The Town Hall meeting is being held at Bronx House located at 999 Pelham Parkway South/
State Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, and Councilman Jimmy Vacca are expected to be in attendance.
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Comptroller Scott M. Stringer Cordially Invites You to a Bronx Town Hall on March 31 @ 6:30PM
The Town Hall meeting is being held at Bronx House located at 999 Pelham Parkway South/
State Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, and Councilman Jimmy Vacca are expected to be in attendance.
Assemblymember Pichardo - Assembly budget makes education a priority
Assemblymember Victor Pichardo announced that the Assembly’s budget proposal provides needed funding for education, with a total of $25.4 billion going toward general support for public schools, an increase of $2.1 billion, as well as a significant investment in our public colleges - including a 20 percent increase to support opportunity programs. Additionally, the New York State DREAM Act was included in the Assembly’s plan, which will support eligible immigrant students for tuition assistance, scholarships and opportunity programs.
“We must provide the resources and support our students need to reach their full potential,” said Pichardo. “I’ll continue fighting for students at all levels to ensure our schools can provide a quality education, particularly for those students who are most at risk.”
This year’s budget plan calls for an increase of $1.1 billion in Foundation Aid, which is $875 million over the governor’s budget proposal. This reflects the Assembly’s commitment to fulfill the obligations set down by the Campaign for Fiscal Equality court decision and to provide every child with a quality education, noted Pichardo.
The Assembly’s budget also funds the implementation of My Brother’s Keeper, a program to support and encourage education and employment opportunities for boys and young men of color. $50 million is allocated to this program, with $8 million going toward programs in higher education. This would provide funding for family and community engagement programs, professional development and the development of exemplary school models and practices, as well as programs addressing racial disparities and restorative justice.
Other highlights of the Assembly’s budget include:
· $14.3 million in full restorations for Teacher Resources and Computer Training Centers;
· $10 million for schools with growing enrollment of English-language learners, as well as $1 million for bilingual services;
· $10 million in grants for services for homeless students; and
· an extension of mayoral control by seven years, to June 2023.
The 2016-17 Assembly budget also increases funding for CUNY; it rejects the governor’s plan to shift some of the financial burden of CUNY operating costs to New York City and rejects tuition hikes. Further, the budget includes an increase in capital assistance for CUNY and increases base operating aid for community colleges.
“Higher education should never be out of reach for my neighbors, their children and for generations after, nor should it force them to be swimming in debt when they complete their degree,” said Pichardo. “Investing in public schools and universities is critical for our future.”
South Bronx Unite - FreshDirect Back in Court
FreshDirect South Bronx Move Back in Court
A Deal Riddled with Controversy for More than Four Years
The Appellate Division, First Department (27 Madison Avenue), will hear oral arguments on Thursday, March 17th
, at 2:00, on the appeal of the constitutional issue of whether public land can be used for purely private benefit. The subject of the case is FreshDirect’s move to State-owned waterfront land in the South Bronx, which would bring upwards of 1,000 diesel truck trips through a community facing asthma rates eight times the national average from the more than 15,000 diesel trucks already crossing the neighborhood every day.
Harlem River Ventures, the developer subleasing the land to FreshDirect, received a sweetheart deal from the Cuomo administration 21 years ago that allowed the developer to reap a $60+ million profit while paying the State a little over $5 million. During that time, the developer has subleased the land to a host of environmentally degrading uses that have contributed to the health crisis in the South Bronx, including fossil fuel power plants, 8,000 ton per day waste transfer stations and truck distribution hubs for FedEx and the New York Post.
“We have a health epidemic in the South Bronx, and our City and State policies are exacerbating it,” said Professor Monxo Lopez, co-founder of South Bronx Unite and a plaintiff in the case.
“No other community would be expected to trade our ability to breathe for a promise of low paying jobs,” said Mychal Johnson, another co-founder of the group spearheading the challenge.
Last October, South Bronx residents met with Mayor Bill de Blasio, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and senior members of the city's Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) who promised to look into the changes to the project that would trigger the need for a new inducement resolution from the NYC Industrial Development Agency (NYCIDA).
According to the Bronx Department of Buildings, the FreshDirect footprint has increased by more than 50% since originally reviewed and approved by NYCEDC/NYCIDA. Originally proposed as a 423,530 square foot facility with a $127 million subsidy, the project now stands to be built as a 637,882 square foot facility with a nearly $140 million subsidy. No oversight or approvals have been given for the significant increase in project size and subsidy.
Meanwhile, FreshDirect continues to be the source of controversy where, in recent months the company has been cited as a source of un-subsidized grocer Fairway’s danger of possible bankruptcy as well as a source of over-congested City streets and new legislation to study the impact of trucks in Manhattan. In addition, Larry Scott Blackmon, former Parks Department employee hired by FreshDirect, is alleged to have violated the New York City Charter’s conflicts of interest law when he negotiated a sponsorship package with the Parks Department on behalf of the company during a one year ban on appearing before the agency.
Assemblymember Michael A. Blake - Statement Following the Nomination of Chief Judge Garland
Assemblymember and Former White House aide Michael A. Blake released the following statement on the nomination of Chief Judge Garland to the Supreme Court of the United States
I stand with President Obama and support his nomination of Merrick Garland to be the next Supreme Court Justice on the United States Supreme Court. From Brown vs. Board of Education to ensuring marriage equality for all, the Supreme Court is the beacon for providing justice for all. The nomination of Chief Judge Garland provides another opportunity for us to bend the moral arc of justice closer to all people in our nation. Garland was a clerk for the late Supreme Court Justice William Brennan, served as Deputy Attorney General in the Justice Department and most recently the Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. In Garland’s words: “The role of the court is to apply the law to the facts of the case before it—not to legislate, not to arrogate to itself the executive power, not to hand down advisory opinions on the issues of the day.” Confirming Garland to the Supreme Court means appointing someone who will remove partisanship when voting on cases before the Supreme Court. Garland’s strong track record and dedication to public service makes him a qualified candidate to fill the current vacancy created by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.
As Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall said, “History teaches that grave threats to liberty often come in times of urgency, when constitutional rights seem too extravagant to endure.” With the end of President Barack Obama’s second term only 9 months away, we now find ourselves in a time of urgency, and Congress’s determination to block any Supreme Court nomination proposed by the President is threatening the liberty of our citizens. The President’s constitutional directive to nominate and appoint Supreme Court Justices does not become an extravagant privilege at any point during the President’s term, so the Senate’s resolute refusal to cooperate is legally unfounded. To the Senators refusing to cooperate, we urge you to #DoYourJob.
The Supreme Court will continue hearing cases regardless of whether the bench is full or not, but with only eight justices, many cases are likely to end in a split decision, leaving the rights of the American people in limbo. Two weeks ago, the Supreme Court heard an important case regarding women’s right to access abortion services without undue burden. This case has the ability to set a national precedent that will secure women’s rights to easily accessible health services, but without a full court bench, it is possible that the case will wallow in a state of uncertainty.
Other upcoming cases will address the public sector union rights, redistricting and voter rights, immigration policy, and affirmative action, cases that will affect tens of millions of people throughout the nation, including tens of thousands of Bronx residents in New York’s 79th Assembly District. We cannot let inaction hold our country back. We must move forward. Congress must fulfill their constitutional mandate.
I urge Congress to end this partisan battle, which only succeeds in threatening the liberty and the rights of the American people.
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Assemblyman Mark Gjona - Health & Wellness Fair Friday March 18th
Join me on March 18th at my Health & Wellness Fair!
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Date: Friday, March 18th, 2016
Time: 4:00pm - 7:00pm Location: JHS 80
149 E. Mosholu Parkway
Bronx, NY 10467
This is a great opportunity to learn and obtain information that will help you to live a physically and mentally healthier lifestyle.
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The Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Women of Distinction Luncheon Friday March 18, 2016
Reserve today to attend the upcoming
Business & Networking Mixer!
Nunzio Del Greco
President and CEO
Bronx Chamber of Commerce
President and CEO
Bronx Chamber of Commerce
"The Network For Business Success"
1200 Waters Place, Suite 106
Bronx, NY 10461
718-828-3900
Nunzio@bronxchamber.org
1200 Waters Place, Suite 106
Bronx, NY 10461
718-828-3900
Nunzio@bronxchamber.org
Bronx Jewish Community Council - Project HOPE Passover Delivery 2016
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State Senator Gustavo Rivera on the Senate Budget Resolution
STATEMENT FROM STATE SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA ON THE SENATE BUDGET RESOLUTION
"Once again, the recently passed Senate's budget resolution has shortchanged New York City. The Senate Majority continues to demonstrate an unwillingness to properly address the issues that affect everyday New Yorkers.
How does this budget resolution fail New Yorkers? Let me count the ways:
I am incredibly troubled that this resolution takes further steps to shift costs from the state to the city for both Medicaid and for the City University of New York. The impact of these unconscionable cuts would prove to be catastrophic to the millions of New Yorkers that heavily rely on these basic services.
While this resolution proposes extending an education investment tax credit that does not necessarily financially benefit our city's public schools or those students that are most in need, it fails to include the DREAM Act and the necessary funding for the State to finally fufill its obligation under the Campaign for Fiscal Equity settlement.
After a long history of struggling with one of the worst AIDS epidemics in the country, I also find it disturbing that this budget resolution does not provide the full funding needed to meet the goals set by the Ending of AIDS Epidemic blueprint. This funding is essential to prevent thousands of new HIV infections and improving HIV health outcomes throughout our State.
Additionally, I'm disappointed that critical measures such Campaign Finance Reform and Raise The Age were not even included in this resolution. It is imperative that we make these issues a priority if we are to restore New Yorker's trust in both our government and in our criminal justice system.
It is also a disservice to both our economy and New Yorkers that this resolution does not include a $15 minimum wage. By not doing so, we are turning our back to the millions of New Yorkers who continue to struggle with a current minimum wage that does not come close to covering the cost of living of an individual and much less of a family. A study is not enough, we need a raise our minimum wage now.
As one of the state's most vibrant economic engines, it is time that New York City is treated as fairly as the rest of the State. I am committed to continuing to work with my colleagues in the Democratic Conference to strongly advocate for the inclusion of progressive principals in our State's budget that reflect the priorities and needs of all our residents, in particular the working-class and our most vulnerable, especially as it relates to the proposed cuts to the City University of New York's budget.
On this last point, let me be clear. The proposed $485 million budget cut to the City University of New York represents a pernicious and indefensible attack not only on New York City, but on the almost 500,000 working class New Yorkers that consider CUNY their only opportunity to pursue a higher education degree. We should not jeopardize our students' academic future by playing dangerous games with their hopes and dreams. I will be relentless in protecting this critical funding for our students and their future."