Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - MARCH 6, 2023

 

Governor Encourages New Yorkers to Keep Using the Tools to Protect Against and Treat COVID-19: Vaccines, Boosters, Testing and Treatment

12 Statewide Deaths Reported on March 3

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19 and outlined basic steps they can take to protect against the spread of viral respiratory infections that become more common in the winter season. 

"I urge every New Yorker to remain vigilant and continue to use all available tools to keep themselves, their loved ones and their communities safe and healthy," Governor Hochul said. "Stay up to date on vaccine doses and be sure to test before gatherings or travel. If you test positive, talk to your doctor about potential treatment options."

Governor Hochul is urging New Yorkers to take common prevention measures — like staying up to date on vaccines and practicing proper hygiene — to protect from the flu and COVID-19 and reduce the patient burden on local hospitals. The Governor reiterated these basic steps when she updated New Yorkers on the state's health preparedness efforts this winter. 

The New York State Department of Health recently launched a new 12-week campaign on television, social media and streaming services to encourage New Yorkers with underlying medical conditions to recognize the importance of getting and staying up-to-date with the recommended COVID-19 bivalent booster to avoid serious illness or death. These conditions including being 65 or older, pregnant, obese, diabetic, or suffering from heart or lung disease, or having a weakened immune system. 

Additionally, the Department of Health released its weekly flu surveillance report for the week ending February 25 and showing influenza remaining geographically widespread throughout the state for a twenty-first consecutive week, with a total of 317,694 positive cases reported this season to date. The report found that confirmed cases statewide decreased 23 percent to 1,887 for the week, while overall hospitalizations were up 1 percent from the previous week, at 186 hospitalizations across the state.    

There were two outbreaks in acute care and long-term care facilities, the report determined. There was one influenza-associated pediatric death reported for the week, for a total of 11 statewide.    

With flu season continuing, Governor Hochul reminds all New Yorkers that it's not too late to get their annual flu vaccine. The flu virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 are both circulating, so getting vaccinated against both is the best way to stay healthy and to avoid added stress to the health care system.    

The Health Department is continuing its annual public education campaign, reminding adults and parents to get both flu and COVID-19 shots for themselves and children 6 months and older. For information about flu vaccine clinics, contact the local health department or visit vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/.   

Governor Hochul also continues to urge New Yorkers to get their bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters. In December, the New York State Department of Health announced new guidance for bivalent COVID-19 booster doses, which are now available for eligible children down to 6 months of age.    

The updated boosters are the first to be targeted to the original virus strain and recently circulating variants and are recommended for young New Yorkers and all those eligible. To schedule an appointment for a booster, New Yorkers should contact their local pharmacy, county health department, or healthcare provider; visit vaccines.gov; text their ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find nearby locations.   

Today's data is summarized briefly below:  

• Cases Per 100k - 4.45
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 7.00
• Test Results Reported - 29,629
• Total Positive - 869
• Percent Positive - 2.71%**
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 2.97%**
• Patient Hospitalization - 1,632 (-64)*
• Patients Newly Admitted - 223*
• Patients in ICU - 192 (-5)*
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 75 (0)*
• Total Discharges - 404,768 (+277)*
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 12*
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 61,906*

** Due to the test reporting policy change by the federal Department of Health and Human Services and several other factors, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.   

Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows **:        

Borough	Friday,   March   3, 2023	Saturday,   March   4, 2023	Sunday,   March   5, 2023
Bronx	1.90%	1.77%	1.80%
Kings	1.51%	1.42%	1.39%
New York	2.56%	2.49%	2.58%
Queens	2.14%	2.07%	2.08%
Richmond	2.42%	2.19%	2.16%

Speaker Adrienne Adams Delivers Remarks at the Council’s First Fiscal Year 2024 Preliminary Budget Hearing

 

 Speaker Adrienne Adams delivered opening remarks at the Council’s Committee on Finance hearing to examine the Mayor’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Preliminary Budget. Today’s hearing is the first of the Council’s series of FY 24 Preliminary Budget hearings, where respective Committees will analyze agency budgets and receive testimony from agency leadership, as well as the public. In her remarks, the Speaker addressed the importance of protecting the City’s ability to provide essential services that support New Yorkers. Speaker Adams reiterated that while the City may face economic challenges and uncertainty, withholding investments undermines the health, safety, and well-being of New York City’s communities.

Below are the Speaker’s full remarks as prepared for delivery:

Good morning and thank you to Chair Brannan for holding the first budget hearing of the Fiscal 2024 budget cycle. I also want to welcome Director Jacques Jiha to today’s budget hearing.

We are here today to examine the Mayor’s $102.7 billion Fiscal 2024 Preliminary Budget. The Preliminary Budget for Fiscal 2024 is $1.7 billion less than what was presented in the November Financial Plan.

The Preliminary Budget is balanced by closing a projected $2.89 billion gap in Fiscal Year 2024 with $1.46 billion in additional resources from FY 2023, along with increased revenues in FY 2024 of $738 million and $690 million in expense savings. While the increased revenues are promising, a key component of the Administration’s approach gives reason for concern. As part of the Preliminary Budget, the Administration directed certain agencies to eliminate half of their vacant positions; this has yielded a 4,300-person reduction in the City’s budgeted workforce beginning in the current fiscal year. These reductions call into question the City’s ability to provide essential services that support New Yorkers, to say nothing of the goals laid out by the Administration in housing, economic opportunity, and public safety.

The fact that these cuts are not distributed evenly only magnifies this concern. Prior to the November Financial Plan, the Council held hearings that found acute vacancies in agencies such as the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and other City agencies most aligned with the needs of New Yorkers. This is especially concerning as we work to address crises in affordable housing and mental health. Considering that other agencies with significantly more resources were permitted to not meet their required PEG targets, the Administration must take a sharper look at where public resources can be reallocated. What a larger agency may dismiss as a minor amount could fund the continuation of essential services at a smaller agency elsewhere. This harms New Yorkers who depend on these services to feed their families and remain in their homes.

The COVID-19 pandemic spotlighted the wide and persisting inequities in our city; as we move forward, we cannot underfund and understaff the very agencies that have connected New Yorkers with the essential services and organizations that have helped them withstand this crisis.

The health, safety and well-being of our city, our communities, and our economy are all bound to how well we support essential human services. Whether it is our 3-K and early childhood education programs, CUNY, or our public libraries, these fundamental services must be prioritized as bedrocks of achieving healthier and safer communities. We may face economic challenges and uncertainty, but we want our city to come out stronger and not be undermined by withholding investment in what is proven to help our city and New Yorkers.

Director Jiha, I hope to hear from you today about this budget, and how you believe it helps us plan for a brighter future for our city.

Thank you, and I will now turn it back over to Chair Brannan for the remainder of his remarks.

Construction Company Operator and Foreperson Convicted in Connection With Laborer’s Death in Brooklyn Wall Collapse

 

Ignored Workers’ Safety Concerns, Industry Protocols, and Concerns Expressed by Adjacent Property Owners; Victim Was Buried Under Debris

 Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber, and New York City Department of Buildings Acting Commissioner Kazimir Vilenchik, today announced that the operator of a Sunset Park construction company has been convicted at trial of criminally negligent homicide, tax fraud and other charges, and a foreperson at the site was convicted of criminal mischief in connection with an excavation wall collapse that killed a construction worker, Luis Almonte Sanchez, who was buried under thousands of pounds of debris.

 District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Today’s verdict should send a strong message that when contractors cut corners and put their workers’ safety at risk – they will face serious and criminal repercussions. The death of Luis Almonte Sanchez was a preventable tragedy that would have been avoided if the operators of the construction site heeded all safety protocols or heeded warnings about unsafe conditions. They chose not to, and today they have been held responsible for their dangerous and criminal conduct.”

