MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES RECORD HIGH GRADUATION RATE

Graduation Rate Rises to 74.3 Percent and Dropout Rate Falls to 7.8 Percent

  Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that New York City’s 2017 four-year high school graduation rate is the highest on record – 74.3 percent. The dropout rate is now at its lowest ever – 7.8 percent. The graduation rate rose and the dropout rate fell in every borough and among every ethnicity. 

“New York City is showing that when we invest in our students, they rise to the challenge and do better and better. Our kids are graduating high school and going to college at record rates, while dropping out less than ever before. If we are going to make New York City the fairest big city in America, it starts with giving our kids the education they deserve, and we are executing this vision every day,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. 

“Our graduation and dropout rates continue to improve steadily and show that we’re on the right track,” said Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña. “This is a day to recognize the incredible impact our educators have on our children’s lives, and to celebrate their dedication to their craft. We need to keep improving, redoubling our commitment to our Equity and Excellence for All agenda to ensure that every child gets a high-quality education.”

The rates below are the graduation and dropout percentages among the cohort of all students who entered 9^th grade in the fall of 2013. All percentage point changes are comparisons to the previous year.

·       The graduation rate rose to 74.3 percent, a 1.2 point increase.

·       The dropout rate fell to 7.8 percent, a 0.6 point decrease.

Graduation rates improved across all ethnicities:

·       Black students’ graduation rate increased to 70.0 percent, a 1.3 point gain.

·       Hispanic students’ graduation rate increased to 68.3 percent, a 1.0 point gain.

·       Asian students’ graduation rate increased to 87.5 percent, a 1.8 point gain.

·       White students’ graduation rate increased to 83.2 percent, a 0.9 point gain.

Dropout rates fell across all ethnicities:

·       Black students’ dropout rate fell to 7.9 percent, a 0.9 point decrease.

·       Hispanic students’ dropout rate fell to 10.7 percent, a 0.6 point decrease.

·       Asian students’ dropout rate fell to 4.0 percent, a 0.6 point decrease.

·       White students’ dropout rate fell to 4.4 percent, a 0.3 point decrease.

Graduation rates increased and dropout rates fell in every borough. The largest improvement in graduation and dropout rates was in Queens:

	Graduation
	2017 # Cohort	% 2017 Grad	% 2016 Grad	Pt. Diff
Bronx	13730	66.3	64.9	1.4
Brooklyn	20096	74.4	72.8	1.6
Queens	19417	77.8	76.1	1.7
Manhattan	15280	74.9	74.7	0.1
Staten Island	4631	80.3	79.5	0.8

	Dropout
	2017 # Cohort	% 2017 Dropout	% 2016 Dropout	Pt. Diff
Bronx	13730	11.7	12.7	-1
Brooklyn	20096	7.4	7.6	-0.2
Queens	19417	6.4	7.7	-1.3
Manhattan	15280	7.3	7.4	-0.1
Staten Island	4631	6	6.4	-0.4

Graduation rates also increased at the City’s 28 Renewal high schools. The graduation rate increased to 65.7 percent, a 5.7 point increase. The dropout rate was 16.4 percent, a 2.2 point decrease. 

The Class of 2016 4-year graduation rate reflects an updated rate of 73.0 percent instead of 72.6 percent as previously reported due to a data revision by the New York State Education Department.

Earlier this school year, Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Fariña announced:

The highest-ever postsecondary enrollment rate – 57 percent of the Class of 2016. The highest-ever number of New York City students taking and passing Advanced Placement exams in 2017, with a 9.9 percent jump in students taking at least one AP and 7.5 percent jump in students passing at least one AP over the previous year. The highest-ever college readiness rate – 47 percent of all students, and 64 percent of graduates, in the Class of 2017 graduated high school on time and met CUNY’s standards for college readiness in English and math. The highest-ever number of high school juniors taking the SAT – 61,800 students. All juniors are now able to take the SAT free of charge during the school day. Elementary and middle school students also continue to make gains on State English and math exams. City students have now outperformed their New York State peers in English for the second year in a row.  Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Fariña’s Equity and Excellence for All initiatives will continue to build on the progress, ensuring that, by 2026, 80 percent of students graduate high school on time and two-thirds of graduates are college-ready. EDITOR'S NOTE: While we applaud Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Farina, we have to ask however why are Bronx schools performance at the lowest levels of the five boroughs.  There is a marked eight percent gap between the gradation of students in Bronx high schools, and students in citywide schools. There is also a marked just under four percent in the dropout rate in Bronx high school when compared to citywide numbers, and the Bronx remains the only borough in the City of New York with a double digit dropout rate.

