Governor Cuomo Announces More Than 8 Million Total COVID Vaccine Doses Administered Across New York State

 

154,705 Doses Administered Across New York State in the Last 24 Hours            

More than 1 Million Doses Administered Over Past Seven Days

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

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced more than 8 million total COVID vaccine doses have been administered across New York. 154,705 doses have been administered across the state's vast distribution network in the last 24 hours, and more than 1 million doses have been administered over the past seven days. Delivery of the week 15 allocation begins mid-week.   

"Our vast distribution network remains strong and steady in getting shots into people's arms all across the state, but we need to be mindful that we are still in a footrace with the infection rate and the progress we've made is only as good as our continued vigilance," Governor Cuomo said. "Community behavior matters. It is imperative that we continue to exercise safety guidelines even as more and more of our fellow New Yorkers get vaccinated. Our providers are working day and night to administer the vaccine equitably and fairly, and it is critical that we all do our part in support of their efforts."    

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. 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 11 AM today is as follows.                     

STATEWIDE BREAKDOWN

Total doses administered - 8,029,749

Total doses administered over past 24 hours - 154,705

Total doses administered over past 7 days - 1,042,213

Percent of New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 26.9%

Percent of New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 14.1%

Attorney General James Issues Guidance to Protect New Yorkers’ Stimulus Payments from Debt Collectors

 

 New York Attorney General Letitia James took action to protect millions of New Yorkers and block debt collectors from seizing billions of dollars in emergency stimulus payments authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Attorney General James issued official guidance to New York state banking institutions, creditors, and debt collectors, making clear that financial relief provided through stimulus payments are exempt from garnishment under New York law. The American Rescue Plan Act authorized the U.S. Department of Treasury to send billions of dollars to Americans struggling as a result of the economic fallout of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health crisis, but these emergency stimulus payments were not designated as exempt from garnishment, allowing debt collectors to potentially benefit before consumers.

“As New Yorkers continue to face economic instability spurred by the pandemic, it is imperative that we continue to protect their wallets from unscrupulous actors,” said Attorney General James. “This official guidance makes clear that banks and debt collectors cannot freeze or seize stimulus funds that are intended for New Yorkers, especially those most in need during this time. My office remains committed to protecting New Yorkers’ rights, and ensuring that any institution that violates this guidance will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

Attorney General James’ guidance is based on multiple state and federal consumer protection laws and clarifies that any attempt to garnish stimulus funds from New Yorkers will be treated as a violation of these laws.

Under New York law, certain types of property — including public benefits, like public assistance, social security, and veterans’ and retirement benefits — are exempt from execution, levy, attachment, garnishment, or other legal process by a judgment creditor seeking to satisfy a monetary judgment. The New York State Court of Appeals has held that exemption statutes “are to be construed liberally in favor of debtors” because exemptions “serve the important purpose of protect[ing] the debtor’s essential needs.”

American Rescue Plan Act stimulus payments are similarly aimed at debtors’ or borrowers’ essential needs and — under Attorney General James’ guidance — will therefore be treated and are subject to the same protections as statutorily exempt payments, and will not be subject to garnishment — a legal mechanism that typically involves the “freezing” of funds in a bank account by creditors or debt collectors. Attorney General James’ guidance today advises banking institutions that American Rescue Plan Act stimulus payments will follow similar legal processes as other public benefits, and any person or entity that garnishes or attempts to garnish these payments will have violated multiple state and federal consumer protection laws.

Today’s guidance also addresses what are known as “setoffs” — where a financial institution seizes funds in a consumer’s account to pay a debt owed to the bank. American Rescue Plan Act stimulus payments are now exempt from this abusive and unfair practice, and Attorney General James is urging all financial institutions to follow the lead of the nation’s largest banks, which have committed to ensuring that consumers are able to access the full value of their stimulus payments.

This guidance does not apply to any actions taken by the state of New York, including, but not limited to, any actions to collect past due child support.

