THE MONEY FOR THE MTA’S SUBWAY CRISIS PLAN IS IN GOVERNOR CUOMO’S BUDGET

THE CITY OF NEW YORK

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

NEW YORK, NY 10007 

  This morning, Governor Andrew Cuomo asked New York City to put money into the MTA’s new plan to fix the subways. But before he asks hardworking New York City taxpayers to kick in more, the Governor should return the money he siphoned away from MTA riders, re-allocate the money he’s using to light up bridges, and fulfill his $1 billion promise.

Here’s what New York City residents, riders, and taxpayers deserve to know:

1. Will Governor Cuomo move to return the $456 million the State siphoned from MTA riders since 2011?

Since 2011, Governor Cuomo has diverted $456 million of operating money specifically earmarked for MTA riders.

·         $391.5 million diverted from the Metropolitan Mass Transportation Operating Assistance Account, (MMTOA), to the State’s general fund:

o   $200 million in 2011

o   $20 million in 2013

o   $30 million in 2014

o   $141.5 million in 2015

·         $65 million reduction in State reimbursements to the MTA in 2017 (for the exemption of schools, libraries, and small businesses from the dedicated-MTA payroll mobility tax) - a reduction of state general fund operating support from $334 million to $269 million.

o   For comparison, New York City provides approximately$800 million in direct annual operating support to the MTA, and an additional $800 million in in-kind services like NYPD Transit Police, debt service for capital contributions, and homeless outreach. In addition, NYC residents, businesses, and workforce contribute nearly $10 billion through taxes, fares, and tolls.

The State's $5 billion operating "contribution" referenced by the Governor is disingenuous because it includes:

·         $4.7 billion in dedicated taxes for MTA riders from the MTA region (including $2.9 billion from New York City residents), from which Governor Cuomo has siphoned $456 million to support the State general fund since 2011

·         Just $300 million in direct State operating support

The State’s money is available and ready to spend. These additional operating funds diverted from riders helped Governor Cuomo and New York State end the 2017 fiscal year with a $7.7 billion operating surplus.

2. Will Governor Cuomo shift more than $200 million for the “light show” on the MTA bridges to support Chairman Joe Lhota’s subway crisis plan?

·         In January 2017, Governor Cuomo announced a plan to illuminate “all the bridges in New York City with different-colored lights, and the bridges can then be coordinated and choreographed to music…” [CBS]

·         Officials from the governor’s office estimate the cost of the “show” to be $216 million. [Politico]

3.  How much of the $1 billion Governor Cuomo committed to the MTA will go towards Chairman Lhota’s plan?

·         Just last month, Governor Cuomo committed $1 billion to the MTA, saying “New York is going to put its money where its mouth is ... so the MTA has the resources to get this done…” [NYDN]

STATEMENT FROM BX BOROUGH PRESIDENT RUBEN DIAZ JR. RE: Pedro Hernandez/Bail Reform

 

"The case of Pedro Hernandez highlights the need for significant bail reform, if not the elimination of the money bail system altogether, in the State of New York. We need a system that places greater emphasis on the objective risk a defendant poses.  Unfortunately, for too long, bail policies have been applied inconsistently and disproportionately. For low-income New Yorkers, the bail system has been prohibitive and punitive.

"The actions taken by the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights demonstrate that, for too many, bail is simply out of reach.  For Pedro Hernandez, for Kalief Browder, and for the thousands of individuals currently waiting for trial on Rikers Island and elsewhere, the status quo must be changed. I support the recommendations on bail reform made by the Independent Commission on New York City Criminal Justice and Incarceration Reform, led by Judge Jonathan Lippman, as a way to keep New Yorkers out of jail when the interests of public safety permit it, and look forward to working with colleagues and advocates for criminal justice reform to move this issue forward," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. 

13th City Council Candidatess Forum on City Island

  It was a little unexpected of some of the things that went on at last night's candidates forum on City Island There were those who thought questions might be slanted against current Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, and those who felt that there might be some soft questions for City Island resident John Doyle. That did not happen even though there were a few people who did not get called on with questions for candidate Doyle. This was a City Island Civic Association meeting, and it was said that only City Island residents would be able to ask questions of the candidates.

  In opening statements (of which candidates Marjorie Velazquez, John Cerini, and Egidio Semitelli were at the Community board 10 meeting also going on at the same time) began with candidate Victor Ortiz spoke of the city's failure on Rodman's Neck, and local community needs. Candidate Mark Gjonaj spoke of his experience in the State Assembly, his 14 years as a resident of City Island, that he will work with those who have endorsed him such as senator Klein and Assemblyman Benedetto. He also mentioned his wives work as a nurse, and to vote for Nurse Roberta's husband Mark Gjonaj. John Doyle spoke of growing up on City Island, fighting for the community, that he wants to do the same thing for the entire 13th council district, and of the broken machine in Albany. Candidate Alex Gomez said that he was a regular person like those in the audience, and they should vote for him.

  Questions came next - to Mark Gjonaj a question on women's health and integrity to a mailing he sent out touting his record on women's rights, but he voted against the ten point woman's health plan. Gjonaj answered that he was for nine of the ten points, but would not let someone other than a doctor perform abortions as in point ten. Candidate Doyle said that the mailer said it was all ten points not just nine, and that Senator Klein voted for the bill. Candidate Gomez said that he was disappointed that this was still an issue in 2017. 

  Next question to all - how do you plan to make City Island more resilient? Gomez - An emergency evacuation plan needs to be put in place. Ortiz - No evacuation plan for the island. Doyle - Not many public facilities on the island, he would try to bring Emergency Management Services to the island and to all parts of the district in question. Gjonaj - would send out a survey to find the needs. Said that the island is not ready for another super storm. 

  There was a question on vacant waterfront properties which brought answers - Gomez, important to preserve the 100 year old buildings - Cerini who just came from the CB 10 meeting said he wants the CB to have more say, and the power to veto proposals. Doyle - wants a part time urban planner to propose downzoning. Gjonaj - mentioned that while living on City Island it was like a vacation home that he wants to keep that type of living, Ortiz - cur option on CB's, BP's office, and mayor's office allows overdevelopment. 

Candidates Velazquez and Semitelli came in at the end, with the high point being after candidate Doyle gave an his closing speech, Semitelli said that he was voting for Mr. Doyle, to say later that he was only joking. photos are below.

Above - Candidate Victor Ortiz

Below - Candidate Mark Gjonaj

Above - Candidate Alex Gomez

Below - Candidate John Doyle

Above - Candidate Marjorie Velazquez

Below - The now infamous photo of candidate Egidio Sementelli with candidate John Doyle.

Former New York City Police Officer Merlin Alston Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison For Drug Trafficking And Firearms Offenses

  Joon Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that Former New York City Police Officer MERLIN ALSTON, was sentenced this afternoon in Manhattan federal court to a prison term of 20 years for participating in a long-running conspiracy to distribute approximately 200 kilograms of cocaine in the Bronx while he was an active-duty police officer, as well as for using firearms to protect members of that conspiracy. ALSTON was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon, who presided over a two-week jury trial last year at which ALSTON was convicted on all counts.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim stated: “Merlin Alston betrayed his city and his shield. Instead of serving and protecting the citizens of New York City, as he swore an oath to do, Alston served and protected drug dealers, participating in a long-running conspiracy to distribute hundreds of kilograms in the Bronx. For his criminal betrayal that included sharing confidential police information with drug dealers, Alston was convicted by a jury and now sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.”

According to court papers and evidence admitted at trial:

From 2010 to 2014, ALSTON, who at the time was an active NYPD police officer, conspired with others to distribute large quantities of narcotics. ALSTON personally delivered approximately 40 kilograms of cocaine during that time, and in total members of his conspiracy delivered approximately 200 kilograms of cocaine. In addition, ALSTON provided armed security to a cocaine trafficker, using a shotgun and his NYPD service weapon to do so. ALSTON also provided confidential information about law enforcement operations, including arrests and surveillance, to several Bronx drug dealers.

In addition to his prison sentence, ALSTON, 34, of the Bronx, was sentenced to five years of supervised release.

Mr. Kim praised the DEA, the FBI, the NYPD, and the New York State Police for their outstanding work in this investigation. He also thanked the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York for its invaluable assistance.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Additional Charges In Connection With The Murder Of Jessica White

  Joon H. Kim, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced charges against WANDY TEJADA for the June 11, 2016, murder of Jessica White, who was killed by a stray bullet while watching her children play in the playground of the John Adams Houses in the Bronx, New York. TEJADA, who was previously arrested, was charged in an Indictment returned yesterday by a federal grand jury. The case is assigned to Chief U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon.

STIVEN SIRI-REYNOSO was previously arrested and indicted for his role in the murder of Ms. White.

Manhattan Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “Our office has been committed to finding and prosecuting those involved in the senseless murder of Jessica White, who was killed while watching her children on a playground in the Bronx. Today’s indictment will not return Ms. White to her family, but we hope it provides some solace to know that the men who allegedly took her life will be held to account.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “This case clearly shows that the violence of street gangs affects innocent bystanders, not only those directly involved. While simply watching her children, a mother lost her life to selfish, careless violence. The alleged actions of these gang members demonstrate blatant disregard for the lives of the members of their communities. Eradicating street gangs remains among the top priorities of the New York Office, as we will not tolerate the destructive impact that they have on our residents.”

NYPD Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill said: "Our commitment to investigating crime—particularly a homicide as senseless as Jessica White—is unwavering. We will continue to pursue those who commit homicides, as senseless as the one alleged, with relentless focus."

According to the allegations in the Indictment[1] and statements made in court proceedings:

June 11, 2016, Jessica White was struck and killed by a stray bullet while sitting on a bench watching her three children play on a playground at the John Adams Houses where she lived. SIRI-REYNOSO, a member of the “Dominicans Don’t Play” or “DDP” street gang, was engaged in an ongoing gang dispute between the DDPs and the rival “Trinitarios” street gang involving among other things, SIRI-REYNOSO’s drug sales near the John Adams Houses. On the night of June 11, 2016, Trinitarios members tried to attack SIRI-REYNOSO. In retaliation, SIRI-REYNOSO sent TEJADA to shoot at the Trinitarios. One of the bullets fired by TEJADA struck and killed Jessica White.

SIRI-REYNOSO, 24, and TEJADA, 17, both of the Bronx, are charged in an Indictment with one count of murder through the use of a firearm in connection with a crime of violence, and aiding and abetting the same. SIRI-REYNOSO faces a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment, and TEJADA faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the NYPD.

The charge contained in the Indictment is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

SAGE Condemns the Trump Administration's Ban on Transgender People in the Military

SAGE will not stand by quietly as the Trump administration continues its attempts to erase members of the transgender community -- this time from the ranks of the U.S. military, in which they have patriotically served for generations.

There are an estimated 135,000 transgender veterans, among them countless elders. According to the National Center for Transgender Equality's 2016 U.S. Trans Survey, more than half of transgender people over the age of 75 -- and 40 percent of respondents between the ages of 65 and 74 -- are veterans who fought valiantly for our country and our freedoms.

President Trump's blatant act of discrimination against trans service members is yet another example of his pattern of marginalizing, erasing, and discriminating against trans people. That pattern includes the current effort by the Trump administration to erase transgender elders from a critical federal aging survey that allocates billions of dollars to vital elder services.

SAGE is aggressively fighting the administration's erasure of transgender people. As a testament to that commitment, this Monday we submitted more than 6,000 letters from all 50 states demanding that the Trump administration restore transgender elders to the annual survey.

President Trump's most recent anti-transgender policy statement discounts and disrespects the professionalism of all of our troops, undercuts our national security, and harms our country. Our military and our nation are better than this. SAGE is pushing back against the Trump administration's latest efforts. Thank you for standing with us.

Statement from State Senator Gustavo Rivera on Current Administration's Ban of Transgender Americans From Serving in the U.S. Armed Forces

  "It is appalling, but not surprising, that this administration continues its attempt to destroy President Obama's legacy. This time around, this administration took the dreadful decision to ban transgender individuals from serving in any capacity within the U.S. military. 

Transgender Americans on active duty and in the reserves are neither a disruption nor a burden. These American patriots have served and continue to serve our nation with the dignity and the courage that only a few can claim to possess.

This discriminatory directive will undoubtedly set us back as a country in our ongoing pursuit to make every American equal under the law. I want to reiterate my unconditional support to the transgender community in New York State and across the country as they face another vile assault to their rights. As a member of the New York Legislature, I will continue working diligently to provide them and our brother and sisters in the LGBTQIA community the support they need and deserve."

MAYOR’S PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT UNIT’S AUGUST COMMUNITY EVENTS

  Throughout August, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Public Engagement Unit has planned events citywide to help New Yorkers access resources and information from the Tenant Support Unit, Home Support Unit and GetCoveredNYC.

The Tenant Support Unit engages and provides assistance to New Yorkers who may be at risk of displacement or experiencing harassment in zip codes covered under the Human Resources Administration (HRA)’s Anti-Harassment Tenant Protection legal service funding. In addition, TSU proactively engages New Yorkers who may be eligible for the Department of Finance’s Rent Freeze benefits to assist them through the application process. Outreach specialists go door to door to inform tenants of their rights, identify any housing-related issues and connect them with a range of resources, such as anti-eviction legal assistance, to keep them in their homes. In addition, outreach specialists’ partner with elected officials and community groups to hold weekly office hours and attend local events.

The Home Support Unit partners with landlords and brokers to identify apartments for clients transitioning out of shelter with rental subsidies. HSU partners closely with the Human Resources Administration, the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), and community-based providers to match prospective tenants to apartments, coordinate viewings, and navigate landlords and brokers through the City’s leasing process. Specialists remain engaged with the landlord even after lease signing to ensure new tenants are supported and have access to resources that help them remain stably housed.

The Homebase Outreach Team proactively engages families at risk of entering shelter to connect them to Homebase, a homelessness prevention program that provides casework services and referrals to existing resources. Specialists make phone calls and attend community events to provide families at risk with information about the preventive services available in the community and, when appropriate, help them access those services, so they avoid entering shelter.

GetCoveredNYC is a citywide initiative to enroll New Yorkers in health insurance and provide them with access to primary and preventive care at NYC Health and Hospitals. The initiative is a partnership between NYC Health and Hospitals, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Human Resources Administration and MetroPlus.  The initiative includes a robust team of outreach specialists, who proactively go door to door and call uninsured New Yorkers to discuss their health insurance options, schedule them for free in-person enrollment assistance and case manage them through the enrollment process. In addition, the initiative launched a city-wide paid media campaign to promote the importance of coverage and how New Yorkers can receive free in-person enrollment assistance – including calling 311 or texting CoveredNYC to 877877.

   

For more information on these initiatives, New Yorkers can call 311 or visit nyc.gov.

The Bronx

August 1

10 A.M. – 12 P.M.

Community Food Pantry at Highbridge

1363 Ogden Avenue

Bronx, NY 10452

(Home Support Unit)

August 1 (Weekly on Tuesdays)

11 A.M. - 3 P.M.

Assemblyman Blake’s Office

780 Concourse Village West

Bronx, NY 10451

(Tenant Support Unit)

August 1 (Weekly on Tuesdays)

11 A.M. - 3 P.M.

State Senator Rivera’s Office

2432 Grand Concourse

Bronx, NY 10458

(Tenant Support Unit)

August 2 (Weekly on Wednesdays)

11 A.M. - 3 P.M.

Assemblyman Blake’s Office

780 Concourse Village West

Bronx, NY 10451

(GetCoveredNYC)

August 3 (Weekly on Thursdays)

11 A.M. - 3 P.M.

Assemblyman Pichardo’s Office

2175 Jerome Avenue

Bronx, NY 10452

(Tenant Support Unit)

August 3 and 17 (Biweekly on First and Third Thursdays)

11 A.M. - 3 P.M.

Assemblyman Joyner’s Office

910 Grand Concourse Ave

Bronx, NY 10451

(Tenant Support Unit)

August 3 and 17 (Biweekly on Thursdays)

11 A.M. - 6:30 P.M.

University Neighborhood Housing Program Refuge House

2715 Bainbridge Ave

Bronx, NY 10458

(Tenant Support Unit)

August 3

3 P.M. – 6 P.M.

Grand Concourse Branch – New York Public Library

155 East 173^rd Street

Bronx, NY 10457

(Tenant Support Unit)

(Tenant Support Unit)

August 4 and 18

10:30 A.M. – 2 P.M.

Assemblyman Rivera’s Office

1 Fordham Plaza

Suite 1008, 10^th Floor

Bronx, NY 10458

(Tenant Support Unit)

August 5

12 P.M. – 5 P.M.

7^th Annual Bronx Summer Walks

Burnside Ave between Jerome and Davidson Ave.

Bronx, NY 10453

(Home Support Unit and GetCoveredNYC)

August 10

3 P.M. – 6 P.M.

Francis Martin Branch – New York Public Library

2150 University Ave.

Bronx, NY 10453

(Tenant Support Unit)

August 15

11 A.M. – 3 P.M.

Council Member Gibson’s Office

1377 Jerome Avenue

Bronx, NY 10453

(Tenant Support Unit)

August 15

11 A.M. – 3:30 P.M.

Morris Heights Health Center

National Community Health Center Week 2017 Family Funday

E 156^th Street and Cortlandt Ave.

Bronx, NY 10451

(Home Support Unit and GetCoveredNYC)

August 16

11 A.M. – 3:30 P.M.

Morris Heights Health Center

National Community Health Center Week 2017 Family Funday

137^th Street and Brook Ave.

Bronx, NY 10454

(Home Support Unit and GetCoveredNYC)

August 18

10:30 A.M. – 1 P.M.

Evelyn Place Senior Center

2 Evelyn Pl.

Bronx, NY 10468

(Tenant Support Unit)