 Commissioner Strauber said, “A worker was needlessly crushed to death by tons of debris because a construction company operator responsible for the construction site chose to ignore basic safety protocols and repeated warnings about the dangers at the site. Today’s conviction, along with the convictions of other defendants in this case, delivers the strong message that failure to follow construction safety laws has serious consequences. DOI thanks the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, the City Buildings Department and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for their partnership on this important investigation and successful prosecution.”

 Acting Commissioner Vilenchik said, “The death of Luis Almonte was tragic and preventable. This incident is a painful reminder that cutting corners on a construction site and ignoring safety regulations can have dire consequences. Pursuing criminal charges in response to construction-related fatalities sends an important message to the entire industry - endangering the lives of workers and the public will not be tolerated. I commend the Brooklyn DA’s Office for their efforts in this important case.”

 The District Attorney identified the defendants as Jiaxi “Jimmy” Liu, 49, and Wilson Garcia Jr., 48, both of Staten Island. Following a non-jury trial, Liu was convicted today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun of criminally negligent homicide, first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, fraudulent practices in violation of worker’s compensation laws, fourth-degree city criminal tax fraud, and related counts; and Garcia was convicted of fourth-degree criminal mischief. Liu is facing a maximum sentence of eight to 16 years in prison and Garcia is facing up to one year in jail when they are sentenced on April 26, 2023. Two codefendants previously entered guilty pleas: Jia Rong “Tommy” Liu, 52, of Brooklyn, to petit larceny, and Cindy Chai, 45, of Staten Island, to tax fraud.

 The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, between April and September 2018, construction workers employed by WSC Group Inc., owned by Liu, performed demolition, excavation and foundation work at a construction site at 714 39th Street in Sunset Park. The construction involved removing a one-story industrial building and replacing it with a four-story manufacturing and community facility, including a new cellar level that would serve as an underground garage approximately nine feet below the first-floor level.

 Despite warnings of dangerous conditions at the site from workers and adjacent property owners, Liu refused to stop work at the site. On September 12, 2018, at approximately 2 p.m., a portion of a support of excavation system (SOE) and an existing masonry wall – adjacent to residential apartment buildings – collapsed, trapping one of the construction workers who was performing foundation work in the immediate vicinity. That worker, Luis Almonte Sanchez, 47, an employee of WSC Group, was struck by one of the underpinning pin sections, which weighed well more than 15,000 pounds and was buried under the collapsing debris. First responders couldn’t recover Sanchez’s body until the following day due to unstable conditions at the site, which were worsened by significant rain.

 The District Attorney said that the evidence showed that Liu ran WSC Group, the company hired to perform the excavation work and it was his responsibility to give instructions to the foreperson and workers. Garcia served as the foreperson and “competent person,” designated to identify hazards and take immediate action to correct the hazards on site.

 According to the evidence, the defendants were obligated by law to ensure that the construction site was in compliance with regulations promulgated by the DOB and Occupational Safety and Health Administration to ensure the safety of the work site, but, in fact, the site was not in compliance and, furthermore, the defendants failed to follow the design plans submitted and approved by the DOB. They solicited new plans, which were not submitted to DOB, but ultimately didn’t follow any plans, leading to hazardous conditions at the site. Among the issues: the underpinning system wasn’t installed properly; and safe bracing procedures were not followed.

 Furthermore, in the days prior to September 12, 2018, Liu was informed of a number of potentially dangerous conditions, including that the rear wall was moving forward and that some support was needed in order to stop the wall’s movement. He was also notified by a resident who lived immediately adjacent to the rear wall that her patio and garage had caved in. But, despite those warnings, Liu refused to direct the workers to install additional bracing and never halted work at the site in order to assess or remedy the conditions. Nor did he notify DOB about the conditions.

 Instead, he ordered workers to continue working on the underpinning at the rear of the site and in the days immediately preceding the collapse allowed a trucking company to continue to remove truckloads of dirt during a heavy rainstorm, further destabilizing the site and contributing to the fatal collapse.

 In addition, WSC defrauded the New York State Insurance Fund by making false statements about who it was employing, and also committed tax fraud by failing to file taxes between 2015 and 2018.

 The case was investigated by DOI, specifically the late Investigative Inspector Ross Hoffman, Chief Investigator James McElligott and Special Investigator Alejandra Gomero, under the supervision of Inspector General Gregory Cho, Deputy Commissioner/Chief of Investigations Dominick Zarrella and First Deputy Commissioner Daniel Cort, with assistance from DOI’s squad of NYPD Detectives.

CONSUMER ALERT: Attorney General James Offers Tips to Protect Consumers from Fraud this Tax Season

 

 With this year’s tax season underway, New York Attorney General Letitia James today provided taxpayers with tips to help avoid fraudulent tax schemes. Attorney General James also urged New Yorkers to stay vigilant and report any suspected scams to steal personal and financial information to her office.

“Tax season can be a stressful time of year, and the last thing any New Yorker needs is the added concern of dealing with scammers,” said Attorney General James. “Bad actors can use a wide range of deceptive tactics, including impersonating government officials and falsely claiming to file people’s taxes, to steal money and personal information from unsuspecting New Yorkers. I encourage all those filing taxes to stay vigilant, follow the tips from my office, and contact us immediately if you believe you have been targeted or victimized by a scam.”

Common scams that New Yorkers should be on the lookout for include:

•  Fraudsters who claim you owe past tax debts and insist that you pay using a prepaid credit card or gift card. Legitimate government officials and agencies do not seek to collect debts through these means;
•  Being told that your legitimate tax refund from the IRS was a mistake and therefore you must return it. If you owe money, you will receive a legitimate notice in writing that identifies the agency and the reason you owe money, not a phone call, email, or text message;
•  Fraudsters who make false promises of free tax preparation services, only to deceive people into paying for those services;
•  Tax preparers who deceptively claim to get you your tax refund quicker and then charge you high interest rates and fees;   
•  Any unsolicited calls, text messages, or emails asking for personal information or to verify financial account information.

In her continued efforts to help New Yorkers file their tax return safely and avoid scams, Attorney General James offers the following tips:

•  Legitimate government organizations will never threaten arrest or deportation for failure to pay a debt and will never insist that consumers pay a debt only via a prepaid credit card, gift card, or wire transfer;
•  Only use established companies for tax-preparation services, and always review the entire tax return before signing it;
•  Ensure that any offers you receive on “free” tax preparation services are actually legitimate and free of charge, such as the IRS’ Free Filing program;
•  There are Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites, where consumers can get their tax returns prepared free of charge; and
•  If using a tax preparer, check the person’s qualifications and history through the Better Business Bureau. You should ensure that they sign the tax form and include their Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) upon completion. Also ensure that you are given a statement of the tax services provided and pay close attention to any extra fees or interests. For more information, please consult New York’s Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding Tax Preparers.  

Any New Yorker who suspects that they are a victim of a scam are encouraged to report it to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) by submitting a complaint online or calling 800-771-7755. Tax scams should also be reported to the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 800-366-4484.

Today’s action is the latest in Attorney General James’ efforts to protect consumers from fraudulent tax schemes and practices. In May 2022, Attorney General James secured $141 million for millions of Americans who were deceived by TurboTax into paying for tax services that should have been free. Earlier last year in March 2022, Attorney General James issued a notice to ensure New York cryptocurrency investors were informed about their tax obligations. In March 2021, Attorney General James shut down a deceptive telefunding charity and ensured that future efforts to raise money would clearly inform New Yorkers that such donations are not tax deductible.

Governor Hochul Announces $110 Million in Grants Awarded to 86 Water Quality Protection Projects Across the State

 

$90 Million Awarded to Environmental Justice Communities

Funding to Update Aging Water Infrastructure, Combat Harmful Algal Blooms, Protect Drinking Water, and Prevent Potential Contamination

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that approximately $110 million was awarded to 86 projects through two grant programs to improve water quality across the state. The grant programs support projects that will help protect drinking water, combat contributors to harmful algal blooms, update aging water infrastructure, and improve aquatic habitat in communities statewide, with more than $90 million of the funding supporting water quality improvements in Environmental Justice communities that have been disproportionately impacted by environmental pollution.

“New York continues to provide historic levels of financial support to ensure all New Yorkers have access to clean water for generations to come,” Governor Hochul said. “We will continue upgrading New York’s aging infrastructure and strengthening our water security — improving the quality of life and public health of communities across the state.”

The $110 million in grants were administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), with more than $108 million going to 51 projects through the State’s Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) program and nearly $2 million going to 35 projects through the Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Mapping Grant (NPG). New York State continues to prioritize funding for projects that may help decrease the occurrence of harmful algal blooms (HABs). Nearly half of the WQIP and NPG awarded grants, totaling approximately $45 million, will support projects in watersheds known to have experienced HABs in the past five years and/or help implement a project identified in a DEC HABs Action Plan.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "Governor Hochul continues to demonstrate her commitment to improving water quality, I know how important it is to her. She recognizes that we can't sustain the health of our communities and environment without access to clean water. The grants announced today will help communities across the state safeguard our drinking water so families know they have access to something that's not a privilege, but a human right."

The WQIP grant program funds projects that directly improve water quality or aquatic habitat, or protect a drinking water source. Supported in part by the State's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and Clean Water Infrastructure Improvement Act funding, WQIP projects include municipal wastewater treatment upgrades, non-agricultural nonpoint source abatement and control, land acquisition projects for source water protection, salt storage construction, aquatic connectivity restoration, and marine habitat restoration.

The NPG program funds projects that help pay for the initial planning of non-agricultural nonpoint source water quality improvement projects, such as undersized culvert replacements and green infrastructure technologies, and State permit-required storm sewer mapping in urban areas. When implemented, these projects will reduce the amount of polluted stormwater runoff entering lakes, rivers, and streams, and improve resiliency against climate impacts. This grant is supported by the State’s EPF, which Governor Hochul's 2023-24 Executive Budget sustains 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.

The full list of awardees can be found at www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/4774.html for WQIP and www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/116725.html for NPG. Examples of the 51 projects funded in this round that highlight the breadth and scope of WQIP awards include:

Wastewater Improvement Projects:

• Onondaga County - $10 Million for Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure, Combined Sewer Overflow/Sanitary Sewer Overflow Reduction (Central New York): The county will repair and/or replace the force main sewer collection system in the areas of Ley Creek and Liverpool, improving the water quality of Onondaga Lake.
• Town of Chenango - $10 Million for Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements (Southern Tier): The town will add new treatment technology at its Northgate facility to help meet State standards and improve water quality by reducing the amount of phosphorus entering the Chenango River and the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
• Buffalo Sewer Authority - $10 Million for Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure, Combined Sewer Overflow/Sanitary Sewer Overflow Pollution Reduction (Western New York): Buffalo Sewer Authority will improve wastewater treatment equipment at the Bird Island Wastewater Treatment Facility, including rehabilitating primary sedimentation tanks and associated sludge pumping and piping, and installing a new disinfection facility. This project will provide a higher level of primary treatment for wet weather flows through the facility and improve the quality of water entering the Niagara River. This builds upon the announcement in October that construction began on the wastewater improvement project at Bird Island Wastewater Treatment Facility.
• Town of Hermon - $718,400 for Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements (North Country): The town will upgrade their wastewater treatment facility by adding ultraviolet disinfection equipment, improving the water quality of Elm Creek.

Nonpoint Source Abatement Projects:

• New York City Department of Environmental Protection - $2 million for Green Infrastructure Practices (New York City): City-owned street medians will be upgraded with green infrastructure practices to protect local water quality and address inland flooding challenges.
• City of Plattsburgh - $817,525 for Bathing Beach Restoration (North Country): The city will implement green infrastructure projects at the City Beach. Practices will include stormwater tree trenches and bioretention areas to capture stormwater runoff from impervious areas. The project will reduce nutrients, sediment, and stormwater flow to the Cumberland Bay segment of Lake Champlain.
• Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District - $610,000 for a Road Ditch Stabilization Program (Finger Lakes): The Soil and Water Conservation District will implement a roadside stabilization program in the towns of Canadice and Bristol. The program will slow stormwater flow, reduce roadside erosion, and reduce the amount of nutrients and other contaminants that could enter the Rochester drinking water supply and Mill Creek in the Genesee River watershed.
• Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District - $432,555 for Streambank/Shoreline Stabilization (Western New York): The Soil and Water Conservation District will implement stream grading, and vegetative buffers at multiple locations in Chautauqua County. The project will reduce erosion, sediment, and nutrients in the Chautauqua Lake watershed.

Land Acquisition Projects to Protect Drinking Water Sources:

• City of Watervliet - $480,000 for Land Acquisition to Protect Watervliet Reservoir (Capital District): The city will acquire a 58-acre parcel of land adjacent to their drinking water source, the Watervliet Reservoir. Acquiring this parcel will protect the reservoir from potential pollution associated with development or certain land use activities. The land will remain as undeveloped forest, acting as a natural riparian buffer for the reservoir.

Salt Storage:

• Town of Indian Lake - $225,000 for New Shared Salt Storage Facility (North Country): The town will construct a salt storage facility to cover their currently exposed salt pile. The salt stored in this structure will be used by both the town of Indian Lake and Hamilton County. The structure will protect the water quality of the Cedar River and adjacent groundwater.

Aquatic Connectivity Restoration:

• Ulster County - $250,000 for Aquatic Connectivity Restoration (Mid-Hudson): The county will replace a failing and undersized stream culvert in a tributary to the Sawkill Creek in Woodstock. The project will connect 2.2 miles of aquatic habitat and alleviate flooding events in the Lower Esopus Creek watershed.

Marine Habitat Restoration:

• Save the Sound - $749,976 for Marine Habitat Restoration (New York City): Save the Sound will restore four acres of salt marsh and install oyster castles and vegetation along 1,100 linear feet of shoreline. The oyster castles and vegetation will filter nutrients from stormwater and stabilize marsh banks in Udalls Cove.
• Seatuck Environmental Association - $320,000 for Marine Habitat Restoration (Long Island): The Seatuck Environmental Association will implement a fish passage at the Mill Pond dam in Wantagh. The project will provide passage for aquatic biota and fish access to freshwater spawning habitat in Bellmore Creek.

Examples of the 35 projects funded in this round that highlight the breadth and scope of NPG awards include:

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Mapping:

• Onondaga County Office of the Environment- $396,000 for MS4 Mapping (Central New York): The Onondaga County Office of the Environment will work with the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board to complete comprehensive mapping of storm sewer systems for 30 regulated MS4s in the Syracuse area. Mapping will include all basic and additional element data to facilitate better management of their regulated stormwater systems.
• Town of Orangetown - $75,000 for MS4 Mapping (Mid-Hudson): The town will hire an engineering firm to complete comprehensive mapping of storm sewer systems in the Hackensack River, Lower Nauraushaun Brook, and Lower Hudson River Estuary watersheds. Mapping will include all basic element data for regulated stormwater system management.
• Town of New Windsor - $75,000 for MS4 Mapping (Mid-Hudson): The town will complete comprehensive mapping of the stormwater system. The project will include mapping of priority areas and proposed stormwater retrofits.

Nonpoint Source Planning Reports:

• Town of Seneca Falls - $30,000 for Stream Culvert Repair and Replacement (Finger Lakes): The town will prepare an engineering report to address a failing stream culvert on Bayard Street. The project will reduce erosion in the Cayuga Lake watershed.
• Allegany County Soil and Water Conservation District - $30,000 for Streambank/Shoreline Stabilization (Western New York): The Soil and Water Conservation District will complete a streambank stabilization survey and engineering design plan to stabilize an eroding streambank in the Town of Caneadea. The project will reduce the erosion of nutrients into the Genesee River and protect infrastructure in the area.
• Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District - $75,000 for Comprehensive Stream Corridor Assessment (Central New York): The Soil and Water Conservation District will prepare a comprehensive stream corridor assessment, including flood risks, for the Trout Brook and Smith Brook watersheds using the North American Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative framework. The report will enhance data for over 70 miles of stream corridor and document priorities for erosion control.

New York's Commitment to Clean Water

New York continues to increase its investments in clean water infrastructure. Most recently, in the 2023 State of the State and Executive Budget, Governor Hochul proposed investing an additional $500 million in clean water funding, bringing New York's total clean water infrastructure investment to $5 billion since 2017. To leverage these investments and ensure ongoing coordination with local governments, the Governor proposed the creation of Community Assistance Teams to provide proactive outreach to small, rural, and disadvantaged communities to help them access financial assistance to address their clean water infrastructure needs. The initiative was recently launched and outreach meetings are underway. For more information, go to efc.ny.gov/CAT.

In addition, voters approved the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act in November 2022, advancing additional, historic levels of funding to update aging water infrastructure and protect water quality, strengthen communities' ability to withstand severe storms and flooding, reduce air pollution and lower climate-altering emissions, restore habitats, preserve outdoor spaces and local farms, and ensure equity by investing at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of resources in disadvantaged communities.

About the Consolidated Funding Application

The grants announced today were issued following completion through the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) process. The CFA was created to streamline and expedite grant applications and marks a fundamental shift in the way state resources are allocated, ensuring less bureaucracy and greater efficiency to fulfill local economic development needs. The CFA serves as the single-entry point for access to economic development funding, ensuring applicants no longer have to slowly navigate multiple agencies and sources without any mechanism for coordination. Now, economic development projects use the CFA as a support mechanism to access multiple state funding sources through one application, making the process quicker, easier, and more productive. Learn more about the CFA here.

An Urgent Announcement from the Van Cortlandt Jewish Center - Change in Purim services on Tuesday AM

 

The VCJC is sending this announcement to inform you of: 

A change in the plan for services on Purim morning, Tuesday 3/7/23

Rabbi Lowenthal suggested that in order to be assured of a minyan for both VCJC and KCI (his synagogue) on Purim morning, that we combine into one minyan. 

We are not going to have services at VCJC on Tuesday morning as was written in the March Center Light and also in this past week's News and Notes. Those services and the Megillah reading will be at 3220 Arlington Avenue, where KCI will be conducting services starting at 8:30AM 

Transportation can be arranged to KCI for those who wish to attend. Be in front of VCJC at 8AM or take the 10 bus to 232nd Steet and Henry Hudson Parkway. 3220 Arlington (an apartment building) is one block East on the same side of the Parkway from where you get off the bus. The room is past the security desk.

If you intended to be at services at VCJC on Tuesday morning and would like to be part of services at KCI, please respond to this email.

Stuart Harris 

President 

Van Cortlandt 

Jewish Center 

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Join Us Tomorrow for our Civic Engagement Summit

 

Dear Neighbor,

In honor of Civics Week, we are hosting our Civic Engagement Summit!

Join us on Tuesday, March 7th from 4pm - 7pm at 851 Grand Concourse in the Rotunda where we will be discussing the importance of youth civic engagement and leadership with a panel of Elected Officials and youth leaders from various institutions.

Click here to RSVP.

In partnership,

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

MAYOR ADAMS SIGNS TWO PIECES OF LEGISLATION, TAKING ACTION TO PROTECT VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE BY IMPROVING AIR QUALITY

 

Intro 148-A Expands Definition of Domestic Violence to Include Economic Abuse

 

Intro 470-A Will Phase Out Use of Fuel Oil Grade No.4 to Improve Air Quality

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today signed two pieces of legislation — one to expand the definition of a victim of domestic violence and another to improve New York City’s air quality by phasing out the use of fuel oil No. 4 by 2030. As many survivors of domestic violence face housing or economic insecurity, Intro 148-A will ensure those who faced economic abuse are not discriminated against based off their economic standing. The second piece of legislation, Intro 470-A, will improve air quality across the city by phasing out the use of fuel oil No. 4, which emits high-levels of dangerous pollutants. With 72 percent of buildings that use fuel oil No. 4 located in Northern Manhattan and the Bronx, this legislation will also help deliver cleaner air and to communities impacted by poor air quality.

 

“Every New Yorker deserves safety in their relationships and to live a life free of domestic and gender-based violence,” said Mayor Adams. “But for many New Yorkers, home is no longer safe, and too often, survivors face financial difficulties and discrimination as they move forward with their lives. Intro. 148-A expands the definition of a victim of domestic violence to include economic abuse, so survivors are further protected under the law and not unfairly victimized again based off their economic standing. Additionally, Intro 140-A will phase out fuel oil No. 4 — protecting our environment, improving air quality, and helping ensure Black and Brown communities are not unjustly impacted by this oil. Too often, people of color in low-income communities suffer the most from pollution and climate change. This bill works to address these disparities and helps improve the air quality for all New Yorkers.”

 

“We know economic abuses like coerced debt, deception, fraud, or manipulation are common experiences for survivors of domestic and gender-based violence,” said New York City Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence Commissioner Cecile Noel. “We applaud Mayor Adams and the New York City Council for enacting Councilmember Justin Brannan’s bill to strengthen survivor protections by recognizing economic abuse as a form of domestic and gender-based violence in the city’s Human Rights Law. This legislation strengthens anti-discrimination protections for survivors experiencing financial hardships due to economic abuse and keeps them on the path to safety, healing, and stability including long-term financial stability.” 

  

“Individuals who face gender-based violence should never be denied their rights in employment or housing” said New York City Commission on Human Rights Commissioner and Chair Annabel Palma. “The New York City Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination and harassment against individuals who experience domestic violence. Today's amendment recognizes explicitly that this includes being subjected to acts or threats of economic abuse. We are proud to be part of an administration that stands with survivors and offers an array of service. This includes our continued partnership and collaboration with the Mayor's Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence." 

 

"Phasing out fuel oil No. 4 will result in critical air quality and public health improvements, resulting in fewer premature deaths, respiratory and cardiac hospitalizations, and asthma emergency room visits,” said Chief Climate Officer and New York City Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “Vulnerable, high-poverty areas that have traditionally experienced the greatest proportion of negative health impacts from this dirty fuel, like Northern Manhattan and the Bronx, will especially benefit from this legislation.”

 

Intro 148-A — sponsored by New York City Councilmember Justin Brannan — amends the definition of the term “victim of domestic violence” under the New York City Human Rights Law to recognize economic abuse as a form of domestic violence and extends existing protections for domestic violence victims to those who have experienced economic abuse.

 

Intro 470-A — sponsored by New York City Councilmember James Gennaro — would phase out fuel oil No. 4, improving air quality and public health by reducing emissions of particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide. The city expects this legislation will help prevent more premature deaths, respiratory and cardiac hospitalizations, and asthma emergency room visits, building a safer and healthier city for all New Yorkers.