Congressman Engel on House GOP Failure to Pass Trumpcare

  Congressman Eliot L. Engel, a top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, released the following statement on the failure by House Republicans to pass the American Health Care Act, also known as “Trumpcare”:

“Today represents a remarkable example of the power of the American public to bring about real change.

“The American people overwhelmingly opposed Trumpcare, and they made it known to those who represent them in Congress. I am proud to be one of those Representatives who stood up and spoke out against this bad piece of legislation, and I’m encouraged by the engagement and persistence I’ve seen in recent weeks.

“I hope that today will be a turning point for my Republican colleagues. The Affordable Care Act shepherded tremendous progress. Over 20 million more Americans are insured thanks to the ACA, and important new protections were put in place. We ought to work together to build on that progress, without turning back the clock on people for whom the ACA has been life-saving.

“Thank you to the people of New York’s 16^th District for making your voices heard. I pledge to keep working to protect your care, and to keep listening.”

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF 15 MEMBERS TO THE ARCHIVES, REFERENCE AND RESEARCH ADVISORY BOARD

    Mayor de Blasio announced the appointment of 15 members to the Archives, Reference and Research Advisory Board, which will consult with Commissioner Pauline Toole of the Department of Records and Information Services.

DORIS has begun an extensive effort to revitalize the Municipal Archives and Municipal Library, to have these institutions serve a larger public and to help frame ongoing public policy discussions within a historical context. The revitalization efforts include digitizing holdings, making resources available online, developing exhibits to augment debates, forming partnerships with non-traditional organizations, and engaging new audiences. The Archives, Reference and Research Advisory Board will help develop and shape this revitalization by offering guidance, setting strategic goals, identifying funding sources, and connecting communities. 

“It is vital that we remember the rich history of the city and that we bring available historical resources to the forefront in order to engage new audiences,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This group of appointees will work diligently to revitalize these resources and to display the relevance that our history has had in the formation of the city and government that we see today. We appreciate the board’s efforts and I look forward to working with all of the new members.”

“I am grateful to the Mayor and the new board members for their support as we work towards making the truly amazing holdings of the Archives and Library more broadly available. This is a diverse group who will help us develop and implement strategies for demonstrating the relevance and historical context of decisions made by government leaders that have affected communities throughout the City’s 400-year history,” said DORIS Commissioner Pauline Toole.

“I have long been a fan of the Municipal Archives and Library and I am so pleased  the Mayor has asked me to Chair the Advisory Board.  I look forward to collaborating with my distinguished colleagues in strategizing how to bring City government’s historical treasures to new audiences,” said Incoming Chair Joan Millman. 

The following board members are community leaders, historians, librarians, and archivists who will aid with this transition and provide insight on evolving practices in relevant fields.

The Honorable Joan Millman – Chair: Former NY State Assemblymember

Pamela Cruz: Archives Strategist and Advocate 

Dr. Johanna Fernandez: Assistant Professor, History Department, Baruch College of the City University of New York

Glenda Grace: General Counsel & Chief of Staff, Queens College 

Idilio Gracia Peña: Chief Archivist, CUNY Dominican Studies Institute 

Kayhan Irani: Writer/producer         

Lillian Jean-Baptiste: Community Engager, Family Advocate & Cultural Ambassador

Gregory Jost: Partner, Designing the WE

Richard Moylan: President, Green-Wood Cemetery and Historic Fund

Tom Shcherbenko: Community and political activist        

Dr. Robert Snyder: Professor of Journalism and American Studies, Rutgers University-Newark

Dr. Jack Tchen: Professor, New York University 

Peter Williams: Executive Vice President for Programs, NAACP

Mark Winston Griffith: Executive Director, Brooklyn Movement Center

Mary Yearwood: Director of Collections and Information Services, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

Elvin Garcia Candidate for City Council - Celebrate with us next Thursday, March 30th

We are exactly 7 days away from my 30th birthday -- and I want to celebrate with you -- the genuine friends, family, and neighbors that have molded and shaped the man I have become. I hope to see you on March 30th as we usher in a new milestone and #ANewBronxTale for Council District 18 - new leadership with the stamina to go the extra mile for our communities. 