News From Congressman Eliot L. Engel

ENGEL STATEMENT ON TILLERSON’S RUSSIA COMMENTS

   Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement regarding Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s comments that stopping Russia’s meddling in the 2018 election will be “very difficult”:

“It boggles my mind to hear Secretary Tillerson say it’s ‘very difficult’ to prevent another attack on our democracy when, after more than a year, this Administration hasn’t even tried. Congress overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan sanctions bill giving the Trump White House strong tools to punish those responsible for meddling in our 2016 election. Those tools have sat on the shelf. The utter failure to hold Russia accountable almost suggests that this Administration would be fine with Russian interference in the upcoming election. I’m not fine with it, and the American people aren’t fine with it. If President Trump won’t act, it falls to Congress to take responsibility and protect our democracy.”

Engel Speaks Out, Votes Against Anti-Consumer Menu Labeling Bill

  Congressman Eliot L. Engel, a top member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today offered the following remarks on the House Floor in opposition to H.R. 772, the deceptively titled “Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act”, a bill that sounds like it would serve the people but in actuality works against the interest of consumers:

“I rise in opposition to this bill.

“In today’s world, when technology allows us to constantly be logged into the workplace, it is understandable that Americans often find themselves seeking more convenient meals outside the home. But dining out shouldn’t mean sacrificing nutrition. I believe Americans should have all the tools necessary to make informed choices about what they eat, and what they feed their families.

“Menu labeling gives Americans those tools, and we’ve been making progress towards more transparent labeling for consumers. This bill, H.R. 772, would undo that progress. It delays much needed transparency and will cause confusion for both consumers and businesses, many of which have already started implementing existing menu labeling requirements. Let’s not turn back the clock.

“Menu labeling is both a vital public health tool and an important consumer protection. I urge my colleagues to vote NO, and I yield back the balance of my time.”

Congressman Engel later voted NO on the bill.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ OUTLINES HOUSING UNITS FOR PRESERVATION IN REPORT ON JEROME AVENUE CORRIDOR REZONING

  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. has issued a report identifying more than 2,000 units of affordable housing that must be preserved as part of the proposed rezoning of the Jerome Avenue corridor.

The report, titled “Zoned-In: A Housing Preservation Blueprint for the Jerome Avenue Corridor,” identifies 2,075 units across 45 buildings within a ¼ mile radius of the area proposed for rezoning around Jerome Avenue by the de Blasio administration.

“In my negotiations with the administration as part of the ULURP process, the city committed to preserving 1,500 units of affordable housing in Community Boards #4 and #5, as a condition of my support of this rezoning. While this achievement is appreciated, we can do more to keep this community affordable. This report identifies the units that should be preserved and kept affordable, and the city should direct its resources to do just that,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “As this rezoning proposal moves forward, it will be up to the City Council to hold the administration to the promises they have made.”

The report uses a formula based on building violations, demographics and development subsidies to identify units that meet the criteria for further preservation. It can be read in full at http://on.nyc.gov/2ErFy7t.

Councilman Rev. Rubén Díaz Sr. Announces The First Public Hearing of the “FOR-HIRE VEHICLE COMMITTEE”.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Councilman, Ruben  Diaz Sr.

District 18 Bronx County, New York  

Councilman Rev. Rubén Díaz Sr. Announces  The First Public Hearing of the

“FOR-HIRE VEHICLE COMMITTEE”.

You should know that the newly created New York City Council’s Committee “FOR-HIRE VEHICLE” will be conducting its First Public Hearing this coming Monday, February 12, 2018, AT 10:00 am at the City Council Chambers.

It is important for you to know that this Public Hearing will be conducted as a fact-finding mission regarding Taxi and Limousine Commission’s “RULES OF ENFORCEMENT”, and the Entrapment Methods used to enforce such rules.

The Committee “FOR-HIRE VEHICLE is  Chair by Bronx City Councilmember Rev, Rubén Díaz Sr. and is composed by six other members, they are: Ydanis Rodriguez Manhattan, Joseph Borelli, and Deborah Rose Staten Island, Peter Vallone, Francisco Moya and Constantinides Costa from Queens.

As you can see my dear readers, there is only one Councilmember from the Bronx, and one from Manhattan, the other five members are two from Staten Island and three from Queens. 

NYC Taxi and Limousine Commissioner Meera Joshi will be among the more than 50 people that will be testifying as well as livery drivers. The majority of these drivers are immigrants, complaining of discrimination, abuse, and excessively high fines issued by the Taxi Limousine Enforcement Agents.

The” FOR-HIRE VEHICLE COMMITTEE” is a newly created Committee that will  exclusively be dealing with everything under the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission Jurisdiction  including but not limited to the Yellow, Black, Green, Livery, Para-Transit Vehicles, and other group companies such as Uber, Lyft, Ghetts, Juno, Via, ETC..

For more information contact Mr. Christopher Lynn, Esq. or Jennie Mejia at (718) 792-1140

I am Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. and this is what you should know.  

EDITOR'S NOTE:

It seemed no reason to create this committee when in fact the Transportation Committee was doing a good job representing the 'FOR HIRE' car drivers. 

One has to wonder why the Carriage Horse, and Pedicab industries, which are 'FOR HIRE' modes of transportation were not included in this committee. 

We will give close watch to this committee, and how it operates. We suggest higher fines, and complete impoundment of 'For Hire' vehicles that so blatantly drive recklessly, ignore the traffic laws, and place pedestrian safety in danger. 

That is what the Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. should do.

 

Assembly members Blake, Pichardo, and State Senator Rivera: Teacher who stepped on students during lesson on slavery should be held accountable

  Assembly members Michael Blake, Victor Pichardo, and State Senator Gustavo Rivera demand accountability after reports surfaced that a teacher at MS 118 in the Bronx allegedly had African American students lie on the floor and stepped on their backs during a lesson on slavery. 

“As a graduate of MS 118, the allegations of a teacher’s savage act of putting her foot on children’s backs, deeply hurts me to my core.  This simulation of how a master would treat a slave is vile and racist.  It is appalling that a teacher would believe it is acceptable, especially during Black History Month, to teach racial history in this unconscionable manner. I strongly believe that this teacher should be fired immediately.  I do understand that due process and an investigation is occurring and so, if that is the reason for the delay, I do equally believe that this teacher should be suspended without pay, instead of being reassigned to another job within the education system.  Her racist and discriminatory actions are not just reprehensible against children; they are unacceptable for all of us who believe in humanity.  I call on the Mayor and Chancellor to immediately demonstrate that the lives of children are more important than the job of one,” said Assemblyman Michael Blake.

“I’m appalled that a middle school teacher, right here at M.S. 118 in the Bronx, developed a lesson on slavery where students, let alone black students, were allegedly told to lie on the floor while she stepped on their backs. This goes far beyond poor judgement. I implore the Department of Education to complete a thorough investigation and take swift action to ensure that all students are safe at school and such an egregious affront never happens again. Slavery was one of the worst atrocities in our nation’s history, and it’s important that students understand its severity and the repercussions it continues to have to this day. However, replicating such experiences, in any degree, and traumatizing students is not the way to teach this, or any other subject matter. I’m saddened to see such incidents take place in our community. These unacceptable actions should serve as a lesson to treat everyone with respect, tolerance and understanding. It’s our duty to learn from the mistakes of the past rather than repeat them,” said Assemblymember Victor Pichardo.

According to reports, MS 118 teacher Patricia Cummings was teaching a lesson on US slavery, specifically on the Middle Passage when the incident happened.

"It is ludicrous that a teacher would think that it is appropriate to teach students about slavery by having black students lie on the floor and step on their backs. Not only do the students and parents at MS 118 deserve answers as to why this happened in the first place, but it also calls into question whether teachers are receiving adequate cultural sensitivity training. In light of the reckless and disturbing lesson plan, the NYC Department of Education, MS 118 and the teacher in question need to explain how this teaching "technique" made its way into the classroom in the first place and it needs to be made clear that this type behavior is unacceptable," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera.

DOI INVESTIGATION FINDS NON-COMPLIANCE BY NYPD WITH NEW USE-OF-FORCE REPORTING REQUIREMENT

  The New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”) issued a Report today examining the New York City Police Department’s (“NYPD”) implementation of, and compliance with, NYPD’s new rules on use-of-force reporting. The Report revealed that while NYPD has made notable improvements in certain aspects of use-of-force reporting, officers are still not properly documenting all reportable use-of-force incidents, including an under-reporting of force incidents in arrest reports. In October 2015 DOI issued a report that focused on use of force by members of NYPD, which recommended, among other things, a comprehensive system for tracking force. The following year, NYPD implemented new policies on the tracking of use-of-force encounters. Considering the critical importance of the new reporting system implemented by NYPD, DOI investigated NYPD’s compliance with the new rules, finding gaps in the force-reporting process and practices, including a failure to consistently report the use of force in all required instances, the absence of a deadline for use-of-force documentation to be completed, insufficient training and guidance for officers, and lingering confusion at the precinct-level regarding the new policies.

