AOC vs. CEOs

 

Alexandria isn’t afraid to speak truth to power and yesterday was no different.

For the first time ever, oil executives were questioned under oath about whether their companies misled the public about the reality of climate change.

Alexandria had the chance to ask Exxon CEO, Darren Woods, about the company's lobbying efforts – specifically in regards to the two pieces of legislation currently being negotiated in Congress. Through her questioning, he admitted to meeting with members of Congress during the reconciliation and infrastructure process.

She then confronted the President of the American Petroleum Institute about their $55.6 million in lobbying over the last 10 months alone. But she didn’t just focus on figures alone, because this crisis is personal.

She said: “I think one of the things that often gets lost in these conversations is some of us have to actually live in the future that you all are setting on fire for us.”

Exposing the role of dark money and Big Oil lobbying in Washington is vital, but it also makes our campaign a key target of attacks.

The American Petroleum Institute spent almost half a million dollars on ads opposing Democratic members of Congress. Those ads, which include ads that targeted individual members of Congress for their support of climate action policies, were viewed at least 21 million times, according to Facebook data.¹

We’re nearly one year out until Alexandria’s re-election and we need to be prepared to fight back against Big Oil’s disinformation campaigns. We’re counting on the power of many small-dollar donations to go up against their millions.

Alexandria will continue to fight for climate justice and to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for their lies. 

With thanks,

Team AOC

THE NEW BXCC - Bronx Business News You Can Use

 

Legislative Updates, New Grants, Events and Much More Please click View/Allow Images so you don't miss a thing!

This week, Lisa will highlight the following topics: 1. Summary of the Committee on Small Business oversight hearing regarding “Key to NYC.” 2. Support for small businesses this Halloween. 3. Bronx Chamber upcoming events, make sure to view our calendar HERE Join us for our Annual Holiday Party and Toy Drive on Thursday, December 9th.

What You Should Know

City & State: 2021 Virtual Government Procurement Conference

When all rules changed for procurement during the pandemic many wondered how New York’s business would return. Over the last year or so we have been slowly returning to the city and state and this conference will talk about what it looks like. The Government Procurement Conference will foster business partnerships between the city and state level government, prime contractors, and small, minority, service-disabled veteran-owned, and women-owned businesses. Join on November 18th to hear answers to all of your pressing procurement questions, discover unique opportunities, and create new business partnerships! Learn More & Register Here

Puerto Rico Government Services

As part of a collaboration between Congressman Ritchie Torres and the Government of Puerto Rico we will be hosting a Puerto Rico Government Services Event  These services include:  1. Birth Certificates  2. Marriage Certificates  3. Death Certificates  4. Official Seals  5. ASUME certificates  6. Apostille Services  7. Driver records   The event is for people that need services from the Government of Puerto Rico nd will be held at the Banknote Building 1231 Lafayette Avenue 4th floor, Bronx, New York, 10473 on Friday, November 12, 2021 from 2:00pm-5:00pm and Saturday, November 13, 2021 from 10:00am-4:00pm. To make an appointment call 718-503-9610, Monday-Friday from 10am-5pm or visit https://prfaafl.simplybook.me/v2/#book and choose “Services to the Puerto Rican community in New York”.

SBA Low-Interest Federal Loans for Disaster Related Damages

Affected by the Remnants of Hurricane Ida? SBA DISASTER LOANS CAN HELP! PHYSICAL DAMAGES-Businesses of all sizes and nonprofits/faith-based org. (Real Estate, Inventory, ECONOMIC INJURY -Small businesses and most nonprofits (Working capital, no physical damage needed to Interest rates as low as: 2.855% for businesses, 2% nonprofit organizations. Max. loan, $2 million HOMEOWNERS: Up to $200,000 for Primary Residence HOMEOWNERS/RENTERS: Up to $40,000 for Personal Property Interest rates as low as 1.563% All loans have repayment terms up to 30 years NY Presidential SBA Declaration # 17147 Physical Deadline: Nov . 4, 2021 For businesses/homeowners, mitigation is available up to 20% of SBA’s verified physical damage amount TO APPLY: Register with FEMA at DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA mobile App., or call (800) 621621-3362 Apply with SBA: Visit any local disaster center to apply in person and receive one one-on -one assistance from an SBA representative Go online to: https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ Call (800) 659 659-2955 for more information and to request a paper application, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m./7 days a week Email questions to DisasterCustomerServiceDisasterCustomerService@sba.gov

How to Start Your Business

The Bronx SBDC at Lehman is a program supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration and extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. On November 3rd they will be hosting a workshop on creating a business. Creating a business of your own can be challenging. You will need adequate funding, time, personal support, and professional support in order to move forward successfully with entrepreneurial dreams. This workshop attendees will learn: Choose the Right Business Idea Plan Your Business Choose a Business Name For more information please email at SBDC.BRONX@LEHMAN.CUNY.EDU

NYC M/WBE Certification Webinars

The New York City Department of Small Business Services will be hosting a certification workshop on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 from 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM EDT About this event Join to learn about the following. Certification program overview Registering in the Payee Information Portal (PIP) Registering for product service (NIGP) codes Starting an MWBE certification application *** You will receive a link to the webinar prior to the start of the event. Register Here

CCIA's "Don't Break Our Tech" campaign

Americans have overcome unprecedented challenges over the past year, but now Congress is playing politics with the products that helped us get through it. Before and during the pandemic, Americans turned to tech products to receive deliveries for their favorite products, find directions to local businesses, and to connect with loved ones. These bills could make all these things harder, more expensive, less convenient, and less secure. We should ask Congress to answer a very simple question: what happens after you implement barriers to innovation in the one area of the economy where competition forces companies to introduce new consumer products and services daily?  View Campaign Here

Upcoming Events

Bronx Chamber Annual Holiday Party & Toy Drive

Join us to celebrate at our Bronx Chamber Holiday Party! Thursday, December 9th 6:30pm - 10:30pm Villa Barone Manor Purchase Tickets Here

Ridgewood Savings Bank Recruitment Event

Ridegewood Savings Bank will be having a recruitment event at the new Norwood branch on Friday, 11/5/2021, from 11am to 3pm.

HALLOWEEKEND: BRONX NIGHT MARKET & FORDAM FLEA

Halloweekend is coming to Fordham Plaza. With Bronx Night Market on October 30th and Fordham Flea on October 31st, you are not going to want to miss this spooky time of year in the Bronx. Contests, giveaways, food, live music, and more! More Information Here

NYS Office of Comptroller DiNAPOLI: LOCAL SALES TAX COLLECTIONS UP 20% IN THIRD QUARTER

 

 

Statewide Local Sales Tax Collections Higher Than Pre-Pandemic Levels

 Local sales tax collections totaled $5.2 billion in the third quarter (July-September of 2021), up $861 million (20%) from the same period last year and continuing the trend of exceeding pre-pandemic levels, according to a report released today from State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

“Local sales tax collections continue to show year-over-year growth after experiencing significant drops during the early outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic,” DiNapoli said. “This growth is an indicator that New York is experiencing an economic recovery, but local governments must closely watch changing economic conditions as supply chain shortages and workforce disruptions may impact growth.”

Statewide, every region saw solid growth in sales tax collections during the third quarter compared to the same period last year. Outside of New York City, the July-September period marked the fifth quarter in a row that county and city sales tax receipts met or exceeded 2019 pre-pandemic levels for the same period. Some of the regions with the strongest third quarter growth include Mid-Hudson (16.5%), Long Island (16.3%), and the Capital District (15.4%).

Sales tax receipts for New York City totaled $2.1 billion in the third quarter, an increase of nearly 28% compared to the same period in 2020. Overall, the City’s collections have been recovering at a slower pace than the rest of the state since April 2020, but its sales tax revenue has nearly reached pre-pandemic levels.

Statewide local sales tax collections in the third quarter of 2021 grew 8.6% ($409 million) over the pre-pandemic third quarter of 2019.

Year-to-date (January-September) collections in 2021 were nearly $14.4 billion, up 19.2%, or $2.3 billion, over the same period in 2020, and 6.1%, or $825 million, higher than the first three quarters of 2019.

Trends Spurring Growth

The strength in statewide local collections likely reflects changes seen nationally. The U.S. Census Bureau’s advance monthly retail trade report shows strong year-over-year growth for the third quarter, especially in sectors such as gas stations (38%), clothing stores (35%), and restaurants and bars (34%).  Increased costs for goods also increase sales tax collections, and the price of consumer goods and services during this third quarter grew by 5.3% over the same period last year, as measured by the Consumer Price Index.

The improvement in New York City sales tax collections is tied to factors such as the re-opening or increased permitted occupancy of more indoor venues such as restaurants, theaters and sports arenas, as well as more offices requiring workers to return in person, at least part time.

Table Monthly and Quarterly Local Sales Tax Collections by Region Report Local Sales Taxes in July-September 2021 Up 20 Percent Compared to Same Quarter in 2020

Annual Allerton Avenue Halloween Parade

The Annual Allerton Avenue Halloween Parade was delayed due to rain, but when it finally kicked off there were many ghouls who went across Allerton Avenue from Williamsbridge Road to White Plains Road, and then back to Williamsbridge Road on the other side of Allerton Avenue. 

The Mad IRS Agent was waiting outside Tax Time on Allerton Avenue for any late income tax filers

The Pope and Mad IRS Agent came by Escooter.

The Pope was called on to save one of his Angels from the Devil with a Bible, a bottle of Holy Water, and his Cross.

It seemed to be a fitting place to start a Halloween parade, under the Farenga Brothers Funeral Home sign.

Here the ghouls cross Boston Road on their way to White Plains Road.