Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
IDC calls for a ban on outside income in a sweeping four-point ethics plan to clean up Albany
State Senator Jeff Klein leaves law firm ahead of plan’s consideration
Albany, NY – The Independent Democratic Conference unveiled a four-point ethics plan which includes banning all outside income and an overhaul of the per diem reimbursement system on Tuesday. In advance of consideration by the legislature, IDC Leader State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) announced he is divesting from his small, private law firm in the Bronx.
“The public expects and deserves the highest standards from public officials. The current climate in Albany has left us with a simple choice: serve the public full-time or collect a full-time salary out of office,” said Senator Klein.
“The choice is clear to me. I notified my law partners that I am immediately divesting from our firm,” Klein added.
The IDC ethics plan includes:
· BANNING OUTSIDE INCOME – No state lawmaker would be permitted to earn an outside income, including advances for books. Any violation of this law, if passed, would result in prosecution as a class-A misdemeanor and an up to $50,000 fine issued by JCOPE. Only military service would be exempted.
· BLIND TRUSTS FOR ASSETS – Like Congress, the IDC proposes that all income earning assets be placed in a blind trust overseen by a JCOPE approved trustee.
· CLOSING THE DISCLOSURE LOOPHOLE – Every legislator who serves must file a financial disclosure form – even if his or her term concludes before the May 15 filing deadline.
· PER DIEM LIMITS and ACCOUNTABILITY – Public officials may only collect per diems on session days, budget hearing days and committee hearing days when attendance is taken. Lawmakers could also receive reimbursements for an additional 14 days of to visit staff in Albany, but must check-in with the Secretary of the Senate or the Assembly Clerk as proof of attendance.
Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins to be Honored at the African-American Abrazo
What You Should Know
By State Senator Rev. Rubén DÃaz
32nd Senatorial District
You should know that since 1976 when United States President Gerald Ford declared the month of February as Black History Month, every U.S. President since has followed suit, giving all Americans, elected officials and organizations one full month to host events and activities that recognize distinguished members of the African-American community.
As you know, during my years in the New York State Senate, I have created annual events called Abrazos." (Abrazo means embrace.) I do this every year to celebrate various communities during their special months, and at each event, distinguished leaders are honored.
I have held the Abrazo Boricua in New York each June to celebrate the Puerto Rican community and heritage. Each July, the Abrazo Dominicano in New York celebrates the attributes of the Dominican Republic's culture and community. During the spring, the Abrazo Garifuna in New York honors the traditions that come from West Africa, Arawak, and the Caribbean - and the Abrazo Bangladesh in New York honors the many contributions of the Bangladeshi society.
In February - Black History Month - the African-American Abrazo celebrates the contributions and history of the African-American community. This year, Assemblymen Marcos Crespo, Luis Sepulveda and Michael Blake have joined me to officially be part of all of the Abrazos. We have chosen Friday, February 20, 2015 to celebrate the African-American Abrazo.
Each of us has chosen one member of the African-American community to honor at our banquet that will be attended by 500 guests. (This event is by invitation-only.)
You should know that my honoree is the distinguished Senator from Yonkers: New York State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who just happens to be the first African-American woman ever chosen to be the Leader of the Senate Democratic Conference in Albany. Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins has made history as the first African-American woman to lead a Conference in the New York State Legislature.
Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda has chosen Ms. Neva Shillingford-King to be his honoree. Ms. Shillingford-King is the Executive Vice President of 1199 SEIU, and one of the most powerful women in New York. She is also the wife of New York City Councilman Andy King.
Assemblyman Marcos Crespo has selected Rev. Dimas Salaberrios, an African-American minister as his honoree. Rev. Salaberrios works with the youth in the Bronx River Housing Development, and serves as the President of the Concerts of Prayer Greater New York.
Assemblyman Michael Blake's honoree is Mr. Abraham Jones, the Executive Director at Claremont Neighborhood Centers, Inc.
It is important for you to know that the 2015 African-American Abrazo will be held on Friday, February 20th at Maestro's Caterer (located at 1703 Bronxdale Avenue) where the three Assemblymen Marcos Crespo, Luis Sepulveda and Michael Blake - and myself - will gather to honor four hardworking and inspiring members of New York's African-American community.
Ladies and gentlemen, as a proud Hispanic, I have to say that it is a great honor for me to join my colleagues in coordinating the 2015 African-American Abrazo to celebrate Black History Month and recognize the contributions of four of our great leaders.
This event is by invitation only.
Interfaith Community Peace Rally and Candle Light Vigil
In light of recent terrorist attacks and violence seen in the media, we must unite and stand up against extremist intolerance anywhere in the world. We have to come together in peace. Elected officials, Religious Figures and Community Leaders ask for your attendance as we commemorate those lost in senseless attacks and pray for a peaceful future for all.
New York State
Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj
Invites You to an Interfaith Community
Peace Rally & Candle Light Vigil
Friday, February 20, 2015
6:00pm-7:30pm
Tracey Towers Community Room A
20 West Mosholu Parkway South
Bronx, NY 10468
For More Information: (718) 409-0109
Light refreshments will be served.
Monday, February 9, 2015
FBI Probing Bronx Political Machine According to the New York Post
FBI ‘probing’ Bronx political machine
That was a headline on one page of today's New York Post.
The Post goes on to report about former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver first however, and how FBI agents arrested Silver. Federal investigators are looking at voter fraud and financial mismanagement in the borough the Post then states, and the agents are from upstate, not the Manhattan office.
As the Post story continues it is evident that this is nothing new, but a fishing expedition going on to get new Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie who is also the Bronx Democratic County Leader. The full New York Post story is here.
The Daily News reports about Heastie's dead mother embezzling close to $200,000 from a Bronx Non-Profit in 1997 She was given 5 years probation and passed away a short time later. That story can be found here.
Other stories are popping up about the past of now Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, but where was Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson all those years/ Is U.S. Attorney Phreet Bharara going to investigate the Bronx DA?
Here in the Bronx many unusual things have occurred such as the Bronx District Attorney and U.S. Attorney's offices try to use a former assemblyman as a mole in the Bronx Democratic County organization. This former assemblyman was charged with voter fraud by a grand jury, but the Bronx DA and U.S. Attorney allowed him to continue in office and be re-elected not once but two times.
There is the case of the signature of Derek Jeter on one Bronx petition. Then there were stories that the old lever voting machines would have votes recorded on them even before the first voter, or added after the election was over. I could go on.
The U.S. Attorney would not be doing his job if he was not looking into what the Mooreland Commission did not finish. Perhaps we will see a new governor also. However why has the U.S. Attorney brought in outsiders from upstate to work on this project, does he not trust his own Manhattan office?
Dominican Heritage Month Celebration
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
Celebrates
Dominican Heritage Month
At Salsa Con Fugeo
2297 Cedar Avenue, Bronx
Thursday, February 26, 2015
12 noon
Call718-590-3989 or emailsmalave@bronxbp.nyc.gov to confirm your attendance.
MAYOR DE BLASIO RELEASES PRELIMINARY BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016
“I’ve always said that budgets are about values and the kind of city we want to be. Our Preliminary Budget is fiscally responsible, progressive, and honest, building on last year’s strong foundation. We are guarding against the real risks ahead and making targeted investments that will protect New Yorkers, expand opportunity, and help create a stronger, safer, and fairer New York City.” – Mayor Bill de Blasio
|
Today, Mayor Bill de Blasio presented New York City’s Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2016, building on last year’s strong foundation and reflecting the administration’s commitment to a fiscally responsible, progressive and honest budget process.
The Mayor’s preliminary budget—totaling $77.7 billion—takes a cautious approach, targeting investments and guarding against risks. Despite another year of economic growth, risks and challenges remain—and that is why the administration has focused on targeted investments that will create a stronger, safer, and fairer New York City by enhancing public safety and expanding opportunity for all New Yorkers.
ECONOMIC OVERVIEW AND THE RISKS AHEAD
The national economy continues to grow at a moderate pace, with Gross Domestic Product projected to grow 3 percent and the economy adding 2.8 million jobs this year. New York City’s economic production remains strong, and its employment growth continues to outpace the nation.
However, it’s very clear that those benefits have not been shared by all, with far too many in New York City and across the country struggling, and income inequality continuing to grow. Most job growth continues to come from low-wage sectors, while the share of New York City households making moderate or middle income has steadily declined in recent years to approximately 25 percent.
The City also faces significant uncertainties this year with federal and state aid. With changes in Congress, partisan gridlock, and expiring programs, the City is at risk of losing vital funding, and, with the potential for another sequestration looming, it seems unlikely that the Republican Congress will adopt the President’s proposed offsets. On the state level, funding continues to fall short of the State’s obligations, with a $2.6 billion shortfall in education aid in FY16 despite the Campaign for Fiscal Equity settlement, and a $15.2 billion gap in the MTA Capital Plan.
With the current economic expansion already exceeding the average length of post-war expansions, and the potential for unexpected events, it’s important to note that tax revenues and other funding have both declined during past downturns.
A RESPONSIBLE BUDGET
With those challenges in mind, the de Blasio administration’s FY 2016 Preliminary Budget is a fiscally responsible plan that takes a cautious approach, targeting investments to key programs that will create a stronger, safer and fairer New York City.
Last year, every independent monitor and rating agency affirmed fiscal responsibility as a foundation of this administration.
This year, the administration is building on that strong foundation. The FY2016 Preliminary Budget is balanced as a result of the administration closing a $1.8 billion deficit, while maintaining a balanced budget in FY2015, boosting reserves at a rate of $750 million a year through the out years, and further reducing out year budget deficits.
When Mayor de Blasio took office on January 1, 2014, all of the City’s labor contracts were expired. Since then, the City has settled 71 percent of the expired contracts by reaching fiscally responsible settlements with both civilian and uniformed employees, while securing $3.4 billion in unprecedented, guaranteed healthcare savings geared toward bending the cost curve.
TARGETED SPENDING TO PROTECT NEW YORKERS AND EXPAND OPPORTUNITY
Keeping New Yorkers Safe
Mayor de Blasio’s Preliminary Budget includes real investment in public safety, such as:
· $11.3 million a year to add 45 new ambulance tours and $6.7 million a year to add 149 new EMS dispatchers, aimed at improving emergency response times.
· $7.3 million in FY2015 and $4.2 million in FY2016 to replace all NYPD bullet-resistant vests over five years old.
· $10 million to expand the Police Cadet Program to nearly 600 cadets, putting them on the pathway to education and careers.
· $3.2 million to enhance how the Law Department handles frivolous lawsuits against police officers.
· $35.5 million to reduce use-of-force incidents and violence and $3.6 million to improve applicant vetting and recruitment at the Department of Correction.
Investing in Education
The Preliminary Budget moves forward the Mayor’s education priorities, including:
· $340 million for high-quality, full-day universal pre-K for all four-year-olds, building on this year’s success.
· $190 million to expand after-school programs to over 100,000 middle school students.
· Funding for 128 Community Schools, including the transformation of 94 renewal schools.
· Key reforms that were codified in the UFT contract, including $4.9 million to provide 594 Model and Master teacher positions.
· $0.7 million a year for Literacy Intervention Teams to support students with dyslexia.
· $0.8 million a year to provide language services for limited-English proficient parents.
· $29 million to expand academic intervention and support for STEM at community colleges.
· $300,000 to complement a recent $859,000 federal grant for the NYSolar Smart Initiative at CUNY, part of the administration’s sustainability and resiliency agenda.
· $1.1 million to expand the Fatherhood Academy at CUNY, helping fathers ages 18 through 24 improve their job and education prospects as part of the Young Men’s Initiative.
Protecting the Most Vulnerable
The budget also makes key investments to protect New York City’s most vulnerable populations, including children, the homeless, and immigrants:
· Major investments to address the homelessness crisis, including:
o $28.4 million for rental assistance and support to move homeless New Yorkers out of shelter.
o $8.6 million for prevention programs and support services to keep New Yorkers stably housed.
o $4.3 million for the PATH Community-Based Demonstration Project to improve family services like counseling and eviction prevention.
o $0.9 million to expand drop-in center access to street homeless can access vital services.
· $11 million next year—and over $26 million total over the next three years—for Administration for Children’s Services child welfare reforms, including training and prevention.
· $16.5 million over the next three years to expand community health centers in underserved neighborhoods.
· $1.8 million to improve children’s health, including a child health survey and a campaign to promote reading.
· $5 million to increase staffing for ID NYC, to address high demand.
Supporting Economic Development
The Mayor’s Preliminary Budget supports small businesses and job creation, including with:
· Tax reform that streamlines and modernizes the tax code to reduce the burden on NYC businesses and provide relief to up to 45,000 small businesses and manufacturers. The reform is revenue neutral for the City.
· $1.4 million a year to expand access for small businesses to the City’s MWBE program, including technical assistance, to make City contracting more inclusive.
· $4.6 million to improve service at the Department of Buildings, to speed up inspections and cut bureaucracy for small businesses.