Dear Community,
Earlier this week on Monday, Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio allocated $27 million in financial relief for undocumented New Yorkers who experienced damaging flooding during Hurricane Ida. The funding will be distributed by New York State’s Office for New Americans to New Yorkers who are not eligible to receive storm recovery assistance through the FEMA Individual Assistance Program or other means. To apply, call the ONA Hotline at 1-800-566-7636 and visit the Hurricane Ida Recovery section below for more information.
This week, I was also proud to join the New York Taxi Workers Alliance at their rally Wednesday night to demand true debt relief for New York’s taxi workers. Thousands of New York City’s taxi drivers were deceived into believing they were buying into a prosperous and better life by purchasing a medallion, but instead were burdened with hundreds of thousands in debt due to artificially inflated medallion prices.
Instead of protecting taxi drivers, the City government profited off of them, making over $850 million off of medallion-owning drivers, while drivers barely made enough to survive, were forced to file for bankruptcy, and some even felt compelled to take their own lives due to the insurmountable debt that they faced.
Earlier this year, NYC announced a $65 million taxi relief fund to help debt-burdened drivers restructure their loans. However, taxi workers believe that this plan was not enough, as it would still leave drivers in debt, with large monthly payments. The New York Taxi Workers Alliance is now demanding that the City take more significant steps to remedy this crisis and give taxi workers debt relief now.
The City has a responsibility to offer a city-backed guarantee to lenders to restructure the loans to terms that the drivers can afford and implement the demands made by the NY Taxi Workers Alliance. No longer should drivers be forced to choose between putting food on the table or paying off their medallion debt.
Lastly, I will be attending the Women’s March this Saturday in Westchester to demand that we protect reproductive rights for all. Marches will be held nationwide. Find one near you at https://womensmarch.com/. I hope to see the community there!
With Gratitude,
State Senator Alessandra Biaggi
Financial Assistance for Undocumented New Yorkers: Undocumented New Yorkers impacted by Hurricane Ida who are ineligible for storm recovery assistance through the FEMA Individual Assistance Program can now apply for financial relief through the state. To apply, call the ONA Hotline at 1-800-566-7636 or visit any of the locations below. The application period will close on Friday November 26, 2021.
The following organizations will provide assistance:
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Apply for FEMA financial assistance: New Yorkers may be able to receive funds for other uninsured or under-insured disaster-caused expenses and serious needs, such as repair or replacement of personal property or funds for moving and storage, or medical, dental, and child care. The last day to apply for FEMA assistance is November 5th.
Federal disaster assistance is not just for homeowners. It’s also available to eligible renters, and can cover such expenses as furniture, job-related equipment, vehicle repair, even disaster-caused medical and dental bills.
If you have renter’s insurance, first call your insurance provider to file a claim. Then apply with FEMA. If you are insured, you must provide FEMA with information from your insurance provider, which may include a settlement or denial. FEMA rental assistance is intended to cover the monthly rent and cost of essential utilities (i.e., gas, electric and water). FEMA grants may also be used for security deposits but not for telephone, cable or internet service.
The link to apply for FEMA financial assistance can be found here: www.disasterassistance.gov.
The phone numbers to call are 1-800-621-3362 and TTY 1-800-462-7585.
You will need the following to complete your FEMA claim:
*Note: You must provide an email address if you want to review your registration status online. If you do not provide an email address, you will be required to contact FEMA for any updates to your registration.
“Exposure to lead paint is undoubtedly dangerous and disproportionately impacts Black and brown children,” said Attorney General James. “This company took advantage of low-income families of color, failed to provide them with the protections required by law, and knowingly put children in harm’s way. No family should have to fear for their health while living in their own homes, and my office will continue to hold individuals and companies responsible for putting our communities at risk.”