What: Elvin's 30th Birthday Celebration

When: Thursday, March 30th 6:00PM - 9:00PM

Where: Havana Cafe, 1247 Castle Hill Ave, Bronx NY 10462

Best,

Elvin Garcia Candidate for City Council - District 18

BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ HOSTS ANNUAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. hosted his annual Women’s History Month Celebration at Manhattan College’s Kelly Commons Building Today.

 “We cannot minimize the important contributions women have made to our borough and our city, and I was proud to honor so many deserving women at this wonderful annual event,” said Borough President Diaz.

 This year’s honorees included Bertha Lewis, Founder and President of The Black Institute; Hon. Annabel Palma, New York City Council Member and Milagros Baez O’Toole, Board Chair of the Acacia Network. Juliet Papa of 1010 Wins Radio/CBS served as the emcee for the program.

 Each Honoree told a little about themselves. Ms. Bertha Lewis spoke of her activism, of not standing down to anyone, and wondering where the years have gone. Councilwoman Annabel Palma spoke of her troubled youth, and how she was able to overcome her problems by education and strength. Ms. Milagros Baez O'Toole spoke of her involvement, and how her network had grown under her guidance and the help of others.

Above - Councilwoman Palma and Emcee Juliet Papa share a few thoughts.

Below - Former Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj now Bronx liaison to Governor Andrew Cuomo chats with a few of BP Diaz's staffers.

Above - BP Diaz gets a few words with honoree Bertha Lewis before the event.

Below - BP Diaz poses with the emcee of the event Juliet Papa.

Above - Ms. Ano Occhino a student at Manhattan College sings the National Anthem.

Below - The Borough President's table with the honorees, Manhattan College President Brennan O'Donnell, and BP Diaz during the National Anthem.

L - R, Honoree Ms. Bertha Lewis, Honoree Councilwoman Annabel Palma, Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr., Emcee Ms. Juliet Papa, and Honoree Ms. Milagros Baez O'Toole. 

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO ON ANTI-SEMITIC THREATS AND ATTACKS

“We are grateful to our local police and international law enforcement partners for tracking down and arresting a suspect connected to the recent wave of threats against Jewish institutions. Whatever their source, those threats were an assault on our values and our people. As the proud home of the world's largest Jewish community, New York City will always stand ready to face down intolerance and stand up for our persecuted neighbors. History teaches us that we can never be indifferent to the scourge of anti-Semitism, and we can never take lightly threats fueled by hate.”

Why Can't You Find a Traffic Agent When You Need One?

  They can spot a UPS truck a mile away, and will appear out of thin air to ticket the UPS truck who is parked safely so traffic can pass in a second. However when a beer truck such as you will see in the photos below parks blocking more than half of an intersection where cars have to go around blindly to turn or people have to come out into the street from behind the beer truck at risk of being hit by traffic, where is the traffic agent to give these beer trucks tickets?

Above - No that is not a traffic agent giving this beer truck several tickets for double parking, parking in a 'No Standing' zone, and blocking an intersection, but the driver of the beer truck.

Below - This beer truck belongs to the Union Beer company which is probably coming from outside New York City.

Just in case any traffic agent wants to know the plate number of this beer truck, here it is. At least it is a New York State plate.

TRANSCRIPT: MAYOR DE BLASIO HOLDS MANSION TAX MEDIA AVAILIBILTY

   Mayor Bill de Blasio: Thank you so much.

