Chaos in Albany

Three days after NYC Rent Regulation laws expired there seems to be no compromise coming as all 3 sides (State Assembly, State Senate, and the Governor) are on different pages.

In the State Assembly Assembly Housing Chair Keith Wright has come out with a proposal for an extension at least until Feb. 2016 that was laughed at by State Senate Republicans.

Other assembly members are sounding off - Bronx Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz in an interview with Gerson Borrero Editor at Large of City and State said that there is no feel yet, Carl Heastie has been there on this issue which is the speaker's one main issue. Dinowitz also said that 'It Takes 3 to Tango in Albany', as he blamed the Republican State Senate majority who are from outside NYC, and the governors inaction on the issue. 

As it goes the state senate should be leaving tonight, but the Majority Leader Senator Flanagan has said that he will stay. The State Assembly will be in session for most of Friday until members start leaving, and are taking up a pool ($1.00 each) for when the session will end. 

Other key issues that also need to be worked out before they also expire are the 421A Tax Abatement, Mayoral Control of the NYC public schools, raising the Charter School Cap, and several other minor issues.

Could we see Albany legislatures working past the 4th of July?

Also what of the U.S. Attorney's Office continued investigation of Albany legislatures from the Mooreland Commission. I am sure we have not heard the last from the U. S. Attorney as to indictments of State Assembly or Senate members. 

State Senate Passes Klein & Savino Bills to Combat Predatory Auto Lending Practices in New York State

Independent Democratic Conference Leader State Senator Jeff Klein and State Senator Diane Savino announced Tuesday that the State Senate passed two critical pieces of legislation they sponsor aimed at  predatory subprime auto lending in New York.

Senator Klein’s bill (S.5485A) increases required surety bonds used car dealerships must hold as a consumer protection from $10,000 to $100,000 if the used car dealership sells more than 50 cars annually. Smaller used car dealers can take out $20,000 bonds if they sell fewer than 50 vehicles a year.

“Predatory subprime auto lending takes advantage of vulnerable New Yorkers in every corner of our state and often drives people with bad credit further into debt. Even worse, fraud and deceptive tactics are used to lure consumers into signing loans they could never afford to repay. Once a consumer realizes they’ve been taken for a ride— legal recourse is difficult. This legislation will ensure that if a consumer wins a battle in court, a used car dealership will be backed by a sizeable bond and be able to pay what a conned consumer is due,” said Senator Klein.

Senator Savino’s bill (S.5506A) designates lenders as the assignee of a loan issued at a used car dealership since they play a significant role in the financing of a used vehicle. It also grants courts the power to make the assignee pay reasonable attorney’s fees if a consumer sues and wins.

“All too often we’ve heard stories from used car buyers who realize they’ve been had and call the bank immediately to report fraud. The lender suddenly claims they’re not the one driving the loan application, the dealer is, and process it anyway. In court the dealer shifts blame to the financial institution. This legislation finally says, that in New York State, lenders who work with used car dealers are the assignees and will be held accountable. With the passage of this bill financial institutions will think twice before ignoring claims of fraud and deception,” said Senator Diane Savino, Chair of the Senate's Committee on Banks.

In April, the IDC released an investigative report , “Road to Credit Danger: Predatory Subprime Auto Lending in New York,” which highlighted numerous predatory tactics being practiced by used car dealerships throughout New York City. The report detailed ways in which unscrupulous dealers often appeal to consumers with bad credit, no credit, or those living on fixed incomes by offering guaranteed approval for financing through enticing online advertisements. Once at a dealership, unsophisticated or unsuspecting customers fail to realize loan applications contain abusively high interest rates, sky-high financing mark-ups, unnecessary add-ons, and are often being filled in with fraudulent income information. In the end, some consumers wind up with cars costing twice the financing and with terms they could never afford to repay.