The lawsuit, filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York in Onondaga County, alleges that from January 1, 2015 to July 31, 2021 at least 32 Endzone properties were cited by inspectors from the Onondaga County Health Department and the City of Syracuse Division of Code Enforcement for chipping, peeling, deteriorating paint, and other conditions conducive to lead poisoning, which are prohibited by county and city laws. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) discovered that during this time, at least 18 children were poisoned by lead while residing at one of the Endzone properties. All of the children poisoned were children of color.
The OAG began its investigation into Endzone in late 2020, and found that from 2015 on, Endzone failed to follow laws requiring the company to maintain its properties in a lead-safe condition, and instead, allowed lead paint to deteriorate. Endzone frequently allowed paint on its properties to deteriorate to the point of being a lead hazard instead of preventing deterioration of paint, as required by local and state building codes. Kiggins and Endzone also engaged in repeated illegal and fraudulent acts by either not providing federally required lead disclosures, or providing materially false and deceptive lead disclosures to tenants and purchasers of Endzone properties.
In the lawsuit, Attorney General James seeks to enjoin the illegal conduct and dangerous housing practices of Kiggins and Endzone, and compel them to provide lead-safe housing and complete truthful lead disclosures to tenants of properties they own or manage, and to any purchasers of Endzone properties. The lawsuit also asks the court to order disgorgement of all profits that Kiggins and Endzone have realized from their repeated and persistent violations of the law and their fraud in carrying out their property management business, and order them to pay fines and penalties in an amount to be determined by the court.
Lead is a highly toxic metal that can cause serious and irreversible adverse health effects. Children who have been exposed to even very low levels of lead are at risk for neurological and physical problems during critical stages of early development. In fact, no safe lead level in children has been identified. Children under the age of 6 are more likely to be exposed to lead than any other age group, as their normal behaviors could result in them chewing lead paint chips; breathing in or swallowing dust from old lead paint that gets on floors, window sills, and hands; and lead can be found in soil, toys, and other consumer products. A recent study has shown that more than half of the 1.1 million children younger than 6 years old who underwent lead testing had detectable levels of lead in their blood.
Lead paint in residential housing has been a pervasive problem for decades, particularly in New York. Beginning in the 20th century, paint with dangerously high levels of lead was used on both exterior and interior surfaces of housing in the United States. Lead paint has been found in approximately 43 percent of all of New York dwellings. Although New York banned the use of lead paint in 1970, with the federal government following suit in 1978, buildings constructed prior to 1978 often still have lead paint. Over 90 percent of Syracuse’s housing stock was constructed prior to 1978. The vast majority of these dwellings were constructed before New York banned lead paint in 1970.
Lead poisoning in Onondaga County occurs predominantly within Syracuse, and disproportionately harms low-income communities and communities of color. Since 2012, 87 percent of all lead poisoned children in Onondaga County were from Syracuse. Data also shows that Black children are twice as likely as white children to have elevated blood lead levels — 22.7 percent of Black children in Onondaga County tested for lead had dangerous levels of lead in their blood, while 10.8 percent of white children tested had dangerous blood lead levels. Additionally, children from households living at or below the federal poverty line are at a greater risk of exposure to lead than children from households above the federal poverty line.
Attorney General James thanks Onondaga County and the City of Syracuse for their partnership and for providing critical information for this complaint. The OAG will continue to work with them and other dedicated local partners to continue to make progress in combatting childhood lead poisoning in the region.
Attorney General James is continuing to pursue legal actions across New York to end the scourge of childhood lead poisoning by holding accountable landlords that allow lead paint-related hazards to proliferate in low-income rental properties. Just last week, the Attorney General announced an agreement in her lawsuit against Chestnut Holdings of New York, Inc. (Chestnut Holdings), a property management corporation, over its failures to protect children from lead paint hazards in New York City. Two weeks ago, she reached a pre-suit agreement with A&E Holdings to ensure that children living in its NYC apartments are protected from dangerous lead-based paint. Additionally, in September 2020, she sued a group of Buffalo individuals and companies for repeated violations of city, county, state, and federal laws by illegally allowing lead paint-related hazards to proliferate in their rental properties.
