Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - 118th Congress: Committee Assignments, New District Office, & More

 

A Message from the Office of Representative Ocasio-Cortez

To Our Neighbors in NY-14,

Last month, we kicked off the beginning of the 118th Congress. The beginning of a new legislative session also means new committee assignments for the next two years. This legislative session, Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez will return to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability — but this time as the Vice Ranking Member, the #2 spot for Democrats on the committee. She will also serve on the Committee on Natural Resources for the first time, and as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. 

Pictured: Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez standing

in front of the door to the Committee on Natural Resources

Already, Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez has used her time on these committees to expose Twitter’s bias in favor of right-wing media and propose an amendment requiring the collecting of public health data in response to new drilling on federal lands. A large part of the Congresswoman’s work in D.C. involves attending committee hearings, where she only has five minutes to question witnesses on various topics. You can watch some of her accomplishments from last year here.

Back in the district, Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez toured OANA’s Astoria Waterfront Arts District this week — an area of Astoria that’s new to NY-14. The arts district has been a hub for creativity and cultural expression in Astoria for years, providing spaces for artists and arts enthusiasts of all backgrounds and ages to gather, collaborate, and showcase their work. We’re looking forward to more visits with community members around the district over the next two years.

Pictured: Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez touring the

Astoria Waterfront Arts District with community members

We also opened a new office in Co-Op City at 177 Dreiser Loop, The Bronx, NY 10475, where we accept walk-ins Monday through Thursday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Unfortunately, we closed our former office in Jackson Heights due to redistricting — but stay tuned as we search for offices in other parts of the new district. If you’re unable to visit us in person, you can always contact us online or by phone at 718-662-5970, where we also provide language translation. We also held our first town hall of the year last month in Co-Op City. If you missed it, you can watch it here. 

You can find more updates from our office below, including information on free tax preparation resources, Medicare open enrollment, passports, and more. As always, please don’t hesitate to contact our office if you need assistance on another matter or to share your opinion on legislation. 

In service,

The Office of Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez

Other Updates from Our Office

Take advantage of free resources available to you this tax season! Any individual or family earning $73,000 or less in 2022 can use tax software through IRS Free File at no cost, in both English and Spanish, here. You can also find additional free and local help by calling 800-906-9887 or using the VITA Locator Tool here.  

 

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is running now through March 31st. During this period, Medicare beneficiaries with Medicare Advantage plans can 1) switch to another plan with or without Part D coverage or 2) disenroll from Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare and enroll in a Part D plan. Learn more here. 

 

Out-of-pocket costs for insulin are now capped at $35 per monthly prescription among Medicare Part D enrollees under the Inflation Reduction Act. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, or have any other outstanding questions, call 1-800-MEDICARE.  

 

Are you looking to renew or apply for your passport ahead of international travel this summer? Be sure to submit your application sooner rather than later. Beginning this month, processing times are expected to take longer than usual — 8 to 11 weeks for routine processing and 5 to 7 weeks for expedited processing. Apply here. 

DEC ANNOUNCES $1.35 MILLION FOR THE SECOND ROUND OF THE FOREST CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM

 

Forest Conservation Easements for Land Trusts Grant Program Helps Protect Forests from Potential Development

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the second round of competitive grants for the Forest Conservation Easements for Land Trusts (FCELT) Grant Program. In partnership with the Land Trust Alliance, a total of $1.35 million in grant funding is available for DEC to award to eligible, accredited land trusts to purchase conservation easements on forested land for the purpose of protecting these lands from future development. The goal of the grant program is to increase the pace of forest land conservation to keep forests as forests and combat climate change.

"Protecting and managing forests is essential to the state’s efforts to combat climate change and we commend partners like the Land Trust Alliance for helping to implement programs that protect our vital forest resources,” said Commissioner Seggos. "These grants are just one tool DEC is using to advance the state’s forest conservation goals, implement the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act Scoping Plan recommendations, and protect the state’s biodiversity for future generations. I encourage land trusts to apply for these grants and help us conserve New York’s forests.”

Applicants may apply for up to $350,000 to fund the acquisition of conservation easements on forest land in New York State. To apply, a 25 percent match of grant funding is required and land trusts must be accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.

"We must increase the pace of land conservation to help prevent the worst effects of climate change and to make progress on achieving the critical goals laid out in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act Scoping Plan,” said Jennifer Miller Herzog, the Land Trust Alliance's Chief Program Officer. “This new round of funding to help protect New York’s forests signals a strong commitment to protecting the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers and the environment. The Forest Conservation Easements for Land Trusts program leverages the strengths and expertise of local land trusts and their ability to work with willing landowners to keep their forests as forests. We are proud to partner with DEC to help continue this innovative approach to protecting one of our most important natural resources. On behalf of the Land Trust Alliance, I applaud Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and DEC Commissioner Seggos for their work toward ensuring the continued availability of clean water, outdoor recreation and economic opportunity in the face of climate change.”

Funding for the grant program is provided by the State's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). Governor Hochul's 2023-24 Executive Budget sustains the EPF at a historic $400 million. The EPF provides funding for critical environmental programs such as land acquisition, farmland protection, invasive species prevention and eradication, enhanced recreational access, water quality improvement, and an aggressive environmental justice agenda.

FCELT grants will further goals/strategies identified in the New York State Open Space Plan, the New York State Wildlife Action Plan, the New York State Forest Action Plan, and/or other local, regional or statewide land protection plans.

The program has a two-step application process which includes a pre-application and a full application. Pre-applications are now being accepted and are due by May 11, 2023. Full applications are by invitation only. Applicants invited to submit a full application will be notified by June 13, 2023. Full applications are due by July 28, 2023. Complete details about this grant opportunity including eligibility requirements and other program elements can be found on the FCELT webpage.

Privately owned forest lands cover 13.62 million acres and represent 74 percent of New York's forests. More than 10 million acres are considered family-owned or non-corporate forests. These nearly 700,000 private forest landowners help support clean air and water protection, carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat conservation, and grow the state’s forest-based economy. The FCELT provides resources to combat leading threats facing the states forests and to keeping privately-owned forests healthy and intact.

About the Land Trust Alliance
Founded in 1982, the Land Trust Alliance is a national land conservation organization that works to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America. The Alliance represents more than 950-member land trusts and their 6.4 million supporters nationwide. The Alliance is based in Washington, D.C., and operates several regional offices. More information about the Alliance is available on the Land Trust Alliance website at https://landtrustalliance.org.

MOUNT VERNON MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER IN DEATH OF BRONX WOMAN

 

Defendant Was Driving Over 90 MPH When He Struck Victim; Drove Pickup Truck in Opposite Lane, Hit 13 Parked Cars

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that a Mount Vernon man has been sentenced to 5-10 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree Manslaughter for running over a Bronx woman with his pickup truck in the Soundview section of the Bronx.

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant was recklessly speeding and under the influence when he hit the victim with his vehicle, killing her. Even after he ran over the victim, he continued to speed, driving into the opposite lane and over a bike path, and crashing into 13 parked cars. His reckless behavior ended the life of a beloved 31-year-old woman, who had just parked her car and was on her way to see her family.”

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Robert Johnson, 43, of Mount Vernon, NY, was sentenced today by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Martin Marcus to 5-10 years in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree Manslaughter and Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs on January 20, 2023.

 According to the investigation, on September 28, 2021 at approximately 9:30 a.m., the defendant was driving his 2012 Dodge Ram at 90-95 miles per hour in the vicinity of East 174th Street and Bronx River Avenue, where the speed limit is 25 miles per hour. Johnson, who was on parole at the time, struck Carina Lopez, 31, who had just parked her car in the area. The defendant continued to drive at an excessive speed across double yellow lines into the opposite side of traffic, on a bike lane, and over a concrete center median, colliding with a total of 13 parked vehicles. The victim was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital where she was pronounced dead upon arrival. According to the investigation, Johnson was under the influence of a significant amount of cocaine.

 District Attorney Clark also thanked NYPD Detective Peter Jarvis, formerly of the NYPD Collision Investigation Squad, and Detective Gregory Gianacopulos of the NYPD Collision Investigation Squad for their assistance in the investigation.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Join Us: Black History Month Celebration

 

Dear Neighbor,

Join us on Thursday, February 23rd for our annual Black History Month Celebration event at Eastwood Manor Banquet Hall (3371 Eastchester Road).

Doors open at 5:30 PM.

Click here to RSVP

In partnership,

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson