Council Votes to Pass the “Renewable Rikers” Act, and Two Other Items

 

The New York City Council voted on legislation to transfer the land, buildings and facilities of Rikers Island from the Department of Correction (DOC) to the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS). This legislation comes ahead of the August 31, 2027 deadline that prohibits Rikers Island from being used for incarceration. The Council also voted on a bill to require a feasibility study to determine whether different types of renewable energy sources, combined with battery storage, are feasible on Rikers Island.  Int 1592-2019

This local law would establish a process for the transferring of the land, buildings and facilities of Rikers Island from the Department of Correction to the Department of Citywide Administrative Services In biannual evaluations, any portion not in active use for the housing of persons, or providing of services for such persons, would be so transferred, with the entirety being transferred no later than August 31, 2027. Additionally, a Rikers Island Advisory Committee would be established, consisting of relevant commissioners, persons impacted by Rikers, and experts in environmental justice and sustainability. The advisory committee would evaluate and provide recommendations on potential uses of the island for sustainability and resiliency purposes. This local law would require that a feasibility study be conducted as an appendix to the long-term energy plan, to ascertain whether different types of renewable energy sources, combined with battery storage, are feasible on Rikers Island.

The Council also voted to create a pilot program to test sewage for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Wastewater samples are an underutilized early detection tool for this virus. Early detection of the virus early can help to track circulation or re-emergence in the community. This legislation will include a plan for increased testing at each City wastewater treatment plant if deemed appropriate and offers recommendations for making the program permanent. Int 1966-2020

This bill would require the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene to create a pilot program to test the city’s wastewater treatment plants for the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the strain of coronavirus that causes COVID-19, and submit a report with the results of the program.

Additionally, the Council voted on legislation that disqualifies people who have been convicted of certain felonies that relate to public corruption and depriving the public of honest services from holding local elected office. The bill would apply to the offices of Mayor, Comptroller, Public Advocate, Borough President, and Council Member. Int 0374-2018

This bill would disqualify any person that has been convicted of certain felonies, in relation to public corruption and depriving the public of honest services, from holding the office of Mayor, Public Advocate, Comptroller, Borough President or Council Member.

Governor Cuomo Announces Lowest Single-Day COVID-19 Positivity Rate Since November 23 - FEBRUARY 20, 2021

 

Statewide Positivity Rate Drops to 3.06%

Hospitalizations Drop to 5,977—Below 6,000 for First Time Since December 14

7-Day Average Positivity Rate Has Declined for 43 Straight Days

1,162 Patients in the ICU; 801 Intubated

97 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the COVID-19 positivity rate yesterday was 3.06 percent, the lowest since November 23. Hospitalizations dropped below 6,000 for the first time since December 14. The 7-day average positivity rate has declined for 43 straight days.

"Our ability to beat back COVID is entirely dependent on our actions, and the post-holiday reduction in positivity and hospitalizations demonstrates that New Yorkers are continuing to do the right things to stay safe. As these numbers go down, vaccinations are going up, and that means we're making real progress toward the light at the end of the tunnel," Governor Cuomo said. "We have the capacity and distribution network to get even more vaccines in arms, but because of limited supply this will continue to be a marathon, not a sprint. In the meantime, we must continue masking up and practicing good social distancing—actions that we know will tame the COVID beast."  

Today's data is summarized briefly below: 

• Test Results Reported - 251,645
• Total Positive - 7,692
• Percent Positive - 3.06%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.53%
• Patient Hospitalization - 5,977 (-178)
• Net Change Patient Hospitalization Past Week - -911
• Patients Newly Admitted - 563
• Hospital Counties - 55
• Number ICU - 1,162 (-37)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 801 (-33)
• Total Discharges - 141,592 (+624)
• Deaths - 97 
• Total Deaths - 37,776

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli Local Sales Tax Collections Down 5.9% in January

DiNapoli: January Local Sales Tax Collections Down 5.9 Percent

Local government sales tax collections statewide were down 5.9 percent in January compared to the same time last year, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced. Collections totaled $1.5 billion, down $95 million from January 2020.

The decline was less than the 8.4 percent drop in December and the double-digit declines in the earlier months of the pandemic (April-June).

More Than 1.7 Million New York Adults
Suffer from Food Scarcity

New York ranks seventh among all the states in the percentage of adults who are experiencing food scarcity, at 14 percent compared to the 11 percent national rate, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest Household Pulse Survey.

More than 1.7 million New York adults live in households that sometimes or often in the past week did not have enough to eat, according to the Census survey in late January and early February. (The Census Bureau refers to either “food scarcity” or “food insufficiency” to characterize these findings.) Children are not counted in the Census data. Including them would add substantially to the total.

For more current highlights on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the State’s finances and economy, visit our web page. This office is committed to keeping New Yorkers regularly updated on the State’s economy and finances.

New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Flies to Houston Texas to Help in Relief Effort

 New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joined with Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia of Texas to volunteer at the Houston Food Bank. These Fierce Latina Leaders joined forces to motivate local Houston community leaders, elected officials, local business owners, citizens, and neighbors to step-up and take action to help during this still unraveling crisis. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio- Cortez traveled across the country to volunteer alongside Houston Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, both Latina members of Congress are dedicated to sticking together to uplift their communities and do the work that must be done to recover. 

Tomorrow they invite everyone who can to give back to those still struggling to survive past this devastating event. A few photos are below.

Above- Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez helps unload much needed supplies.

Below - Congress members Ocasio-Cortez and Garcia help fill bags with groceries to give out. 

Above - Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez checks to see what supplies are needed.

Below - She carries a case of bottled water to the trunk of this car.

315 Days and Counting

Let's see if Governor Andrew Cuomo leaves office before me. I still have 315 days left in office.

Governor Cuomo Announces Nursing Home Visitations to Resume in Accordance with CMS and CDC Guidelines - and COVID-19 Indicators - FEBRUARY 19, 2021

 

DOH Recommends Nursing Home Visitors Take a Rapid Test Before Entry; DOH Will Provide Rapid Tests to Nursing Homes at No Cost

New York City Indoor Dining Can Expand to 35 Percent Capacity on February 26; Reopening Subject to Strict State Guidance

Hospitalizations Drop to 6,155—Lowest Since December 17

7-Day Average Positivity Rate Drops to 3.60%-42 Straight Days of Decline

6,155 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide

1,199 Patients in the ICU; 834 Intubated

Statewide Positivity Rate is 3.49%

116 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the New York State Department of Health will allow visitation of residents in nursing home facilities in accordance with CMS and CDC guidelines. The Department of Health recommends that visitors take a rapid test before entry into the facility, and DOH will provide rapid tests to nursing homes at no cost. Guidance on visitations will be available beginning Monday, February 22.

The Governor also announced that New York City indoor dining can expand to 35 percent capacity next Friday, February 26. The reopening is subject to strict state guidance and aligns with New Jersey's 35 percent limit.

Governor Cuomo also announced that the FDA has allocated 4,610 doses of the therapeutic bamlanivimab to New York. Bamlanivimab was shown in trials to reduce COVID hospitalization or ER visits in high-risk patients within 28 days after treatment when compared to a placebo.

COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped to 6,155, the lowest level since December 17. The 7-day average positivity rate has declined for 42 straight days.

"New Yorkers should be commended for how they have continued to beat back this invisible enemy and as we continue that progress, we're working to reopen parts of our lives that we've had to give up because of COVID," Governor Cuomo said. "One of the most devastating aspects of this virus has been how it separated families from their loved ones, making an already difficult situation even harder to bear. Thanks to the dedication of New Yorkers, we're now at a point where we can begin to resume nursing home visitations under strict guidelines to protect the health and safety of residents. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer, but we are not out of the woods yet. New Yorkers have been through so much this past year and as long as we continue to follow the science and remain united, we will finally win this war."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 249,248
• Total Positive - 8,710
• Percent Positive - 3.49%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.60%
• Patient Hospitalization - 6,155 (-279)
• Net Change Patient Hospitalization Past Week - -913
• Patients Newly Admitted - 664
• Hospital Counties - 56
• Number ICU - 1,199 (-59)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 834 (-29)
• Total Discharges - 140,968 (+753)
• Deaths - 116
• Total Deaths - 37,675

Governor Cuomo Announces 12 Percent of New Yorkers Have Received at Least One Dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine

 

As of 11 AM today, New York's Health Care Distribution Sites Have Administered 98% of First Doses Received Week 1-9

Vaccine Dashboard Will Update Daily to Provide Updates on the State's Vaccine Program; Go to ny.gov/vaccinetracker; Dashboard Now Includes Demographic Data

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced 12.1 percent of New Yorkers have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. As of 11AM today, New York's health care distribution sites have administered 98 percent of first doses received for week 1-9 first doses. The week 10 allocation from the federal government has been delayed due to winter storms impacting much of the country - New York continues to monitor the situation and work with providers and federal partners to address these shipping issues. New York's health care distribution sites have administered 88 percent of doses so far delivered.

"We've bounced back from the post-holiday surge and our infection rate is at the lowest rate since before the holiday season - that's great news, but we must remain vigilant because this war isn't won until every New Yorker has been inoculated and New York is COVID-free," Governor Cuomo said. "Despite the limited weekly supply, New York's vast distribution network and community efforts have been working to get shots in arms as quickly and fairly as possible, we've administered over 3.5 million shots, but we simply need more doses. We're now also seeing delays in the week 10 shipment of vaccines due to extreme weather conditions and are working with the federal government and our distribution sites on the ground to minimize the impact this has on New Yorkers."

Approximately 10 million New Yorkers are currently eligible to receive the vaccine. The federal government has increased the weekly supply by more than 20 percent over the next three weeks, but New York's vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals still far exceed the supply coming from the federal government. Due to limited supply, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment.

The 'Am I Eligible' screening tool has been updated for individuals with comorbidities and underlying conditions with new appointments released on a rolling basis over the next weeks. Starting next week, local health departments will also receive vaccine allocations for these individuals. New Yorkers can use the following to show they are eligible:

• Doctor's letter, or
• Medical information evidencing comorbidity, or
• Signed certification

Vaccination program numbers below are for doses distributed and delivered to New York for the state's vaccination program, and do not include those reserved for the federal government's Long Term Care Facility program. A breakdown of the data based on numbers reported to New York State as of 11AM today is as follows. Beginning week 9, allocation totals are inclusive of some excess vaccine doses that have been reallocated from the federal Long Term Care Facility program. The allocation totals below include 40 percent of the week 10 allocation which is expected to finish being distributed to New York provider sites on Sunday.

STATEWIDE BREAKDOWN

First Doses Received - 2,335,250

First Doses Administered - 2,147,076

Second Doses Received - 1,284,300

Second Doses Administered - 1,033,367

Senator Alessandra Biaggi's Week in Review: 2/15/21 - 2/19/21

 

Dear Community,

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has accumulated an outsized level of power that is no longer appropriate or necessary. In early March 2020, the Legislature voted to expand the Governor's powers under an emergency declaration right before a state of emergency was first declared. The COVID-19 health and economic crises have necessitated certain expedited directives by the Executive, but these powers have been overused and now threaten our co-equal branches of government  

In the first 6 months of the Governor’s expanded powers, he issued 65 executive orders and suspended more than 250 laws. The number and nature of these directives demonstrate an overreach of power, and the lack of oversight of the Governor threatens the health of our representative democracy. There are three branches of government for a reason. The duty of law-making should belong to the Legislative branch as it continues to serve as the strongest connection to New Yorkers and our local communities. Yet many of the Governor’s directives have disregarded the legislative process all together and undermined the power of the Legislature – and the voices of the people. 

The Governor’s handling of nursing homes throughout the pandemic illustrates his dangerous overreach. In March 2020, the Executive issued guidance requiring nursing homes to re-admit COVID-19 positive patients. The Governor’s office further failed to provide nursing homes with the support they needed in the early days of the pandemic. According to a report issued by the Attorney General, this guidance may have put nursing home residents in harm's way. During the summer, the Legislature demanded that the Health Commissioner provide us with full and accurate data on COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes. But only after Attorney General Letitia James’ investigation reported that the Department of Health had undercounted as much as 50% of nursing home deaths, did the Governor’s office provide those details to the Legislature and the public. 

The Administration's decision to withhold the accurate number of people who died of COVID-19 in nursing homes demonstrates their lack of transparency and unwillingness to hold themselves accountable. If this is how the Governor chooses to use his expanded powers, it is no longer in the public’s best interest to allow his emergency powers to remain unchecked. 

This week I introduced legislation (S4888) to revoke Governor Cuomo’s expanded emergency powers. With the growing support to roll back the Governor’s expanded emergency powers, I am hopeful we will restore the Legislature's role in our democracy and deliver New Yorkers the relief they so desperately need.

With Gratitude,

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi