MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES VACCINE MANDATE FOR NEW YORK CITY WORKFORCE

 

City employees to receive $500 incentive for first dose through next week. All City workers, excluding uniformed correction officers, required to have at least one dose by 5pm on October 29^th

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for all City workers. Starting today, City employees will receive an extra $500 in their paycheck for receiving their first shot at a City-run vaccination site. This benefit will end at 5pm on Friday, October 29^th, by which point City employees are required to have proof of at least one dose. Unvaccinated employees will be placed on unpaid leave until they show proof of vaccination to their supervisor.

 

Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi will sign a Commissioner’s Order today to formalize the mandate, which will immediately apply to approximately 160,500 City workers. Seventy-one percent of the workers affected by this mandate have already received at least one vaccine dose.

 

Department of Education (DOE) and New York City Health and Hospitals (H+H) workers have been subject to vaccination mandates since late September; today, vaccination rates at DOE and H+H are 96% and 95%, respectively. The new mandate is effective on November 1^st to the entire municipal workforce, including all NYPD, FDNY, and DSNY employees. Civilian employees of the Department of Correction (DOC) and uniformed members assigned to healthcare settings are also immediately subject to the mandate. Other uniformed members at DOC will be subject to mandate effective December 1^st, as the City works diligently to address the ongoing staffing situation at Rikers Island.

 

“There is no greater privilege than serving the people of New York City, and that privilege comes with a responsibility to keep yourself and your community safe,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We have led the way against COVID-19 – from fighting for the right to vaccinate frontline workers, to providing nation-leading incentives, to creating the Key to NYC mandate. As we continue our recovery for all of us, city workers have been a daily inspiration. Now is the time for them to show their city the path out of this pandemic once and for all.”

 

“Vaccinations are critical to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. This mandate is a bold step that protects our families, friends, and communities, including those that are not yet eligible for the vaccine such as our City’s youngest residents. It builds on our continued leadership and innovative strategies to fighting this pandemic and bring us a step closer to a recovery for all. Thank you to the dedicated City workforce for your continued service throughout this pandemic,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Melanie Hartzog.

 

The City will begin impact bargaining with affected unions immediately.

PUBLIC ADVOCATE WILLIAMS' STATEMENT ON THE FOURTEENTH DEATH IN NYC JAILS IN 2021

 

 "Within hours of the Board of Correction releasing a report on Nicholas Feliciano and the city’s failure to prevent attempts of suicide and self-harm in jails, that report was confirmed and reinforced as Anthony Scott lost his life following his own suicide attempt. His is the fourteenth life lost within the city’s jail system this year, and it again makes clear that the Department of Correction is proving unable to fill the basic mandate of protecting people in its custody, especially people at-risk of or experiencing mental health crisis. Everyone agrees that our jail cannot be used as mental health treatment centers, and yet it persists.

"The Board’s report shows clear inadequacies in Nicholas Feliciano’s case that are not situational but systemic. Anthony Scott’s death also makes clear that the problems with the city’s jails extend beyond the shores of Rikers Island. The recommendations in the report are positive, but as I pray for the family of Anthony Scott, for Nicholas Feliciano and his family, it is clear that we need transformational change to truly address the tragedies of a too-often unjust and inhumane system." 

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - OCTOBER 19, 2021

 

63,061 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours  

29 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.  

"In order to fight COVID-19, New Yorkers need to know exactly where we are with our numbers," Governor Hochul said. "Today, we launched a new COVID-19 data hub website to expand public access and centralize information so New Yorkers are as informed as they can be. While we've made great progress, we must keep following precautions to keep ourselves and our communities safe. Wear a mask, wash your hands and get your vaccine if you haven't already." 

  

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 118,780
• Total Positive - 2,892 
• Percent Positive - 2.43%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 2.41% 
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,193 (+49) 
• Patients Newly Admitted - 207 
• Patients in ICU - 477 (+13) 
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 257 (+1) 
• Total Discharges - 205,482 (+153) 
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 29 
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 45,167 

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only. 

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 57,355 

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.

• Total vaccine doses administered - 26,354,130 
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 63,061 
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 385,486 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 83.2% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 75.5% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 86.1% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 77.4% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 70.5% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 63.8% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 73.0% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 65.5% 

Bronx Dems - Join us to get out the vote for Marjorie Velázquez for City Council District 13!

