Chairman Crowley Statement on the Second Anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub Shooting

  House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley released the following statement on the second anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub Shooting:

“Our heart still aches for the 49 lives that were taken two years ago when our nation and the LGBTQ+ community was victimized by yet another senseless act of gun violence and bigotry.

“Today, as we remember this tragedy and honor the victims of the Pulse Nightclub Shooting in Orlando, Democrats stand together in our commitment to disarm hate by fighting to pass commonsense gun safety legislation, which will allow Americans to feel safe and protected in our communities.”

Bronx Democratic Party Annual Dinner

A “PUERTO RICAN” SLASHED THE FUNDS TO THE PUERTO RICAN STUDIES INSTITUTE AND AN IRISHMAN RESTORED THEM. HALLELUJAH!

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Councilman,  Rubén Díaz Sr.

District 18 Bronx County, New York

  You should know that when Melissa Mark-Viverito (a fellow Puerto Rican) was the Speaker of the New York City Council, she ordered that the funds allocated to the Puerto Rican Studies Institute be cut in half, affecting and hurting Puerto Rican students from a vital part of their education.

It is important for you to know that thanks to our New City Council Speaker, an Irishman, Mr.  Corey Johnson, the Institute for Puerto Rican Studies will not only see their budget restored but will also get an increase of $140,000 dollars. 

The original budget allocated to The Puerto Rican Studies Institute was $960,000.  But the “Puerto Rican” Speaker of the City Council Ms. Mark-Viverito slashed that funding in half to $400,000 dollars. 

Now an Irish Councilman, Corey Johnson, after the intervention of Councilman Rafael Salamanca, The Bronx Delegation, and others city council members is coming as a “Don Quixote” to the rescue of the Puerto Rican Studies Institute. The intervention was instrumental not only in restoring the funds back to its original sum of $960,000 dollars, but doing so with an additional $140,000 dollars for a total budget of $1,100,000 dollars.  Yes, my dear reader one million one hundred thousand dollars. Hallelujah!

You may be asking yourself why a so-called “Puerto Rican” took such actions that would negatively impact and hurt her own community in this manner. Well according to the New York Post article dated June 23, 2017 it is stated that “Melissa Mark-Viverito was accused of slashing an annual grant to the respected Puerto Rican Institute by nearly half as a retribution for the director’s (Mr. Edwin Melendez) unwillingness to publicly support convicted terror leader Oscar Lopez Rivera’s starring role in the Puerto Rican Day Parade.”

As you know, last year the Puerto Rican Day parade saw its worst and darkest year when Melissa Mark-Viverito and the leader of the Parade bestowed upon a convicted terrorist the title of “National Freedom Hero”.  Oscar Lopez Rivera, who as one of the leaders of the Terrorist Group the “FALN”, was convicted of seditious conspiracy and sentenced to 35 years in prison.

The “FALN” claimed responsibility for more than 100 bombings between 1970 -1980 including one that killed five people here in the City of New York.  

According to the New York Post, the late Angelo Falcon said that this budget cut was due to “Mr. Edwin Melendez’s refusal to publicly defend the decision to honor Oscar Lopez Rivera at the Puerto Rican Parade”. This was the reason for Melissa Mark-Viverito’s action to slash $560,000 allocated to the Puerto Rican Studies Institute. 

Mr. Angelo Falcon also said, “What Mark-Viverito gives, on the one hand, she can easily take away with the other if you don’t play ball with her.” And I add, even to her own Puerto Rican community. She has no heart!

As a New York City Councilman, I am honored to have joined Councilman Salamanca and my colleagues in intervening with the Speaker to restore the funds to the Puerto Rican Studies Institute. I thank God for having Mr. Corey Johnson, an Irishman, as our City Council Speaker, and ironically not a Puerto Rican like Melissa Mark-Viverito.

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

EDITOR'S NOTE:

You should also know that Councilman Ruben Diaz's council district covers almost the entire 85th assembly district of Assemblyman Marcos Crespo.

You should know that at the Abraza Puerto Rico when I asked Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. to ask fellow TEAM DIAZ member, and Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo to apologize for the profanity that Assemblyman Marcos Crespo hurled upon this Veteran Jewish reporter writing for a Parkchester Muslim newspaper which covers most of Councilman Diaz Sr's district he said "NO POLITICS HERE".

You should know that the candidate of County Leader Crespo for the an assembly seat was led around by the 90 year old Female District Leader, and son of the former assemblyman, and at times  seen with members of Councilman Diaz's staff for this unknown candidate of County Leader Crespo.  

You should finally know that Reverend Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. is no better than the Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo, and in fact has added insult to the Jewish and Muslim communities by his not demanding that County Leader Crespo make his apology at the Abraza Puerto Rico as a good leader of the church should have, let alone a decent elected official.

You should know that it is now incumbent for Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo's candidate to insist that he make said apology.

Karines Reyes you should demand that Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo, apologize to this Veteran Jewish reporter writing for a Muslim newspaper the Parkchester Times for the profanity he hurled at your announcement. Ms. Reyes if you do not you are no better, and also will be insulting the Jewish and Muslim communities.

Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. Abraza Puerto Rico

  Last Thursday over 500 people crowded into Maestros Caterers for the Annual Diaz Abraza Puerto Rico. I want to say this was a community event, and even Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. told me "NO politics here", when I asked him to have the current Bronx Democratic County Assemblyman Marcos Crespo apologize to me for the profanity he hurled t me during his selected candidate's coming out. 

  As you will see from the photos below that Governor Andrew Cuomo came in to thank Bronxites and the National Guard for their roles in the New York relief effort after Hurricane Maria devastated the island of Puerto Rico. But there was also poulticing going as the  Female District Leader and son of the former assemblyman led the county leaders selected choice around trying to introduce her to people who just wanted to enjoy the party. 

  While the county leadership is now saying that it is time for woman to be elected, the one female assembly member was not seated up on the stage with the men, but instead seated at a table in the audience. One of the male elected officials said at least she was seated in the front of the audience. The photos will tell the rest of the story.

Above - A visibly upset Female District Leader Julia Rodriguez was told to go with the former assemblyman's son (left in the white shirt and jeans with his hand up) and introduce Democratic County Leader Crespo's candidate to replace Luis Sepulveda in the assembly. 

Below - Former Army Sergeant and community activist John Perez is seated with the current State Committee woman Barbara Brown. Sergeant Perez is running for the currently vacant 87th Assembly seat with Ms. Brown who is seeking re-election on a petition against the county slate. There was also a third candidate who announced for the vacant assembly seat at the event. 

Above - Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez was one of the honorees as the Ruben Dia Jr. for Mayor campaign seeks to expand outside of the Bronx.

Below - It was Governor Andrew Cuomo who arrived to steal the show. 

Above - The governor even tried on the famous Ruben Diaz Sr. cowboy hat.

Below - The governor was given an honorary shirt with the number 56 on it to symbolize him being the 56th governor of New York.

Governor Cuomo posed for a photo with current members of Team Diaz.

U.S. Attorney Announces Settlement With NYCHA and NYC To Fundamentally Reform NYCHA Through the Appointment Of a Federal Monitor and the Payment By NYC Of $1.2 Billion Over the Next Five Years

  Consent Decree Provides Comprehensive Relief, Requiring NYCHA to Promptly Address Lead Paint Hazards, Remedy Mold and Pest Infestations, and Provide Adequate Heat and Elevator Service

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Ben Carson, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”), Helen M. Albert, Principal Deputy Inspector General, performing the duties of the Inspector General, HUD Office of the Inspector General (“HUD OIG”), and Scott Pruitt, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), announced today the simultaneous filing of a Complaint against defendant NEW YORK CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY (“NYCHA”) and a proposed settlement agreement, in the form of a Consent Decree, with NYCHA and the City of New York (the “City”).  The Complaint alleges that NYCHA for years has violated and continues to violate basic federal health and safety regulations, including regulations requiring NYCHA to protect children from lead paint and otherwise to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing.  The Complaint further alleges that NYCHA has repeatedly made false statements to HUD and the public regarding its lead paint compliance, and has intentionally deceived HUD inspectors.  To fundamentally reform NYCHA and ensure that it provides housing that complies with federal law, the Consent Decree – which is subject to the review and approval of the Court – imposes a strong federal Monitor and requires the City, among other things, to provide $1.2 billion of additional capital funding to NYCHA over the next five years, and $200 million every year thereafter until the problems are fixed and the Consent Decree is no longer necessary.

Along with other federal, state, and city funding, there will be approximately $ 4 billion available for capital improvements the first four years.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman stated:  “NYCHA’s failure to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing is simply unacceptable, and illegal.  Children must be protected from toxic lead paint, apartments must be free of mold and pest infestations, and developments must provide adequate heat in winter and elevator service.  NYCHA has put its residents at risk.  Today’s unprecedented settlement will improve life for the 400,000 residents who call NYCHA home, while ensuring accountability, reform, and oversight at this troubled institution. The City’s commitment of resources to NYCHA is extraordinary and promises real relief for NYCHA residents.”

HUD Secretary Ben Carson said:  “This historic agreement marks a new era for New York City’s public housing, one that puts families and their children first.  New York City and New York State are making an unprecedented commitment to put NYCHA on a new path.  The cooperation of Federal, State and city officials will vastly improve the living conditions for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who call NYCHA home.”

HUD OIG Principal Deputy Inspector General Helen M. Albert said:  “We are proud of the integral work that the OIG staff performed which led to today’s settlement.  This represents a consequential partnership with the U.S. Attorney and others to ensure that those who reside in NYCHA housing will do so in safe and sanitary conditions.”

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said:  “Instead of protecting children from lead poisoning, NYCHA systematically violated EPA and HUD lead paint safety regulations and covered up its noncompliance.  Today’s landmark settlement puts a stop to that.  It is not only a great example of what EPA and HUD can achieve by working together, but it also sends a strong message to housing authorities, landlords, and renovators – violating the law and endangering public health will not be tolerated.  This agreement will dramatically improve the living conditions of New York City’s most vulnerable residents.”  

According to the Complaint filed today in Manhattan federal court:

For years, NYCHA has failed to comply with key HUD and EPA lead paint safety regulations, including by failing to inspect apartments for lead paint hazards and failing to remediate peeling lead paint.  NYCHA also fails to ensure that its workers use lead-safe work practices.  Children have been harmed as a result of NYCHA’s failures.  Between 2010 and 2016, at least 19 lead-poisoned children were found to have been exposed to deteriorated lead paint in their NYCHA apartments, and thousands more were put at risk. 

NYCHA also fails to provide “decent, safe, and sanitary” housing as required by HUD regulations.  Mold grows unchecked at many NYCHA developments, often on a very large scale, threatening the health of residents with asthma.  Across the city, NYCHA residents are provided inadequate heat in winter, leading to frigid apartment temperatures.  Pest and vermin infestations are common.  Elevators fail, leaving elderly or disabled residents trapped in their apartments or sleeping in building lobbies. 

NYCHA has repeatedly made false statements to HUD and the public regarding these matters.  These include false certifications by NYCHA each year that it would comply with HUD’s lead paint safety regulations.  NYCHA also deceived HUD about living conditions at NYCHA, going so far as to publish a “Quick Tips” training guide for how to hide conditions from HUD’s inspectors.

The United States has filed a proposed Consent Decree today, which would resolve the allegations in the Complaint.  The Consent Decree remains subject to review and approval by the Court.  The Consent Decree provides for the appointment of a federal monitor to oversee fundamental reform at NYCHA.  The Monitor has the authority, under the review of the Court, to set the performance standards that NYCHA must meet, devise the plans by which NYCHA will achieve those standards (including by implementing changes to NYCHA’s management, organization, and workforce structure), and require NYCHA to select independent contractors to perform certain work.  The Monitor will be selected by the United States, after consultation with City and state officials and NYCHA stakeholders, and subject to approval by the Court.

The Consent Decree also commits the City of New York to provide an additional $1 billion in capital funds over the next four years, over and above what the City has budgeted, and at least an additional $200 million in capital funds each subsequent year until the conditions identified in the Complaint are addressed.  Further, the Consent Decree requires NYCHA to comply immediately with HUD’s and EPA’s lead-safe work practices rules and to provide notice to residents in any apartment where NYCHA has identified lead paint.

In the Consent Decree submitted today, NYCHA admits, acknowledges, and accepts responsibility for the following:

• • At least once a year, beginning no later than 2010 and extending through 2016, NYCHA’s certifications to HUD contained untrue representations that NYCHA “will comply with” HUD’s federal lead paint safety regulations. 
  • In more than half of NYCHA’s developments, NYCHA’s inspections (including statistical sampling) have confirmed the presence of lead paint somewhere on the premises, and in at least 92 developments, the inspections (including statistical sampling) have confirmed the presence of lead paint inside apartment units. 
• • Since at least 2010, NYCHA has not performed most of the biennial lead paint risk assessment reevaluations required by regulation for developments containing lead paint.  
  • From at least 2012 to 2016, NYCHA failed to perform visual assessments of apartments for lead paint hazards as required by regulation.  In 2016, NYCHA began performing visual assessments in units where children under six reside, but NYCHA has not yet performed visual assessments in the majority of apartments that may contain lead paint.  
  • Since at least 2010, NYCHA has not ensured that staff use lead-safe work practices when performing work on surfaces that may contain lead paint.
• • Currently, after NYCHA has removed mold from apartments, the mold returns at least 30% of the time. 

• • In Winter 2017-2018 alone, more than 320,000 residents, 80% of the public housing population, lost heat.

• • In 2016 alone, NYCHA experienced an average of more than 13 outages per elevator.

• • NYCHA’s data reflects more than 260,000 work orders for roaches between 2013 and 2016.  For the same period, there were more than 90,000 mouse work orders and nearly 36,000 rat work orders.

• • For a decade, NYCHA provided its staff with a list of “Quick Fix Tips” to improve its Public Housing Assessment System inspection scores. 

Mr. Berman thanked HUD, HUD OIG, and EPA for their invaluable assistance in this matter.  Mr. Berman also thanked Mark Peters and the Department of Investigation for their important wok in this area.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Environmental Protection Unit in the Civil Division.  Assistant United States Attorneys Robert William Yalen, Mónica P. Folch, Jacob Lillywhite, Talia Kraemer, and Sharanya Mohan are in charge of the case.

The 80 page indictment with the names of the NYCHA Houses involved can be found at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/press-release/file/1070551/download

Speaker Corey Johnson, Finance Committee Chair Daniel Dromm, Capital Budget Subcommittee Chair Vanessa Gibson and Mayor Bill de Blasio Announce Agreement on FY 2019 Budget

The budget agreement strengthens the City’s social safety net for the poorest New Yorkers and helps seniors, homeowners and young people while remaining fiscally prudent

  Speaker Corey Johnson, Finance Committee Chair Daniel Dromm, Capital Budget Subcommittee Chair Vanessa Gibson and Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday announced an agreement on the Fiscal Year 2019 budget. The Fiscal Year 2019 budget includes many of the priorities the Council pushed for to improve the lives of all New Yorkers, including the Fair Fares discount MetroCards program, increased budget reserves, and prioritizing permanent housing in response to the city’s affordability crisis.

Those priorities – as well as increased resources for libraries, after school programs, trash pick-up, and summer youth employment – are the result of the Council fighting for creative solutions to protect the City’s most vulnerable and the Council’s commitment to provide much-needed resources to as many New Yorkers as possible. The Council is mindful that although this budget is being adopted in a time of prosperity, the City’s finances could change. Therefore, the Council pushed for and succeeded in attaining fiscally prudent budgeting practices to protect the City’s future.

This year with the formation of the new Capital Budget subcommittee, the Council scored significant wins in the city’s Capital Budget. That includes $150 million to make schools handicap accessible, $60 million for libraries capital funding, and $5.8 billion in excess appropriation rescinded.

“This is my first budget as Speaker, and I am very proud of what it says about this Council’s priorities. We are creating a new approach to fighting poverty with our Fair Fares program, which could save $700 a year for eligible New Yorkers in desperate need of a break. Now that New York City has joined the Fair Fares movement, it is my hope that its success here leads other cities across the country to follow suit. To battle the city’s affordability crisis, we have prioritized permanent housing in a plan that will bring 2,000 units of supportive housing over the next 11 years, and an extra $150 million in Capital funds will go towards making schools handicapped accessible. This budget is the result of the Council working together and prioritizing big ticket items that we know will help New Yorkers in all five boroughs,” said Speaker Corey Johnson.

“New Yorkers spoke, and we listened. Working closely together, the Council and the administration have devised a progressive budget that truly delivers for our city. There is much to celebrate in this budget.  Among the many major wins are $106 million for Fair Fares that will provide those living at or below the federal poverty line with half-priced MetroCards; $150 million to make New York City public schools more accessible to people living with disabilities; and $125 million in Fair Student Funding which will allow principals to determine what area in their school needs additional support.  The Council and the Administration have also succeeded in bolstering NYC’s reserves by $225 million.  This strengthens the City’s ability to weather any downturn that may arise in the future without having to make painful cuts or increase taxes.  I want to take this opportunity to thank Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Johnson, Capital Subcommittee Chair Vanessa Gibson, Finance Division Director Latonia McKinney and the other dedicated members of the Finance division for their efforts.  Together we have produced a budget that will move our city forward, and for that I am grateful,” said Committee on Finance Chair Daniel Dromm.

“I’m incredibly proud of this budget and the strong spirit of collaboration of the Council that enabled us to protect, create, and even enhance a number of programs that will benefit the people to New York in the coming year. It has been an honor to chair the City Council’s first ever Subcommittee on Capital Budget and I am proud that New York is leading the way in oversight of municipal spending on capital projects.  New York’s FY19 budget has greater capital transparency than ever before, and I thank our partners in the Mayor’s Office and the Office of Budget and Management for working with me to reduce excess appropriations and allocate tax payer dollars for capital projects in a more efficient manner. In addition to our capital budget victories, I am truly overjoyed that, under the strong leadership of Speaker Corey Johnson, the FY19 budget will finally include the much needed fair fares program, which reduces the cost of transit for very low income New Yorkers and alleviates the burden of transit costs for those working to achieve economic stability. As this year’s budget process draws to a close, I remain thankful for the leadership and partnership of our Speaker Corey Johnson, Finance Chair Danny Dromm, City Council Finance Director Latonia McKinney, and the entire City Council Finance Team. Together, we have made incredible progress to invest in resources and programs that serve to enhance the quality of life for all New Yorkers,” said Subcommittee on Capital Budget Chair Vanessa Gibson. 

“We started the fight for Fair Fares two years ago and today we can celebrate a significant victory. I am proud to stand by the Community Services Society and Riders Alliance as a longtime ally in celebrating this win for New Yorkers for whom the choice between a MTA fare and a necessity just got a little easier. I congratulate my colleagues in the Council who under the leadership of Speaker Corey Johnson never lost sight of the importance of making equity in public transportation a priority in this budget,” said Committee on Transportation Chair Ydanis Rodriguez.

The FY2019 budget will include:

COUNCIL PRIORITIES: 

• Fair Fares: One of the most significant achievements in this budget is the funding of Fair Fares. This program will make nearly 800,000 New Yorkers living at or below the federal poverty level eligible for half-price MetroCards, thereby saving them more than $700 per year in transportation costs. In addition, 12,000 veterans enrolled in New York City Colleges will also be eligible for the discount MetroCards. In this city, mobility is opportunity. The $106 million included for Fiscal 2019 and the commitment by the Administration to continue to fully fund the program in the out years will literally open turnstiles and doors to the neediest residents.

• Increased Reserves: The Adopted Budget will add $225 million to the City’s reserves. According to recent Finance Division analysis, there is a one-in-five chance that the current level of reserves is not enough to make it through the Financial Plan period without having to make budget cuts or raise taxes. This infusion will help the City avoid painful spending cuts or tax increases during downturns allowing New York City to instead draw on its fiscal cushions.

• A Road to Property Tax Reform: The Mayor and the Council jointly announced the creation of a Property Tax Reform Commission. To develop recommendations to reform New York City’s property tax system to make it simpler, clearer, and fairer, while ensuring that there is no reduction in revenue used to fund essential City services. The commission will solicit input from the public by holding at least ten public hearings. The last in-depth review of the system by a government-appointed commission was in 1993.

• Direct Education Dollars To Schools: The Mayor and Council have agreed to baseline $125 million for Fair Student Funding. This boosts core funding for schools across the city and puts spending authority for educational initiatives back in the schools where it belongs. 

• School Accessibility: No student should be prevented from attending their preferred school because they cannot get up the stairs and no parent should have to miss a school play or a parent-teacher conference because there is no access to the auditorium or the second floor. New York City is better than that, and that is why $150 million will be added to the Adopted Budget for capital projects to increase accessibility in the City’s school buildings.

 PLANTING SEEDS FOR TOMORROW BY HELPING OUR YOUTH:

• COMPASS: $14.2 Million to continue supporting elementary after school programs citywide.
• Summer SONYC: $15 Million to restore 22,800 summer programs for students grades 6-8 citywide.
• Summer Youth Employment Program: $10.3 Million to increase the number of available jobs to 75,000 as well as to raise the minimum wage for those in the program.
• Work, Learn, Grow Jobs Program: $19 Million restored in Fiscal Year 19 to provide in-school career readiness training and paid employment opportunities to teens and young adults.

 ESSENTIAL SERVICES FOR NEW YORKERS:

• Adult Literacy Program: $12 Million to fund Adult English literacy programs citywide.
• Maintain Services for Parks: $12.3 Million to increase the number of Park Maintenance Workers, extend the open period of City pools and beaches, finance tree stump removal.
• Funding for Libraries: $60 Million for new libraries in capital funds, and $16.7 million in expense funding.
• Picking Up More Trash: $3.5 for extra sanitation services.

 STRENGTHENING THE SOCIAL SAFETY NET: 

• NYCHA:  $40 Million for increased infrastructure funding.
• Supportive Housing: Increase the amount of supportive housing units created annually from 500 to 700.
• Runaway and Homeless Youth Shelters: $3 Million to create 60 new shelter beds for 21 to 24 years olds in need.
• Emergency Food Assistance Program: $8.7 Million to provide funding for soup kitchens and food pantries city wide.
• Senior Affordable Housing – $500 Million for senior affordable housing targeted at 4 Housing Preservation and Development sites and 2 NYCHA sites.

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ RE: Federal Oversight Agreement for NYCHA

  “The city’s proposed agreement to a federal monitor of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is both good and bad. While the problems facing NYCHA certainly predate the current administration, they have played their role in this ongoing crisis in a variety of their own ways, such as by failing to provide proper lead inspections, mold abatement and heat to tenants, while lying about the state of the city’s public housing.

“The city’s agreement with the federal government outlines a web of deceptions and lies that the agency has engaged in as de facto official policy since 2010. While the Bloomberg administration started the problem, the de Blasio administration allowed it to grow and fester. The current administration bears great responsibility for the position we are in today: the most progressive city in the world has been forced to abdicate the management of its most vulnerable tenants to the Trump administration due to its own malfeasance. Anyone who knowingly and willingly broke the law—endangering the lives of NYCHA residents—must be held accountable.