Two New High-Speed Electric Vehicle Charging Hubs to
Expand City's Fast Charging Infrastructure
Eight Chargers Now Complete at Mirabito Locations in Central New York and Mohawk Valley; 11 More Coming By Early 2022 to Grow New York Power Authority's EVolve NY Network and Make Fast Charging More Convenient
Emission-free Electric Charging to Help Advance the State's Ambitious Clean Energy Goals, Including Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions 85% by 2050
Photo Available Here
During National Drive Electric Week, Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York State's high-speed charging network has expanded in and around the City of Syracuse where fast, affordable, and reliable charging will be offered at two Mirabito convenience stores to encourage more New Yorkers to drive electric vehicles (EVs). The site in southern Syracuse, with four stations, is currently open for use and the northern location, with three stations, is expected to be available in late-October. The latest installations by the New York Power Authority (NYPA) will help New York State meet its ambitious nation-leading clean energy goals, including decarbonizing the transportation-sector and reducing greenhouse gas emissions 85% by 2050.
"Encouraging more widespread use of emission-free transportation and making fast charging more accessible throughout Central New York will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions along our State's roadways," Governor Hochul said. "The New York Power Authority's partnership with a well-established regional business, Mirabito, combined with the 'smart city' savvy of Syracuse is a surefire solution to increase awareness about how easy it is to drive clean and help the state achieve its ambitious green energy goals."
NYPA's statewide EVolve NY program is strategically deploying fast chargers at prime locations along travel corridors and in urban areas throughout the state so drivers can travel long distances without having to worry about where to get their next charge.
EVolve NY will have installed nearly 100 chargers across New York by the end of 2021, which will give the state the third largest open access (available to all EVs) 150kW+ fast charging network in the U.S. After this EVolve NY buildout phase is complete, New Yorkers will be able to drive any EV across the state using fast chargers capable of recharging their vehicles in 15-30 minutes located every 50 miles or less.
"These latest high-speed EV charging hubs tie the Central New York region into the growing EVolve NY network and offer convenient fast charging to zero-emission vehicle drivers," said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO. "MirabitoConvenience Stores are a valued partner that has offered up multiple key sites to expand charging opportunities within its network. Mirabito shares NYPA's commitment to move towards a decarbonized future and a healthier environment for all New Yorkers."
The new EVolve NY charging hubs in Syracuse include a total of seven chargers located at Mirabito convenience stores at 415 East Brighton Avenue (serving the south side of Syracuse) and 414 7th N Street (serving the north side). Mirabito, a family-owned and operated energy retailer based in Binghamton which operates more than 100 convenience stores throughout Central New York, will have a total of 19 chargers at five sites, including Castle Creek and Binghamton. An Oneonta site opened in May. NYPA will construct, own and operate the EVolve NY charging network in coordination with Mirabito site hosts.
Mirabito Convenience Stores CEO Joe Mirabito said, "The goal of our partnership with NYPA and EVolve NY is to help provide New Yorkers with the charging station options they need to confidently drive electric vehicles. We support and understand the importance of reducing carbon emissions and appreciate the opportunity to be part of the solution. Working together on projects like these will be key to moving the mission forward."
With other investments from the New York State Thruway Authority and Electrify America, Syracuse will have added fourteen charging stations at five locations in 2021, increasing access to electric vehicle charging along the major routes into and out of the city, and making cross state EV travel much easier.
New York State's Nation-Leading Climate Plan
New York State's nation-leading climate agenda is the most aggressive climate and clean energy initiative in the nation, calling for an orderly and just transition to clean energy that creates jobs and continues fostering a green economy as New York State recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Enshrined into law through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, New York is on a path to achieve its mandated goal of a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and to reach carbon neutrality. It builds on New York's unprecedented investments to ramp-up clean energy including over $21 billion in 91 large-scale renewable projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce buildings emissions, $1.8 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $1.2 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. Combined, these investments are supporting more than 150,000 jobs in New York's clean energy sector in 2019, a 2,100 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011 and a commitment to develop 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035. With the Climate Act as its guide, New York will build on this progress and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent from 1990 levels by 2050, while ensuring that at least 35 percent with a goal of 40 percent of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities, and advance progress towards the state's 2025 energy efficiency target of reducing on-site energy consumption by 185 trillion BTUs of end-use energy savings.
About EVolve NY
EVolve NY is the New York Power Authority's initiative to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) throughout the state. The program creates private-sector partnerships to expand fast-charging infrastructure and make EVs more user-friendly for all New Yorkers. NYPA is installing fast chargers along major interstate corridors, in five major cities and at New York City airports. EVolve NY supports New York State's goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and is a key pillar of the Charge NY 2.0 program to launch 10,000 public EV charging stations by 2021. For more information, contact evolveny@nypa.gov or visit www.nypa.gov/innovation/programs/evolveny.
Permits have been filed for a five-story mixed-use building at 4180 Carpenter Avenue in Wakefield, The Bronx. Located between East 232nd and East 233rd Streets, the interior lot is one block west of the 233rd Street subway station, serviced by the 2 and 5 trains. Mark Stagg of RYTY Home Builders LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.
The proposed 53-foot-tall development will yield 62,566 square feet for residential space. The building will have 92 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 680 square feet. The masonry-based structure will also have a cellar and sub-cellar, a 30-foot-long rear yard, and 68 enclosed parking spaces.
Marin Architects is listed as the architect of record.
Demolition permits have not been filed yet for the parking lot on the site. An estimated completion date has not been announced.
Eric Goldstein, the former CEO of the Office of School Support Services, Allegedly Solicited and Accepted Bribe Payments from Co-Defendants
A complaint was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Eric Goldstein, the former Chief Executive Officer of the New York City Department of Education’s (“NYC DOE”) Office of School Support Services (“OSS”), Blaine Iler, Michael Turley and Brian Twomey with conspiring to commit extortion under color of official right and solicitation and giving of bribes relating to programs receiving federal funds. Goldstein was arrested this morning, made his initial appearance this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Lois M. Bloom and was released on a $150,000 bond. Turley was arrested in Arkansas this morning and will make his initial appearance in the Western District of Arkansas tomorrow. Iler and Twomey will make their initial appearances in the Northern District of Texas this afternoon.
Jacquelyn M. Kasulis, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the arrests and charges.
“Goldstein is alleged to have abused his position as a senior executive with the Department of Education by soliciting and accepting thousands of dollars in bribes for pure financial gain. In exchange, Goldstein’s co-conspirators obtained lucrative contracts to provide food services that consisted of substandard products that were served to students, teachers and staff in public schools.” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Kasulis. “This Office and its law enforcement partners are committed to ensuring integrity in government contracts, and will not tolerate corruption that compromises the quality of food that is served in New York City public schools.”
“As alleged, Goldstein used his position within the DOE to help promote a business in which he had a financial interest, which is not only illegal, but also doesn’t allow for a fair bidding process between competing interests. As a result of this scheme, Goldstein—and his coconspirators—learned a lesson of their own today in what not to do with taxpayer money,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.
As alleged in the complaint, from 2008 to 2018, Goldstein was the Chief Executive Officer of OSS. In that role, Goldstein was the NYC DOE senior executive in charge of overseeing the management, budget and operations of several NYC DOE departments, including the Office of Food and Nutrition Services, also known as SchoolFood, which is responsible for managing the food service operations for all New York City public schools. Iler, Turley and Twomey were the founders and operators of a food services company (the “Food Service Company”) that sold food products to retail and food service markets, including schools.