 

Join us to get out the vote for

Marjorie Velázquez for City Council!

Join us on Saturday, October 23 at 1pm to rally for Marjorie Velázquez as early voting begins! We will join friends, supporters, and community leaders to get out the vote for Marjorie as the Democratic nominee for City Council District 13. What: Day of Action for Marjorie Velázquez When: Saturday, September 18, 2021, at 1 pm Where: 3040 East Tremont Ave, Bronx, NY 10461 (between Ericson Place and Dudley Ave

Stand with our unions to support Marjorie! Get Ready to Vote! Election Day is November 2, 2021. Polls are open from 6am to 9pm. The Early Voting period is from Saturday, October 23, 2021 to Sunday, October 31, 2021. Visit findmypollsite.vote.nyc to find your early voting and election day pollsite and view a sample ballot.  October 23: First Day of Early Voting October 31: Last Day of Early Voting November 2: Election Day/Absentee Ballot Return Deadline We're always here to help! If you have any questions, email us at info@bronxdems.org.

SAGE Celebrates the Resilience of LGBTQ+ Elders in the Time of COVID-19

 

SAGE Honored the Persistent Spirit of LGBTQ+ Pioneers Across the Country at its Annual Gala 

 Last night, SAGE, the world’s oldest and largest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ elders, hosted its 25th annual SAGE Awards & Gala. The event – which required all attendees to show proof of vaccination – honored the resiliency of the LGBTQ+ elder community and celebrated the generous supporters who fueled SAGE's tireless advocacy and critical life-saving services throughout the pandemic. Award recipients included Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Rachel Levine and Watermark Retirement Communities.

“It’s been two years since our last in-person SAGE Awards & Gala. Last night’s event was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with members of the SAGE community and celebrate the fortitude our elders have exhibited over the last 18 months,” said SAGE CEO Michael Adams. “As October is LGBTQ+ History Month, it was especially fitting to look back and honor the enduring resilience of our elder pioneers.  From U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Rachel Levine, to Watermark Retirement Communities, to “sages” from all across the country, it is thrilling to share the stories of trailblazers who are proving that LGBTQ+ elders refuse to be invisible.”

SAGE CEO Michael Adams (center) and SAGE Board Co-Chairs Dr. Kevin Williams and Elizabeth Schwartz

©SAGE and Jeff Eason.

As the recipient of the SAGE Pioneer Award, Dr. Rachel Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health, heartfully shared, "I want all of you to know that I have your back too, and will do everything I can to support and advocate for our community. The future for our community is brighter, but we have not made progress unless we have made progress for all.” Levine continued, “Together we must strongly advocate for the most underserved and marginalized in our community, including our LGBTQ+ elders.”

Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Rachel Levine ©SAGE.

Jennifer Tapner represented Watermark Retirement Communities and accepted the Jack Watters Corporate Advocate Award. Tapner shared, “Watermark is an inclusive company. “In addition to shining a deserved spotlight on LGBTQ+ elder stories through the Not Another Second exhibit, our SAGECare credentialing has been pivotal in helping us to ensure that we are welcoming to all and providing the very best care to each individual.”

Jennifer Tapner ©SAGE. 

SAGE also received an uplifting message of support from New York Governor Kathy Hochul. “The challenges of aging are not kind to anyone, and LGBTQ seniors face particular challenges,” Hochul said. “SAGE has the sensitivity and the know-how that sets the standard for enabling LGBTQ seniors to live with dignity and respect.”

Paulette and Pat Martin ©SAGE.

The crowd was inspired by the words of Pat and Paulette Martin, SAGE constituents who are passionate leaders for older LGBTQ+ people. Paulette shared, “It’s been so important to Pat and me to show representation of what people our age can do, what women of color can do, what LGBTQ+ people can do.” Pat added, “When we older people have a platform to share our stories, we can help people who may not feel seen be seen. SAGE has given us a platform to share our voices and we are grateful.”

SAGE will continue to advocate with and on behalf of LGBTQ+ elders like Pat and Paulette, ensuring they get the support and services they need so they can age with the respect and dignity they deserve.

