MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES STEPS TO WELCOME EQUITABLE CANNABIS ECONOMY TO NEW YORK CITY

 

New $4.8 Million Investment in Executive Budget Will Help Support Community Outreach and Technical Assistance for Businesses

 

Multiagency Effort Will Prioritize Most Impacted Neighborhoods, Placing Equity at Center of Industry

  New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced major new steps to welcome the cannabis industry to New York City, with an emphasis on promoting equity. Mayor Adams is proposing a $4.8 million investment in the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) executive budget to promote the growth of the industry, which will fund a multiagency community outreach effort, as well as technical assistance for businesses navigating the licensing process. The new investments — which will focus on the communities most impacted by the ‘war on drugs’ — come as the city prepares for an influx of new licensed dispensaries and other businesses.

 

“The cannabis industry could be a major boon to our economic recovery — creating new jobs, building wealth in historically underserved communities, and increasing state and local tax revenue,” said Mayor Adams. “With a new regulated adult-use cannabis market on the immediate horizon, now is the time for our city to make proactive investments to ensure the people disproportionately impacted by the criminalization of these substances can reap the benefits of the new industry.”

 

The new investments deliver on a plank of Mayor Adams’ “Renew, Rebuild, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery,” which calls for a partnership with state and local leaders to build the nation’s most equitable cannabis industry. The adult-use cannabis industry is expected to generate nearly $1.3 billion in sales in its first year and support between 19,000 and 24,000 jobs within three years. This presents a major opportunity to jumpstart New York City’s economic recovery, while addressing some of the longstanding inequities exacerbated during the pandemic.

 

The multiagency effort will include targeted outreach and resources from the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS), the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC), and the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ). In the coming months, these agencies will work in partnership to begin identifying stakeholders in impacted communities, launching a public education tour to educate people about the new process, promoting an educational media campaign, and assessing the needs of interested parties so they can better tailor their services and programs to assist those interested in participating in the industry. Additionally, EDC is prepared to offer assistance to entrepreneurs seeking to access the financing and real estate required to start and grow their businesses.

 

“We have a real opportunity to develop a thriving and truly equitable cannabis industry in the five boroughs,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “As we work in close partnership with our city and state partners to design programming and policy, we will make sure that qualifying entrepreneurs interested in entering this industry have the supports and technical assistance they need to navigate the licensing process and launch successful businesses.”

  

New York state officially legalized the sale and consumption of adult-use cannabis in March 2021 through the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA). After the passage of the law, Governor Kathy Hochul created the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and appointed members to the Cannabis Control Board (CCB), both of which oversee the promulgation of regulations relating to the cannabis industry, and the issuance of licenses for those looking to participate in the industry. Recognizing the disproportionate harm the criminalization of cannabis has inflicted on Black and Brown communities, the MRTA has set a goal of awarding half of all licenses to social and economic equity applicants.

 

“This investment delivers critical resources that will allow SBS to reach communities disproportionately impacted by the criminalization of cannabis, and provide New Yorkers with the tools, education, and support needed to meaningfully participate in this industry,” said New York City Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Kevin D. Kim. “Ensuring small businesses are at the center of the regulated cannabis industry will fuel our city’s recovery and advance economic equity.”

 

“Mayor Adams is committed to ensuring that communities and individuals most negatively impacted by criminalization can now benefit from the entrepreneurial opportunities and jobs of the newly legal cannabis industry,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Andrew Kimball.  “As we learn from the experiences of other states, NYCEDC and our partners across New York City will work together to ensure equitable access to necessary financing and real estate for these pioneering entrepreneurs.”

 

“New York City has long been at the forefront of cannabis reform. This investment by the administration is expanding access to economic opportunities for small businesses while promoting equity and addressing the negative impacts of previous cannabis enforcement,” said Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice Director Deanna Logan. “We look forward to working with our partners across the city to ensure that the individuals who have disproportionately experienced the negative impact of cannabis criminalization have the resources and support they need to participate in the new industry.”

