Senator Rivera Speaks on the Senate's Passing of the 2015 - 2016 Budget

STATE SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA SPEAKS ON THE SENATE'S PASSING OF THE 2015-2016 BUDGETS

(Albany, NY) - Senator Gustavo Rivera (D-Bronx) joined his colleagues in the State Senate to vote on the 13 bills of the 2015-2016 Budget.  Senator Rivera voted against three of the budget bills, specifically the Transportation, Economic Development and Environmental Conservation bill (S.2008-B), the Public Protection and General Government bill (S.2005-B), and the Education, Labor and Family Assistance bill (S.2006)

2014-2015 BUDGET

I am pleased that the 2015-2016 Budget includes and expands funding for many important policies and programs, including the ­­­­­­­­Raise the Age of criminal responsibility initiative and the construction of four Metro North Stations in the Bronx. However, in many areas this year's budget falls short and does not adequately address a number of issues that are important to working New Yorkers. The bills I voted against either contained unacceptable policies, such as a seriously flawed teacher evaluation system, or left out key priorities New York desperately needs, such as a real living wage and genuine ethics and campaign finance reform.  

Many of the shortfalls of this budget would have been avoided if the voices of the 8 million New Yorkers the Senate Democratic Conference represents had been heard in this process. The fact that our Leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the first woman to lead a conference in the state's history, was not included in budget negotiations is shameful. The days of "three or four men in a room" must end. New Yorkers deserve a budget process that is transparent, inclusive and as diverse as the public officials they elect to represent them." 

 

THE BRONX: 

"My top priority during the budget process remains the Bronx - finding ways to enact policies and deliver resources for the communities I represent that will help them thrive.  This year we were successful in repealing a law passed just last year which placed unnecessary requirements for new health facilities in our borough.  This law would have held up or even prevented much-needed health facilities from being built. As the county that continuously ranks last in health in New York State, Bronx residents could not afford to have yet another obstacle standing in the way of the healthcare they need.  

I am also very pleased to announce that we were able to secure funding that will directly impact two major projects that are taking place in the 33rd Senate District - The Kingsbridge National Ice Center and the Fulton Re-entry Center. 

 We were able to secure $1 million to help evaluate the capacity of Kingsbridge subway station in an effort to help us prepare for the development of the Kingsbridge Armory and determine the cost of making the station compliant with the Americans with Disability Act. The Kingsbridge National Ice Center will be an important economic engine in our community and this study will give us the knowledge we need to work towards alleviating any strain that may be caused by the increased traffic that will be brought to the station because of the development.  

Just a few short months ago, I was elated to celebrate the official transfer of the former Fulton Correctional Facility so it can be converted into a comprehensive reentry center. In this year's budget, we allocated $3 million for its transformation. The restructuring of the Fulton facility will provide countless New Yorkers transitioning back into society with the necessary resources and skills to be productive members of their communities, while simultaneously helping reduce our rates of recidivism in the Bronx." 

HEALTH

"As the ranker of the Senate Health Committee, I am very pleased that this year's budget took various steps towards ensuring that a greater number of New Yorkers have access to quality and affordable healthcare. Not only does this budget continue to fund our State's Health Exchange, but it also provides $1.64 billion to create the Basic Health Plan, which will make health insurance coverage affordable for almost half a million New Yorkers, including non-citizens and those newly covered under President Obama's recent immigration order. Additionally, we allocated $8 million in funding for the Doctors Across New York Program to help train and place doctors in underserved communities in the Bronx and across the state, ensuring New York's diverse population has access to quality care close to home. 

 

I am very pleased that the budget invests in reducing unnecessary emergency room visits and shifting resources to primary care by providing $200 million for the Public Hospital Transformation Fund under DSRIP. It also provides $19.5 million as a revolving loan fund to be used by the Primary Care Development Center, a nonprofit that promotes primary care, in the running of community health centers. We also increased funding by $1 million for health care for first time mothers in the Bronx and elsewhere through the Nurse Family Partnership Program, $1.4 million for women's health services, and $1 million for Rape Crisis Centers.   

Lastly, as a vocal advocate for ending AIDS as an epidemic by 2020, I am especially delighted that the budget included over $1 million in funding for community organizations and services related to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. While this budget also makes progress in preventing the prosecution of individuals for using harm reduction measures, such as condoms, it does not fully decriminalize syringe possession. In order to successful eradicate AIDS in New York State, we still need to work towards getting rid of outdated laws that stand in the way of many getting access to the harm reduction services they need to avoid contracting HIV."

EDUCATION:  

"Unfortunately, the portion of the budget that dealt with education was filled with missed opportunities and deep disappointments. Not only did the state fall short in providing an adequate increase in funding for public schools, but the budget - once again - failed to include any of the Campaign For Fiscal Equity funding owed to our students. The most challenged schools in my district alone would have received more than $126 million had we made good on that promise. Furthermore, the budget doubles down on the use of standardized testing, which will neither improve the educational outcomes of students nor provide teachers with the resources they need in order to succeed. This is the fourth time in five years we have changed the teacher evaluation system. This year's budget is more proof that we're going in the wrong direction. We also missed another opportunity to lift up our youth and our state by once again omitting the Dream Act.  

While I am truly disappointed in a number of the education measures we passed today, I will not waiver from my commitment to secure appropriate funding for our public schools. I will not rest until we make good on our promise to improve outcomes for students and give teachers the respect and support they deserve."

         

 

Assemblymember Pichardo supports budget that invests in Bronx children

Will continue fighting to make DREAM Act law

In an effort to strengthen our children’s education, Assemblymember Victor Pichardo (D-Bronx) announced the final budget includes a $1.6 billion increase in education aid over last year, as well as increased funding for higher education and CUNY programs.

“The success and future of our communities is dependent on the investments we make in our children,”Assemblymember Pichardo stated. “This increase in funding will help nurture the budding minds of students across the Bronx and help ensure the bright futures they deserve are within reach.”

Investing in education

Specifically, the final budget includes $23 billion in education funding, a $1.6 billion increase over last year. The state has dedicated funding to fulfill its Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE) obligation by committing $428 million for Foundation Aid – a $170 million increase over last year.

            The budget also protects last year’s pre-K investment for New York City to ensure our children receive a quality, first-class education beginning at a young age, Assemblymember Pichardo noted.

Implementing the Higher Education Road to Success

In order to help keep costs down for students pursuing higher education, the final budget implements the Higher Education Road to Success. The plan provides an increase in support for CUNY community colleges of $100 per full-time equivalent (FTE) student to deliver a total of $2,597 per FTE.

            The final agreement also provides a 20 percent increase to opportunity programs at CUNY and a 15 percent increase to opportunity programs administered by the State Education Department (SED). This includes a $4.4 million increase in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), for a total of $26.8 million, and a $3.8 million increase for the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), for a total of $29.6 million.

Additionally, the budget supports CUNY programs by including $2.5 million for the Accelerated Study in Associates Program (ASAP). The program helps motivated and driven community college students earn their degrees as quickly as possible, resulting in a graduation rate more than three times the national three-year graduation rate for community colleges.

            However, the final budget does not include the DREAM Act proposal, Assemblymember Pichardo noted. The Assembly’s budget plan placed a college degree within reach for countless Bronx students by including the proposal which would allow undocumented students to apply for state-tuition programs.

            “The investments we’ve made in our young people will help prepare them for future success, but our work is not done,” Assemblymember Pichardo stated. “Moving forward, I will continue fighting to make the DREAM Act a reality so that all Bronx students, regardless of their immigration status, have the same opportunities as their classmates to achieve a higher education.”

Assemblyman Sepulveda Helps Pass 2015-2016 Budget

Dear Friend,

I am writing to share with you that in the early hours of this morning, after more than 9 hours of debating, my colleagues and I in the Assembly passed the 2015-2016 New York State budget. 

From investing in or schools, ensuring fairness and justice within our criminal justice system, and protecting affordable housing, this year’s budget makes sure that the priorities important to New York’s families are put first.  The Assembly Majority stood up for the programs that make a difference in people’s lives and secured needed investments that will make New York a stronger place to live, work and do business.  

Included below is a breakdown of some of the important aspects of the budget:

Investing in our schools

When it comes to our schools, students have to be our top priority. We must be doing everything we can to ensure they are getting the quality education they deserve.  By securing critical increases in funding to ensure our schools have the resources they need, this budget puts students first.

I am proud to say that this year's budget secures a $1.6 billion increase in education aid over last year, for a total of $23 billion.

The funding is tailored to support the schools that need it most, with 68.5 percent going to high-need districts, 25.7 percent going to average-need districts and 5.8 percent going to low-need districts.

We also increased pre-k funding to protect last year's investment in universal pre-k in New York City.

Strengthening NY’s criminal justice system

Ensuring fairness and justice within our criminal justice system is essential to keeping our communities safe.

Just a few weeks ago the Assembly held a public hearing on the need for criminal justice reform and plans further hearings with community leaders, law enforcement officials, legal experts and other stakeholders to ensure that these important issues are discussed in an open and transparent forum and to develop meaningful reforms.   

In addition, I held my own forum on criminal justice reform during the Somos el Futuro conference in Albany.  I plan on scheduling additional hearings in the next few months so that my colleagues and I can work to bring about real criminal justice reform in New York.

Expanding access to affordable housing

Housing is a basic necessity, something many of us take for granted. But unfortunately, too many families are struggling to find safe, affordable homes. This year’s budget invests in our communities and expands affordable housing options.

This year’s budget provides $415.6 million for housing and community development programs, allotting $225 million for repair and rehabilitation programs, including $100 million for New York City Housing Authority capital repairs and $25 million for Mitchell-Lama repairs and revitalization.

I hope this brief overview provides a better idea of the 2015-2016 budget.  If you have any questions or concerns about the budget and what is included please do not hesitate to call my office at 718-931-2620.  

Your Assemblyman,

Luis R. Sepúlveda

HISTORIC STATE INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC HOUSING

STATEMENT FROM DEPUTY LEADER RITCHIE TORRES, CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HOUSING

ON HISTORIC STATE INVESTMENT IN NYCHA

As the Chair of the NYC Council Committee on Public Housing, I commend Governor Cuomo, Speaker Heastie, Coalition Co-Leader Jeff Klein, as well as longtime public housing advocates in both the Assembly and the Senate, for making the largest state investment in NYCHA in more than two decades.  I am hopeful that the State's historic allocation will mark the beginning of a longer-term reinvestment in public housing.  These urgently needed state dollars, at a time of historic inequality, will go toward improving living conditions for thousands of low-income New Yorkers and restoring hundreds of public housing units back to the affordable housing stock.

                                                                                             

Klein/Dinowitz Medical Center Amendment Repealed

  In almost as fast as the amendment to last years state budget which provided for a community review process and approval by the New York State Health commissioner of any new medical center in the Bronx higher than 3 stories or larger than 30,000 square feet has been repealed in this years state budget.  

  State Senator  Gustavo Rivera announced that the Health and Mental Hygiene budget bill (S.2007-B/A. 3007-B), which passed with 60 to 1 vote, contained a provision to repeal state law that would require potential health facilities projects in Bronx County to undergo a public forum process to authorize its construction.  The portion of the law that was repealed was passed as part of the 2014-2015 budget in an effort to obstruct the development of a Montefiore facility in the Riverdale section of the Bronx.

  "I am very pleased to announce that after a year of speaking with members of our community, health institutions, and my colleagues in the Senate and Assembly about the potential impact hindering the construction of new healthcare facilities in the Bronx could have on the quality of care our residents receive, we were able to repeal this unnecessary law," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera.  "While I strongly believe community input should be a key part of any development project, the provision added in last year's budget had the potential to needlessly delay or prevent the construction of new healthcare facilities in our borough. As the county that continuously ranks last in health in New York State, Bronx residents could not afford to have yet another obstacle standing in the way of the healthcare they need." 

  The lone vote against repeal in the State Senate was by Senator Kevin Parker of Brooklyn. The assembly vote was 137 - 18. Both State Senator Jeff Klein and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz voted to repeal the law they had gotten passed only one year ago. Simone Developers have recently announced a 14 story luxury 48 unit 1 - 2 bedroom building for the former medical center site. Mr. Joe Simone owner of Simone Developers was unavailable for any comment. 

ECPW Wrestling Returns to St. Francis Xavier Aprill 11th

Women of Distinction 80th A.D. Celebration

  In his first celebration of Women of Distinction 80th A.D. Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj said that this would be only the first in what will become an annual event. Five women were honored by Assemblyman Gjonaj who were - Edith Blitzer (Of the Pelham Parkway area), Janet DeProspo (of the Morris Park area), Jean Hill (of Tracy Towers), Grace Lovaglio (of the Allerton area), and Ruth Mastro. 

  The event was Emceed  by Staff member Nathalia Fernandez, who also gave a wonderful welcoming speech. The Benediction was given by Pastor Peggy Smalls, and the National Anthem was sung by Carlos Sanchez. Assemblyman Gjonaj then gave opening remarks in which he thanked the women in his life, his Grandmother, his mother, and his wife. The keynote speaker was Judge LLinet Rosado, and then it was on to the five honorees. as each was called up the reason for choosing each woman was given, and each honoree thanked Assemblyman Gjonaj for being honored. 

Above and below - Assemblyman Gjonaj welcomes some of those who attended as he works the full house before the event.

    

Above - Pastor Smalls gives the Benediction with Ms. Fernandez also in the photo.
Below - Judge Rosado gives the Keynote Speech.

Left - during his opening remarks Assemblyman Gjonaj is pointing to the women of his life.

Right - Two of the women are Assemblyman Gjonaj's grandmother and mother. His lovely wife is just out of the photo.

The Honorees - (L-R) Ruth Mastro, Janet DeProspo, Assemblyman Gjonaj, Grace Lovaglio, Edith Blitzer, and Jean Hill.

Above are the four staff members Nathalia Fernandez, Lilyanna Pekic, Renne Montminy, and Aleatha Williams who were the Hosting Committee for the event.

Senator Jeff klein's Annual Easter Bunny Breakfast and Magic Show

  This was State Senator Jeff Klein's 20th Annual Easter Bunny Breakfast and Magic Show. The kids loved it, the parents loved it, and even the Easter Bunny loved it as you will see in the photos below.

  There was a healthy breakfast which included fruit, bagels and pastries, along with coffee or tea for the parents, and milk or juice for the children. Kassandra the face painter had her hands full as many of the children wanted their faces painted. At the Build a Bunny tables children were given the choice of stuffing an Easter Bunny or Easter Duck. From a distance the yellow duck looked very much like 'Big Bird'. 

  As the Easter Bunny arrived with Senator Klein the children all ran over to sit on the Easter Bunny's lap for their picture with him. John the magician then amazed the children with his magic act. John made mice appear and disappear, had other great magic tricks, and then made a real bunny appear to the delight of the children. The morning went so fast for many of the children as Senator Klein was off to the next event of the day for him, an Easter egg hunt in another part of his large district. 

Left - Children were given the choice to build an Easter Bunny or Easter Duck this year. At first glance however the yellow duck looks a lot like Big Bird.

Right - Rene Gonzalez gets his face painted by Kassandra. 

The Easter Bunny has many of the children around him or her.

Above - Senator Klein stopped at the tables to chat with parents while the children were making bunnies, ducks, having their faces painted or sitting with the Easter Bunny.

Right - Senator klein stands with two lovely young girls for this photo. 

Above - Senator Klein joins the Easter Bunny.

Right - Senator Klein speaks to the children and their parents. John the Magician can be seen in the background waiting to begin his magic show. 

The magic show began, and I had to hop over to another event that was going on.