STATEMENT FROM MAYOR DE BLASIO ON THE LAW DEPARTMENT REPORT ON NYPD PROTEST RESPONSE

Mayor Bill de Blasio today released a statement supporting the findings and recommendations of Corporation Counsel James Johnson’s report on the NYPD’s response to the George Floyd protests in New York City.

 

“There are clear lessons to be learned from the protests this year and a necessary drive to bring about real, transformative changes. We must make improvements immediately, and the reports from the Department of Investigation and the Law Department will help guide the way forward,” said Mayor de Blasio. In addition to the 20 recommendations from the DOI report, I fully support the Law Department’s 10 recommendations for the NYPD to better respond to protests, strengthen community engagement and improve officer training.” 

 

In May, the Mayor instructed both the Law Department and the Department of Investigation (DOI) to review the NYPD’s protest response. The independent DOI report was released earlier this month. It’s findings and all 20 recommendations were supported by the Mayor in a video statement.  

  

L+M DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS, TYPE A PROJECTS & BRONXWORKS SECURE $349M IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CITY OF NEW YORK FOR BRONX POINT

 

Construction slated to begin in coming weeks on transformative South Bronx project along the Harlem River waterfront

 

Public-private partnership will create 542 units of permanently affordable housing, including units for low-income families and the formerly homeless

 

Community oriented project includes award-winning public riverfront esplanade, first permanent home for the Universal Hip Hop Museum, youth & community center and youth & environmental programming

 A public-private partnership of L+M Development Partners, Type A Projects, BronxWorks and the City of New York closed Tuesday on financing for the first phase of Bronx Point, a much-anticipated mixed-use development coming to the Harlem River waterfront in the South Bronx. Bronx Point’s first phase will deliver 542 units of permanently affordable housing to the Lower Concourse neighborhood, along with approximately 2.8 acres of public open space and an array of cultural and community-focused programming, including a permanent home for the Universal Hip-Hop Museum, an early childhood space run by BronxWorks, and outdoor science programming run by the Billion Oyster Project. Along with its affordable housing opportunities, Bronx Point will serve as a new civic and cultural hub for the borough in close proximity to the new home of the Bronx Children’s Museum, Hostos Community College and the Bronx Terminal Market. The 25 percent WBE-developed project is aligned with Mayor de Blasio’s broader Where We Live NYC initiative, an inclusive process to ensure widespread community participation in shaping the City’s strategies to address fair housing barriers. In addition to meeting a 35% M/WBE participation goal, the development team will participate in HireNYC. In 2016, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and HPD released a Request for Expressions of Interest for the Bronx Point site and selected the L+M/Type A/BronxWorks partnership in 2017 upon the completion of the site’s rezoning. 

 

Bronx Point is located on City-owned land and is being financed through a combination of public and private capital, including financing from the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC), Empire State Development, Wells Fargo, and additional private funding. The overall funding includes $323.5 million for the building, along with $25.5 million for the waterfront esplanade’s construction from the NYCEDC. 

 

“This public-private partnership will deliver high quality affordable housing, a beautifully restored esplanade connecting the community to the waterfront, and a unique cultural institution that highlights the historic contributions the vibrant South Bronx community has made to music” said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Vicki Been. “Community-based projects like Bronx Point are critical to this Administration’s goal of bringing affordable housing & investment to communities that have been historically left behind.”

 

“For years, we've wanted a permanent home in The Bronx—the birthplace of hip hop—and we are proud to be a part of Bronx Point, which will be one of the great new destinations of the borough,” said Kurtis Blow, hip hop legend and Chairman Emeritus of the Universal Hip Hop Museum. “Hip hop grew from a seed that was planted at a house party on Sedgwick Avenue into a global movement, and our museum will celebrate that journey and the Bronx's place in its history.  For all those who rose with us and followed in our footsteps: this museum will be for you, forever. We can't wait to open our doors and welcome visitors from around the borough, the city and world to Bronx Point and the new home of hip hop!" 

 

“It’s been an honor to be part of an incredible team that spearheaded a project we believe the community will truly be proud of. Being born and raised in the South Bronx, it’s particularly meaningful,” said Josue Sanchez, Senior Director at L+M Development Partners. “At a moment when New Yorkers continue to struggle through the impacts of the pandemic, it’s even more critical for us to begin work on a project that will serve so many in a way that’s true to the borough - from high-quality affordable housing and community programming, to much-needed open space along the Harlem River, to a permanent home for the Universal Hip Hop Museum. Thank you to our partners at the City, State, and Wells Fargo for their extraordinary hard work and dedication in helping us reach this milestone through a true public-private partnership.”