 

“New York City is putting economic justice front and center with these first wave investments in equitable cannabis business development and outreach programming,” said Lindsay Greene, president and CEO, Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation; and member, 2018 New York City Task Force on Cannabis Legalization. “These strategic investments are maximizing the chances we can learn from other mistakes and channel the expected wealth from cannabis into communities previously criminalized and those most in need of economic opportunities.”

 

“Building out New York’s cannabis industry is a team effort, and it’s wonderful to have New York City Mayor Eric Adams on board with our efforts to center social equity and job creation,” said Tremaine Wright, chair, Cannabis Control Board. “Governor Kathy Hochul has provided the full support of the state government to help us create this industry. Municipal governments will be integral partners as we get this industry off and running, and it’s great to see this investment coming from the largest municipal government in the state.”

 

“We are working to build the most robust, equitable and thoughtful cannabis industry in the nation, and we deeply appreciate the support of this administration as we do so,” said Chris Alexander, executive director, Office of Cannabis Management. “New York City has been a cultural capital for cannabis for decades, Governor Kathy Hochul has been a champion at the state level, and I appreciate Mayor Adams’ championing us at the city level by establishing multi-agency efforts to make sure New York City also becomes the business capital for cannabis too.”

EDITOR'S NOTE:

We do not understand this push for legalized Marijuana, yes Cannabis is nothing but a different name for Marijuana, which is a cigarette that the government has tried to ban. 

Smoking was proven to be bad, and cost people lives through disease from smoking and second hand smoke. So what does the state legislature do? They push smoking Marijuana for the tax money on it. 

  

It Takes A Primary Opponent From Long Island - Governor Hochul Announces FY 2023 Budget Investments to Deliver for Long Island Families

 

Includes $350 Million in Investments to Strengthen Long Island's Economy

$500 Million for the Development of Offshore Wind      

Increases School Aid on Long Island by $457.6 Million  

Includes Nearly $1 Million to Support Community-Based Not-For-Profit Groups That Provide Housing Assistance, Community Renewal Activities, and Rental Subsidies in the Long Island Region    

Creates the Homeowner Tax Rebate Credit Providing Relief to an Estimated 494,000 Property Tax-Paying Households  

Provides Nearly $63 Million to Support Addiction Treatment, Recovery, and Prevention on Long Island    

Allocates Approximately $370,000 to fund the Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer-to-Peer Services Program within the Long Island Region  

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced regional investments of the FY 2023 budget to deliver for Long Island families. Governor Hochul's historic FY 2023 budget pairs bold vision with fiscal responsibility, investing in the long-term future of New York. Rebuilding the healthcare economy, building the education system of the future, reducing the tax burden for those who need it most, improving the state's transportation and housing infrastructure, combating climate change, creating jobs, and improving public safety and ethics in government are front and center in this blueprint to meet the opportunity to invest in New Yorkers.

"With our transformative $221 billion budget, we're showing that we can tackle the big issues facing New Yorkers, and I'm proud to announce historic investments that will make a real difference in people's lives on Long Island now and for years to come," Governor Hochul said. "From historic support for our schools and tax relief for middle-class New Yorkers, to the largest investment in infrastructure in State history - filling the potholes that plague our streets - this budget delivers for Long Islanders in a big way. Every New Yorker deserves a fair shot at achieving what I call the "New York Dream," and I look forward to seeing all the ways this budget will help build a better, fairer, and more inclusive New York State."

Regional highlights of the FY 2023 Budget specific to Long Island's communities include:

Local Government

• Provide Aid and Incentives to Municipalities. The Budget provides $26.2 million in general purpose aid to the region's local governments.
• Consolidate Local Governments to Create Taxpayer Savings. The Budget provides $1 million in savings for Long Island taxpayers residing in dissolved villages through the Citizen Empowerment Tax Credit (CETC) program.