Between 2015 and 2016, Goldstein, while he was head of OSS, together with Iler, Turley and Twome, formed and operated a grass-fed beef importation business called Range Meats Supply Co., LLC (“RMSCO”). During the same time, between 2015 and 2016, Goldstein used his official position within SchoolFood to ensure that the food products promoted and sold by the Food Service Company would be purchased by SchoolFood and served in New York City public schools. In exchange, Iler, Turley and Twomey transferred tens of thousands of dollars to RMSCO for Goldstein’s benefit, including a payment of $7,000 to Goldstein’s personal divorce lawyer and a $3,000 wire transfer to a close relative of Goldstein.
In one instance alleged in the complaint, in October 2016, SchoolFood stopped serving the Food Service Company’s chicken tenders after a NYC DOE employee choked on a bone that had not been removed from a chicken tender supplied by the Food Service Company. Goldstein, who had final approval as to whether and when the chicken tenders would be allowed back in schools, delayed approving the reintroduction of the tenders until Iler, Turley and Twomey agreed to transfer the Food Service Company’s ownership interest in RMSCO to Goldstein as well as to transfer $66,670 to a bank account in RMSCO’s name that Goldstein had opened and controlled. Following weeks of negotiations, on November 29, 2016, Iler, Turley and Twomey agreed to pay the bribe Goldstein was soliciting and one day later, on November 30, 2016, Goldstein approved reintroduction of the Food Service Company’s chicken products in schools. The products were served in schools until April 2017 when, following repeated complaints from students and staff that the chicken tenders continued to contain foreign objects, including plastic, metal and bones, SchoolFood decided to remove all of the Food Service Company’s food products from New York City public schools.
The charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Prevention, treatment, and recovery providers overseen by the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports will receive this funding to address fiscal and programmatic stabilization needs as they continue to deal with the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic.
"As addiction providers continue to deal with the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic, this funding will greatly help them recover from the financial stress on their operating costs and infrastructure." Governor Houchul said. "This funding will also ensure that they continue providing uninterrupted and crucial addiction services to all New Yorkers in need."
Funding will address both fiscal and programmatic gaps and can be used for program operating costs, debt relief, equipment, minor renovations, personnel costs, and other costs related to operational and infrastructure modifications made as a direct result of the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic.
Approximately 350 providers are eligible for funding. Eligible providers will receive notification from OASAS as to the amount available and required next steps to secure the funding. Providers can review the scope of work for this funding opportunity here.
Over the past several years, New York State has instituted an aggressive, multi-pronged approach to addressing the opioid epidemic, and created a nation-leading continuum of addiction care with full prevention, treatment, and recovery services. To combat this epidemic, the state has worked to expand access to traditional services, including crisis services, inpatient, outpatient, and residential treatment programs, as well as medication assisted treatment, and mobile treatment and transportation services.
Governor Hochul was a member of the NYS Heroin and Opioid Task Force, which in 2016, recommended new, non-traditional services, including recovery centers, youth clubhouses, expanded peer services, and open access centers, which provide immediate assessments and referrals to care. These services have since been established in numerous communities around the state and have helped people in need access care closer to where they live.
OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said, "As we continue to navigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are doing all that we can to support our community-based providers who are facing unprecedented challenges. These providers are vital to the mission of OASAS to reach all New Yorkers in need, and with this funding they will be able to continue to provide uninterrupted services to those affected by addiction and their families."
Chair of the Senate Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Senator Pete Harckham said, "Governor Hochul's securing of major federal funding for Substance Use Disorder treatment providers across New York to help stabilize operations and programming is great news. Providers are still trying to bounce back from disruptions to service caused by the Covid-19 pandemic while the need for treatment services increases. More resources for treatment providers mean more lives saved—it's that simple."
Chair of the Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Assemblymember Phil Steck said, "Thank you, once again, to Governor Hochul for recognizing the importance of funding on every level of addiction treatment. I am pleased to partner with OASAS in promoting and advocating for these important resources; especially during COVID and beyond."
New Yorkers struggling with 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, residential, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website.
If you, or a loved one, have experienced insurance obstacles related to treatment or need help filing an appeal for a denied claim, contact the CHAMP helpline by phone at 888-614-5400 or email at ombuds@oasas.ny.gov.