Well, I want to tell you, Elaine, thank you and thank you for speaking with such passion about this city. And Elaine is saying things that I am hearing from people all over this city. You’ve been in your apartment 40 years – that is amazing – but I have spoken to so many people including today at a senior center on the Upper East Side and a senior center in Astoria, Queens and I hear the same exact thing everywhere I go; people who are worried about being priced out and forced out of their neighborhood and forced out of their city, people who love this city and who have contributed so much to this city and need help. And Elaine, what you said, getting to the end of the month and having almost nothing left – this has become the common situation including for folks who have worked hard their whole life.

So that is what we are trying to address with the mansion tax. And the response I am getting from New Yorkers in general and specifically from senior citizens it is very clear and very strong. They are going to fight for this mansion tax. Now, I need you to know that people understand if we don’t do something differently in this city the status quo is just not going to work for our senior citizens. That is the reality. And our seniors are becoming more and more of the population of our city with every passing year. So, the blunt reality is the laws we have right now do not support our senior citizens sufficiently and we have to do something different and a mansion tax is that kind of change we need. Let me thank my colleagues who are here; our Finance Commissioner Jacques Jiha, our Housing Commissioner Maria Torres-Springer thank you for all you do and particularly all you do to make sure that seniors get affordable housing. Both of your departments lead the way in that. And I also want to note, we would have been joined but she is in session, by State Senator Liz Kruger who is a strong supporter of the mansion tax proposal and we appreciate her help.

So, why are we here? 432 Fifth Avenue – I’m sorry Park Avenue – 432 Park Avenue; home to some of the wealthiest people on the earth, literally. And this is a building that you can see from all over the City. It is an example of ostentatious wealth. It’s also an example of a missed opportunity – a 96-story missed opportunity because when this building was built of course was no mansion tax in place to create affordable housing for our seniors. It still serves though an example of what could be. This building alone would have raised us $30 million for affordable housing for seniors. One building, through the mansion tax, would have produced $30 million. And that would have been based – ad this is stunning to me – on the sale of just 62 condominiums. But it would have meant enough money to subsidize affordable housing for 2,000 seniors. One luxury building taxed properly would have allowed 2,000 seniors to live a decent life in this city.

So this is an example of how we have to change the rules to favor our seniors. Now, the grand total of people who will be helped by the mansion tax, 25,000. 25,000 seniors would get subsidized affordable housing. To give you a visual, that is many more people than you could fit into Madison Square Garden. And because it is going to reach so many people and have such a big impact it is also going to gain a lot of support in the coming days. And that is going to make a big impact in Albany. When I lay out the logic that this tax only applies on purchases of over $2 million; that the average typical home being purchased is $4.5 million, it is really clear really quickly to our legislators that we are asking only those who have done very well to contribute so seniors can get affordable housing.

I was in Albany yesterday, part of a rally. Senior organizations like AARP – and everyone knows what a huge impact AARP has in Albany – labor groups, progressive groups gathered together with Speaker Heastie and leader Stuart-Cousins and members of the Senate and Assembly and momentum is building for the mansion tax. In fact, yesterday, a member of the Senate and specifically a member of the IDC, Senator Diane Savino, introduced the mansion tax in the Senate as the lead sponsor. And Assemblyman Steve Cymbrowitz had previously introduced it in the Assembly and it went into the Assembly one house budget. That indicates the kind of movement that is now happening on this issue. Today I was in senior centers giving out this simple flyer calling on seniors to call the State Senate and call the Governor to make clear that we need this mansion tax and we need it included in the budget. So look, I’ll conclude with this and then a few words in Spanish.

I said in Albany, what we should remember the entire 2016 election was about the question of income inequality. It was about the anger people felt that their economic circumstances weren’t good enough and their demand that something change. The mansion tax is an example of that kind of change – asking the one percent to give a little more so 25,000 seniors can have a better life. This is the kind of thing that can win in Albany and we’re going to fight hard for that victory.

With that, I welcome questions on this topic.

Mayor: Okay, Mara. You’re smart – I’m here to talk about this.

Mayor: Mara, I’m here to talk about this. If you want to ask question about this –

Mayor: I’m here to talk about this. If you want to talk about this great, if not we’ll take questions another way, another time.

Does anyone want to ask about the mansion tax?

Mayor: Same thing. Guys you can ask all you want. Here’s what we are here to talk about.

Last call, anyone want to talk about mansion tax.

Mayor: About mansion tax.

Mayor: I’m going to do this again one more time. This is how we set things up guys. You don’t want to be a part of it you don’t have to come. We’re here to talk about something that would reach 25,000 seniors. Everything else you want to talk about you’ll get answers to through our press office. If someone has a question on this ask about this, if you don’t that’s cool.

Mayor: Okay – that is great guys. I’m done, thank you.

EDITOR'S NOTE:
Mayor Bill de Blasio was being asked questions about his e-mails with so called 'Agents of the City' he has called them, and refused to answer any questions other than the Mansion Tax he spoke about. The mayor has scheduled only one open press conference a week for news reporters, and will not take any off topic questions such as you see here.
Real transparency, or is it? 

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES 18% DROP IN CITY JAIL POPULATION SINCE TAKING OFFICE

Jail population reaches record lows during safest year in CompStat history

  Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that the New York City jail population has fallen by 18% since taking office, outpacing any three year decline since 2001. The average daily population declined from 11,478 in December 2013, just before Mayor de Blasio took office, to an average of 9,362 this month. In the last year alone, the jail population has fallen by 6% from 9,981 in March of last year. This drop was largely driven by intentional efforts to reduce the number of people who go into jail and how long they stay while protecting public safety.

“The number of people incarcerated in the U.S. did not fall in the last year, and our nation’s incarcerated population remains the largest in the world,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “But New York City has a different story to tell – we are making every effort to ensure that people who do not need to be behind bars are not, all while keeping crime at historic lows. In the last three years, we’ve been working from every angle to keep lower-level offenders out of jail and speed up case delays, and the total jail population has dropped 18% and the population just at Rikers Island has sunk 23% – that’s significant progress.”

Key achievements:

·         New York City is unique proof that we can have both more safety and smaller jails.

o   The City’s jail population has fallen to the lowest in decades alongside record crime lows: 2016 was the safest year in CompStat history, with homicides down 5%, shootings down 12%, and burglaries down 15% from 2015. Both crime and use of jail have been falling steadily in New York City for twenty years: major crime has declined by 76% and the average daily jail population has been reduced by half over the last 20 years. 

·         New York City’s use of jail is among the lowest nationally. 

o   While jail and prison populations grew by 11% nationally between 1996 and 2013, NYC’s jail population declined by 39%. New York City’s use of jail is among the lowest nationally (167 individuals detained per 100,000 residents), lower than Los Angeles (263/100,000), Chicago (281/100,000), and the national average (341/100,000).

·         New York City leads the nation in the number of defendants who are in the community instead of in jail while their case is being resolved. 

o   Over 70% of defendants in New York City are released without any conditions after their first appearance before a judge. This is nearly double the percentage of Washington, D.C., the next highest user in the county of release without conditions.

·         New York City has significantly reduced its jail population while simultaneously focusing enforcement resources on serious, violent crime.

o   In 2015, arrests for murder were up 16% and gun arrests were up 10.5%.

o   The proportion of the jail population detained on violent offenses has increased by 56% over the past 20 years, even while the overall population has dropped precipitously.

·         New York City has dramatically reduced detention for those charged with drug and other low-level misdemeanors.

o   Between 1996 and 2016, the number of people held on felony drug charges declined by 78%, and the number of people held on misdemeanor drug charges declined by 62%. These trends have accelerated in the last three years: the number of jail admissions for misdemeanor detainees has dropped by 25% since 2014. 

“New York, singularly among the nation’s large cities, has reduced the size of the jail population even while reducing crime,” said Elizabeth Glazer, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. “Jails hold up a mirror to the fair functioning of society and reflect how the many different parts of the criminal justice system, and New Yorkers themselves, affect whether the population grows or shrinks. The significant progress over the last three years to reduce the number of people who enter jail and how long they stay is a shared success, possible because of the close coordination of every part of the criminal justice system and the participation of New Yorkers in keeping crime low.”