 Commissioner Mark G. Peters said, “In 2015, DOI’s investigation pointed out demonstrable issues with NYPD’s policies on force, leading NYPD, for the first time, to begin comprehensively tracking incidents of force with the public. The Police Department pledged to do better and has made some progress, but as we start 2018, this Report demonstrates there is still more work to do towards making the NYPD fully accountable on this issue.”

 DOI’s Inspector General for the NYPD Philip K. Eure said, “A healthy relationship between the public and NYPD requires transparency and accountability—especially when it comes to police use of force. Failures to comprehensively and accurately document the use of force by police officers are not only missed opportunities to improve policing, but risk jeopardizing the trust NYPD has worked to build with communities across the City.”

 A central finding of DOI’s previous 2015 use-of-force report was NYPD’s inability to capture, track, and report on every force incident involving an officer. Instead, NYPD was using a patchwork set of forms that only captured a limited set of force incidents. NYPD largely accepted these findings and, consistent with DOI’s recommendations, in 2016 implemented new force-reporting policies and procedures, requiring any officer involved in force against a member of the public (or has forced used against the officer) to complete a “Threat, Resistance, or Injury” (T.R.I.) form. The T.R.I. form is then reviewed by a supervisor, and, if appropriate under the circumstances, referred for further investigation, corrective action, and/or discipline. If used properly, the T.R.I. will enhance departmental supervision and accountability of officer use of force, while also providing NYPD with a better understanding of why and under what conditions NYPD officers use force.

 For its 2018 follow-up Report, DOI reviewed incidents during two three-month periods (September through November of 2016, and again in May through July of 2017) in which an NYPD officer used force against a member of the public and failed to complete a T.R.I form. When officers affirmatively stated on arrest reports that they had used force, DOI’s review found that officers failed to submit required T.R.I. forms only 10% of the time in 2017, as compared to 36.2% in 2016 – a notable improvement. However, in some cases when officers stated on arrest reports that they did not use force, DOI found evidence of officers having used force without submitting a T.R.I. For example, DOI identified Medical Treatment of Prisoner forms in which an officer described using force, but did not complete the required T.R.I. or indicate on the arrest report that force was used. The investigation demonstrated that NYPD does not have sufficient controls in place to ensure that T.R.I. forms are being completed when arrest reports say that no force was used but the officers in fact used force.

 In addition to problems with T.R.I. compliance, DOI found that officers were not accurately stating whether force was used when completing arrest reports. In at least 30% of arrest reports with a resisting arrest charge, officers stated on arrest reports that they did not use force yet filed T.R.I. forms declaring that they had in fact used force. This represents a critical breakdown in NYPD’s force-reporting system because the Department relies on arrest report data to calculate its use-of-force statistics.

 The Report also found that NYPD has no established deadline for completing T.R.I. forms, creating potential accountability issues for officers who fail to document uses of force. Further, through interviews with precinct-level supervisors, DOI found that officers and supervisors remain confused by the new force-reporting system, including what types of incidents to report and how to report them. Additionally, the T.R.I. form contains no narrative field for officers to explain their force encounter, only checkboxes that do not allow for detail and could be considered vague.

 The Report makes a series of recommendations covering compliance, accountability, training, discipline, and public reporting, including proposals that:

 NYPD should enhance supervisory review of all arrest-related documentation by imposing a set of standardized, on-going quality-control procedures at the local command level. In high-volume commands, NYPD should assign specially-trained supervisors at the rank of sergeant or above to carefully review such documents during arrest processing to ensure that all uses of reportable force are properly documented. 

 NYPD should impose an “end of tour” deadline by which police officers must complete required T.R.I. forms, and impose appropriate discipline against officers who fail to meet the deadline. 

 NYPD should add a narrative section to the T.R.I. form and require officers to provide a full account of the force incident, including specific details on the force used by the officer and/or member of the public, as well as any injuries sustained by either. 

 NYPD should establish a clear written policy that requires arresting officers to select “Yes” on the arrest report in response to the “Force Used” section if any officer used force during the encounter. NYPD should impose, after proper training on this issue, discipline against arresting officers who fail to select “Yes” when reportable force is used. 

 NYPD should use data from T.R.I. forms to publish annual Use-of-Force reports that identify and analyze trends in all force categories. The report should contain all information currently mandated by law and include additional trend analyses such as demographic characteristics of members of the public involved in force incidents (age, gender, race, national origin, etc.).

The investigation was conducted by DOI’s Office of the Inspector General for NYPD.

A.G. Schneiderman Announces State Prison Sentence For Ringleader Of Multi-County Check Fraud Scheme

Kevin Singleton-Lee Will Serve 6 to 18 Years in State Prison for Issuing Bogus Checks as Part of a Scheme to Defraud Account Holders and Regional Credit Unions; Defendants Used Social Media to Target Vulnerable New Yorkers Like College Students and Young Single Parents

Singleton-Lee Ordered to Pay Over $125,000 to Victims

  Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced that Kevin Singleton-Lee will serve 6 to 18 years in state prison on four felony convictions in Onondaga and Oneida Counties for his role in a multi-county check kiting scheme. Today, in Oneida County Court, the Honorable Robert L. Bauer sentenced Singleton-Lee to 1 1/3 to 4 years, which will run consecutive to his previous sentence of 4 2/3 to 14 years in Onondaga County. Additionally, Singleton-Lee was ordered to pay over $125,000 to victims.

These convictions are the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Attorney General’s office and the New York State Police. The investigation uncovered that Singleton-Lee and his co-conspirator Jerome Simpson, with the aid of Daniel Green, issued over $175,000 in fraudulent checks. To further their scheme, the defendants used social media to recruit financially vulnerable individuals to cash fake checks using their personal accounts, before emptying these accounts of all their assets. Between December 2015 and August 2017, the defendants targeted over a dozen different branches of local credit unions and banks throughout Central New York and the Capital Region, and recruited over 50 account holders to assist in their check-kiting scheme. During the almost two-year period, the defendants presented and cashed over 100 fraudulent checks, ranging in amounts from several hundred to several thousand dollars. 

“Preying on financially vulnerable New Yorkers is unconscionable,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “My office will remain vigilant in prosecuting those who exploit others for their personal benefit – and continue to protect consumers from economically-devastating schemes like these.”

State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II said, “This individual used a devious scheme to victimize vulnerable people for his own gain. I commend our members and the Attorney General’s office for their work on this case. It’s because of our strong partnership that we were able to expose this fraud and hold this individual accountable for his crimes.”

To further their scheme, Singleton-Lee and Simpson first arranged for the creation of bank accounts corresponding with often-fictitious businesses, including “Jones Maintenance” and “Watkins Homecare.” Next, they issued fraudulent checks written in the name of those phony businesses. Then, Singleton-Lee, Simpson, and Green—relying heavily on Facebook and other social media outlets—targeted numerous college students, young single parents, and other vulnerable, unsuspecting young adults, and recruited them to cash forged checks in the name of those businesses. The fraudsters promised the account owners a portion of the check proceeds as a fee for either cashing the forged checks or depositing them into their personal accounts.

However, after the checks were deposited and funds became available, Singleton-Lee, Simpson, and Green drained the accounts of the available balances before the checks were returned and the financial institutions discovered them to be worthless. In some instances, the defendants even assumed the identities of the account holders without their knowledge and consent, accessed their accounts using personal information the defendants required for asserted security purposes, and withdrew funds through ATM transactions.

Ringleader Singleton-Lee was charged separately in Onondaga and Oneida Counties. On November 4, 2016, Singleton-Lee pleaded guilty before the Honorable Anthony F. Aloi in Onondaga County to two counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and one count of Identity Theft in the First Degree, all Class D felonies. On November 17, 2017, Singleton-Lee was sentenced by the Honorable Matthew J. Doran to 4 2/3 to 14 years in state prison, which consisted of consecutive terms of 2 1/3 to 7 years for his convictions for Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and a concurrent term of 1 to 3 years for his conviction for Identity Theft in the First Degree. On December 5, 2017, Singleton-Lee pleaded guilty in Oneida County Court before the Honorable Robert L. Bauer to one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a Class E felony. Today, Singleton-Lee was sentenced to 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison to run consecutive to his Onondaga County sentence, for a combined sentence of 6 to 18 years in state prison. As part of his sentences, Singleton-Lee entered into confessions of judgment in favor of the victims, totaling over $125,000. 

