MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES EXTENDING FHV CAPS TO PROTECT HARDWORKING DRIVERS, INCREASE THEIR PAY & REDUCE CRUISING BY EMPTY CARS IN MANHATTAN

Extended cap on vehicle licenses and new cap on cars cruising empty will increase driver wages, reduce congestion

  Mayor de Blasio today announced a new plan by the Taxi and Limousine Commission to extend the cap on For-Hire Vehicle licenses announced last year, and to create a second cap on how long FHV companies can let their vehicles cruise empty without passengers in the Manhattan core, below 96th Street. Taken together, these caps are expected to cut congestion, increasing speeds in the evening rush hour by up to 10 percent. As companies reduce the time drivers cruise without a passenger, these policies have the potential to increase net driver hourly pay as much as 20 percent during the busiest times. They build on the unprecedented, first-in-the-country actions the City has taken to protect hardworking drivers and reign in congestion. You can read the report that informed these policies here.

This comes after last year’s driver pay standard, which increased earnings at the four major high-volume FHV companies: Uber, Lyft, Via and Juno. The standard, which went into effect earlier this February, guarantees drivers a per-trip amount that will net at least $17.22 an hour, and if they make less on any give trip, the app companies must pay the difference. After the rule took effect, between February 1 and May 19 drivers earned an additional $172 million, based on per-trip pay earned before and after the rules took effect. Before the standard went into effect, drivers only made the minimum pay standard on 4 percent of trips, now they make that or more on 100 percent of trips — equivalent to an annual pay increase of $10,000. More than 80,000 FHV drivers are now benefiting from increased wages.

“For too long, app companies have taken advantage of hardworking drivers, choking our streets with congestion and driving workers into poverty,” said Mayor de Blasio. “That era will come to an end in New York City. Last year we took the first step, and this year we’re going further with new restrictions on how many empty cars these companies can have on our streets. That means higher wages for drivers and less congested streets for our city.”

Extending the Cap on FHV Licenses: The initial cap on FHV licenses was initially temporary, set to run out in August 2019. Now, TLC will pursue rulemaking to extend this cap, with vigilant monitoring to ensure outer borough services remains fast and reliable. The cap will exclude wheelchair accessible vehicles and all-electric vehicles, to accelerate the creation of a greener, more accessible FHV fleet. Rules extending the cap will be noticed in June so it can take effect before the temporary cap expires in August.

New Cap on Cruising in the Manhattan Core: TLC will create a new rule that limits the amount of time an app company’s drivers can cruise in the core without passengers. Currently they cruise a remarkable 41 percent of the time without passengers, increasing congestion. This cap would require companies to reduce cruising to just 31 percent of the time vehicles are on the road. Strict penalties will ensure compliance, and TLC retains the right to suspend or revoke a company’s license to operate in New York City if they fail to comply.

This cap will be in effect weekdays 6 AM to 11 PM and weekends 8 AM to 11 PM. Companies will be required to decrease cruising to 36 percent by February 2020, and reach the 31 percent target by August 2020 in order to avoid sanction.

These caps complement other actions announced by the de Blasio Administration to help yellow taxi drivers this week, including:

·         Waiving Medallion Fee: Medallion owners no longer have to pay $1,100 every two years to renew their medallion. TLC will immediately stop collecting the fee, and we will work with the Council to pass Council Members Levine’s legislation.

·         Driver Assistance Center: The City will create a new driver assistance center within one year that will have on-site staff to screen drivers for various issues and then connect to relevant services including advocacy, financial counseling and debt restructuring assistance, referrals to health services and screening for HRA benefits.

The City is doing more to fight discrimination in the industry. TLC launched the Office of Inclusion five months ago. Since then, there has been robust outreach to civil rights groups, the driver industry, and the broader community. TLC has assigned a dedicated data analyst to work with TLC’s Prosecution and IT divisions to review patterns of potential systematic discrimination in the FHV sector to inform TLC Prosecution enforcement. TLC is also looking at how to make the process of filing complaints more efficient, and will educate the public about how to make those complaints.

“The Mayor’s announcement today is welcome news for everyone who has ever sat in Midtown traffic in a bus, cab or car,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “Having over 40 percent of FHVs in peak hours cruising empty on the City’s most congested streets is simply unsustainable.  Along with other ambitious solutions like the Better Buses plan and congestion pricing, we look forward to working with TLC on implementing these new common-sense rules for FHVs that will help get our City moving again.”

“The de Blasio Administration is fully committed to making transportation more accessible to New Yorkers and visitors with disabilities,” said MOPD Commissioner Victor Calise. “Extending the cap on the issuance of for-hire vehicles (FHV) licenses while continuing to have an exception for wheelchair accessible vehicles is a powerful incentive for FHV companies and potential drivers to increase the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles on the road to serve the needs of everyone. MOPD is proud of the gains the City has made to increase the size of the wheelchair accessible FHV fleet thanks to the enactment of the TLC’s accessibility rules and we look forward to further enhancing accessible transportation options after today’s announcement.”

“With this new policy, New York City is holding companies accountable for the underutilization of drivers and oversupply of vehicles that have choked the city’s streets,” said Acting TLC Commissioner Bill Heinzen. “This innovative approach represents a major win for our hardworking drivers and the city as a whole.  It shows how cities nationwide can take back control of their streets.”

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR DE BLASIO ON HISTORIC ALBANY RENT REGULATION BILLS

  “Tenants have pounded on Albany’s door for decades for the protections they deserve. We’ve stood with them, fought for them tooth-and-nail, and now the wait is finally over. Our State Legislature has answered the call. This is a remarkable achievement that will halt displacement, harassment and unjust evictions, and keep working families in the homes they love. Combined with the City’s rapid pace of building and protecting affordable homes, these reforms mean we can go from just holding the line to actually growing the number of apartments New Yorkers can afford.

“It goes without saying: nothing like this would have been possible without the Assembly and the new Democratic majority in the State Senate working together on behalf of the people. Elections matter. For more than 2 million New Yorkers who depend on our rent laws to protect their homes, and the millions more who will enjoy new protections for the first time, steadfast advocacy and an election has helped keep a roof over their heads.”

Senator Rivera Introduces Resolution Recognizing June as Immigrant Heritage Month in New York State

Today, State Senator Gustavo Rivera introduced a resolution to designate the month of June as Immigrant Heritage Month in the state of New York. For the fifth consecutive year, Senator Rivera's resolution serves to highlight, acknowledge and celebrate the countless contributions immigrant communities have made and continue to make to the Empire State.

"New York State has always been a beacon of hope for those who have left their countries of origin in search of a brighter future for themselves and their families. While the federal government continues to deliberately implement malicious policies to dehumanize and tear our communities apart, New York must never waiver in our commitment to provide them the support they need to fully thrive," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. "As a Legislature, we will continue our work to enact policies that ensure our already embattled immigrant communities are provided the protections they deserve. I would like to thank my colleagues in the New York State Senate for adopting this resolution and joining me in celebrating our State's rich immigrant heritage."

THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY PASSES THE GREEN LIGHT BILL (CRESPO A. 3675B) RESTORING ACCESS TO DRIVER’S LICENSES TO ALL NEW YORKER'S

   Today, the New York State Assembly passed the Driver's License Access and Privacy Act. The need to secure driving privileges for all residents of New York, including undocumented immigrants, has been a long term effort. This legislation enhances public safety because all drivers will be required to pass a written exam and demonstrate safe driving skills.

 

“Today, the Assembly passed the Green Light Bill which aims to restore all New Yorker's access to driver’s licenses,” says Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo.  “This legislation allows for undocumented immigrant New Yorker's, who contribute to our state economy in so many ways, to drive safely to and from school, work, and home. Not only will our roads throughout New York State be safer, but families of immigrants will have more peace of mind while their loved ones are on the roads. I am grateful for the Speaker’s support and leadership, to my colleagues in the assembly for doing the right thing, and to the advocates’ unwavering activism and visibility throughout the state.”