 SAGE is the world’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) older people. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in New York City, SAGE is a national organization that offers supportive services and consumer resources to LGBTQ+ older people and their caregivers. SAGE also advocates for public policy changes that address the needs of LGBTQ+ elders, provides education and technical assistance for aging providers and LGBTQ+ community organizations through its National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging, and cultural competency training through SAGECare. With staff located across the country, SAGE also coordinates SAGENet, a growing network of affiliates in the United States. Learn more at sageusa.org.

Attorney General James Secures $1.5 Million From Online Sports Retailer Fanatics for Under Collecting Sales Tax

 

Fanatics Failed to Collect and Remit Sales Tax on Certain Internet Sales in NYS

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced she has secured $1,508,466 from sports merchandise and memorabilia retailer Fanatics, Inc. and its affiliates for knowingly under-collecting on sales tax on online sales. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that Fanatics’ sales tax collection system periodically failed to calculate the correct amount of sales tax due to New York state and to various local governments on sales made through websites managed by Fanatics, and that the company was aware of this failure for at least three years but still did nothing to rectify the issue. As a result, Fanatics’ periodic sales tax returns understated the amount of sales tax due to the state.

“When a company doesn’t properly calculate and charge sales tax, they cheat every taxpayer across the state,” said Attorney General James. “Over the course of years, Fanatics failed to deliver more than $1 million in sales tax they were required to collect and pay over to the state. No company is above the law, which is why New Yorkers can trust that I will hold accountable those who skirt their responsibilities and try to illegally tilt the playing field.”

Fanatics sells licensed sports merchandise and memorabilia online, through websites it operates. In 2013, Fanatics launched a new third-party tax computation system for its websites and also developed a back-up solution (the “back-up table”) in the event that the new tax service failed. If utilized, the back-up table would apply a single default statewide sales tax rate to all sales that did not account for local sales tax rates or exemptions from tax for particular items. Fanatics’ back-up table’s default sales tax rate for New York state changed over time: Initially set at four percent, then set to zero percent from July 2013 to November 2015, after which it was changed back to four percent.

However, the default tax rate did not always reflect applicable local sales tax at the time and, for certain purchases where no exemptions were applicable, sometimes did not reflect applicable state sales tax. As a result, when the third-party computation system periodically failed, some of the transactions that defaulted to a back-up table rate was too low, and Fanatics, consequently, under-collected both applicable New York state and local sales taxes.

In September 2014, Fanatics became aware that its new tax collection system did periodically fail, and that the back-up table took over during those times. It was also made aware that the back-up table did not always calculate the correct amount of tax due, but, nonetheless, did not fully correct these issues for several years, until December 2017.

The OAG’s investigation began after a whistleblower filed a qui tam complaint under the New York False Claims Act. The New York False Claims Act allows private persons to file civil actions on behalf of the government and to share in any recovery.  

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS and Al-Nusra Front

 

Dilshod Khusanov Provided Money to Fund Travel of a Brooklyn Resident to Wage Jihad in Syria

 Dilshod Khusanov pleaded guilty today to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and Al-Nusra Front (ANF).  The proceeding was held before United States District Court Judge William F. Kuntz, II.  When sentenced, Khusanov faces 11 years’ imprisonment pursuant to the terms of his plea agreement with the government.  As part of his plea agreement, the defendant agrees to the entry of an order of removal so he will be removed from the country after completing his sentence.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Mark J. Lesko, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Dermot F. Shea, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the guilty plea.

“With today’s plea, Khusanov admits to providing financial support to individuals seeking to travel to Syria to join a violent foreign terrorist organization that seeks to wage war on the United States and other countries,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “This Office will continue to work tirelessly with its local, national and international law enforcement partners to eliminate the threat of terrorist violence posed by ISIS and ANF.”

"Khusanov’s guilty plea is the final step toward wrapping up this years-long case in which the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force worked tirelessly—as they always do—to keep the citizens of our city and our country safe from potential terrorist acts,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.  “Khusanov now awaits his fate for his willingness to provide support to ISIS and the Al-Nusra Front. This is not the end, however, of the FBI’s continued efforts—along with those of our partners—to diminish the threats posed by terrorists and would-be terrorists worldwide.”

“Money is the oxygen that feeds the flame of any organized terrorist activity. This case makes it clear that whether you are a terrorist bomber, a planner, or simply the facilitator who raises the money to pay for their travel, you will be a target of the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force.  They are the most experienced detectives and agents in the country in these cases,” stated NYPD Commissioner Shea.

As set forth in court filings, Khusanov encouraged individuals to travel to Syria to wage violent jihad, or holy war in 2014 and 2015. For example, on September 28, 2014, Khusanov urged co-conspirator Akmal Zakirov to engage in jihad: “I hope that the only [reason] that is preventing you from jihad is some mistakes and flaws that are occurring among” the other fighters. Khusanov explained that it would be better to help those fighters, rather than criticize them.

Later in 2014, two Brooklyn residents, Abdurasul Juraboev and Akhror Saidakhmetov, began planning to travel to Syria to fight for ISIS.  A group of individuals in a domestic network based in New York and elsewhere, including Khusanov, worked together to raise and contribute money to help fund that trip to Syria.  In February 2015, Abror Habibov, Zakirov, Azizjon Rakhmatov, and Dilkhayot Kasimov discussed providing money to support Saidakhmetov’s travel and expenses in Syria.  Rakhmatov and Zakirov also agreed to solicit money from others to fund Saidakhmetov’s travel.  Zakirov contacted Khusanov, then-based in Illinois, and asked him to contribute money for Saidakhmetov’s travel and to ask another individual to contribute money as well.  Khusanov agreed and arranged for money to be deposited in Zakirov’s bank account before Saidakhmetov’s scheduled departure.  Saidakhmetov was arrested in February 2015 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, as he boarded a plane bound for Istanbul, Turkey, a transit point for foreign fighters bound for Syria.

Khusanov is the last charged defendant in this plot to be convicted.  Juraboev, Saidakhmetov, Habibov, Zakirov and Rakhmatov previously pleaded guilty, and Kasimov was convicted at trial.  Juraboev and Saidakhmetov each were sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment, and Rakhmatov was sentenced to 12 ½ year’s imprisonment.  Habibov, Kasimov and Zakirov are awaiting sentencing.

Governor Hochul Signs Two Pieces of Legislation Boosting Transparency in State and Local Government

Legislation (S.1150-A/A.1228-A) Requires Documents to Be Discussed at Open Meetings to Be Made Available At Least 24 Hours Prior to Meeting

Legislation (S.4625-A/A.1442-B) Requires MTA to Publish its Data in Open Data Formats that Can Be Easily Accessed and Downloaded by the Public

 Governor Kathy Hochul today signed two pieces of legislation boosting transparency in state and local government. The first piece of legislation requires documents that are going to be discussed at open meetings to be made available on request or posted on the government's website at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. The second piece of legislation requires the MTA to publish its data in formats that are easily accessible and can be easily downloaded and used by the public.

"There's no excuse for keeping New Yorkers in the dark on the actions governments take to help their constituents, and we've been committed to greater transparency since Day One," Governor Hochul said. "These pieces of legislation will require important local government documents and MTA data to be properly available for constituents to read and utilize. New Yorkers should be informed about the work government does for them every day, but we have to make it easier for them to get that information."

Making Documents Available Prior to Open Meetings (S.1150-A/A.1228-A)

This legislation makes documents to be discussed at open meetings available to the public at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting. The Open Meetings Law is intended to empower the public through the accessibility of meetings of public bodies. The law requires them to make available to the public relevant documents, such as any proposed rule, regulation, or resolution. However, the current law only requires documents to be made available prior to meetings "as determined by the agency or department." This standard has resulted in some government bodies failing to make materials available in advance of meetings, reducing transparency. This legislation requires any proposed resolution, law, rule, regulation, policy, or amendment to be made available upon request and to be posted to the body's website at least 24 hours in advance of their discussion at an open meeting, giving the public access to these important documents in advance.

Requiring the MTA to Publish Data in Easily Accessible Formats (S.4625-A/A.1442-B)

This legislation requires the MTA to publish its data in open data formats, which can be easily accessed, downloaded and manipulated by the public. The MTA will have to designate a data coordinator and will have 180 days to publish as much of its data as is feasible and legal within three years. This bill codifies Executive Order No. 95 of 2013, "Using Technology to Promote Transparency, Improve Government Performance and Enhance Citizen Engagement", into law.

EDITOE's NOTE:

Twenty-Four Hours is not enough time for public

review. It should be 72 hours.