“I certainly welcome an admission from the administration that it was not properly serving the more than 400,000 city residents who live in a NYCHA development, and I am glad to see a $2 billion commitment to revamping and repairing NYCHA developments, though that much needed funding will be provided under duress. Still, I remain concerned that a federal monitor lacks the credibility to deliver the change our public housing system needs to move forward, given who is currently in charge of the federal government and the long history of federal disinvestment from public housing.

“Do President Trump and Secretary Carson have the best interests of NYCHA and its tenants at heart? We are about to find out,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. did not come into office yesterday. He has been Bronx Borough President since 2009, and before that a member of the state assembly. The president in 2009 through December 2016 was a Democrat named Barack Obama. Where was BP Diaz when these problems were occurring back when he became the BP? Why did BP Diaz not speak up until a Republican was elected president?

Mayor Bill de Blasio has blamed both the federal government and the New York State for not doing their equal parts to improve NYCHA. Mayor de Blasio said he wanted 7.5 billion dollars from each the state and federal governments to bring NYCHA buildings up to par.

Why is Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. not lashing out at his Democratic counterparts in Albany? Yet BP Diaz will stand with Governor Cuomo, and not ask that the state put its fair share into NYCHA. Better yet why has BP Diaz not said to the Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo "Where is the money for NYCHA?" 

Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club Endorses Cynthia Nixon for Governor

   Democratic candidate for governor Cynthia Nixon was endorsed this weekend by the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, citing their shared commitment to protecting and empowering the LGBTQ community and bringing a more progressive vision to New York. A core vision of the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club is to support candidates who recognize the LGBTQ community’s basic rights and freedoms, and fight against those who undermine equality and protections. Cynthia has been a long-time LGBTQ activist and would be the first queer governor of New York.

“Cynthia Nixon is a fierce fighter with a history of activism important to working families, the unemployed, the poor and the disenfranchised,” said club president Allen Roskoff. “She has the energy, integrity, and vision that will lead our state. She will stand up to the policies of Donald Trump and the hate coming from Washington and implement common sense solutions to achieve racial equality, protect documented and undocumented immigrants, and improve New York’s education system. She will fight for economic justice and a woman’s right to abortion and she is a fierce fighter for the LGBTQ community. In short, Cynthia is the real deal and we look forward to having her as our first queer woman governor of New York.”

The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, named for the legendary gay rights pioneer Jim Owles, was formed in 2004 as a citywide political activist club with a mission to secure human rights, dignity, and freedom for all people. As a multi-issue, progressive Democratic club, the group also calls for an end to all wars, increased AIDS funding, universal health care, and continued protection and expansion of reproductive rights. They also demand economic justice and the abolition of the death penalty.

“The LGBTQ movement is at a critical moment in our history. We have accomplished so much progress, yet so many in our community still face attacks and barriers to full equality,” said Cynthia Nixon. “I am thrilled to have the support of the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club and, as the first queer governor, look forward to working together to make New York the epicenter of LGBTQ equality and bring in a new era of better, bluer Democrats.

Cynthia has been a long-time LGBTQ activist in New York and across the country. In 2010, she helped found Fight Back New York, an effort to defeat New York State Senators who were opposed to same-sex marriage. The campaign ultimately raised $800,000 and helped elect three new Senators who voted to pass marriage equality.

Most recently, Newburgh Council Member Karen Mejía, Downtown Independent Democrats, 350 Action, author Bill McKibben, and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee announced their endorsements of Cynthia's bid for governor. She’s also been backed by Our Revolution, Tenants PAC, the Staten Island Democratic Association (SIDA), Coalition for a District Alternative (CODA), Broadway Democrats, Village Independent Democrats, Three Parks Independent Democrats, Democracy for America, Daily Kos, New Kings Democrats (NKD), Council Member Carlos Menchaca, the Working Families Party, Make the Road Action, Citizen Action, and the New York Progressive Action Network.