News From Congressman Eliot Engel

Engel Marks 2018 GLSEN Day of Silence to Raise Awareness of LGBTQ Bullying

  Congressman Eliot Engel, a member of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, marked GLSEN’s Day of Silence by introducing a resolution supporting the student-led movement to end LGBTQ bullying and harassment.

Hundreds of thousands of students across this country and throughout the world will take a vow of silence today to bring attention to the bullying and harassment of their LGBTQ peers. LGBTQ youth experience bullying, harassment, and assault at school at an alarming rate. Eight in ten LGBTQ students are harassed because of their sexual orientation or gender expression. One in eight are physically assaulted because of their sexual orientation or gender expression. More than half of LGBTQ students feel unsafe in their own classrooms, and nearly one third will miss a day of school this month because of threats, harassment, or violence.

“I have introduced a resolution supporting the Day of Silence every year for the past 16 years, and I’m proud to once again support this student-led movement,” Engel said. “This year we have seen inspiring, student-led movements push our country forward on issues from gun violence prevention to immigrant rights. The Day of Silence sends an important message that we will continue to fight back against discrimination and ensure that schools are safe and affirming for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.”

“Each year, hundreds of thousands of students in middle and high schools across the country take action to end the silencing effects of anti-LGBTQ harassment and discrimination. Their protest provides an opportunity to reflect on how each of us can take action to address these issues that too often silence LGBTQ youth in K-12 schools. This year’s Day of Silence has added importance. Over the past year, we’ve witnessed the Education Department take unprecedented steps to reverse hard-fought progress on LGBTQ equality won over the two decades since the Day of Silence was founded,” said Eliza Byard, GLSEN Executive Director. “We are incredibly thankful to Congressman Engel for his long-standing support of GLSEN’s Day of Silence, which enables LGBTQ youth to see elected officials who support them and who advocate for safe and inclusive schools for all.”

Engel on Passage of Opioid Bills, Marathon Health Markup

  This week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee passed two bills co-authored by Congressman Eliot L. Engel that will help address the nation’s ongoing opioid epidemic. Both bills passed unanimously during a marathon markup session, at which more than 60 bills were up for consideration.

Congressman Engel partnered with Congresswoman Susan Brooks to author the Poison Center Network Enhancement Act, which will reauthorize the U.S. poison center program for an additional five years. Since 2011, U.S. poison centers have handled almost 200 cases daily involving opioid misuse.

The Reinforcing Evidence-based Standards Under Law in Treating Substance abuse (RESULTS) Act, which Congressman Engel introduced with Congressman Steve Stivers, will provide new guidance to applicants seeking federal grants to treat or prevent mental health or substance use disorders, better enabling them to carry out evidence-based activities.

“Families in the Bronx, Westchester and across the U.S. are suffering, and Congress must deliver solutions,” Engel said. “I am pleased to see these bills moving forward, as they will play an important role in our response to this crisis.”

During debate, Engel cautioned Republicans about the need to carefully consider policies that will have real implications for American families, rather than rush legislation that hasn’t been examined thoroughly.

“Americans need action – not the appearance of action,” Engel said. “Republicans’ insistence on considering so many bills at one time, some of which have been proposed only recently, is concerning to me. Our constituents expect us to thoroughly weigh the pros and cons of every policy we consider. If we fail to do that, we risk worsening the very crisis we are trying to solve.

“I am also disappointed by Republicans’ decision to block an amendment that would require the Department of Health and Human Services to examine the rising price of the overdose reversal drug naloxone. In 2016, the rate of opioid-related deaths in Westchester fell nearly 30 percent. Evidence suggests this was thanks in part to naloxone. Having HHS examine the rising prices that could pose a barrier to accessing this lifesaving drug makes good sense.”

