NYGOP Chair Ed Cox responds to Hochul's plan to house illegal immigrants at SUNY

 

NYGOP Chair Ed Cox today released the following statement in response to Kathy Hochul’s plan to house illegal immigrants on SUNY campuses. Cox is also a former SUNY Trustee, having served in that position from 1995 to 2009:

“The SUNY system is one of New York’s most celebrated institutions – Kathy Hochul’s priorities are backwards.

“Just as Hochul has disrupted and displaced New York City public school students to house illegal immigrants, so too will she disrupt and displace New York State’s college students.

“Kathy Hochul would rather New York drown in a flood of illegal immigrants than demand Joe Biden fulfill one of the most basic responsibilities of his office – keeping our border secure. She is putting party politics over the needs of the people of New York.”

State Senator Gustavo Rivera - New York Legislators Request Guidance from Federal Government to Implement Coverage for All

 

Over 60 Legislators Joined Letter Supporting State’s Effort to Save $400 Million by Extending Health Coverage to Immigrant New Yorkers 

On Friday, May 19, State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, and Assemblymember Amy Paulin sent a letter to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Beccera requesting clarification on the potential use of federal funding to expand health coverage to residents of New York State who are currently ineligible for federal financial participation due to their immigration status. The letter expresses support for New York’s efforts to seek a viable pathway to expand coverage options for all New Yorkers with federal approval. The letter was co-signed by 31 State Senators and 33 State Assembly members. 

"I’m encouraged by the support from colleagues for the Hochul administration to pursue approval from our federal partners to offer healthcare coverage to uninsured New Yorkers, especially considering the $400 million in savings this offers our state. If we secure federal funds for Coverage for All in a similar way as Washington and Colorado, we will fortify our efforts to make quality and affordable healthcare accessible to all New Yorkers, regardless of their immigration status, while generating significant savings for our State. We must act now and help thousands of immigrant New Yorkers stay healthy with options other than emergency care," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair of the Senate Health Committee.  

The Executive and the Legislature reached an agreement during budget negotiations for the Hochul administration to reach out to the federal government and clarify how New York State is able to use federal funds to offer healthcare coverage to our State’s population that lacks access due to their immigration status. The legislators’ letter aims to support the Governor’s commitment to expand coverage and further understand how to implement the expansion with approval to use federal funds. 

The proposed waiver expansion would cover 240,000 New Yorkers who are currently uninsured because of their immigration status while generating approximately $400 million in savings to our State’s Emergency Medicaid program. Federal approval is projected to inject an additional billion dollars into our healthcare system. Colorado and Washington have already secured federal approval to offer coverage and access to healthcare to this population. 

Senator Rivera and Assemblymember Gonzalez-Rojas recently amended their Coverage For All bill (S.2237A) to focus its language on seeking federal support to expand coverage for residents of New York State who are otherwise ineligible for healthcare coverage due to their immigration status. The amended language would initiate the process for New York State to seek approval under the 1332 waiver program to use surplus reserves in the Basic Health Plan Trust Fund.

“The Community Service Society of NY applauds our legislative leaders for seeking immediate clarification that the nearly $3 billion in accumulated 1332 Waiver “passthrough” surplus fund -- as projected by New York’s own submission -- can be used to cover immigrants who are ineligible for health coverage. It’s time for federal and state negotiators to sharpen their pencils and get this deal done—the lives of thousands of immigrant New Yorkers literally depend upon it,” said Elisabeth R. Benjamin, Vice President for Health Initiatives at the Community Service Society of New York.   

Read the letter in full here. 

Man Convicted of Torture and Exporting Weapons Parts and Related Services to Iraq

 

A federal jury convicted a Pennsylvania man on May 19 for numerous crimes, including the torture of an Estonian citizen in 2015 in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, in connection with the operation of an illegal weapons manufacturing plant in Kurdistan.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Ross Roggio, 54, of Stroudsburg, arranged for Kurdish soldiers to abduct and detain the victim at a Kurdish military compound where Roggio suffocated the victim with a belt, threatened to cut off one of his fingers, and directed Kurdish soldiers to repeatedly beat, tase, choke, and otherwise physically and mentally abuse the victim over a 39-day period. The victim was employed at a weapons factory that Roggio was developing in the Kurdistan region of Iraq that was intended to manufacture M4 automatic rifles and Glock 9mm pistols.

In connection with the weapons factory project, which included Roggio providing training to foreign persons in the operation, assembly, and manufacturing of the M4 automatic rifle, Roggio also illegally exported firearm parts that were controlled for export by the Departments of State and Commerce.

“Roggio brutally tortured another human being to prevent interference with his illegal activities,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Thanks to the courage of the victim and other witnesses, the hard work of U.S. law enforcement, and the assistance of Estonian authorities, he will now be held accountable for his cruelty.”

“This guilty verdict demonstrates that Roggio’s brutal acts of directing and participating in the torture of an employee over the course of 39 days by Kurdish soldiers could not avoid justice,” said U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. “We thank all the prosecutors and law enforcement agents who worked tirelessly to address these acts that occurred in Iraq.”

“This milestone conviction is the result of the extraordinary courage of the victim, who came forward after the defendant inflicted unspeakable pain on him for more than a month,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “Torture is among the most heinous crimes the FBI investigates, and together with our partners at the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center, we will relentlessly pursue justice.”

“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is firmly dedicated to pursuing those who commit human rights violations, like Roggio, to ensure perpetrators face justice for their atrocities,” said Deputy Director and Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director Tae D. Johnson of ICE. “Our investigators will continue to work tirelessly with government partners so these horrendous acts do not go without consequence.”

“The illegal export of firearms parts and tools from the United States often goes hand in hand with other criminal activities, such as the charge of torture on which the jury voted to convict the defendant,” said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Carson of the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Office of Export Enforcement, New York Field Office. “I commend our law enforcement colleagues for their dedication to bringing justice in this case.”

Roggio was convicted of torture, conspiracy to commit torture, conspiring to commit an offense against the United States, exporting weapons parts and services to Iraq without the approval of the Department of State, exporting weapons tools to Iraq without the approval of the Department of Commerce, smuggling goods, wire fraud, and money laundering. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 23 and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Roggio is the second defendant to be convicted of torture since the federal torture statute went into effect in 1994.

The FBI and HSI investigated the torture and were joined in investigating the export control violations related to the firearms manufacturing equipment by the Department of Commerce’s BIS Office of Export Enforcement.

The Estonian Internal Security Service, the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, and the Pennsylvania State Police also provided valuable assistance.

Members of the public who have information about human rights violators in the United States are urged to contact U.S. law enforcement through the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the HSI tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE, or complete the FBI online tip form or the ICE online tip form.

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Nice Weather. Cold Beer. Great Food.

 

Register - Click Here Join the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, New York City Department of Small Business Services, maker businesses, brewers, and distillers for an evening of networking, conversation, happy hour cocktails, and bites in the Port Morris Industrial Business Zone at Bronx Brewery with food by Empanology. The evening brings together the Bronx business community and highlights the maker, industrial, and crafting community in the Bronx in the heart of one the Bronx's oldest industrial areas with a rich history dating back to the Morris family. The evening will also showcase The Bronx Chamber of Commerce's Minority / Women Business Enterprise program and how The Bronx Chamber can assist in procurement and bringing your business to scale. Bring your business cards or e-cards - this networking event is not to be missed! Emerging Professionals: Navigating Financial Literacy June 1 - 5:00pm Fokkus Room & Cocine 138 West Fordham Road Bronx, NY 10468 Event is free. Registration is required. Register - Click Here Business to Business Networking Reception June 7 - 6:00pm SUYO Gastro Fusion 1401 Plaza Drive Bronx, NY 10452 Event is free. Registration is required. Register - Click Here Register, Sponsor - Click Here For the complete Bronx Chamber Events Calendar, featuring educational workshops, networking events and other opportunities hosted by the Chamber, its members, & partners, please visit and bookmark our website events calendar link in your browser - new events are added weekly!

Statement from Speaker Adrienne Adams and Transportation & Infrastructure Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers on the MTA’s Blue-Ribbon Panel Report on Fare Evasion Supporting Expansion of Fair Fares

 

“Our city’s public transit system is key to helping New Yorkers meet their basic obligations and succeed, but far too many people are struggling to consistently afford the fare. That’s why we called for expanding Fair Fares’ eligibility criteria to include New Yorkers at 200% of the federal poverty level, which will help up to 1.7 million riders access our subways and buses. The inclusion of this recommendation in the MTA’s Fareness Panel report is further proof that investing in affordable and reliable access to mass transit will result in an increased MTA ridership and a boost to our city’s economy. We urge the Administration to join in prioritizing the expansion of Fair Fares in the city budget and take the necessary actions to maximize the program’s reach to eligible New Yorkers.”