 

“As a NYC-certified Women-owned Business, Type A Projects is grateful to NYCEDC for prioritizing M/WBEownership and participation at Bronx Point,” said Annie Tirschwell, Partner at Type A Projects.  “Initiatives like this are essential building blocks for a more equitable and inclusive city for all. We value our partnership with L+M and were honored to bring our commitment to inclusive and community-centric planning to what will be a transformative project for the South Bronx.  We are deeply appreciative of the community's participation and Community Board 4’s leadership during our collaborative two-year-long open space design process.  We hope Bronx Point will become the heart of a revitalized and sustainable South Bronx waterfront community.”

 

"BronxWorks is thrilled to be a partner in the Bronx Point Development,” said Eileen Torres, Executive Director, BronxWorks.  “By offering families and residents child care and social services right on-site, the development represents an innovative and supportive approach for our Bronx neighbors. As we look to lift lives and build futures, especially post the devastating COVID pandemic, the Bronx Point is a hopeful sign of the future for our community."   

 

“A critical component to making our city fairer is strengthening neighborhoods for all New Yorkers,” said James Patchett, president and CEO of New York City Economic Development Corporation. “Today marks a major step towards advancing the administration’s key investments in the South Bronx. By bringing affordable housing, waterfront access and a range of cultural facilities, we are creating a more equitable New York. We are proud to be part of this effort to bring this community’s vision to life.” 

 

“Wells Fargo is thrilled to collaborate with L+M Development Partners, Type A Projects, BronxWorks, and the City of New York to bring vital affordable housing solutions to the Harlem River waterfront in the South Bronx,” said Alan Wiener, acting Head of Community Lending and Investment for Wells Fargo Commercial Real Estate. “The Bronx Point development enhances the community in a variety of ways – from the 542 new affordable housing units for low-income residents and formerly homeless individuals to the 2.8-acre waterfront park and the Universal Hip-Hop Museum. Wells Fargo is committed to helping finance projects like Bronx Point that drive community engagement and cultural innovation. We look forward to the lasting, positive impact this development will have on the Bronx community,” 

 

“We are proud to be a part of the Bronx Point project through ESD’s investment in the Universal Hip Hop Museum, which will be the first museum in the world dedicated to the preservation and celebration of Hip-Hop history,” said Eric Gertler, Empire State Development Acting Commissioner, President and CEO-designate. “This project brings together arts, culture and entertainment while helping to revive the Bronx waterfront and will create jobs, stimulate private investment, provide quality affordable housing and enhance the surrounding natural environment.”

Mayor Bill de Blasio on 2020, and Tries to Explain Rising COVID-19 Indicators

 

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Thank you. So, let me do one more topic here and it plays right off of that. And it's about the fact that in this really painful difficult year 2020 people created. People created things that they didn't think of before that they didn't even know they could do before. We saw incredible strength. We saw incredible cooperation. We saw incredible ingenuity all over the city – our health care heroes, of course; the way small businesses helped each other out; so many people came forward in a spirit of charity and supported their fellow New Yorkers. That's what we've seen throughout 2020. That's what gives me so much faith in 2021, and the years beyond, the way New Yorkers handled 2020 really tells you everything you need to know about our people and our city. We also innovated right here at City Hall. We talked about the Open Storefronts program – obviously, Open Restaurants, Open Streets, whole new ways of doing things and there's got to be a lot more like that, going forward, because we found in crisis solutions that, ideally, we would've figured out when there wasn't a crisis, but the crisis gave us that transformative moment to do something different and better, and we need to build upon it. We also found new ways to deepen our commitment, to protecting our people. And in this crisis, we know so many people were trying to figure out a way to keep things going, find a way to keep their employment going, find a way to get around that they felt was safe. More and more people of course turned to cycling as an option, and one of the things that we focused on this year was creating protected bike lanes to really ensure that New Yorkers could cycle about the city in the safest way possible. I'm happy to tell you, we have a record number of new protected bike lanes this year. This year, in all five boroughs, we built 28 miles of protected bike lanes. That is just in the year 2020. And now, with that achievement, combining with what was done previously, 133 miles of protected bike lanes that we've built in the last seven years of this administration. 

 

So, this city continues to evolve and change. There's so much that we can do to make it a better city going forward. And we're going to be talking a lot about this in the coming weeks, the future of New York City. Again, we're not going back to a status quo, we are going forward to something better, something more sustainable, something more inclusive, something that will really help this city to grow together. That's what we'll be focused on as we enter into 2021 and this city rebuilds and recovers.  

 

With that, let me turn to our indicators for the day. And I want to say up front, indicators are a little unusual because we, obviously, had different patterns of testing because of the holidays. So, the numbers – got a caution from Department of Health, we should take these numbers with a grain of salt, because they don't necessarily reflect the same trends as when we see more regular testing. But let me go over the numbers. Number one, daily number of people admitted to New York City hospitals for suspected COVID-19 – today's report, 182 patients. Again, we want to be under 200, so I'm glad it's under 200. I want to drive that number down a lot. And here's another reason why – hospitalization rate per 100,000 people, 3.93 percent. Very much too high, we want to get that under two – I should say three [inaudible] 3.93 people per 100,000. We want to get that under two. Number two, daily number of cases for COVID-19 on the seven-day average – today's number, 3,390 – very high number. We want to get under 550 – obviously, a long way to go to bring that back. And number three, current testing indicator and seven-day rolling average, again, affected by the unusual testing patterns last few days, but 7.45 percent is the number. The goal is to get back under five percent and go lower again.  

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Two weeks after election day November 3, 2020 COVID-19 indicators began rise, and have risen to levels that the mayor spoke of another shut down of New York City again. Knowing the rising COVID-19 indicators due to overcrowding outside and inside poll sites Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio allowed a special election to take place in the 12th City Council District. We have been told that at least four Board of Elections workers have come down with COVID-19 due to the special election, and it is not known how many voters in the 12th City Council District were exposed to COVID-19, including the Bronx Democratic Party Leader and New York State Assembly Speaker who both reside in the 12th City Council District who both went to their poll sites to vote.

Comes the new year there will be two vacancies in the 11th and 15th Bronx City Council Districts where Mayor de Blasio will be calling special elections to fill those vacant city council seats. As was the case in early 2020 where Governor Cuomo postponed two special elections to the June 2020 Primary date, the governor must also postpone these two special elections to the June 2021 Primary date. 

Governor Cuomo Announces Updated Quarantine Guidelines to Align with CDC Recommendations, and Updates on COVID-19 Indicators DECEMBER 29, 2020

 

Individuals Can End Quarantine After 10 Days As Long As No Symptoms Are Reported

7,814 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide 

1,224 Patients in the ICU; 711 Intubated

Statewide Positivity Rate is 7.14% 

124 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced updated quarantine guidelines for New York which are consistent with the latest Centers for Disease Control guidance. Under the new guidelines, individuals exposed to COVID-19 can end their quarantine after 10 days without a testing requirement as long as no symptoms have been reported during the quarantine period. After day 10 is reached, individuals must continue monitoring for symptoms through day 14 and if any develop, they should immediately self-isolate and contact the local health department or their healthcare provider to report this change and determine if they should seek testing. Individuals should to continue strict adherence to all recommended safe behaviors to stop the spread - wearing masks, socially distancing and avoiding gatherings.

"As we approach the New Year and the end of the holiday season, all New Yorkers must remember one simple truth - celebrating smart stops shutdowns," Governor Cuomo said. "While the holidays have always been synonymous with socialization, the data shows vast majority of new cases are stemming from private gatherings. I understand not being able to join together with loved ones makes an already trying year, more difficult, but it also means we control our own destiny. New York is leading the nation in quickly and efficiently administering the vaccine, so if we can continue that progress and the rest of us keep making smart decisions like avoiding gatherings, socially distancing and wearing masks, we will finally reach the light at the end of the tunnel." 

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 160,164
• Total Positive - 11,438
• Percent Positive - 7.14%
• Patient Hospitalization - 7,814 (+255)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 788
• Hospital Counties - 54
• Number ICU - 1,224 (+2)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 711 (-6)
• Total Discharges - 100,442 (+434)
• Deaths - 124
• Total Deaths - 29,756

Consumer Alert: The Division of Consumer Protection Urges New Yorkers to be Aware of COVID-19 Vaccination Scams

 

Scammers Using A Variety of Methods Tied to COVID-19 Vaccines to Target Consumers and Steal Personal Info

 The New York State Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) is alerting consumers about scammers taking advantage of COVID-19 vaccinations to steal personal information. Scammers are using techniques that typically arise with a major global event such as: falsely claiming to be online sellers of the vaccination; sending fake emails and texts that contain harmful links designed to steal your personal information; and using robocalls to pitch vaccination information. People should be on the lookout for scammers looking to take advantage of public interest surrounding vaccinations.

“The arrival of the COVID-19 vaccination brings along hope for so many of us, but it also creates new opportunities for unscrupulous scammers to attempt to lure people into unintentionally providing their personal information,” said Secretary of State Rossana Rosado. “As the vaccine is rolled out over the next several months, there are simple steps you can take to avoid COVID-19 vaccine scams that can help protect your hard-earned money and your identity.” 

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, "As we begin the monumental and historic task of vaccinating New Yorkers for COVID-19, we must be mindful of following verification protocols that will ensure a safe and effective vaccination process. As Governor Cuomo has announced, the vaccine will be free to receive and should be covered by insurance. New Yorkers can do their part by keeping their personal health information safe and questioning any requests for information that are not affiliated with a trusted health or government entity.”

Trusted Information – Vaccinate New York

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently launched the Vaccinate New York website to provide New Yorkers with a one-stop location for accurate and up to date information on the vaccine, safety, distribution priorities and a number of other details. Upon accessing the site, New Yorkers will find not only general information about the vaccine, but also a detailed Frequently Asked Questions section that provides facts about the vaccine's safety and efficacy. This information is critical to help instill confidence in the vaccine and to educate the public on it. Information on New York's Clinical Advisory Task Force, which approved the FDA's decision to move forward with the vaccine for New York, and on New York's Vaccine Distribution and Implementation Task Force are also available on the website.

New Yorkers can access the website by visiting www.ny.gov/vaccine.

Below are tips to protect yourself from COVID-19 Vaccination Scams:

• Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know. It could download a virus onto your computer or device. Make sure the anti-malware and anti-virus software on your computer is up to date.
• Be aware of emails coming from unknown senders. Watch for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts claiming to have information about the vaccine. For the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in New York State, visit the New York State Department of Health website.
• Ignore online offers for vaccinations or emails claiming you can get your vaccine sooner. If you see ads touting getting your vaccination sooner for COVID-19, ask yourself: is an ad or sales pitch a trusted source of information?
• Be aware of emails asking for your personal information. Do your homework when it comes to sharing your personal information over email. Confirm by calling the sender.
• Hang up on illegal robocallers. If you receive a call about scam COVID-19 vaccines, hang up. Don’t press any numbers. The recording might say that pressing a number will let you speak to a live operator or remove you from their call list, but it might lead to more robocalls, instead.

For up to date information on COVID-19 and vaccination information, visit the New York State Department of Health website or call the COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-364-3065.

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection serves to educate, assist and empower the State’s consumers. For more consumer protection information, call the DCP Helpline at 800-697-1220, Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm or visit the DCP website at www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection. The Division can also be reached via Twitter at @NYSConsumer or Facebook at www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.

AMID YEAR OF UNPRECEDENTED STREETSCAPE CHANGES, MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES LARGEST ONE-YEAR PROTECTED BIKE LANE EXPANSION IN NEW YORK CITY HISTORY

 

Over 28 miles of protected bike lanes installed this year; 16.3 miles of new bus lanes; Open Streets, Open Restaurants gave New York City’s streetscape the most dramatic transformation in modern history

Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) has constructed a record 28.6 lane miles of new protected bike lanes across all five boroughs in 2020. Combined with another 35.2 miles of conventional bike lanes, 83 miles of car-free Open Streets, more than 10,800 Open Restaurants on city streets and sidewalk, and 16.3 miles of new bus lanes – another one-year record – New York City’s streetscape was transformed more dramatically during 2020 than in any year in modern history.

 

“Our city has reimagined our streets as we’ve fought back the COVID-19 crisis. That means more space for restaurants and businesses, faster options for bus riders, and more ways than ever to accommodate the cycling boom with new protected bike lanes,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Record numbers of bike lanes and bus lanes will change our urban landscape forever – and, as we continue our fight to build a fairer and better city, we won’t stop here.”

 

"In a year where we have seen cycling boom throughout this city, DOT has done a remarkable job in building the critical infrastructure to keep New Yorkers safe and moving throughout this city," said Deputy Mayor Laura Anglin. "Amidst all of the challenges COVID-19 has thrown our way, this Administration has remained dedicated to building upon Vision Zero and making our streets safer for all New Yorkers."

 

“As unprecedented as this year has been, I sincerely applaud everyone at DOT for being able to implement a record number of protected bike lanes this year,” said Acting DOT Commissioner Margaret Forgione. “We have seen a tremendous shift towards cycling during the COVID-19 pandemic and predict the trend will continue even after the city recovers, so it is imperative we continue growing our bike network and keep cyclists safe.”

 

Today’s announcement brings the city’s total bike lane network to 1,375 lane miles, 545 of which are protected miles, including nearly 170 miles on street. DOT is also on track to meet the Green Wave Plan goal of installing over 80 miles of protected bike lanes by the end of 2021, and adding 75 miles of bicycle infrastructure in Bicycle Priority Districts by 2022.

 

The agency also completed over 70 Street Improvement Projects in all five boroughs, targeting locations with the greatest safety need for pedestrians and cyclists.

 

Protected Bike Lanes

Notable protected bike lane projects completed this year include:

 

Manhattan: (5.0 Protected Lane Miles)

• Broadway from Barclay Street to Morris Street
• Central Park West from 77^th Street to Frederick Douglass Circle
• 5^th Avenue from 110^th Street to 120^th Street
• St. Nicholas Avenue from 165^th to 170^th Street
• 6^th Avenue from 35^th Street to Central Park South
• 2^nd Avenue from 43^rd to 34^th Street

 

Brooklyn: (9.1 Protected Lane Miles)

• Tillary Street Phase II
• Franklin Street, N 14th Street to Quay Street; Quay Street, Franklin Street to West Street
• N. 14^th Street from Franklin Street to Berry Street
• 7^th Avenue Southbound from Bay Ridge Parkway to 79^th Street
• Flatbush Avenue from Grand Army Plaza to Ocean Avenue
• Smith Street from State Street to Fulton Street
• 4^th Avenue from 15^th Street to 60^th Street
• 4^th Avenue from Flatbush Avenue to 1^st Street

 

Queens: (9.5 Protected Lane Miles)

• Cross Bay Boulevard from the Addabbo Bridge to East 6^th Road
• Laurel Hill Boulevard from 51^st Avenue to 55^th Road
• Crescent Street from Queens Plaza North to Hoyt Avenue North
• Cross Bay Boulevard from Van Brunt Road to West 20th Road

 

Bronx: (3.2 Protected Lane Miles)

• Southern Boulevard from E Fordham Road to Mosholu Parkway
• E.L. Grant Highway
• Bronx Park East at White Plains Road

 

Staten Island: (1.8 Protected Lane Miles)

• Western Avenue, Gulf Avenue, Forest Avenue, Goethals Bridge Ped/Bike Connection 

 

Streetscape Changes:

During the pandemic, New York City found creative ways to rethink and reshape how it uses public space. That has included the creation of Open Streets, Open Restaurants, and Better Buses Restart, a record expansion of the bus lane network citywide. This year alone, New Yorkers enjoyed:

• 83 miles of car-free Open Streets and Open Streets: Restaurants, the most in the nation; another 17 miles of streets were given to schools for outdoor learning.
• 10,847 Open Restaurants.
• 16.3 new bus lane miles – a New York City record – including a new busway on Jay Street in Brooklyn and a permanent busway on 14^th Street in Manhattan.
• Speed limit reductions to nine major corridors citywide.
• Over 1,200 speed cameras installed across 750 school zones citywide.

 

Green Wave Plan Progress:

Announced last year, the Green Wave Plan aims to combine design, enforcement, legislation, policy and education to make the City’s streets safer for cyclists and all street users. In the coming year, DOT will prioritize providing more protected lanes in the Bronx, including developing a network in Morrisania, Southern Boulevard, and continuing work on University Avenue. Despite the operational and administrative challenges brought on by COVID-19, additional Green Wave progress as of 2020 includes:

 

• Installed Green Wave Signal Timing along 13 corridors.
• Held five monthly community bicycle working groups.
• Launched the Eastern Queens Greenway planning initiative.
• Added 50 Neighborhood Loading Zones, bringing total to 112 zones.
• Launched Commercial Cargo Bicycle Pilot, which has now grown to six companies and over 300 cargo bikes,
• 

Governor Cuomo Announces New Yorkers to Begin Receiving Extended Federal Unemployment Benefits Next Week

 