Department of Correction Commissioner Joseph Ponte said, “The many strategies NYC is using to reduce the numbers of individuals who end up in jail help us in our drive to create a culture of safety in our facilities. In particular, reducing the number of short stays and people with mental health needs and low-level drug charges allows us to focus on managing serious offenders and persistently violent inmates. Such strategies increase safety for all New Yorkers.” 

Key strategies:

To achieve these reductions while ensuring New York City remains the safest big city in the United States, the City has implemented an array of strategies including:

Reducing the Number of People Who Enter Jail

New York City is taking various steps to reduce reliance on money bail and jail time for low-risk individuals, while the number of people detained on bail of $2,000 and under has fallen by 36% in the last three years. 

Results: 

·         Expanded community-based alternatives to jail: Supervised Release – a bail alternative program that gives judges the option of allowing eligible, low-risk defendants to remain home with their families and continue working while waiting for trial – has diverted over 3,000 people from jail since the program was launched in March 2016. 

·         Reduced short stays in jail: About 11,000 people were detained on bail for less than one week in 2015. To make it easier to post bail more quickly, and thus reduce these short jail stays, the City is installing ATMs in every courthouse to ensure people have easy access to cash to post bail, and is also rolling out an online bail payment system.

·         Reduced the number of people with behavioral health needs in City jails: After increasing steadily for five years, the number of people with behavioral health needs in City jails has fallen by 5% in the last two years following the implementation of the Mayor’s Action Plan on Behavioral Health and the Criminal Justice System. 

Reducing the Length of Jail Stay

Detainees awaiting trial at Rikers for long periods of time are the single biggest driver of the City’s jail population. 

In April 2015, the Mayor’s Office, the courts, the city’s five district attorneys and the defense bar launched the Justice Reboot initiative to clear the backlog of old cases and reduce case delay in a lasting, systemic way.

Results: 

·         Cleared the existing backlog: 93% of the 1,427 cases that were more than a year old when Justice Reboot was announced have been resolved. 50% of those cases were cleared within the first 4 months of the initiative.

·         Reduced case length for the first time in decades: The length of Supreme Court cases has been reduced by an average of 18 days.

·         Dramatically reduced the number of oldest cases: Since Justice Reboot was launched, the number of cases older than three years has been reduced by half.

Reducing Repeated, Short Stays in Jail 

Individuals serving frequent, short jail sentences on low-level offenses tend to be dealing with chronic homelessness and behavioral health needs. In New York City, this relatively small number of people consumes a disproportionate share of shelter, jail and emergency room resources. The 400 “highest use” individuals among this population entered the City’s custody an average of 12.42 times over four years, with each stay averaging 30 days. 

In 2016, New York City has targeted this “frequent use” population with various interventions, including permanent supportive housing, which has been shown to reduce returns to jail by 38% and to save $16,000 per individual in annual jail, shelter, and emergency room costs.

Results:

·         Reduced chronic recidivism: 97 individuals who are among the highest users of jail in New York City have been placed in permanent supportive housing. Collectively, these individuals have served over 36,000 days in jail and spent over 22,000 days in shelter over the last five years. Permanent housing, coupled with supportive services to help these individuals stabilize, will save the City an estimated $1.6 million annually through reduced hospital visits, shelter admissions, and trips to jail.

The City will rollout additional strategies in the coming weeks to continue reducing the number of people who enter jail. 

Two new reports are available today that give additional detail on the jail population and opportunities for reduction: a study from the Center for Court Innovation, commissioned by the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, thoroughly examines the baseline jail population in 2014 when Mayor de Blasio took office, availablehere; and a complete data breakdown of the current jail population and opportunities for further reduction, released today by the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice.