Friday, August 11, 2017





   Assemblymember Victor M. Pichardo joined State Senator Gustavo Rivera, and representatives of Bronx Council Member Ritchie Torres to host a family fun event and provide free backpacks to school-age children. The backpacks, provided by community sponsors, will be given out while supplies last. Representatives from the following organizations will also be present at the event: Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, Mercy College, Morris Heights Health Center, Union Community Health Center and VIP Community Services.


Assemblyman Pichardo stands with Brendan who has a new back pack and school supplies inside. State Senator Rivera was giving out the tickets to receive the free back packs, and Councilman Torres was out of town. Information, other free gifts, blood pressure testing, and a dentist to look at the children's teeth. 

Statement from State Senator Gustavo Rivera on Daniel Loeb's Racially-Charged Remarks Against Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins


GOVERNMENT HEADER

"I'm utterly disgusted and appalled by Success Academy Chairman Daniel Loeb's racially-charged remarks against Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. If Mr. Loeb truly cared about uplifting and providing communities of color with meaningful opportunities, he would fight for all public schools to be adequately funded, not spend his time slandering the first African American woman in New York State history to lead a legislative conference. 

Under Senator Stewart-Cousins' robust leadership, the Senate Democratic Conference has worked tirelessly to promote and implement a progressive agenda that will benefit all New Yorkers. While Mr. Loeb has since apologized for his remarks, this shameful action should not be tolerated or embraced by any organization or elected representative."

Thursday, August 10, 2017

Velázquez Thanks City Council For Standing Strong Against Unnecessary Baychester Square Development




  Velázquez Thanks City Council For Standing Strong Against Unnecessary Baychester Square Development
Velázquez announces Legislative Proposal to Insure Community Input for Future Developments Before City Council meeting. Baychester Square proposal was withdrawn by the City.

  The contentious debate over a planned shopping development, Baychester Square, at a former state-owned property in the Baychester section of the Bronx has been withdrawn today before the City Council due to strong objections from local Council Members and residents. 

In response, City Council Candidate Marjorie Velázquez has issued the following statement:

"I want to thank the City Council, in particular Council members King and Vacca, for standing strong against the unnecessary Baychester Square development proposal that would have led to small mom and pop business closures, additional traffic on our highways and local roads, and other quality of life problems for the area.  Now we need to stay vigilant to what may be proposed for this site in the future, because there will be another development proposal.

I want to reiterate my previous call the surrounding Community Boards 10 and 11, which will be heavily impacted by this development, be part of the official community engagement process for any future proposed developments. 

Lastly, if elected to the City Council, I intend to introduce legislation to change ULURP, the City's process to change zoning, to give Community Boards that are immediately adjacent to proposed developments an official role.  Baychester Square is sited in a far corner of Bronx CB 12, and the majority of the impacts will be felt by residents of CB 10 and CB 11 that are literally across the street or highway from this proposed development.  They need to have their voices heard in this process."

Assemblymember Pichardo announces community backpack giveaway




Assemblymember Victor M. Pichardo will join Bronx Council Member Ritchie Torres and Sen. Gustavo Rivera on Aug. 11 to host a family fun event and provide free backpacks to school-age children. The backpacks, provided by community sponsors, will be given out while supplies last. Representatives from the following organizations will also be present at the event: Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, Mercy College, Morris Heights Health Center, Union Community Health Center and VIP Community Services.
WHAT:          A back-to-school backpack giveaway
WHEN:          Friday, Aug. 11, 2017
                        2 – 5 p.m.
WHERE:       Tremont Park
                      On the corner of E. Tremont and Arthur Ave.
CONTACT:   Assemblymember Victor M. Pichardo
                        2175C Jerome Ave.
Bronx, NY 10453

Major Property Tax Relief for Seniors & Individuals with Disabilities Expands to Help Thousands More Live Affordab


After SCHE/DHE signed into state law, City Council acts

Members of the Independent Democratic Conference applauded the New York City Council’s passage of an enabling clause of Senator Diane Savino’s legislation to expand the Senior Homeowners’ Exemption (SCHE) and Disabled Homeowners’ Exemption (DHE).

The City Council passed the enabling clause, sponsored by Brooklyn Councilman Chaim Deutsch, on Wednesday at their stated meeting.

“The passage of today’s bill codifies into law the raising of the SCHE/DHE maximum income limit. This is an important step towards easing some of the financial burdens that many of our senior and disabled homeowners face. Tens of thousands of additional New Yorkers will now be able to qualify for a property tax break of up to 50% and fewer seniors will be forced to choose between paying bills and paying for essentials each month. Thank you Mayor de Blasio for the collaboration on this bill, as well as my State colleagues Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh and Senator Diane Savino for their part in passing this legislation on the state level,” said Councilman Deutsch.

This year, the IDC fought to increase the income eligibility for the SCHE and DHE programs which provide major property tax exemptions to residents living on fixed incomes. Seniors could potentially save upwards of $1,000 a year through the exemption.

Senator Savino’s legislation, which received support from Mayor Bill de Blasio, raises the income cap for SCHE/DHE to $50,000 for a full 50% property tax exemption and to $58,400 for a partial exemption, which will provide much-needed relief to New York City homeowners. The eligibility levels have not been raised since 2006. The current income limit for a full 50% reduction is just $29,000.

Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh carried the legislation through the Assembly.

“Our seniors and disabled New Yorkers, who live on fixed incomes, deserve to reside in their communities without the fear of losing their homes. Many of our senior citizens choose to age in place in the neighborhoods where they’ve raised their families, worked and enjoyed throughout their lives. I thank Councilman Deutsch for moving this vital piece of legislation forward in the City Council,” said Senator Savino.

“Our seniors deserve to live out their golden years without worrying that they can no longer afford their homes, the places where they raised their children and hold cherished memories. It is important that for seniors and disabled homeowners living on tight budgets we create an affordable New York by bringing real property tax relief by raising the income eligibility for SCHE and DHE to 2017 levels. I’m proud that the IDC has been the driving force behind this policy and I thank Councilman Deutsch and his colleagues for helping make this a reality,” said Senator Jeff Klein.

“Giving property tax breaks to more seniors and people with disabilities who own their homes is an important step forward in our continuing efforts to ensure that our communities are affordable. This law will help thousands of New Yorkers to remain in their homes and their neighborhoods,” said Assemblymember Kavanagh.

Governor Cuomo signed Senator Savino’s legislation into law at the end of July. With the actions taken today by the City Council the legislation will go to Mayor de Blasio’s desk for approval, who included the proposal in his Executive Budget.

At that point, a 120-day window will open up for people to apply for the program for this year.  Those with applications already on file that were rejected this year will be re-processed for eligibility.  If a qualifying resident already paid taxes, the city’s Department of Finance would issue a credit.

On average a homeowner who qualifies for the program under the expanded income threshold could save up to $1,750 a year.

This proposal would also increase the cap for partial exemptions to $58,400, with property tax exemptions provided to qualified senior and disabled homeowners on a sliding scale.

SCHE/DHE at up to $58,400
 Income Range
Abatement
$57,500 - $58,400
5%
$56,600 - $57,499
10.0%
$55,700 - $56,599
15.0%
$54,800 - $55,699
20.0%
$53,900 - $54,799
25.0%
$53,000 - $53,899
30.0%
$52,000 - $52,999
35.0%
$50,100 - $51,999
40.0%
$50,001 - $50,999
45.0%
$0 - $50,000
50.0%

Members of the IDC said the new law would create affordability for residents living on fixed incomes.

“With living costs always going up, unfortunately more and more New Yorkers are having a difficult time keeping their homes, especially Senior Citizens and New Yorkers with disabilities. They fought hard to buy and keep their homes, so I am glad the income eligibility for SCHE and DHE will soon increase, which will help some of our most vulnerable homeowners,” said Senator Jose Peralta.

“Keeping up with the ever rising cost of living in the city can be difficult enough for the average New Yorker. This is especially difficult for the senior and disabled homeowners of our boroughs. Expanding the SCHE/DHE program will go a long way in helping New Yorkers on a fixed income continue to live close to their families in the city that they helped build. I applaud my IDC colleagues for never quitting when it comes to fighting for the most vulnerable of New Yorkers,” said Senator Tony Avella.
“HDFC co-ops are a crucial part of the 31st Senate District's affordable housing stock, and the expansion of this program to help seniors and New Yorkers with disabilities stay in their homes is a welcome step towards preserving affordability in the area. Seniors and people with disabilities often have limited mobility and depend on community support, so making it easier for them to stay in those communities will increase their quality of life as well as improving the life of the community at large,” said Senator Marisol Alcántara.

“Property taxes represent an affordability challenge particularly important to New York City seniors and those living with disabilities. This law takes a step forward in meeting that challenge. Recognizing the unique circumstances these households face and accommodating their needs means keeping our communities whole. I am proud to be a part of meaningful action to make our communities more affordable and to work in partnership to keep more money in the pockets of these New Yorkers. Thanks to Senator Savino, Senator Klein and all my colleagues in government for their leadership on this issue. Now on the ground, in our communities, we need to ensure seniors and those living with disabilities take full advantage of this exemption,” said Senator Jesse Hamilton.

The IDC’s push to increase eligibility received praise from numerous advocacy groups.

Bronx Literacy and Health Fair


 The Bronx Literacy and Health Fair 

Bronx Borough President 
Ruben Diaz Jr.
  
The Office of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., in conjunction with Healthfirst and the Montefiore Medical Center, is hosting our 6th Annual Back-to-School
 
The Bronx Literacy and Health Fair will take place on Saturday, August 26, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Pablo Casals Middle School 181, located at 800 Baychester Avenue, Bronx NY 10475

The Borough President's office and our sponsors, Healthfirst and Montefiore Medical Center, want to partner with organizations that provide literacy and health services and support to the Bronx families

Partner Organizations can contribute in one or more of the following ways:
 
  •   Provide health and literacy related information on the day of the event;
  •   Provide volunteer support on the day of the event;
  •   Advise the event steering committee on which organizations to market to;
  •   Publicize the event using your organizations’ networks and various channels of      communication (i.e. e-lists, websites, newsletters, announcements at meetings). 

If you would like to partner with us, please email or fax the attached Partnership Application by August 18, 2017 to or you can go online here 


Lucille Roldan
Office of Special Events
851 Grand ConcourseBronx, NY 10451
Fax: (718) 590-5355 

We appreciate all of your time and effort in making this event a success. Together, we can lay the foundation to improve literacy and overall health for the families in the Bronx.        

MAYOR DE BLASIO AND COUNCIL MEMBER GARODNICK ANNOUNCE ADOPTION OF GREATER EAST MIDTOWN REZONING


Decision to strengthen NYC’s largest business district with more modern office buildings, 28,000 new jobs, protected landmarks, subway upgrades and more pedestrian space

  Mayor de Blasio and Council Member Daniel Garodnick today marked the City Council’s unanimous approval of the Greater East Midtown rezoning. Years in the making, the plan will foster the new, modern office buildings needed to spur jobs and keep New York a global capital of commerce. The plan ties that growth directly to improvements in the district’s public transit and public space, so as new buildings rise, New Yorkers will see major investments in subway stations, less congested sidewalks and expansive plazas for office workers and visitors.

East Midtown is the city’s largest business district, generating 250,000 jobs and 10 percent of the city’s property tax revenue. But its office buildings average 75 years-old and have become increasingly out-of-date and inefficient for today’s companies. The district’s historic growth was driven by access to public transit, but today its subways and streets are at capacity.

To overcome these challenges and revitalize the district, Councilmember Dan Garodnick and Borough President Gale Brewer led a host of community stakeholders in an extensive planning process that was advanced by the de Blasio administration and then the City Council. The approved rezoning covers 78 blocks between the east side of Third Avenue and the west side of Madison Avenue, from East 39th Street to East 57th Street.

East Midtown’s growth is now directly linked to real-time improvements in its public transit and public realm. In the years ahead, this neighborhood will see major upgrades to subway stations, more expansive space for pedestrians, investments in its iconic landmarks, and a new generation of office buildings that will spur good jobs for New Yorkers. I thank the City Council, and congratulate City Planning Chair Lago, Council Member Garodnick and Borough President Brewer on this achievement," said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

"With this vote, we are breathing new life into New York's most important business district," said Council Member Dan Garodnick. "Not only will we see sensible growth, but the public will benefit from extraordinary new investments in above-ground public spaces and in below-ground subway infrastructure. Better transit, new jobs, top-of-the-line office space: East Midtown is back, full of optimism, and open for business."


“The Greater East Midtown rezoning plan is a victory for everyone who lives, works, walks, or rides a subway through the East Side, and it also proves that stakeholder-driven planning works,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. “Putting all the stakeholders around a table before the plan was certified meant we could forge consensus on a sound blueprint for East Midtown’s future. This plan, based on that blueprint, will spur new, state-of-the-art office construction, attract jobs, and deliver major investments in transit and street-level infrastructure, open space, and local landmarks.”

“It doesn’t get any bigger than East Midtown. This is where New York City competes for a huge number of jobs and an enormous slice of our tax base. We made this a priority from Day One, and today’s vote is a signal that New York City is serious about investing in its economic future,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Alicia Glen.

"The adoption today of this plan marks a significant achievement in our quest to assure that Greater East Midtown remains the globe's premier business district - one that works for the employees, residents and tourists who fill its streets every day. Incentivizing as-of-right redevelopment of aging buildings, facilitating the upkeep of beloved landmarks, and providing a private-sector funding stream for transit and streetscape improvements - that's a winning combination. Today's success has its roots in the excellent work of the many individuals who participated in a steering committee led by Borough President Brewer and Council Member Garodnick," said City Planning Commission Chair Marisa Lago.

“This vote represents a turning point in future of East Midtown and will produce new state of the art office buildings, improved transit connectivity, additional resources for some of New York's most treasured landmarks, and significant new public space,” said Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “I congratulate Council Member Garodnick on his years of hard work to build consensus within the community and for his work with the administration to craft a zoning proposal and negotiate modifications that secure capital funding to kick-start public space improvements”

New and Upgraded Office Buildings

The zoning changes will enable the development of new Class-A commercial buildings, cementing East Midtown’s position as a world class business district that offers modern amenities and a range of office types. Buildings would be able to achieve higher density provided the developments support enhancements to the area’s public realm by providing transit improvements and/or purchasing unused floor area from the district’s landmarks.

The zoning framework will generate 6.8 million square feet in new commercial office space over the next 20 years, along with an additional 6.6 million square feet of older office space that will be upgraded into Class A office space. The resulting development is expected to create up to 28,000 new, permanent jobs and 23,000 construction jobs in the next two decades.

Improved Subways

In “Transit Improvement Zones” near transit hubs, new buildings are allowed to exceed current Floor Area Ratio (FAR) provided they undertake important improvements to subway stations like new and expanded entrances, escalators, elevators and stairwells, as well as full station rehabilitations. New buildings cannot be granted certificates of occupancy for their increased space until those improvements are completed.

The specific stations and improvements were selected in close consultation with the MTA and encompass:
· Lexington Avenue / 53rd – 51st Street (E,M,6)
· Lexington Avenue - 59th Street (N,Q,R,4,5,6)
· Fifth Avenue / 53rd Street (E,M)
· 47th / 50th Streets – Rockefeller Ctr (B,D,F,M)
· 42 St - Bryant Park / 5th Avenue (B,D,F,M,7)
· Grand Central / 42nd Street (4,5,6,7,S)

Strengthening Historic Landmarks

The plan permits property owners to purchase unused development rights from landmarks throughout the district on an as-of-right basis, a departure from current regulations. Those landmarks include a dozen buildings designated by the Landmarks Preservation Commission last year in advance of the rezoning which include some of the most historic and beloved icons in Midtown. This greater flexibility would increase the market for area landmarked buildings to sell their unused development rights, and thereby raise funds for their continued maintenance.

Improving and Expanding Public Space

New public realm projects across East Midtown will be funded by a minimum contribution of $61.49 per square foot or 20 percent of air rights’ sale price, ensuring that as development rights are sold to spur new development, the public reaps a steady funding stream to make commensurate improvements including shared streets, pedestrian plazas, thoroughfare uprgrades.

The City will commit $38 million in capital funds for eligible public realm projects selected by the East Midtown Governing Group. Up to 12 million additional dollars will be committed to public benefits that include:
· Shared Street on 43rd Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenue
· Pershing East Plaza
· 53rd Street Thoroughfare Improvements
· Park Avenue Turn Lane Improvements
· Lexington Avenue Improvements

“In a City growing with historic levels of population, jobs and tourism, the rezoning of East Midtown offers a welcome antidote in the most crowded of Manhattan neighborhoods,” saidDOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg.  “For transportation, the rezoning intelligently prioritizes the most efficient uses – by building much-needed new subway entrances and improvements, while further expanding pedestrian plazas and shared streets.  With the detailed plan passed by the Council today, congratulations are in order to Mayor de Blasio, Council Member Garodnick and the entire Council for their productive partnership in getting it done.”

“NYC Parks is greatly supportive of this plan, which involved extensive community engagement and will ensure East Midtown remains a competitive business district while improving the neighborhood at large. Tying public realm improvements to development ensures that all New Yorkers will benefit from this plan,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP.

“Today’s Council approval is a successful conclusion to a robust process that integrated planning and landmark preservation to ensure that Greater East Midtown remains at the forefront of the global economy. The City’s comprehensive approach resulted in the designation of 12 outstanding historic buildings — bringing the number of protected individual landmarks in East Midtown to 50. Many thanks to the Greater East Midtown Steering Committee, led by Borough President Brewer and Council Member Garodnick, for their support of the Commission’s work in this neighborhood. The approval of this plan, along with the Commission’s landmark designations, fosters East Midtown’s growth and protects and preserves the heart of a district exemplified by its proud historic buildings,” said Landmarks Preservation Commission Chair Meenakshi Srinivasan.


ENGEL STATEMENT ON TRUMP’S THREATS TO NORTH KOREA


  Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement:

“President Trump has again undermined American credibility by drawing an absurd red line, committing to respond to North Korea’s bluster and missile tests with ‘fire and fury like the world has never seen.’ Make no mistake: North Korea is a real threat, but the President's unhinged reaction suggests he might consider using American nuclear weapons in response to a nasty comment from a North Korean despot.

“America’s security is based not just on the strength of our armed forces but on the credibility of our Commander-in-Chief. Today President Trump’s reckless behavior and impulsive outburst undermined the security of the American people, and that of our friends and allies. Kim Jong Un will call his bluff as America’s adversaries watch.”