Ben Franklin Democratic Club Endorses State Senator Jeff Klein

  At a well attended meeting last night the Ben Franklin Democratic  Club held the second of its 'Endorsement Meetings'. At the first meeting the club made its endorsements for the 81st Assembly District endorsing all the incumbent members for the positions of Assembly, District Leaders, and State Committee members. This second meeting was for the State Senate, Governor, and Lieutenant Governor positions. 

  While there may have been only one candidate for certain positions that showed up or sent a representative on their behalf, the ballot also had a box marked 'No Endorsement'.

 For Governor the club voted 101 for incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo, 27 for Cynthia Nixon, and 18 for No Endorsement, 6 ballots ruled invalid, and 1 write in vote, totaling 151 votes.

 For Lieutenant Governor the club voted 85 in favor of incumbent Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, 40 in favor of current Councilman Jumaane Williams, 9 for no endorsement,16 ballots were ruled invalid, and one write in vote, totaling 151 votes. 

 In the 33rd and 36th State Senate districts, incumbent 33rd State Senator Gustavo Rivera and incumbent 36th State Senator Jamaal Bailey were endorsed by the club.

 For the 34th State Senate, there was a heated but civil candidate statement session, question and answer session, and an even more civil personal endorsement by club members of both the incumbent and challenger. After all the votes were counted the club voted 106 in favor of incumbent 34th State Senator Jeff Klein, 43 in favor of  Alessandra Biaggi, and 2 in favor of No Endorsement.

Photos of the club meeting are below.

Above - Lieutenant Governor candidate Jumaane Williams addresses the Ben Franklin club on his position.

Below - 34th State Senate candidate Alessandra Biaggi explains why the club should endorse her.

Above- State Senator Jeff Klein Speaks to the club as to why they should endorse him.

Below - (L-R) Ben Franklin Vice Chair Bruce Feld, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Senator Jeff Klein, Female District Leader Randi Martos, Councilman Andrew Cohen, and Male District Leader Eric Dinowitz.

Joint Statement by Speaker Corey Johnson, Finance Chair Daniel Dromm and Chair of the Subcommittee on Capital Budget Vanessa Gibson on FY 2019 Budget

  “Though we are disappointed that the Mayor’s proposed budget does not address all the priorities laid out by the City Council, we are encouraged by the close to $1 billion in additional revenue expected in FY18. When combined with the efficiencies and savings the Council has already found in our FY19 budget response, this revenue has the potential to go a long way towards our goals of strengthening the social safety net, fighting for the middle class, and being responsible with taxpayer money. The administration should use this additional revenue to institute Fair Fares to help our most vulnerable neighbors, fund a $400 property tax rebate for middle class homeowners, and put away $500 million in reserves to strengthen our financial position moving forward and increase our ability to weather future shocks.

In addition, we are glad the administration has reduced excess appropriations and redistributed them over a longer period of time as requested by the Council for capital funding.

The Council will continue to advocate for our priorities throughout budget negotiations and we plan to do so in a collaborative and transparent budget process.

With the tax rebate and Fair Fares, we have the opportunity to make life better for New Yorkers who desperately need a break, and the reserves will undoubtedly help us in the future. We urge the administration to fund the Council’s priorities for the good of our neighbors and our city.”

BRONX MAN CONVICTED OF STRANGLING GIRLFRIEND SENTENCED TO MAXIMUM TERM OF 25 YEARS IN PRISON

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for first-degree Manslaughter in the strangling of his girlfriend in 2015. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant was convicted by a jury in the strangulation of his girlfriend inside his apartment. Now he will spend many years in prison for this senseless killing.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Christopher Coachman, 54, of 721 East 221st Street, was sentenced today by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Miriam Best to 25 years in prison. He was convicted by a jury of first-degree Manslaughter on April 11, 2018. 

 According to the investigation, on August 10, 2015, inside Coachman’s apartment, Coachman and Alexis Beck, 50, were drinking alcohol and smoking crack. He strangled her, and after she died he lay in the bed with her. He spent 18 hours in the apartment with her lifeless body. He called a friend to say he “did something bad” and left the apartment. The friend notified police, who went to the apartment and found the victim. The defendant later turned himself in to police

 District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detective Robert Salerno of the 47th Precinct Squad for his assistance in the case.