New York City Banking Commission Institutes Stricter Scrutiny of Bank Financials Ahead of Biennial Vote to Designate Depositories for City Funds

 

New criteria will look at unrealized losses and uninsured deposits, in addition to capitalization ratios of banks applying for designation to hold public deposits.

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and New York City Department of Finance (DOF) Commissioner Preston Niblack announced stronger measures to assess bank financials as part of the New York City Banking Commission’s biennial process to designate banks to hold the City of New York’s deposits. This year, the Banking Commission will hold a public hearing for the first time and include new criteria for evaluating the soundness of depository banks.

The proposed changes come at a time of heightened turmoil for the banking sector and reflect the Commission’s efforts to strengthen oversight of banks that hold city deposits. The new criteria follow an announcement in February of revisions to the required certificates banks must submit to demonstrate detailed plans and specific steps to combat different forms of discrimination in their operations. Designated banks will be eligible to hold New York City deposits and contract to provide banking services to City agencies. By law, the banks must provide total collateralization for the City’s deposits.

“Recent turmoil and uncertainty in the banking sector has magnified the need for stronger oversight of the banking industry,” said New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. “Banks given the opportunity to do business with the City must be well-equipped to manage public funds responsibly and also actively working to root out discrimination endemic in the industry. At our initiation, the NYC Banking Commission is stepping up to use the tools at our disposal to ensure taxpayer dollars and our economy remain on sound footing.”

“The ongoing concerns over the state of our financial system underscore the importance of strengthening oversight measures on banks holding city deposits and protecting taxpayer dollars,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “These new proposed rules will ensure our city is well-equipped to weather uncertainties in the fiscal and economic climate today and in the future.”

“The biennial designation of depository banks provides an opportunity for the Banking Commission to review the soundness and qualifications of applicant institutions,” said Finance Commissioner Preston Niblack. “Having a diverse set of well-run, qualified banks ensures that we are protecting taxpayer funds and supporting communities.”

New Yorkers are invited to submit testimony in advance of or during a first-time public hearing on Thursday, May 25th. More information can be found online.

In addition to the new public engagement process, the Commission has released new criteria with three key metrics for assessing bank performance and whether they are suited to hold deposits.

Banks will be assessed using the following criteria:

1. Tier 1 capital ratio which compares a bank’s equity-capital to their risk-weighted assets.
2. Percentage of uninsured deposits, which are deposits in each account that exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s current $250,000 limit.
3. Unrealized losses on assets held to maturity as a percentage of Tier 1 capital, as a measure of risk tied to interest rates.

The strengthened oversight during the designation process follows an April 2022 announcement by Comptroller Lander and Mayor Adams to suspend the opening of any new depository accounts with major mortgage lender Wells Fargo.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - Tax cuts for yacht owners?

 

If Kevin McCarthy and Republicans in Congress are so worried about the nation’s debt, then why in 2017 did they give tax breaks to yacht owners and people with private jets? 

Now, in order to balance the budget, Republicans are demanding cuts to SNAP to take food out of babies’ mouths — instead of re-examining the Trump tax cuts that added millions to our national debt.

Alexandria isn’t accepting this hypocrisy from Speaker Kevin McCarthy:

The Republican Party is invested in protecting the interests of the wealthiest people in our country. Alexandria is determined to fight for economic justice for all of us.

Thank you for being a part of this movement,

Team AOC

Permits Filed For 2135 Reeds Mill Lane In Eastchester, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a three-story residential building at 2135 Reeds Mill Lane in Eastchester, The Bronx. Located between Bivona Street and Tillotson Street, the lot is near the Baychester Avenue subway station, serviced by the 5 train. Yaron Ziegel of 2137 Reeds Mill Lane LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 35-foot-tall development will yield 8,910 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 11 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 810 square feet. The steel-based structure will also have a 40-foot-long rear yard, nine open parking spaces, and two enclosed parking spaces.

Gerald Caliendo Architects is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant. An estimated completion date has not been announced.