Bronx Assemblyman Luis R. Sepúlveda Endorses Move NY Fair Plan

Office of Assemblyman Luis Sepúlveda

District Office: 1973 Westchester Ave, Bronx NY ∙ Phone:718-931-8620

Eastern Bronx Residents to Benefit from

Faster, Safer, Fairer Transportation Options

   Bronx Assemblyman Luis R. Sepúlveda (87th District) joined the growing chorus of City and State elected officials who have endorsed the Move NY Fair Plan as the blueprint for sustainably and fairly funding the New York metropolitan region’s transportation infrastructure. Developed by transportation guru, “Gridlock” Sam Schwartz, the plan would generate $1.5 billion annually ($15 billion when bonded) and help plug the hole in the MTA’s yet unfunded $14 billion budget gap for its 2015-2019 Capital Program.

“Representing a district surrounded by three major highways and the busiest intersection in America I have seen my constituents suffer from the long lines of traffic and congestion that plague my district,” saidAssemblyman Luis R. Sepúlveda. “Asthma rates around these highways are higher than anywhere else in the city and people are faced with toll and fare hikes every year. By increasing access and expanding options of public transportation as planned with the Move NY Fair Plan we can decrease vehicle traffic on our already over capacity roads and improve the health and well being of our residents.”

The Move NY Fair Plan offers positive benefits to the Assemblyman’s district:  anew Metro-North Penn Access line with four stations in the East Bronx, including a stop at Parkchester; reduced fares on MetroNorth within the city and discounted fares on all Express Bus Service – both of which will allow for more affordable options to get around the city more quickly and efficiently. In addition, many of the 2010 service cuts will be restored, bringing buses back to the communities who need them most. For those who rely on a car to get around, the plan sets aside $375 million annually to go to keeping our roads and bridges in good repair.

“Assemblyman Sepúlveda is emblematic of the leadership New Yorkers need in State government to fight for the future of our transportation system,” says Alex Matthiessen, Move NY’s Campaign Director and President of Blue Marble Project. “He has done his due diligence in reviewing the Move NY Fair Plan and concluded – as many do once they see the benefits – Move NY will make travel in and around the city faster, safer, and fairer. We look forward to working with him and other elected officials to make Move NY a reality.”

Specific benefits to Bronx residents include:

·         100% of tolled Bronx bridges will see reduced tolls

o   45% EZ-Pass Toll Reduction on Triboro/RFK, Whitestone, & Throgs Neck

o   39% EZ-Pass Toll Reduction on the Henry Hudson

·         No tolls on Harlem River bridges

·         Metro-North “City Ticket” extended to 7 days a week, with fare within city limits slashed to $6 peak/$4 off-peak

·         More Express Bus service

·         Express Bus fares reduced from $6.50 to $5.50

·         More frequent and less crowded subway trains

·         New Metro-North “Penn Access” line with four new stations in the East Bronx

·         Expanded ferry service

·         Continued extension of Second Avenue subway into Northern Manhattan and the Bronx

Information regarding the Move NY Fair Plan, including the finalized version of the plan itself, can be found at www.iHeartMoveNY.org.

And This From City and State About the Blame Game

THE BLAME GAME: LAWMAKERS RESPOND TO EXPIRED RENT REGULATIONS

by City and State 

City and State spoke to seven lawmakers in Albany about the expired NYC Rent Regulations and here is what each had to say after the rent regulations expired last night.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx)

You know, I’ve been very clear from the day I got elected speaker, it’s rent, rent, rent and more rent. ... Sen. Flanagan is trying to raise what he thinks gives him leverage. ... 

State Sen. John DeFrancisco (R-Syracuse)

“Let me put it this way: You never say never in this business, that’s No. 1. But No. 2, we’re trying to get an agreement. We had a real bill, that if the negotiations started, the bill that was for an eight-year extender, the time frame of the extender could change, certain provisions could change, but you’ve got to get true negotiations where everyone’s participating and trying to get to a result. 

State Sen. Martin Golden (R-Brooklyn)

“We passed it. We say the Assembly should have stayed and passed it. I mean, the Assembly went home. Shame on them.” This is not a game. We’re talking about people’s lives.

Assembly Housing Committee Chair Keith Wright (D-Manhattan)

“ i'm Disappointed, angry, annoyed, vexed—what’s another adjective? I think it’s totally irresponsible that the folks in the Senate would allow this to happen. I think it’s political and legislative malpractice.”