Co-defendant Simpson was previously convicted of one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree in Schenectady County Court. On November 20, 2017, Simpson was sentenced to 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison by the Honorable Louise K. Sira and was ordered to repay $47,880.64 as imposed by confessions of judgment. 

Co-defendant Green was previously convicted of one count of Attempted Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class E felony, in Onondaga County Court before the Honorable Anthony F. Aloi. On October 3, 2017, Green was sentenced by the Honorable Matthew J. Doran to time served and four years’ probation, as well as ordered to repay $9,900 as imposed by confessions of judgment. 

The Attorney General’s office thanks the New York State Police Special Investigations Unit and Financial Crimes Unit, the Utica Police Department, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s office, and the Schenectady Police Department for their invaluable assistance on this case.

CITY ANNOUNCES FREE LEGAL SERVICES TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES WITH LEASE ISSUES

Commercial Lease Assistance Program Will Help Tenants with Lease Negotiation, Landlord Issues, Lease Renewal, and Eviction Notices

  Today, the de Blasio administration announced the launch of a new program to help small business owners with issues related to a business lease. The Commercial Lease Assistance Program, offered by the NYC Department of Small Business Services, will allow small business owners to obtain free legal assistance on topics that include negotiating a lease, resolving landlord issues, responding to an eviction notice, breach of contract disputes, and lease renewal. Non-franchise businesses that meet income requirements are eligible for this service.

“Small businesses are the economic heart and soul of this city and they deserve every opportunity to succeed,” said Mayor de Blasio. “The Commercial Lease Assistance Program will give small business owners the help they need to resolve legal issues without driving them out of business.”

“Small businesses are the lifeline of our neighborhoods and a significant part of what makes our city so special – and in the era of big business, it has never been more important to this Council help ensure that small business owners can thrive,” said New York Council Speaker Corey Johnson. “Free legal assistance regarding lease or landlord issues can go a long way for small business owners, saving money and passing on savings to local residents. With Council Member Mark Gjonaj as Chair of the Small Business Committee, he will be a strong voice who will continue advocating for small businesses owners in New York City.”

This new program offers pre-litigation services to help small business owners resolve problems before they end up in court. This can include sending legal correspondence to a landlord, addressing issues related to tenant harassment, and resolving challenges when a building changes ownership. The program will not represent clients in matters that end up in court.

The Commercial Lease Assistance Program will receive $2.4 million in funding over two years and will provide an average of 40 hours of legal services per client and a dedicated attorney to work with each business owner. This program will help small business owners achieve successful outcomes while avoiding thousands of dollars in attorney fees. These services are being offered in partnership with Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation  A, Volunteers of Legal Services, and the Urban Justice Center.

“Small businesses don’t have legal teams like the big guys do, but we are making it clear that the City stands in their corner,” said Gregg Bishop, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services. “Even basic legal help can be costly and out of reach for small business owners, but this free service will go a long way towards helping small business owners solve problems related to their lease.”

“New York City’s small businesses provide vital services and often serve as economic engines to their communities,” said NYC Councilmember Mark Gjonaj, Small Business Committee Chair. “This program will go a long way towards helping struggling small business owners manage the complicated and often expensive burden of dealing with commercial lease issues.”

Small business owners in need who cannot otherwise afford an attorney are eligible for this program. Examples of businesses that may be eligible:

• Are immigrant-, minority-, women-, or veteran-owned,
• Employ local low-income residents,
• Are located in a rezoned or high-poverty areas; Or
• Offer job training opportunities

Services are now available. Businesses should visit nyc.gov/commlease or call 311 to determine their eligibility and learn more. Services are available in ten languages, including: Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Bengali, Haitian Creole, Korean, Arabic, Urdu, French, and Polish.

Businesses can also access SBS’ Comprehensive Guide to Commercial Leasing.

“As President and CEO of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, I am excited to hear that SBS will be providing free legal services to small businesses in The Bronx and throughout the five boroughs of New York City,” said Nunzio Del Greco, President and CEO of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce. “The free legal services for small businesses are essential in leveling the playing field with issues involving landlords, contracts and a myriad of other legal issues that arise”.

About NYC Small Business Services (SBS)

SBS helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building vibrant neighborhoods across the five boroughs. For more information on all SBS services, go tonyc.gov/sbs, call 311, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.