Economic Development

• Long Island Investment Fund. The Budget includes $350 million to support capital investments for projects that support and grow the regional economy and enhance communities across Long Island.
• Offshore Wind. $500 million for the development of New York's offshore wind port infrastructure and related supply chain. Funding will supply the infrastructure needed to advance offshore wind industry, leveraging private capital to deliver more than $2 billion in economic activity while creating more than 2,000 green jobs.
• Cold Spring Harbor/Stony Brook AI Partnership. $50 million to support an artificial intelligence partnership between Cold Spring Harbor Lab and Stony Brook University.

Education

• Support Long Island Schools. New York State continues its strong commitment to education by providing additional funding to meet the needs of students, teachers, and schools amid the ongoing challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The FY 2023 Enacted Budget increases School Aid on Long Island by $457.6 million (12.7 percent), including a $406.7 million (17.1 percent) increase in Foundation Aid. This increase is largely driven by the second year of the three-year phase-in of full funding of the Foundation Aid formula.

Energy and Environment

• The FY23 Enacted Budget includes additional funding for the following State Park projects:
  • $5 million for Jones Beach East Bathhouse Design
  • $4 million for Bayard Cutting Arboretum Visitor Center
  • $300,000 for Montauk Downs Clubhouse Transformation
• The FY23 Enacted Budget includes additional funding for the following DEC project:
  • Lower Peconic River fishing access improvements off Route 25 in Riverhead. Improvements include a canoe portage with steps, boat slide, hand carry boat launch and parking lot improvements.
• $2.5 million for the Long Island Pine Barrens Commission, supported by the EPF.
• $4.5 million for Suffolk County and $5 million for Nassau County in Water Quality Protection Improvement Program funding, supported by the EPF.
• $1 million for the Center for Clean Water at Stony Brook, supported by the EPF.

Health

• Invest in Local Health Departments. The Enacted Budget includes $1.9 million in funding to increase the General Public Health Work (Article 6) base grants -- $885,000 for Nassau County and $970,000 for Suffolk County. The Enacted Budget also invests funding for all counties to cover a portion of fringe benefit costs for public health staff through State Aid reimbursement, which will help counties increase their staffing levels to meet public health demands.

Housing

• Neighborhood and Rural Preservation Program (NPP/ RPP). The Enacted Budget includes nearly $1 million for the Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP) and Rural Preservation Program (RPP) to support community-based not-for-profit groups that provide housing assistance, community renewal activities, and rental subsidies in the Long Island region.
• Rural Rental Assistance Program (RRAP). The Executive provides rental assistance through the Rural Rental Assistance Program (RRAP) for more than 50 units of low-income housing for rural tenants on Long Island.

Mental Hygiene

• Support Addiction Treatment Services. The budget provides nearly $63 million to support addiction treatment, recovery, and prevention on Long Island. This funding will support a myriad of programs, including opioid treatment, residential treatment beds, outpatient treatment clinics, prevention programs, recovery community and outreach centers, a youth clubhouse, a problem gambling resource center, jail-based treatment, and one State-Operated Addiction Treatment Center. These programs provide individual and group counseling, medication-assisted treatment, educational services, case management, vocational assessment, job skills training, employment readiness, parenting skills, and social/community living skills.
• Veteran Peer-to-Peer Services Program. Named to honor the memory of a veteran who committed suicide, the Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer-to-Peer Services Program offers a non-clinical support model by veterans to veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), suicidal ideations, and/or other mental health challenges. The budget will allocate approximately $370,000 to fund the program within the Long Island Region.