The American Rescue Plan Act authorized the Treasury Department to issue emergency stimulus payments of up to $1,400 for eligible adults and up to $1,400 for eligible children to help offset the costs of essentials, like housing, groceries, car payments, and other necessary expenses. According to the Treasury Department, as of last week, approximately 90 million Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan Act had already been distributed to individuals throughout the nation, with more expected in the coming weeks.

Today’s guidance follows similar guidance issued by Attorney General James, in April 2020, that protected New Yorkers’ Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) stimulus payments from garnishment.

MAYOR DE BLASIO, COMPTROLLER STRINGER, AND TRUSTEES ANNOUNCE PENSION FUNDS MORE THAN DOUBLE CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS INVESTMENTS TO OVER $6 BILLION

 

Surpasses goal set in September 2018 to increase investments to $4 billion in three years 

 

Builds on $4 billion fossil fuel divestment – one of the largest in the world 

 Mayor Bill de Blasio, Comptroller Scott M. Stringer, and other trustees of the City’s pension funds today announced the Funds will more than double investments in climate change solutions to over $6 billion. This surpasses the goal set in September 2018 to double the then-$2 billion investment across all asset classes to reach $4 billion of investment in companies that generate revenue from climate mitigation, adaption and resiliency such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable waste management, green buildings, and pollution prevention. It also includes companies that are measurably helping to facilitate the transition to a low-carbon economy consistent with goals established by the Paris Climate Accord. This achievement builds on three of the pension funds’ $4 billion divestment from securities related to fossil fuel companies – expected to be one of the largest in the world. 

 

"The climate crisis must be met head-on and from all fronts. This multi-billion investment in green tech and divestment from fossil fuels is a winning combination for our planet, our city and our pensioners,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Our pension trustees are meeting the moment by doubling investments and securing a greener future for New York City.” 

 

“We need to meet the climate crisis with everything we’ve got, and that’s why New York City is leading the way forward with investments in sustainable solutions for our planet, our children, and our retirees,” said New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. “New York City is standing up for our people, our pension beneficiaries, and the only Earth we have because the future is on the side of big ideas in clean energy — not big polluters. Investing in climate change solutions is in the fiduciary interest of our beneficiaries and together we’re leading the charge to build a cleaner and greener future for all.” 

 

The Mayor, Comptroller, and trustees set a goal to double investments in climate change solutions such as wind, solar power, energy efficient technologies, and more from approximately $2 billion or 1% of assets at the time to approximately $4 billion or 2% of assets by the end of 2021. With a vote on Friday, March 19, the pension funds approved allocations to climate change solutions public equity investments, identified by the Comptroller’s Office Bureau of Asset Management,  that bring the aggregate investments, including new commitments, to over $6 billion across the portfolio of all five pension funds.  

 

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During Covid-19 Pandemic

 

4,641 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide

918 Patients in the ICU; 596 Intubated

Statewide Positivity Rate is 3.51%

71 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.

"We are making good progress getting vaccines into arms and keeping our COVID numbers in check, but this war is not over and the new variants demand continued vigilance by all of us," Governor Cuomo said. "We're working 24/7 to vaccinate more New Yorkers every single day and we have established the capacity to do even more. We will get through this pandemic safely and make it to the light at the end of the tunnel as long as everyone continues being smart."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 207,496
• Total Positive - 7,278
• Percent Positive - 3.51%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.34%
• Patient Hospitalization - 4,641 (-40)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 614
• Hospital Counties - 50
• Number ICU - 918 (-7)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 596 (+0)
• Total Discharges - 158,173 (+538)
• Deaths - 71
• Total Deaths - 40,096

How the Two Special Elections Went

 

BOARD OF ELECTIONS IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
2021 SPECIAL ELECTION
UNOFFICIAL ELECTION NIGHT RESULTS
Member of the City Council 11th Council District (Unofficial Results from Round 1+)     Name Party Votes Percentage   1   Eric Dinowitz  Your Bronx Voice   2940  42.04 % 2   Jessica Haller  New Leadership   1049  15.00 % 3   Mino Lora  Justice for All   1776  25.39 % 4   Carlton Berkley  The People's    135  1.93 % 5   Kevin Pazmino  Patriot    172  2.46 % 6   Daniel Padernacht  Community First   899  12.85 % 7   WRITE-IN     23  0.33 %   6994     Percentage of Scanners Reported: 97.59 %   Information As Of: 2021-03-24 00:11:10 EST This is not counting the absentee ballots that are still coming in to the Board of Elections which when opened should push candidate Eric Dinowitz over 50% to be declared the winner without going into Rank Choice Voting. Member of the City Council 15th Council District (Unofficial Results from Round 1+)     Name Party Votes Percentage   1   John E. Sanchez  Community First   693  20.20 % 2   Oswald Feliz  People United   973  28.36 % 3   Elisa Crespo  Jobs & Justice   525  15.30 % 4   Kenny G. Agosto  Empower People   87  2.54 % 5   Ischia J. Bravo  We Matter   738  21.51 % 6   Ariel Rivera-Diaz  Second Choice   41  1.19 % 7   Bernadette Ferrara  Fifteen Forward   74  2.16 % 8   Latchmi Devi Gopal  Go For The Bronx   138  4.02 % 9   Jose A. Padilla Jr.  Safe & Stable   57  1.66 % 10   Altagracia Soldevilla  People First   95  2.77 % 11   WRITE-IN     10  0.29 %   3431     Percentage of Scanners Reported: 96.55 %   Information As Of: 2021-03-24 00:11:10 EST This is not counting the absentee ballots that are still coming in to the Board of Elections which when they are opened should not push any candidate over the 50% margin. Thus Rank Choice Voting will begin until one candidate has more than 50% of the remaining vote in that round.

283 Days and Counting

 

Congratulations Eric Dinowitz on your victory in the 11th City Council Special Election. In the 15th City Council District right now a candidate with only 28% is in the lead followed by two candidate with 21.5% and 20%. We will use Rank Choice Voting to make sure one of these candidates will win with what looks like over 50% of the vote.

Predictions for the 11th and 15th City Council Special Elections

 

The explanation of Rank Choice Voting by the NYC Board of Elections.

Everyone is waiting for my predictions in the 11th and 15th special elections where there are six candidates running in the 11th City Council District, and ten official and one write in candidate in the 15th City Council District.

This will be the first time for many to vote in a Rank Choice Election. The last time Rank Choice Voting was used in New York City was in 1999 (twenty-two years ago) in the last School Board Election. Rank Choice voting was disbanded when School Boards were abolished by the state legislature in 2002 when Mayoral Control of the public schools was given to then Mayor Michael Bloomberg. 

The school board Rank Choice Voting was for nine seats on a school board, and not just one seat as this Special Election is for. Previous special elections were not Rank Choice Voting so position on the ballot didn't matter, because people were just making one choice, and there were only a few candidates running. It was found out in School Board Rank Choice Voting that the candidate who was on the top of the ballot had an advantage because voters sometimes were voting 1 - 9 from the top down. This was amplified because in school board elections the listing of candidates was rotated so all candidates would have an equal number of election districts they were on the top of the ballot. 

Since it was found out in School Board Rank Choice Voting elections the candidate on top would get votes just for being on the top of the ballot, thus in the 2021 Rank Choice Voting there will be voters who rank their choices 1 - 5 from the top down. Since the candidates in both districts will be on the top of the ballot in every election district they have a distinct advantage and will get votes for being on the top of the ballot.

With the 11th district having 124 election districts, and the 15th having 108 election districts the candidates on the top of the ballot can expect one to two hundred or more number one votes just for being on the top of the ballot. 

Therefore since the two candidates are in the top tier of voter support with the additional votes for being on the top of the ballot the candidates I think will win the special election are, in the 11th council district Eric Dinowitz, and in the 15th council district John Sanchez. as for who comes in second, third, fourth or even tenth in the 15th council district, it does not matter because there is only one seat and only one winner. It is quite possible that one or both may win outright.

 

284 Days and Counting

 

I may not run for Governor since the state legislature is in even worse shape than the city council, where I have to deal with only one person.