DiNAPOLI: FEBRUARY LOCAL SALES TAX COLLECTIONS DOWN 4.2 PERCENT; YEAR OVER YEAR DECLINE NARROWS

 

Collections Declined $2.2 Billion in the 12 Months Since the Start of the Pandemic

 

 Overall sales tax collections for local governments declined by 4.2 percent in February compared to the same month in 2020, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today. Collections totaled nearly $1.3 billion, down $55 million from February of last year. Collections are down $2.2 billion, or 12 percent, for the past twelve months (March 2020 - Feb. 2021), compared to the same twelve months ending February 2020.

Revenues continued to shrink, but the decline last month was less steep than in January (5.9 percent) and December (8.4 percent), and the double-digit declines during the earlier months of the pandemic.

“The recent passage of the American Rescue Plan will provide much needed aid to our localities,” DiNapoli said. “The pandemic has taken a toll on statewide sales tax collections during the past year. New York’s local governments continue to suffer financially, but the collections losses are starting to slow as more vaccinations are being administered and businesses are slowly reopening.”  

All regions in the state experienced sales tax collection declines for February, ranging from 0.1 percent in the Mohawk Valley to 9.8 percent in the Finger Lakes. New York City’s collections decreased by 4.5 percent, down $27 million compared to February 2020.

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance reconciles sales tax collections at the end of each calendar quarter to reflect reported sales activity by location. The next reconciliation will be reported in mid-April, and will provide a more accurate regional picture of sales tax collections during the first quarter (January-March) of 2021. 

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic March 16, 2021

 

4,657 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide

943 Patients in the ICU; 609 Intubated

Statewide Positivity Rate is 4.14%

51 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"The pandemic has consumed New Yorkers' lives for the past year, but we have the weapon that will win the war and we're distributing it across the state," Governor Cuomo said. "New York's ever expanding vaccine network can handle more supply than the state receives, so we're ready to get even more shots in arms when the time comes. In the meantime, it's critical that residents continue to wash their hands, wear masks and stay socially distanced. We will get to the light at the end of the tunnel—we just have to remember that the infection rate is a function of what we do and to stay strong together."

It is important to note that data, including test results and hospital rates, reported early in the week are often not completely reflective of the current situation due to lower discharges and testing volume over the weekend. Data trends over a period of time, such as using 7-day averages, are a preferred metric.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 157,096
• Total Positive - 6,508
• Percent Positive - 4.14%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.24%
• Patient Hospitalization - 4,657 (+140)
• Net Change Patient Hospitalization Past Week - -242
• Patients Newly Admitted - 510
• Hospital Counties - 49
• Number ICU - 943 (+20)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 609 (-5)
• Total Discharges - 154,281 (+310)
• Deaths - 51
• Total Deaths - 39,636

Bronx Gang Member Pleads Guilty To 2018 Shooting In The Nelson Playground

 

Marvin Gamoneda Participated in a June 2018 Shooting in Which a 13-Year-Old Child Was Struck By Gunfire

 Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that MARVIN GAMONEDA, a/k/a “June,” pled guilty today in Manhattan federal court in connection with a shooting in the Nelson Playground on June 7, 2018, in furtherance of the Woodycrime criminal enterprise.  U.S. District Judge John G. Koeltl accepted the defendant’s guilty plea.

U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “Today, Marvin Gamoneda admitted his responsibility for a brazen shooting in the middle of the afternoon in a playground in the Bronx.  During the shooting, two individuals, including a child, were hit.  We continue our daily work with our law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe and to vigorously investigate acts of gang violence.”

As alleged in the Indictment and statements made in open court:

Woodycrime was a criminal enterprise involved in committing numerous acts of violence, including attempted murders and assaults, as well as drug dealing in the Bronx.  Members and associates of Woodycrime engaged in violence to retaliate against rival gangs, to preserve and expand the gang’s territory, and to protect the gang’s narcotics business.  Members and associates of Woodycrime enriched themselves by selling drugs, such as crack cocaine, marijuana, oxycodone, and MDMA or “ecstasy.”  On June 7, 2018, GAMONEDA and others shot at a rival gang member in the vicinity of the Nelson Playground in the Bronx, during which two victims, including a 13-year-old child, were injured.  

GAMONEDA, 34, of the Bronx, New York, pled guilty to attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, which carries a maximum sentence of life and a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison.  GAMONEDA will be sentenced before Judge Koeltl on July 30, 2021, at 10:00 a.m.

The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for information purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by Judge Koeltl.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD and the FBI.