Thanks to Proactive Preparation, New York State will Deliver Extended Unemployment Benefits Without Delay

Unemployed New Yorkers Will Receive an Additional $300 Weekly Supplement and Extended Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation Starting the Week of January 3rd

Unemployed New Yorkers Must Continue to Certify to Receive Benefits

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that unemployed New Yorkers will begin receiving extended and expanded federal unemployment benefits next week — the first week these benefits can be paid under federal law. New York is able to provide these benefits immediately due to proactive work by the State Department of Labor to prepare for the federal government finally enacting a bill to extend unemployment programs originally included in the CARES Act that were set to expire at the end of 2020. The programs extended include Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, which provides benefits for those not covered by traditional state unemployment insurance; Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, which provides additional weeks of benefits after an individual exhausts the 26 weeks of state unemployment insurance; and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, which provides all New Yorkers receiving unemployment benefits an additional $300 weekly payment.

"This pandemic has created an unprecedented economic crisis, and New Yorkers have waited in uncertainty for far too long. I have repeatedly called on the federal government to do the right thing by renewing critical benefits to support millions of unemployed families through to the end of this pandemic - and now that Washington has finally acted, New York is immediately delivering those funds," Governor Cuomo said. " In the spring, New York led the nation in implementing federal unemployment programs, and this winter we will once again act swiftly to get money in the hands of New Yorkers who need it most."

The federal government has extended federal unemployment benefits for an additional eleven weeks through March 14, 2021. New Yorkers currently receiving benefits do not need to call the Department of Labor to receive these extended benefits — they should continue to certify for unemployment benefits in their usual manner and will automatically receive extended benefits. Those whose unemployment benefit year has ended should reapply online. Details of how New York will implement these extensions follows:

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance - New Yorkers can now receive up to 57 weeks of PUA benefits, with the program extended from the week ending January 3, 2021 through March 14, 2021. New Yorkers currently receiving PUA should continue to certify as usual and will continue to receive their benefits. According to the Federal government, additional eligibility documentation will be required beginning January 31, 2021. The Department of Labor will directly contact claimants who need to provide additional documentation.
• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation - New Yorkers can now receive up to 24 weeks of PEUC (up from the 13 weeks originally authorized in the spring) with the program extended through March 14, 2021. New Yorkers who have exhausted the 26 weeks of state unemployment insurance should continue to certify as normal and will automatically receive up to 24 weeks of PEUC. Individuals who previously exhausted the original 13 weeks of PEUC and transitioned to the Extended Benefits program will begin receiving extended PEUC benefits after they exhaust their EB benefits. The Department of Labor will automatically handle these program transfers.
• Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation - New Yorkers' FPUC benefits will resume the week ending January 3, 2021 and will last for eleven weeks. During that time, all New Yorkers who are receiving unemployment benefits — including traditional state UI, Shared Work Benefits, PEUC, EB, or PUA — will receive an additional $300 payment per week. Per federal guidelines, FPUC benefits will not be backdated, and can only be provided starting the week ending January 3, 2021.

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, "The extension of these federal unemployment benefits is a lifeline for many New Yorkers, and we will continue to do everything we can to bring relief to those who remain unemployed due to this unprecedented pandemic. We have paid out more than $59 billion in benefits to over 3.9 million unemployed New Yorkers during this crisis — nearly 28 typical years' worth of benefits paid in ten months — and we will continue to move heaven and earth to serve our neighbors."

New Yorkers may be eligible for an additional $100 per week through the Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation program. MEUC benefits are provided for individuals who earned at least $5,000 a year in self-employment income but are disqualified from receiving more substantial PUA benefits because they may be eligible for traditional state UI. New York has signed an agreement with the US DOL to offer MEUC benefits and is currently awaiting additional guidance from the Federal government on implementing the program. The Department of Labor will provide more details as they become available.

Additional updates, including answers to Frequently Asked Questions, will be posted to the NYS Department of Labor website at www.labor.ny.gov.

New Yorkers who are unemployed are also encouraged to take advantage of the State's Career Services resource page, view more than 112,000 jobs postings from all regions in the state and across all industries on New York's Jobs Express website at labor.ny.gov/jobs, increase their skills through the State's online learning platform in partnership with Coursera, and utilize the State University of New York's SUNY FOR ALL free Online Training Center.

Governor Cuomo Announces New Yorkers Can Begin Using New Paid Sick Leave Benefits Starting January 1, 2021 Under State's Nation-Leading Paid Sick Leave Law

 

Paid Sick Leave Will Empower Workers While Protecting All New Yorkers' Health    

Strongest-in-the-Nation Legislation Enacted as Part of Governor Cuomo's FY 2021 Budget 

Leave can be Used for an Illness, to Care for a Sick Family Member, or to Address Safety Needs for Victims of Domestic Violence 

In March, Governor Cuomo Signed Pandemic-specific Paid Sick Leave to Provide Immediate Assistance for New Yorkers Impacted by COVID-19 

More Information for New Yorkers Available Here

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New Yorkers can begin using sick leave benefits under the state's nation-leading paid sick leave law starting January 1, 2021. This legislation, which was advanced in the Governor's 2020 State of the State address and enacted as part of the FY 2021 Budget, secures paid sick leave for workers at medium and large businesses and paid or unpaid leave for those at small businesses, depending on the employer's net income. Under this groundbreaking law, New Yorkers can use guaranteed sick leave to recover from an illness themselves, care for a sick family member, or address safety needs if they or a family member are the victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking. More information is available on the state's Paid Sick Leave website. 

"Even before the coronavirus pandemic, we knew that no one should have to make the unimaginable choice between keeping their job or caring for themselves or a loved one. This public health crisis has put that need in even greater relief. Now, as we continue to beat back COVID and build a stronger New York, we are expanding this fundamental right to all New Yorkers," Governor Cuomo said. "New York has long championed workers' rights, and this strongest-in-the-nation paid sick leave law will help millions of our neighbors stay healthy—a boon for both businesses' bottom line and New Yorkers' well-being."

"No one should have to choose between going to work sick or caring for a sick loved one and not getting a paycheck, especially as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "That is why in New York, we have the most comprehensive paid family leave and paid sick leave programs in the nation that serve as a model for other states to follow. This is part of our ongoing efforts to help ensure equal access, opportunity and success for all hard-working men and women in New York State."  

New Yorkers earn sick leave based on the hours they work, earning one hour of leave for every 30 hours they work, retroactive to September 30, 2020. New York's new guaranteed sick leave law requires businesses to provide different levels of sick leave depending on their size:  

• Businesses with 100 or more employees must provide up to seven days (56 hours) of paid sick leave per year;  
• Businesses with five to 99 employees must provide up to five days (40 hours) of paid sick leave per year; 
• Businesses with fewer than five employees, but a net income of more than $1 million must provide up to five days (40 hours) of paid sick leave per year; and;
• Smaller businesses with fewer than five employees and a net income of less than $1 million must provide up to five days (40 hours) of unpaid sick leave. However, those already providing paid sick leave can continue to do so. 

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, "Ensuring paid sick leave for working New Yorkers was a major priority for the Senate Democratic Majority. The coronavirus pandemic has further demonstrated how essential paid sick leave is, and by not penalizing workers for avoiding the workplace when they are ill, we help avoid spreading colds and viruses. I am proud that by working with our Assembly colleagues and Governor Cuomo we were able to get this done."

Speaker Carl E. Heastie said, "The Assembly Majority has always believed that families are the heartbeat of our communities. After being overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to help New Yorkers get back on their feet. The Paid Family Leave provisions in this year's budget will help ensure that New Yorkers can care for themselves or sick loved ones without worrying about losing their jobs and being able to put food on their tables. This is just one step to give New Yorkers the support they need to navigate this difficult time and keep moving forward."

"The lack of a paid sick leave policy was hurting our most vulnerable New Yorkers, and that is simply unacceptable," said New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. "Governor Cuomo has been a champion for workers - and under his leadership, New York has been a progressive leader on issues important to working families. With this new law, we will remain at the forefront of the effort to restore economic parity and secure social justice for all. New Yorkers will no longer have to choose between staying home and getting healthy, or going to work to pay their bills."  

Prior to the law's passage, approximately 1.3 million New Yorkers did not have access to paid sick leave - forcing them to either take unpaid leave and risk losing their jobs or show up to work while sick, potentially spreading communicable diseases to coworkers and the general public. Nearly one-in-four workers had reported being fired or being threatened with termination for taking sick time.   

New York's sick leave law builds on Governor Cuomo's unprecedented actions to protect and uplift workers and their families, including enacting a $15 minimum wage that raised income for 1.5 million New Yorkers and enacting the nation's strongest Paid Family Leave program, which benefitted 128,000 New Yorkers in its first year.