Revenue Actions and STAR

• Provide a Homeowner Tax Rebate Credit. The Budget creates a new property tax relief credit, the Homeowner Tax Rebate Credit, for eligible low- and middle-income households, as well as eligible senior households. Basic STAR exemption and credit beneficiaries with incomes below $250,000 and Enhanced STAR recipients are eligible for the property tax rebate where the benefit is a percentage of the homeowner's existing STAR benefit. The average benefit for Long Island homeowners will be about $1,290, providing relief to an estimated 494,000 property tax-paying households.
• Accelerate the Middle-Class Tax Cut. The Budget accelerates the phase-in of the Middle-Class Tax Cut by two years, fully implementing the cut beginning tax year 2023 instead of tax year 2025.
• Provide Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Noncustodial Parent EITC Bonus Payments. The Budget provides a one-time supplemental payment equal to 25 percent of the EITC or Noncustodial Parent EITC claimed for tax year 2021, provided the benefit is at least $25
• Provide an Empire State Child Credit (ESCC) Bonus Payment. The Budget provides a one-time supplemental payment of between 25 and 100 percent of the ESCC claimed for tax year 2021, provided the benefit is at least $25.

Transportation

• CHIPS Local Highway Aid Program: The Budget provides $49.6 million in funding for local roads and bridges on Long Island through the CHIPS program.
• PAVE NY Local Highway Aid Program: The Budget provides $13.7 million in funding for local roads on Long Island through the PAVE NY program.
• Extreme Winter Recovery (EWR): The Budget provides $9.4 million in funding for local roads and bridges through the EWR program.
• State Touring Routes (STR): The Budget provides $0.3 million in funding for local roads through the STR program.
• Pave our Potholes (POP): The Budget provides $9.2 million in funding for local roads through the POP program.
• Road and Bridge Improvements: The Budget includes funding for road and bridge projects in the Long Island region such as:
  • $6.5 million to perform bridge deck and steel repairs on the bridge that carries westbound Route 27 over Barnes Road in the Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County.
  • $9.9 million for pavement renewal along the Long Island Expressway, from Route 112 to Yaphank Avenue, in the Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County.
  • $14.8 million for pavement renewal along Northern Boulevard (Route 25A), from the Queens/Nassau County line to Old Northern Boulevard, from Forest Drive to Glen Cove Road and from Annandale Drive to the Nassau/Suffolk County line in the Towns of North Hempstead and Oyster Bay in Nassau County and from the Nassau/Suffolk County line to Harbor Road (Route 108) in the Town of Huntington, Suffolk County.
• Transit Operating Assistance: The Budget provides $40.7 million in transit operating assistance to Suffolk County and $103.4 million to Nassau County. Each represents a 36% increase over the prior year. This region is also affected by MTA operations; the MTA will receive $6.6 billion in transit operating assistance. 
• Non-MTA Transit Capital Assistance: The Budget provides a $35 million a year increase in non-MTA transit capital assistance, a portion of which benefits both Suffolk and Nassau County. The Budget also includes $20 million for the third year of a $100 million five-year capital program to support transit agencies' transition to electric buses, a portion of which benefits Suffolk County.

Bronx Community Board 9 - Free Fire Safety Seminar

 

Resources for people with Disabilities

COVID-19 Testing Sites

COVID-19 and Human Rights

Covid-19 Rent Relief Program

Visit our website Bronx Community Board 9  1967 Turnbull Ave , Bronx , NY 10472

Recidivist Fraudster Indicted In Connection With At Least $40 Million Ponzi Scheme, SBA Loan Fraud, And Another Fraud Scheme

Co-Defendant Charged in SBA Loan Fraud Scheme

 Damian Williams, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced the indictment of FRANKLIN RAY for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, in connection with various fraud schemes relating to his operation of a trucking business known as CSA Business Solutions LLC.  RAY, who was previously convicted of wire fraud and bank fraud in the Eastern District of Michigan and was released from prison in 2010, and a co-defendant, JOSEPH WINGET, were arrested in connection with certain of these schemes pursuant to a criminal complaint in early March.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “We allege Ray used his purported trucking companies as vehicles for fraud, including by submitting fraudulent applications for small business loans during the Covid-19 pandemic, and by fleecing investors into giving him tens of millions of dollars to participate in a business that was a scam. Ray knew that his actions were illegal, having been convicted of similar crimes more than a decade ago. Ray may not learn a lesson from his latest actions, but he will face justice for them.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Michael J. Driscoll said: “As we allege today, Mr. Ray, who was previously convicted of federal wire and bank fraud charges, operated a Ponzi scheme that defrauded hundreds of investors of more than $40 million.  Mr. Ray was even bold enough to continue his alleged activity subsequent to his most recent arrest.  Today's charges will force him - yet again - to face the consequences of his illegal activity in the federal criminal justice system.”

As alleged in the Indictment and previously filed Complaint:[1]:

Beginning in at least June 2021, FRANKLIN RAY began to offer investors an opportunity to invest in his trucking and logistics company, CSA Business Solutions LLC (the “Truck Investment Scheme”).  Specifically, RAY and the investors entered into contracts pursuant to which, for each $20,000 contributed by the investor, CSA Business Solutions LLC would procure and operate a truck in its trucking business.  RAY told investors that the trucks would perform delivery services for a multinational e-commerce company and/or a multinational shipping company, and that the investors would be entitled to 77% of the net income of the trucks.  After the investors purchased the rights to trucks from CSA Business Solutions LLC, RAY sent them falsified spreadsheets at regular intervals, purporting to show the performance of their trucks during the relevant period.  In truth and fact, CSA Business Solutions LLC operated few trucks and had minimal revenues from trucking activities.  Instead, investors in the Truck Investment Scheme received payments from new investments into the scheme or from other sources.  RAY ultimately induced approximately 275 investors to purchase over 2,000 trucks, totaling at least $40 million in fraudulent investments.

RAY is also charged with carrying out fraudulent schemes to obtain over $1.9 million in government-guaranteed loans designed to provide relief to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic on behalf of CSA Business LLC and another Michigan-based trucking company (the “SBA Loan Fraud Schemes”).  In connection with the SBA Loan Fraud Schemes, RAY submitted false information and forged documents to the SBA and commercial lenders.  RAY claimed that these businesses engaged in significant trucking business, but they had minimal revenues and trucking activity.  A co-defendant, JOSEPH WINGET, is charged with participating in one of the SBA Loan Fraud Schemes, on behalf of CSA Business Solutions LLC, resulting in $1.1 million in fraudulently obtained loans.

Finally, RAY is charged with fraudulently inducing a New York City based real estate company to pay a $175,000 deposit in order to pay for startup costs associated with setting up a joint venture between the company and CSA Business Solutions LLC (the “Joint Venture Fraud”).  RAY induced the company to enter into the Joint Venture by misrepresenting CSA Business Solutions LLC and his own personal business experience.  RAY spent the funds on personal expenses, including private airplane trips.  The Joint Venture was never formed.

RAY and WINGET were arrested in early March 2022, and a CSA Business Solutions LLC bank account was seized at that time.  After his arrest, RAY continued to operate the Truck Investment Scheme.  RAY misled investors about why he did not make expected payments after his arrest and hid the fact of his arrest and the seizure of the bank account.  During this period, RAY caused the opening of new bank accounts on behalf of CSA Business Solutions LLC and continued to solicit and accept investor funds for trucks that did not exist.

RAY, 50, of Canton, Michigan, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, four counts of wire fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft.  The conspiracy to commit wire fraud and three counts of wire fraud each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  One of the wire fraud counts relates to a fraud affecting a financial institution, and therefore carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.  The charges for aggravated identity theft each carry an additional mandatory consecutive two-year sentence. 

WINGET, 70, of Imlay City, Michigan, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries an additional mandatory consecutive two-year sentence.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI.

If you believe you have been a victim of the schemes described above, including a victim entitled to restitution, and you wish to provide information to law enforcement and/or receive notice of future developments in the case or additional information, please contact Wendy Olsen-Clancy, the Victim Witness Coordinator at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, at 866-874-8900 or wendy.olsen@usdoj.gov.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and Complaint and the description of the Indictment and Complaint set forth in this release constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

BRONX BOROUGH PRESIDENT VANESSA L. GIBSON, AMIDA CARE & ESSEN HEALTH CARE RECOGNIZE NATIONAL TRANSGENDER HIV TESTING DAY AT DESTINATION TOMORROW IN THE BRONX

 

BP Gibson and advocates outline health disparities faced by people of transgender experience in the Bronx, and encourage New Yorkers to get tested for HIV

On Monday, April 18, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson and Amida Care, a not-for-profit New York community health plan, were joined by advocates and health care providers at Destination Tomorrow in the Bronx to recognize National Transgender HIV Testing Day. The event highlighted the health disparities faced by people of transgender experience in the Bronx, and encouraged Bronxites to get tested, and learn about HIV prevention and treatment. Borough President Gibson issued a proclamation declaring April 18 as National Transgender HIV Testing Day in the Bronx and announced the relaunch of the Bronx LGBTQIA+ Taskforce.

“As Bronx Borough President, I am committed and dedicated to reducing the spread of HIV in our transgender community, and to making sure our brothers and sisters who are living with HIV continue to receive the quality, patient-centered care they deserve – regardless of their gender identity,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “That is why today, I am issuing a Proclamation declaring April 18th as National Transgender HIV Testing Day in the Boogie Down Bronx, and announcing the relaunch of the Bronx Borough President’s LGBTQIA+ Task Force. Our goal with this Task Force is to bring together experts, advocates, and community partners to take a holistic approach to supporting and uplifting our Bronx LGBTQIA+ community. We cannot and will not do this work alone, and I am thankful to Amida Care, Essen Health Care, Destination Tomorrow and all of our other partners that joined us today to combat this epidemic and stand with our TGNC community.”

The trans community continues to be disproportionately impacted by HIV. Transgender women are estimated to be 49 times more likely to be living with HIV compared to the general population. Additionally, the Bronx had the second highest number of new HIV diagnoses in 2020, and the highest percentage of HIV deaths. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, HIV testing slowed dramatically—HIV testing in New York conducted through AIDS Institute-funded sites averaged well over 2,500 tests per month in 2019. But that tally dipped below 500 tests per month in April 2020 and did not reach 2,000 tests in any given month through June 2021.

“We are proud to be here on National Transgender HIV Testing Day to celebrate the progress we’ve made towards ending the HIV in New York, and call for a renewed focus on communities that continue to be disproportionately impacted by the epidemic. Sadly, the Bronx continues to have the highest rate of HIV deaths in New York City, and New Yorkers of transgender experience – particularly trans women of color – are more likely to be living with HIV than the general population. We’re encouraging everyone to get tested and learn your status, so you can live your healthiest life and ensure you aren’t passing HIV on to others,” said Sandrine Blake, Assistant Director of Member Events, Amida Care.

Almost half (43%) of Amida Care’s members are Bronx residents, and more than 20% of their members are people of transgender experience. Amida Care’s viral suppression rate amongst their HIV-positive transgender population is at 94%, which is well above the national averages.

“I remember growing up and the first thing I learned about what it meant to be gay, what it meant to be trans, was that you were diseased, and you were wrong and unworthy. It took me 28 years, but I can finally stand here today and tell my community: we’re not diseased, we’re worthy. I am enough. You are enough. We’re all enough,” said Mimi Shelton, Director of Trans Initiatives at Destination Tomorrow. “We’re not only enough, but we’re worthy of proper care, as well as access to intervention and prevention services for HIV. We’re worthy, not only of people’s tolerance, but of their acceptance.”

“It’s important to find out your status so we can start treatment. Testing is just the first step,” said Dr. Binu Kuriakose, Medical Director, Urgent Care, Essen Health Care. “We’ve come a long way from when HIV was first discovered. Now, if you find out your status early, we can offer treatment and everyone is able to live a long, healthy life. Our goal is access to care. Please come to our sites. Please get tested and find out your status. Let us help you so we can reduce HIV transmission in the Bronx.”

“The HIV epidemic has taken a disproportionate toll on people of color, particularly trans women of color. In 2019, transgender women of color accounted for 91% of new HIV diagnoses among transgender women in New York City. The first step to addressing these disparities is for people to get tested,” said Lailani Muniz, Bronx resident, community activist, and Amida Care member. “I’ve been living with HIV for 16 years, and I’ve been undetectable for 16 years. I want people to know that if you’re living with HIV, you can take medication to become undetectable and live your healthiest life like me.”

Attorney General James Distributes First Funds from Historic Opioid Settlements

 

“The opioid crisis has devastated communities in Buffalo, across Western New York, and throughout the state,” said Attorney General James. “These funds will help us take opioids out of our communities and ensure that every New Yorker struggling with addiction gets the help they need. While no amount of money will ever make up for the lives we’ve lost, these funds will be vital in helping to prevent future deaths and destruction.” 

 The breakdown of the funds that will be distributed in 2022 is below. 

Western New York Total: $12,804,235 

• City of Buffalo: $582,427
• Allegany County: $293,856
• Cattaraugus County: $528,364
• Chautauqua County: $1,021,617
• Erie County: $8,339,874
• Niagara County: $2,038,096

Long Island Total: $46,900,693 

• Nassau County: $20,461,139 
• Suffolk County: $26,439,555 

Central New York Total: $6,304,808

• City of Syracuse: $263,422
• Cayuga County: $538,933
• Cortland County: $322,716
• Madison County: $483,503
• Onondaga County: $3,771,991
• Oswego County: $924,241

Finger Lakes Region: $9,062,035

• City of Rochester: $390,918
• Genesee County: $423,876
• Livingston County: $404,888
• Monroe County: $5,597,620
• Ontario County: $781,354
• Orleans County: $246,260
• Seneca County: $230,746
• Wayne County: $592,953
• Wyoming County: $245,544
• Yates County: $147,872

Capital Region Total: $5,783,397 

• City of Albany: $116,277 
• Albany County: $1,664,997 
• Columbia County: $391,761 
• Greene County: $473,167 
• Rensselaer County: $757,967 
• Saratoga County: $1,001,677 
• Schenectady County: $726,152 
• Warren County: $365,142 
• Washington County: $286,252 

Today’s payments are the first of many to New Yorkers to combat the opioid crisis. The first payments come from settlements with opioid distributors — AmerisourceBergen Corporation, Cardinal Health, Inc., and McKesson Corporation. Later this year, Long Island will receive additional payments from the settlements with Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Allergan. In addition, counties will receive funds from the New York State Opioid Settlement Fund, which is managed by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). 

In March 2019, Attorney General James filed the nation’s most extensive lawsuit to hold accountable the various manufacturers and distributors responsible for the opioid epidemic. The manufacturers named in the complaint included Purdue Pharma and its affiliates, as well as members of the Sackler Family (owners of Purdue) and trusts they control; Janssen Pharmaceuticals and its affiliates (including its parent company Johnson & Johnson); Mallinckrodt LLC and its affiliates; Endo Health Solutions and its affiliates; and Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. and its affiliates. The distributors named in the complaint were McKesson Corporation, Cardinal Health Inc., Amerisource Bergen Drug Corporation, and Rochester Drug Cooperative Inc.  

In December 2021, Attorney General James scored a court victory against Teva Pharmaceuticals USA after a jury found the company and its affiliates liable for violating New Yorkers’ rights. A subsequent trial will now be held to determine how much Teva and others will be required to pay, which will be added to the up to $1.5 billion Attorney General James has already secured for the state of New York from different opioid manufacturers and distributors. 

In September 2021, Attorney General James secured $50 million from Endo for New York state and Nassau and Suffolk counties to combat the opioid crisis and removed the opioid manufacturer from New York’s ongoing opioid trial. 

In July 2021, Attorney General James secured a settlement with McKesson, Cardinal Health, and Amerisource Bergen that will deliver up to $1 billion to New York state to combat the opioid epidemic. 

In June 2021, Attorney General James announced a settlement that will deliver $230 to New York and end Johnson & Johnson’s sale of opioids nationwide.  

The cases against Mallinckrodt, Purdue Pharma, and Rochester Drug Cooperative are now moving separately through U.S. Bankruptcy Court. 

MAYOR ADAMS, DEPARTMENT FOR THE AGING DISTRIBUTE 1,000 FREE COMPUTER TABLETS TO OLDER NEW YORKERS AND CONNECT THEM WITH CITY SERVICES

 

Distribution Aims to Close Digital Divide for Older Adults Who Do Not Have Internet Service or Digital Equipment

 

Tablets Will Connect Older Adults to Additional City Services

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department for the Aging (DFTA) Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez today announced the distribution of 1,000 free Wi-Fi equipped computer tablets to older New Yorkers in an effort to bridge the digital divide and help connect them with city services. This tablet distribution was held today at Borinquen Court in the Bronx and is part of an initial 10,000-tablet distribution initiative that DFTA began last October.

 

“Having access to the internet and so many of the services our city offers is not a luxury, but a necessity, and today’s delivery of 1,000 tablets to older New Yorkers will finally help make it a reality for our seniors,” said Mayor Adams. “These tablets will help close the digital divide, deliver crucial services to New Yorkers, and limit social isolation by allowing our seniors to stay connected and engaged with their friends and family. Age should not stand in the way of staying in contact with loved ones or connecting with key services, and so I applaud the Department for the Aging in working to keep the quality of life a priority for our older adults.”

 

“I applaud DFTA on their efforts to combat the digital divide among older adults through the distribution of 10,000 tablets,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “The last two years especially have shown the importance of ensuring older adults across New York City have access and knowledge on how to utilize the many ways technology can help everyone stay connected to their friends, family, and global community. I look forward to continuing these efforts and helping to close the technology gap among our older adults.”

 

“The last two years have shown us how important it is to be digitally connected. For older New Yorkers, being in touch with family and friends online and having access to virtual services was a game changer. It helped counter the impact of social isolation and empowered them with new skills. That said, there is a deep digital divide among our older adult population because many cannot afford to buy a computer device nor pay for internet service. This initiative finally helps connect the disconnected,” said DFTA Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez. “We are excited to provide them with this crucial technological equipment and internet service to help them stay engaged, active, and informed about the services offered by the city and the Department for the Aging.”

The tablet distribution is a continuation of the Department for the Aging’s long-term efforts to keep older New Yorkers connected, engaged, and help them limit social isolation through virtual programming and online services. The program provides free Wi-Fi equipped tablets to older New Yorkers who do not have an internet-enabled electronic device and reside within a Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity (TRIE) neighborhood. To date, 9,000 tablets have been distributed by DFTA’s network of providers. The remaining 1,000 will provide the agency with the opportunity to reach older adults who are not connected to DFTA services or programs.

 

Each tablet comes with free internet service through December 31^st, provided by T-Mobile, and is preloaded with applications, including Zoom, Gmail, and the NYC COVID Safe app. Older adults will also be provided with free training on their new tablets at local senior centers, and learn how to connect to DFTA virtual programs. During the distribution event, DFTA is referring tablet recipients to the nearest senior center that offers the training.

 

In addition to keeping older adults engaged and digitally connected, the initiative also achieves one of the goals outlined in DFTA’s Community Care Plan — a five-year plan to expand aging support services and help older adults age in their homes and avoid institutionalization. The Community Care Plan builds upon the success and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the expansion of virtual services that kept many older adults active and engaged while mitigating social isolation.

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When the pandemic caused the physical closure of older adult centers, older adult center services transitioned to virtual programming and over-the-phone services. These virtual programs included fitness classes, art workshops, and social events that were attended by about 40,000 individuals. Providing older New Yorkers with the technological equipment they need will build on the success of virtual programming and help make it available to even more older adults.