Assemblyman Dick Gottfried (D-Manhattan)

The fact that the Senate allowed that to happen, I think, reflects a real lack of concern for the welfare of tenants. I think the governor has a real responsibility to play a much stronger role to get the law, not just renewed, but strengthened. 

State Sen. Adriano Espaillat (D-Manhattan)

“For a conference whose leader in the (Senate) Housing Committee doesn’t have one unit of affordable housing to hold hostage the whole City of New York and the entire state where there are rent-regulated apartments I think is unbelievable.

State Sen. Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan)

“There’s a real, palpable fear that Albany isn’t going to do its job and I think we’ve let a lot of people down.

The entire city and State article with more of what the elected officials said can be found at the link at the beginning in yellow.

Editors Note:

So who is to blame for Albany's dysfunction now?

We also see how much things have gotten worse in Albany with the two new current leaders of the State Assembly and State Senate, for as long as they both shall remain leaders of their respective houses.

Stop the Blame Game

What You Should Know
By Senator Rev Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District

You should know that the rent control expiration date has come and gone, and Governor Andrew Cuomo is bragging that he will keep the legislators here in Albany until we reach an agreement. To all of you who don’t know how this place works you might say, “Bravo, Mr. Governor!” But to those of us who know all of the ins and outs and all of the games people play here we ask, “Who are you fooling?” 

My dear reader, you should now that nothing happens here until the three men get in the room. They are, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan and State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. Not until they get into that room and come out with an agreement, we the Legislature are powerless.  Therefore when the Governor said “I will keep the Legislators here until they come up with an agreement,” he is trying to spin the failure of the three of them by blaming the Legislators. Knowing that the rent laws would end, they had a whole year to negotiate and talk about it, but they waited until the last minute to play their game and try to fool all of you. Don’t buy it! 

At the last minute, they say they will talk, and that they need a two day extension. They are trying do in two days what the three of them neglected to do for the whole year and now that they see their failure, they are trying to blame the whole Legislature by threatening to keep us in Albany, getting a $175 per diem, doing nothing, waiting for the three of them to get into that room and wasting the taxpayers money. 

Pardon me, Mr. Governor, but I need to correct you so to be clear. You should say: “I’m going to keep Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and myself here in Albany until the three of us come to an agreement on rent control guidelines, and everything else.”  Then, Mr. Governor, you should call us back to discuss and vote on the three men’s great agreements.

This is what should be done especially to save taxpayer money, because we Legislators won’t be able to vote on anything until the three of you get an agreement.  It is not fair for New York State taxpayers to be punished and waste their money in paying the Legislature to wander the hallways aimlessly wondering what is going on, while the three of you are taking your sweet time. 

My message to New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan, and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie is to stop the blame game and stop wasting taxpayer money to pay us to do nothing.  Send us home, and you three stay until you come to an agreement. 

This is Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

Upcoming Special June Events at JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center

JASA Hosts Hernan Brizuela Tango Demonstration and Lesson #2 for Older Adults

Thursday, June 18th, 2015 12:15 lunch, followed by Tango Demo/Lesson #2 from 1:00 – 2:15 pm

JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center will again host master Tango performers Hernan Brizuela and Anita Flejter. A delectable meal of salmon w/dill sauce, quinoa and green beans will be served at 12:15 pm. 65 guests are expected to attend this spectacular bi-annual event. 

We would like to invite you to join us for this dazzling dance event which will feature a nutritious kosher meal followed by a spectacular Tango Demonstration and group lesson.  

Recommended senior voluntary contribution for lunch is $3.00 and $2.00 for the event. 

Non-seniors are welcome to attend for a fee of $6.15 for the meal and $3.00 for the event. 

Hernan Brizuela Tango demonstration and lesson #2 will be hosted by JASA, a New York-based nonprofit serving 43,000+ older adults each year by providing social work, recreational, health, home care, housing, cultural, and educational services to help sustain them in their homes and communities and offer opportunities for a better quality of life. 

JASA Hosts the Bronx Opera Ensemble for Older Adults

Wednesday, June 24th, 2015  Dinner served at 5:30 pm; concert at 6:30 pm.

JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center will host the Bronx Opera Ensemble.

They will present favorite classical and Broadway selections. Dinner of Shake & Bake Chicken or Tilapia will be served. 60 guests are expected to attend this special event.

Recommended senior voluntary contribution for dinner is $3.00. Recommended senior event donation: $2.00.Non-seniors are welcome to attend for a meal fee of $6.15 and event fee of $3.00. Please call in meal reservations to senior center office 718-549-4700 by June 19th.

JASA Hosts Art Salon for Older Adults

Monday, June 29th, 2015. Lunch served at 12:15 pm followed by Art Salon at 1:00 pm.

JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center will host fabric artist Bernice Etheridge as part of our JASA  Art Salon series.  A meal of chicken piccata or tuna salad will be served at 12:15 PM. 35 guests are expected to attend this cultural event.

Recommended senior voluntary contribution for lunch is $2.00 and $1.00 for the event. Non-seniors are welcome to attend for a fee of $6.15 for the meal and $2.00 for the event.

All events are hosted by JASA, a New York-based nonprofit serving 43,000+ older adults each year by providing social work, recreational, health, home care, housing, cultural, and educational services to help sustain them in their homes and communities and offer opportunities for a better quality of life.

All events will take place at -

JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center

3880 Sedgwick Ave, 1st Floor

Bronx, NY 10463

RSVP:        Sharon Wolfe/Esha

718.549-4700/212.561.7469 

swolfe@jasa.org/JASA@KingComPR.com

Riverdale Riverfest 2015

  The highlight of Riverdale Riverfest 2015 was the concert by the current band Blood Sweat and Tears which was arraigned by State Senator Jeff Klein. KRVDC and all their volunteers helped made this years Riverdale Riverfest 2015 the best one yet. Below are just a few photos of Riverdale Riverfest 2015. 

Above - It may have been Senator Klein who got the band for Riverdale Riverfest 2015, but it was Councilman Andrew Cohen who was the best dressed elected official at Riverdale Riverfest 2015.

Below - Senator Jeff Klein may have also had the the best tan, but it was Councilman Andrew Cohen who had the best legs of the elected officials on the stage. Also in the photo are Congressman Eliot Engel, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, and hidden by the speaker Ms. Tracy Shelton of KRVDC.

Above -  Face painting was only one of the attractions for children at Riverdale Riverfest 2015. 

Below - The Buffalo Wild Wings mascot is found in front of the Buffalo Wild Wings booth, where wings were available with several of the 24 sauces ranging from mild to extreme. 

Above - The New York City Department of Transportation was at Riverdale Riverfest 2015, with information about Vision Zero. 

Below - During the afternoon there was a secondary stage where several other bands and groups showed off their talent. 

Above - A stilt walker was on scene as another one the many attractions. 

Below - S.C.A., The Society for Creative Anachronism presented medieval events. The photo is of Ms. Agatha Jurgo dressed in a beautiful costume of the era.

Riverdale Riverfest 2015 took place at the College of Mount St. Vincent, and an unidentified young lady sits at the college table. 

TESTIMONY OF BP DIAZ RE: RGB Bronx Hearing

RE: Bronx Rent Guidelines Board Hearing of June 11, 2015

I testify to urge that the Rent Guidelines Board consider a rent freeze for tenants when it votes on the proposed 2015 increases.

I was heartened last year when the Rent Guidelines Board approved a historically low rent increase. This was a first step in the right direction for our City by keeping the increase to a more manageable level for our tenants. However, it did not go far enough. We still have to offer vital relief to the poor and middle-class of our City, given how many residents are struggling and have not seen their own paychecks increase over the past few years. 

I believe that, in order to address the city’s growing income inequality, we should consider a rent freeze combined with a property tax decrease so that the people of this city have more money in their pockets to address basic needs, while also providing a respite for property owners who would not see an increase from their tenants.

In addition, the city needs to work to do more to diversify its housing stock not just by creating opportunities for low and middle-income housing but also developing greater prospects for homeownership.

New York City should be a place everyone can afford to live in and we should utilize every mechanism to preserve affordability for all New Yorkers. With that said, a rent freeze would be a major step towards assuring that affordability exists.

Thank you.

Bronx Borough President 

Ruben Diaz Jr.