 

Popularly known as the Green Light Bill, this legislation addresses the long-held need to restore access to driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants. This legislation allows for the issuance of a driver's license, protects the data of those applying for such privilege from unwarranted release and moves New York closer to recognizing the huge and positive economic impact undocumented residents have on the economy.

 

Attorney General James And NYC Comptroller Stringer Announce Sentencing Of Construction Contractors For Failing To Pay More Than $280,000 In Wages To Workers In Public Work Projects

Vickram Mangru, Owner and Operator of Vick Construction and AVM Construction Corp., is Sentenced to 30 Days in Jail, and 3 Years of Probation for Failing to Pay Prevailing Wages on Construction Work at Several Bronx Public School

  Attorney General Letitia James and New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer today announced the sentencings of Vickram Mangru, his wife Gayatri Mangru, and AVM Construction Corp., of Valley Stream, NY, for failing to pay proper prevailing wages to workers related to a publicly-funded New York City construction project.   

The defendants were sentenced in Bronx County Supreme Court in front of Justice James A. McCarty.  Vickram Mangru will serve 30 days in jail, followed by 3 years of probation, after his felony conviction of Failure to Pay Prevailing Wages and Benefits. Gaytari Mangru was sentenced to a Conditional Discharge as result of her misdemeanor conviction on the same charge. The defendants both pled guilty to the charges on February 11, 2019, and have paid $80,000 in restitution to three workers. The remaining $201,630.09 was subject to an Order of restitution issued by the court. 

In addition, all defendants will be prohibited from bidding on or being awarded any public works contract in the State of New York for a period of five (5) years.   

“New Yorkers who work on publicly-funded projects deserve to be paid a prevailing wage,” said Attorney General Letitia James. “Employers who underpay their employees, and attempt to evade wage laws have no business in the state of New York. My office will continue to ensure that all New Yorkers – no matter their trade – are paid a fair wage.” 

"My office has zero tolerance for unscrupulous, predatory actors who flout the law and cheat workers out of their wages – that’s why we debarred this contractor,” said Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. “The defendant in this case was forbidden from obtaining contracts for public works projects in New York City and State after he was found to be violating our labor laws. We referred this case to the Attorney General’s Office after Mangru created a new company in an attempt to continue operating in New York City, but was allegedly still committing labor violations. There’s no place in New York for these kind of acts, and my office will always fight to break the grip of those who cheat our workers – finger by finger."   

Between December 22, 2012 and February 14, 2015, Vickram Mangru – as owner of Vick Construction and operator of AVM Construction Corp. – failed to pay several of his employees’ proper prevailing wages for construction and repair work on several public schools in the Bronx. State law requires that on certain construction projects designated as “public works,” workers must be paid a pre-determined industry minimum wage per hour, plus a benefit rate, collectively known as a “prevailing wage rate.” Instead of paying this prevailing wage rate, the investigation revealed that Vickram Mangru allegedly paid his workers between $120 and $160/day for 40-50 hours worked per week – an amount far less than what his employees were owed under the prevailing wage rate. To cover up the crime, Vickram Mangru falsified Certified Payroll Records and Reports submitted to the New York City Department of Education by claiming that he did pay workers the proper prevailing wage rate. The New York City Comptroller’s Office previously barred the defendant, Vickram Mangru, from obtaining contracts for public works projects in New York City after he was found to be in violation of labor laws. The Comptroller’s Office referred the case to the Attorney General’s Office after Mangru created a new company in an attempt to continue operating in New York City, but was allegedly still committing labor violations.   

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS IN PRISON FOR SHOOTING INTO EX-GIRLFRIEND’S APARTMENT

Jury Found Defendant Guilty of Attempted Murder

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for shooting into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment door while a party went on in inside. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant endangered the lives of a dozen people who were inside the apartment enjoying a game night party when he began firing shots into the door. Thankfully no one was hit by a bullet during the defendant’s reckless gun violence.”

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Raymond Clarida, 38, of 891 Fox Street, was sentenced today by Bronx Supreme Court Justice David Lewis to 15 years in prison and 5 years post-release supervision. A jury found the defendant guilty of Attempted Murder in the second degree and second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon on March 25, 2019. 

 According to the investigation, on November 26, 2017, at 891 Fox Street, the defendant, during a fit of jealousy, went to the apartment he had shared with his ex-girlfriend, armed with a .9mm pistol with a laser attached to it, as well as black latex gloves. Clarida fired three shots into the door, knowing there were more than ten people inside, with two of them directly behind the door. The gun jammed after the three shots.

 Before the shooting, on November 24, 2017, the defendant physically assaulted his exgirlfriend, Shameka Smalls, and on November 25, 2017, when he returned to pick up his belongings, the defendant had a dispute with Smalls and Taalib Timothy, threatening that he would be back.

 District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Sergeant Kathryn Hennessey, formerly of the 44th Precinct and NYPD Police Officer Christopher Indovino, of the 41st precinct, for their assistance in the investigation.

Bronx Jewish Community Council - EVENING AT THE ZOO

Bronx Jewish Community Council presents BJCC Evening at the Zoo When: Thursday June 20, 2019 Time: 6:30 PM Where: Bronx Zoo - Schiff Hall

RSVP HERE Information about the event There will be free parking at Crotona Gate (182 St and Crotona Parkway) starting at 5:30 PM. it is just a short walk to Schiff Hall Event Space at Astor Court (the Old Lion House). The Madagascar exhibit will be open from 5:30 – 6:45 PM for our guests to enjoy. The exhibit is located in the same building as the Schiff Hall Event space. We will be having a silent auction at our event. If you would like to donate a new item or service please email events@bjcconline.org

Click Here to donate new items/services to our silent auction.

DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS ADVISES PROPERTY OWNERS, CONTRACTORS, & CRANE OPERATORS TO TAKE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES DURING HIGH WINDS

The New York City area may experience wind gusts exceeding 35 miles per hour beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, June 11^th.Accordingly, DOB is reminding all builders, contractors, crane operators, and property owners to secure their construction sites, buildings, and equipment.

                                                                                                                                    

The Department will be performing random spot-check inspections of construction sites around the city. If sites are not secured, the Department will take immediate enforcement action -- issuing violations and Stop Work Orders, where necessary.

Winds may reach higher speeds and last longer than forecast in certain areas of the city. Property owners must consider the safety of their buildings and construction sites, including cranes, suspended and supported scaffolding, hoists, and any other building appurtenances that may come loose from exposure to high winds. Structures that have been subject to deferred maintenance or are in delicate condition could be at greater risk. The Department suggests consulting a professional to advise how to secure construction sites and buildings.

To safeguard construction sites, builders, contractors, and developers should take all precautionary measures including but not limited to the following:

·     Tie down and secure material and loose debris at construction sites.

·         Cover electrical equipment from exposure to the weather.

·         Store loose tools, oil cans, and extra fuses in a tool box.

·         Secure netting, scaffolding, and sidewalk sheds.

·       Suspend crane operations and secure crane equipment when wind speeds reach 30 mph or greater.

·         Suspend hoist operations and secure exterior hoists when wind speeds reach 35 mph or greater, unless manufacturer specifications state otherwise.

·         Brace and secure construction fences.         

·         Call 911 if there is an emergency on a construction site.

Buildings Bulletin 2015-029 outlines the requirements for vertical netting, debris netting and material-fall protection devices at buildings and construction sites. 

To secure a building, property owners should take all precautionary measures including but not limited to the following:

·     Bring inside loose, lightweight objects such as lawn furniture, potted plants, garbage cans, garden tools, and toys.

·       Anchor objects that would be unsafe outside, such as gas grills or propane tanks.

·         Close up and secure patio umbrellas.

·         Secure retractable awnings.

·         Remove aerial antennas and satellite television dishes.

New Yorkers are encouraged to call 311 to report non-compliant conditions or 911 to report emergencies at construction sites or buildings. New Yorkers who suspect a building or property has been structurally compromised should call 911. 

Under §28-301.1 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, property owners are legally obligated to maintain their properties in a safe condition. 

Department weather advisories are strictly a courtesy to remind property owners to prepare their properties for severe weather and cannot be read to suggest that the Department, rather than the property owner, is responsible for maintaining his or her property.