Attorney General James Disappointed in Purdue Pharma Plan

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James today released the following statement, expressing disappointment in the plan Purdue Pharma filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court:

“I am disappointed in this plan. While it contains improvements over the proposal that Purdue announced and we rejected in September 2019, it falls short of the accountability that families and survivors deserve.

“States investigated Purdue and the Sacklers and filed the lawsuits that took down their criminal enterprise. During the bankruptcy, states worked together, across party lines, to force Purdue to turn over millions of pages of evidence and to question the Sacklers under oath. We also joined with every state and thousands of cities and towns to ensure that every dollar states recover is dedicated to addressing the opioid crisis. 

“Now, the Sacklers and Purdue need to own up to their decades of misconduct and their role in creating this crisis. 

“Right now, millions of people across the country are desperately suffering from opioid addiction. They need help and they need it now. We are committed to working with all parties in the bankruptcy to improve this plan and serve our constituents. Our focus remains delivering critically needed assistance to the people of our states.”

Governor Cuomo Announces Statewide Crackdown on Impaired Driving This St. Patrick's Day

 

Enforcement Campaign to Run Through March 21 

More than 77,000 Vehicle and Traffic Law Violation Tickets Issued During Last Year's 

Enforcement Campaign Including 1,944 Arrests for DWI

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that state and local law enforcement agencies across New York will be stepping up patrols to crack down on impaired driving for St. Patrick's Day. The enforcement campaign will run through Sunday, March 21. This special traffic enforcement detail is designed to reduce alcohol and drug-related traffic crashes. It is sponsored by STOP-DWI with funding from the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee.

"As New Yorkers celebrate St. Patrick's Day, I urge them to do so safely and responsibly," Governor Cuomo said. "There is zero tolerance for impaired driving in New York. It is grossly reckless on the part of the driver, and it puts all those on the road in danger. Impaired drivers will be caught and held accountable, so plan for a safe ride home." 

During the 2020 St. Patrick's Day campaign, which occurred March 13 through March 18, law enforcement throughout the state issued 77,444 tickets for vehicle and traffic law violations, including 1,944 arrests for DWI. Full breakdown here:

Violation                              Number of tickets

Impaired Driving                       1,944

Distracted Driving                     2,913

Move Over Law                           584

Other Violations                      51,993

Seatbelt                                    2,090

Speeding                                17,920

Grand Total                             77,444

New York DMV Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder said, "As you celebrate St. Patrick's Day, don't count on the luck of the Irish to get you home safely. The consequences of impaired driving can be both costly and deadly, so have a plan in place beforehand. I also thank all of New York's law enforcement for their participation in this important crackdown to keep our roads safe." These STOP-DWI enforcement campaigns occur throughout the year. During the recent Super Bowl campaign, which was held from February 5 through February 8, 2021, law enforcement agencies throughout the state issued 26,127 tickets for vehicle and traffic law violations and made 846 arrests for DWI.  

Combined with enforcement campaigns, the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, or GTSC, coordinates various traffic safety activities throughout the year, and supports ongoing initiatives to improve pedestrian, motorcycle and bicycle safety.

The GTSC also sponsors critical training for law enforcement, provides resources for teen drivers and their parents, and promotes seatbelt use statewide.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state's toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).  

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, community residence, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website. 

ADVOCATES APPLAUD NEW EFFORT TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

 

City pledges more resources and support for survivors of family and gender-based violence

 Advocates and stakeholders today praised Mayor de Blasio's new effort to support survivors of gender-based violence as part of the City's larger New York City Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative draft plan.  

"Home should be a safe place for everyone in our city, and we will not accept any other reality,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We want any New Yorker experiencing violence at home to know that help is always available. New York City is here for survivors and we will continue to do all we can to ensure they are safe and supported.”

 

“Domestic violence survivors in New York City should have easy access to safety and support,” said First Lady Chirlane McCray. "When survivors take the courageous step to seek help, we want them to know that wherever they turn, they will be welcomed and provided with the support they need to heal and begin their lives anew. The City's pledge to expand and improve resources for survivors will help to break patterns of abuse and create safer communities."

 

Through new investments and resources, the City will expand and strengthen its support for survivors outside of the criminal justice system The Mayor's Office to End Domestic and Gender Based Violence (ENDGBV) will conduct a citywide review to identify services that currently require a survivor file a police report to receive them and understand the impact of that requirement. The review will identify changes that can be made at the city and state levels to support survivors and preserve their safety while reducing the harm associated with criminalization.

 

Additionally, with a focus on expanding family violence prevention and intervention services, new community-based resources in neighborhoods with the highest rates of family violence will enhance access to critical services including counseling, mediation, benefits assistance, and case management.  This effort will aim to reduce violence, promote housing stability, and reduce law enforcement involvement for victims.

 

To enhance engagement with survivors and families, the NYPD, in partnership with ENDGBV, will also mandate training for officers to help them better support survivors and communities affected by domestic and gender-based violence.  This partnership will improve the referral process between NYPD and domestic and gender-based violence service providers, as well as create a referral pathway to ENDGBV’s soon-to-launch Respect and Responsibility, a voluntary community-based program for people who are using abuse in their intimate relationships.

 

“As New York City moves to reform policing and its role in the community, it is critical to consider domestic and gender-based violence survivors, particularly survivors from marginalized communities, including Black survivors, survivors of color, LGBTQI+ survivors and survivors with disabilities,” said Commissioner Cecile Noel, Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV). “And while we work to reform policing practices and structures within the NYPD to better support survivors, such as new training initiatives, we must also simultaneously develop additional options for those survivors who do not want or may never want to engage with the criminal justice system by deepening our investments in community-based resources.”

 

“As a trauma-informed social service organization, the Arab-American Family Support Center (AAFSC) is proud to partner with the Mayor’s Office to promote safety and healing for survivors of domestic and gender-based violence,” said Rawaa Nancy Albilal, President and CEO of the Arab-American Family Support Center, and Co-Chair of the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence Advisory Council. “AAFSC is committed to enhancing equitable access to the resources, opportunities, and support systems that survivors often lack and to fostering harm reduction as an affirmative vision of justice. We look forward to deepening our partnership with the city as we collectively create responsive approaches that meet the needs of those experiencing systemic inequities.” 

 

“Every person in this city deserves safety, stability, and a life free from violence,” said Christopher Bromson, Executive Director of the Crime Victims Treatment Center and Co-Chair of the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence Advisory Council. “The vast majority of survivors don’t seek remedies through the criminal justice system, and should have access to support and resources that exist outside of it. We’re pleased the City is taking steps to expand the ways people who have been harmed can access support.”

EDITOR'S NOTE:

It is nice of Mayor de Blasio to do this, but why is it happening as he has one foot out the door in his last year of eight years in office as mayor.

291 Days and Counting

 

It is a good thing that Governor Cuomo can't keep his emotions to himself and a Pandemic hit, because I would have no excuse for my poor performance as your mayor. It will now be on the next mayor to do what I should have done.

Governor Cuomo Announces Wedding Receptions and Catered Events Can Now Resume Statewide

 

All Venues Hosting Events Subject to Strict Health and Safety Protocols

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that wedding receptions and catered events can now resume statewide. All venues hosting weddings and catered events must follow the State's strict health and safety protocols, including the following requirements:

• Venues are restricted to 50% capacity, with no more than 150 attendees per event
• All attendees must have proof of recent negative test result or proof of immunization prior to the event
• Sign-in with contact information required to assist with potential contact tracing
• Venues must notify local health departments of large events, above the social gathering limit, in advance
• Masks will be required at all times except when seated and eating or drinking
• Ceremonial and socially-distanced dancing allowed in designated areas

Detailed guidance for in-person and catered events is available here.

"New Yorkers have remained resilient throughout this entire pandemic, and the numbers show how effective our behavior has been in stopping the spread of this virus," Governor Cuomo said. "As the state's positivity and hospitalization numbers continue to decline and we ramp up vaccinations, the light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer and we can focus on safely reopening different sectors of our economy without compromising the progress we've made. Weddings and catered events will now be allowed to resume across the state, with strict protocols in place to protect the health and safety of New Yorkers. This is great news - but we must continue with the practices that we know work to defeat this virus once and for all."

The reopening of wedding receptions and other catered events builds on the Governor's recent measures to further re-open the economy amid a steady decline in New York's COVID-19 positivity and hospitalization rates. Effective March 19th, New York City indoor dining will expand to 50 percent capacity and the rest of New York State will increase to 75 percent capacity for indoor dining. On February 15th, the Governor announced the MTA will partially restore overnight service on the New York City Subway. On February 14th, the Governor issued an Executive Order extending closing times to 11 p.m. statewide for restaurants, bars, gyms and fitness centers, casinos, billiards halls and any other location with an SLA license. The Governor also announced beginning April 2, event, arts and entertainment venues can reopen at 33 percent capacity, up to 100 people indoors and up to 200 people outdoors."