.

The second reason some people offer is an act of vengeance.  You should know that many people believe that when Senator John Sampson was the New York Senate Democratic Conference Leader, it was Senator Adams who was the power behind the throne.  When a coup was organized by Senator Liz Krueger, Senator Mike Gianaris and others to bring Senator Sampson down and install Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins as the Conference Chair, Senator Adams lost all of his power and influence in the Conference – and in an act of vengeance, he is helping to bury what's left of the New York State Senate Democratic Conference and its new leaders.

The third reason, pure greed, has a more complicated explanation by some people about what Senator Adams has done.  You should already know that any Senator who becomes Chair of a Committee receives a “lulu,” and the amounts of these lulus depend upon how important the Committee is.  In the case of Senator Adams, the $12,500 he will now receive as the Chair of the New York State Senate Aging Committee will not make a dent in what he's already receiving.  We already know that Senator Adams is a retired New York City Police Captain, receiving an annual pension of  what is believed to be $92,000 per year.  If you add those figures to the base salary of $79,500 as a New York State Senator, and also add in the per diem stipends Senator Adams receives for daily expenses while in Albany – $171 per full day and $61 per half day – we know that this lulu will not make him much richer. I don't believe that Senator Adams would jump and compromise his principle and his standing in the community for just $12,500, when he doesn't need that.

However, all of these questions – Was it ignorance? Was it vengeance? Or was it pure greed? – that people are asking me and the possible reasons for Senator Adams jumping ship and joining Governor Andrew Cuomo and those working behind closed doors to keep the Republicans in power and us minorities in the back seat of the bus, can only be properly answered by Eric Adams himself.

This is Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz and this is what you should know.

 

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City Council Speaker Christine Quinn Endorses Andrew Cohen For the 11th City Council Seat

   Current City Council Speaker Christine Quinn came up to the 11th council district this afternoon, but not to see the current councilman G. Oliver Koppell. Speaker Quinn came to Louie's Dale Dinner located on West 231st Street in the Kingsbridge section of the 11th council district to endorse Andrew Cohen as her choice to be the candidate to replace the current Councilman, G. Oliver Koppell. Koppell  by the way has already endorsed Andrew Cohen as has local Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Congressman Eliot Engel, and State Senator Jeff Klein. Quinn said that she has know Mr. Cohen a long time saying that they had met in 1997. She stresses that candidate Andrew Cohen's community record as a member of Community Board 8, along with his fine law background, and constituent work is exactly what is needed in someone you want to be as your council member. Quinn continued that it is important to be able to get out in the community to do constituent work such as Mr. Cohen has done, but that he can also do the job that is needed at City Hall. 

   After the brief endorsement statement both Quinn and Cohen took questions. There was a question from another newspaper reporter as to why she is endorsing Mr. Cohen and not one of the other candidates, to which Quinn answered "I know Andrew, and I know that he is the best candidate in the race". She added that Mr. Cohen has done a lot of work supporting the local merchants, and that is why the endorsement is being done here on this merchant strip. I asked about the speaker's thoughts on the Kingsbridge Armory, and which of the two latest proposals she prefers. Quinn answered by saying that she is not fully clear on the  Young Woo plan, but wants to consider Councilman Cabrera's thoughts on the armory plans. 

    To my question about if she would reintroduce "Congestion Pricing", while not outright saying yes Speaker Quinn hinted strongly that it could happen as the city will have to look for new revenue in the future. After a few more questions Speaker Quinn had to leave, but on the way to her car I asked one final question. I asked Speaker Quinn with the conviction of former Councilman Larry Seabrook if there was any investigation into her office as to the matter. Quinn said that any investigation was over a long time ago, and that nothing is to come of it. Below are a few photos of the endorsement. 

 

Left - 11th City Council Candidate Andrew Cohen Greets current City Council Speaker Christine Quinn as she arrives to endorse him for  the 11th council seat.

Right - Inside Louie's Dale Diner located on West 231st Street Speaker Quinn and 11th council candidate Andrew Cohen talk over their old friendship as they make the endorsement announcement of him. 

 

Left - Speaker Quinn poses with Louie's Dale Diner owner Steve Kathikouisas, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (who was on hand for the Cohen endorsement), and 11th council candidate Andrew Cohen.

Right - 11th council candidate Andrew Cohen says good bye to Speaker Quinn as he thanks her for her endorsement of him.

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SENATOR RIVERA BECOMES RANKING MEMBER OF SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE

Senator Rivera Becomes Ranking Member of Senate Health Committee

Bronx, NY - State Senator Gustavo Rivera (D-Bronx) was today named ranking member of the New York Senate's Health Committee.  As a member of the Senate Democratic Conference, Senator Rivera will be representing the interests of the conference on issues of health.

"I am proud to represent the people of the 33rd Senate District as well as the Senate Democratic conference as the ranking member of the Senate health committee," said Senator Rivera. "The issues that will be addressed in the health committee in the coming years are of particular interest to the individuals I represent. The Bronx is unfortunately the unhealthiest county in the state, and yet also looks to the healthcare industry as an economic engine, employing a great deal of my constituents. "

"Senator Gustavo Rivera is an outstanding choice to serve as Ranking Member on the Senate Health Committee," said Assembly Member Richard Gottfried, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Health. "He brings knowledge, passion, and dedication to the many health care challenges facing New York.  I look forward to working with him to build a progressive health care policy for our state."

"I congratulate Sen. Gustavo Rivera on his appointment as a ranking member of this important committee," said Dr. Steven Safyer, President of Montefiore Medical Center. "The Senator is a true leader whose passionate commitment to health and healthcare is an inspiration to our community. I look forward to our continued partnership."

"I congratulate my friend, State Senator Gustavo Rivera, on his appointment as the ranking member of that body's health committee. Gustavo and I have done great work through the Bronx CAN-Changing Attitudes Now-health initiative in the Bronx, and I know firsthand that he has what it takes to develop a robust agenda on health for the entire state," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

"I congratulate Senator Rivera on his new appointment," said Dr. Scott Cooper, President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Barnabas Hospital. "He has always been a passionate advocate on behalf of the St. Barnabas Hospital community, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with him in his new capacity."

From Douglas L. York, CEO, Union Community Health Center stated, "Union Community Health Center congratulates Senator Gustavo Rivera on his appointment as Ranking Member of the Senate Standing Committee on Health. There has been no better health advocate for our community. Both personally and professionally, Senator Rivera embodies Union's mission of improving health outcomes in our neighborhoods.  Union Community Health Center looks forward to continuing to partner with Senator Rivera towards a healthier Bronx."

Senator Rivera has served on the health committee since he was elected two years ago. Over the past two years, Senator Rivera has focused on addressing issues of health equity, as well as promoting better nutritional and exercise habits through his Bronx CAN Health Challenge and his partnership with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

BP Diaz - Black History Month Celebration

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

 

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Invites you to attend his annual  

Black History Month Celebration

Celebrating African-American Culture

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

5:30 pm

Dreiser Loop Community Center

177 Dreiser Loop in Co-op City  

Seating Limited. RSVP required. Please call 718-590-3522 or email lroldan@bronxbp.nyc.gov

Save the Putnam Trail Asks why a “Conservancy” Would cut down 400 Trees and Pave 1 mile of Nature with Asphalt?

Say NO to "Bloomberg Boulevard"

   A conservancy is “an organization that works to protect animals, plants, and natural resources especially by purchasing and caring for areas of land,” according to Merriam-Webster. The mission statement of Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy (VCPC) is: “to sustain and enhance the park as a vibrant destination for recreation, leisure and the enjoyment of natural landscapes.”

Yet still, the VCPC is doing nothing as NYCParks burns $2.41 million in federal/city taxpayer dollars, to widen and pave over a popular historic trail that runs 1.5 miles through nature preserves, sometimes feet away. The NYCParks plan destroys 1.5 to 2 acres of forest and 400 trees, harming both plant and wildlife thriving there. 

Two wildlife preserves flank the trail - Tibbets Brook/Lake, and the Northwest Forest.* Forever Wild preserves are supposed to receive special protection by the city. The parks dept. describes them at their website: "The Forever Wild Program is an initiative of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation to protect and preserve the most ecologically valuable lands within the five boroughs."**

Asphalt causes water runoff issues that result in contaminated water and rotted tree roots. The Putnam Trail runs between the Lake and Tibbets Brook, with the lake enjoyed by local fishermen.

An urgent problem: the President of the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy is also the administrator of Van Cortlandt Park, in other words a parks department employee.  This is clearly a conflict of interest, says SPT. 

Neither the conservancy nor parks dept. is paying attention to the parks department’s poll at their website for Van Cortlandt Park, where 55% of people say if they could visit the park every day for one activity, it’d be to wander the nature trails. Others chose: birdwatching (6%), fishing (9%), golf (6%), horseback riding (25%).***

“When the parks department sends out a spokesman about the Putnam Trail and says, `well, the conservancy supports our idea,’ that’s nonsense,” said SPT.

Please write a note to Mayor Bloomberg and make him aware of this conflict of interest and that his legacy will always be associated with the destruction of 1 acre of land, 400 trees and unwanted asphalt on the Putnam Trail in Van Cortlant Park. http://on.nyc.gov/3CDcV6

Tell Mayor Bloomberg it's his choice and that the Putnam Trail can forever be referred to as the "Bloomberg nature walk" or if current plans go through the "Bloomberg asphalt raceway". (Bloomberg Boulevard)

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*http://www.nycgovparks.org/greening/nature-preserves/site?FWID=48

**http://www.nycgovparks.org/greening/nature-preserves

***http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/VanCortlandtPark

Webster’s New 20th Century Dictionary, Unabridged, defines conservancy: 

"The act of preserving; conservation; preservation from injury or improper use.”

Van Cortlandt Park, the city's fourth largest, has many recreational outlets including multiple ball fields, bocce and basketball courts, fitness equipment, pools, ice skating rink, etc.***