Statement of New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer on Mayor de Blasio’s FY 2019 Executive Budget

  “Mayor de Blasio’s FY19 Executive Budget includes a number of important investments in the City’s infrastructure and social programs.

“I applaud the Mayor for bringing Fair Student Funding up to the highest average funding in more than a decade, investing in cybersecurity to protect the City’s data and operations, continuing funding support for the City’s growing population of homeless students, and funding the NYC Transit Subway Action Plan. These are critical missions which will define our City in the years to come.

“As we confront the challenges ahead, we must pay closer attention to keeping our fiscal house in order. In my analysis of New York City’s Preliminary FY19 Budget, our office highlighted the need to build up our budget cushion and prepare New York City for the possibility of tough times ahead. While our economy is in a solid position, with continued hostility from Washington, it is critical that we harness this year’s extraordinary inflow of one-time, non-recurring revenue to bolster City reserves.

“We must continue to vigorously scrub City agencies for savings and I urge the Administration to shine a bright light on the effectiveness of agency spending. We will continue to closely monitor the progress of City agencies toward achieving their goals in the most cost-effective manner possible, particularly those highlighted on our Agency Watch List: the Department of Correction, the Department of Education, and the Department of Homeless Services.

“New York must always be a place that lifts everyone up. We cannot stop investing in our City – and pushing for all New Yorkers to get a fair shot.

“Over the coming weeks, we will closely examine the FY19 Executive Budget and provide more detailed comments on the proposals. I look forward to working with the Administration and my colleagues in government to enact a responsible budget for the people of New York City.”

Fact Sheet: Mayor de Blasio Releases Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2019

Over the next four years, all of our decisions will be driven by one, central goal: making New York City the fairest big city in America. This budget is no exception. We’re continuing commitments made to New Yorkers over the last four years, and making responsible, smart investments that have the power to bring equity to people’s lives.

Mayor Bill de Blasio.

   

  Today, Mayor Bill de Blasio presented New York City’s Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19).

The FY19 Executive Budget is balanced, totaling $89.06 billion. This budget:

·    Makes modest investments that build upon continued efforts to make New York City the fairest big city in America.

·   Includes $754 million in savings – made up of partial hiring freezes, agency efficiencies and debt service re-estimates – exceeding the Mayor’s promise of $500 million and bringing total savings since last June to $2.1 billion.

·  Provides for New Yorkers while demonstrating fiscal responsibility and caution in the face of more than $530 million of realized threats from Albany, with additional threats from Washington looming.

Click here to view the FY19 Executive Budget.

NYC ECONOMY

Under this Administration, New York City’s economy remains strong and continues to hit records:

·    NYC added almost 428,000 jobs during the first term – the most for any single mayoral term.

·   With a record 4.49 million jobs, borough-level unemployment rates are at record lows in 2018.

RESPONSIBLE BUDGETING

The City is maintaining the reserves it’s built up in historic fashion. Specifically:

·         The General Reserve is at $1 billion in FY19 and every year of the financial plan, compared to the traditional $300 million.

·      The Capital Stabilization Reserve that was established under this Administration is at $250 million in FY19 and every year of the financial plan.

·       The Retiree Health Benefits Trust Fund is at $4.25 billion, $3.5 billion the result of actions taken by this Administration.

HITS FROM ALBANY

Even with the reserves, the Executive Budget reflects an almost unsustainable $530 million blow from Albany – the worst the city has seen in any State Budget since 2011. One of every four dollars, or 25 percent, of all new, City spending in this budget goes toward backfilling a cut or cost shift from Albany, including:

·         $254 million to address mismanagement of State-run subways

·         $140 million shortfall in State aid to our schools

·         $108 million unfunded mandate for Raise the Age

·         $31 million annual cut to Close to Home

INVESTMENTS IN FAIRNESS

In the vein of continuing the Mayor’s promise of becoming the fairest big city in America, this budget makes responsible investments to improve the lives of New Yorkers, including the following in Fiscal Year 2019:

·         Increasing the Fair Student Funding floor from 87 percent to 90 percent ($125 million);

·         Deepening investments in our cybersecurity to ensure the city’s systems are  defended ($41 million);

·         Further protecting New Yorkers with over 3,000 permanent security barriers ($103 million in capital);

· Expanding our Equity and Excellence Universal Literacy programs  so that  all kids read on grade level by 3^rd grade ($30.5 million);

·    Eliminating work-order backlog at NYCHA and cutting down wait times ($20 million over FY19 and FY20);

· Holding ourselves accountable and assessing the most important components of Thrive ($1.2 million);

·    Creating a new, online parking permit system to enable better enforcement and curb placard abuse ($2 million);

·     Providing a Mobile Trauma Response Unit in every borough to help disrupt violence in real time ($1.8 million);

·   Supporting students in shelters by hiring more social workers ($12 million); 

·     Investing in workforce development by continuing the Career Pathways initiatives to connect New Yorkers with career opportunities ($7.1 million).

Congressman Eliot Engel Writes to CDC Requesting Immediate Assistance to Help Fight Legionnaires' Disease in Bronx

  Congressman Eliot L. Engel has written to CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, MD requesting immediate assistance to help fight the latest cases of Legionnaires’ Disease that have recently occurred in the Co-op City section of the Bronx.

As of April 25^th, the latest cluster of Legionnaires’ has affected one apartment building and sickened three residents, causing one death. While Legionnaires’ is typically treatable with antibiotics, it can be dangerous for the elderly and those with other health complications. A prior outbreak of Legionnaires’ occurred in the Bronx in 2015.

“ I am extremely alarmed by these cases and ask that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) work with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) to investigate the cause of these cases without delay,” Engel wrote.

Full text of the letter can be found below:

April 26, 2018

Robert R. Redfield, MD

Director

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1600 Clifton Road

Atlanta, GA 30329

Dear Director Redfield:

   I write regarding the recent cases of Legionnaires’ disease that have occurred in Co-op City in the Bronx, New York. I am extremely alarmed by these cases and ask that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) work with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) to investigate the cause of these cases without delay.

   As of April 25^th, this cluster has affected one apartment building and sickened three residents, causing one death. While Legionnaires’ is typically treatable with antibiotics, it can be dangerous for the elderly and those with other health complications. For these New Yorkers especially, it is of the utmost importance that the cause of these cases is identified and addressed as soon as possible. City officials have instructed high-risk residents of the affected building not to shower until the situation is resolved. This is hardly a practical or long-term solution, and underscores the need to remedy this problem as promptly as possible.

   I ask that the CDC assist the NYC DOHMH by providing the added resources and expertise necessary to identify the cause of these cases and make recommendations as to how future cases of Legionnaires’ disease can be avoided. These three cases, coupled with the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak that occurred in the Bronx in 2015, underscore the need to thoroughly investigate potential triggers of Legionnaires’ – not just in Co-op City, but throughout New York – and eliminate them. The CDC’s assistance will help to both alleviate the situation quickly and afford the people of Co-op City much needed peace of mind.

   I thank you for your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to your reply.

     Sincerely,

     Eliot L. Engel

     Member of Congress

MAYOR DE BLASIO AND SPEAKER JOHNSON ANNOUNCE $125 MILLION INVESTMENT TO ENSURE ALL SCHOOLS RECEIVE AT LEAST 90 PERCENT “FAIR STUDENT FUNDING”

Builds on $230 million increase in fair student funding during first term of de Blasio administration

  Mayor Bill de Blasio and Speaker Corey Johnson announced an additional $125 million annual investment in “Fair Student Funding” (FSF) for New York City public schools, starting in the 2018-19 school year. FSF provides the majority of most individual schools’ budgets, and is used at the principal’s discretion, mostly to hire teachers and staff, as well as to purchase materials and educational resources and support student and family activities. 

The historic increase in FSF will support the Mayor’s Equity and Excellence for All agenda and his promise to make New York City the fairest big city in America, so that, by 2026, 80 percent of students graduate high school on time, and two-thirds of graduates are college-ready.

“We’ve waited years for the State to act, but our kids can’t wait another day,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We’re increasing Fair Student Funding to get every school to at least 90 percent and help ensure they have the resources they need to provide an excellent education to our 1.1 million school children.”

“Our hard work and persistence paid off. Under this agreement, every school district will receive more funding for things like art programs, sports activities and additional teachers. We included this in our budget response, and the Administration to its credit made it a priority. This is a wonderful example of us all working together, and I am so proud of my Council colleagues and friends at City Hall for making this happen,” said Speaker Corey Johnson.

“New York City understands that public education is not an expense but an investment, and we are continuing to put our money where our mouth is by investing in our kids, families, and public schools,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. “More funding means more teachers, guidance counselors, and social workers; more professional development; and an opportunity to bring new materials and technologies into the classroom. The increase of the FSF floor is an important step in putting our schools on a path to Equity and Excellence for all, and to addressing unacceptable and historical inequities in the way our schools have been funded.”

With this investment:

• The FSF “floor” will increase to 90 percent – no school will be receiving less than 90 percent of their FSF, compared to 81 percent at the beginning of the de Blasio administration and up from the current floor of 87 percent. This impacts 854 schools and 588,285 students – in every borough and community school district – that are currently below the 90 percent floor.
• The current FSF average across all schools will increase to 93 percent, compared to 88 percent at the beginning of the de Blasio administration and 91 percent currently. The de Blasio administration previously made a $230 million annual investment to bring the FSF floor from 81 percent to 87 percent, and the average from 81 percent to 88 percent.

The administration’s previous investments in FSF have supported record-high graduation rates, record-high college enrollment rates, record-low dropout rates, and a high-quality pre-K seat for every New York City 4-year-old. In order to fund all schools at 100 percent of their FSF,  New York State must provide the funding mandated by the Campaign for Fiscal Equity settlement. For the 2018-19 school year, the State is $1.2 billion short of that legal mandate.

Historically, schools were provided with resources based primarily on the size of their student body. The FSF formula was introduced in 2007 by the Department of Education and provides additional funding per student based on need, including additional funding for students with disabilities, English Language Learners, low-income students, and students performing below grade level.

For the 2015-16 school year, the Administration invested $59 million to raise the floor to 82 percent and raise all Community and Renewal Schools to 100 percent, and raise the average FSF to 89 percent. For the 2016-17 school year, the Administration invested $168 million to raise the floor to 87 percent and to raise the citywide average to 91 percent, and invested an additional $2 million to increase funding for English language learners.

The increase in Fair Student Funding is aligned to our Equity and Excellence for All agenda. Through the Equity and Excellence for All initiatives, we are building a pathway to success in college and careers for all students. Our schools are starting earlier - free, full-day, high-quality education for three-year-olds and four-year-olds through 3-K for All and Pre-K for All. They are strengthening foundational skills and instruction earlier - Universal Literacy so that every student is reading on grade level by the end of 2nd grade; and Algebra for All to improve elementary- and middle-school math instruction and ensure that all 8th graders have access to algebra. They are offering students more challenging, hands-on, college and career-aligned coursework - Computer Science for All brings 21st-century computer science instruction to every school, and AP for All will give all high school students access to at least five Advanced Placement courses. Along the way, they are giving students and families additional support through College Access for All, Single Shepherd, and investment in Community Schools. Efforts to create more diverse and inclusive classrooms through Diversity in New York City Public Schools, the City's school diversity plan, are central to this pathway.