Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera!

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year! As we welcome 2025, it is my hope that we continue working together to make The Bronx, our City, our State, and our country better places for us and our future generations.

EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2025:

NEW YORK STATE TO ELIMINATE INSULIN CO-PAYS ON STATE-REGULATED INSURANCE PLANS

January 3rd, Senator Rivera joined Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State Senate Majority Leader Senator Stewart-Cousins, and other elected officials for special announcements, including the implementation of Senator Rivera's bill to eliminate insulin co-pays in state-regulated insurance plans.

Thanks to this legislation, which was included in the 2024-2025 enacted budget, no one who needs insulin will face out-of-pocket costs.

Senator Rivera said: "Diabetes currently affects almost two million New Yorkers, particularly in vulnerable communities where poverty and broken food systems intersect, like many that I represent in The Bronx. As Chair of the Senate Health Committee, I was incredibly proud that my bill to eliminate insulin copays on state regulated insurance plans was included in last year's state budget, which was enacted by Governor Hochul. With this measure going into effect today, I’m looking forward to continue working with my colleagues in the Legislature and the Executive to make healthcare more affordable and accessible for all New Yorkers."

APPLY NOW FOR THE HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HEAP)

SIGN UP FOR CONGESTION RELIEF ZONE TOLLING LAST WEBINAR (01/08)

Starting January 5, 2025, vehicles entering the Congestion Relief Zone in Manhattan—local streets and avenues at or below 60 St—will be charged a toll. The program will reduce traffic, improve air quality, and fund better public transit.

 

The MTA is hosting eight public webinars in December where people can learn about Congestion Relief Zone tolling. Webinars will explain why New York needs congestion pricing, how the Congestion Relief Zone works, what the toll rates are, who is entitled to discounts and exemptions, and other things people need to know before tolling begins on Sunday, January 5. The sessions will feature a brief presentation, followed by Q&A.

 

Learn more about the sessions and register to attend here.

 

For more information, visit congestionreliefzone.mta.info. 

HOW TO STAY SAFE DURING

VERY COLD TEMPERATURES?

Much of the country will be hit with extreme low temperatures over the next week as a polar vortex sends cold air down from the North Pole.

How can you prepare for it? Here is what you can do:

STAY SAFE INDOORS

Prevent Fires and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:



• Change batteries in carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms.
• Check that they are installed in areas where people sleep and on each floor of your home.

Take these Steps if you do not have Heat or Hot Water:

• Tell your building superintendent, property manager or owner right away. Call 311 if the problem is not fixed quickly.
• Go to a warm place, such as a friend’s or family member’s home.

Until Your Heat is Fixed, Heat Your Home Safely:

• Never use a stove, oven or charcoal grill to heat your home. Kerosene heaters and propane space heaters are illegal in NYC.
• If you use an electric space heater, only plug it directly into the wall outlet.

 

STAY SAFE OUTDOORS

Keep Warm:

• Dress in dry, loose-fitting layers.
• Cover exposed skin, such as your face and hands.

Prevent Slips and Falls:

• Take care when walking on snow and ice, especially if you are an older adult.
• Wear sturdy shoes or boots.
• Take short steps and walk at a slow pace.
• Use handrails on stairs.

Be Careful When Shoveling Snow:

• In NYC, homeowners are responsible for shoveling snow. Shovel slowly and take breaks often.
• If you are an older adult or have a disability and need snow shoveled, call 311 and ask if volunteer snow removal services are available in your neighborhood.

Watch for Signs of Hypothermia and Frostbite:

Hypothermia and frostbite are serious conditions caused by spending long periods of time in very cold temperatures.

Hypothermia is when your body temperature drops to a dangerously low level. It can lead to death. Symptoms include:



• Intense shivering
• Sluggishness
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Trouble speaking
• Confusion
• Lack of Coordination
• Shallow Breathing

Frostbite is when parts of the body freeze, especially your fingers, toes, ears, nose and cheeks. It can cause permanent damage. Symptoms include:

• Red and painful skin or pale skin
• Unusually firm or waxy skin
• Numbness

Call 911 or go to the emergency room right away if you see symptoms of hypothermia or frostbite. 

*Source: NYC Health: https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/emergency-preparedness/emergencies-extreme-weather-cold-weather.page

$1 Transit Getaways: Governor Hochul Encourages New Yorkers to Take Advantage of MTA’s ‘Winter Weekend’ Discount Program

Monthly Ticket Holders’ Families and Friends Ride for $1 on LIRR and Metro-North

Discount for Riders Begins Today, Jan. 4

Builds on Governor Hochul’s Promise To Make Public Transit More Affordable, More Accessible and More Reliable

Governor Kathy Hochul urged monthly ticket holders of the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad to take advantage of the MTA’s “Winter Weekend” discount program, beginning today. The program gives monthly ticket holders the ability to travel alongside up to two friends or family members for just $1 to any station serviced by the LIRR and Metro-North trains on Saturdays and Sundays. “Winter Weekend” expands on the MTA’s “Summer Saturday” discount program, and is aimed at making public transit more affordable and more accessible for New Yorkers.

“Our ‘Winter Weekend’ program makes exploring New York State more affordable for riders across the region — lowering LIRR and Metro-North weekend fares to just $1 for family and friends traveling with monthly commuters,” Governor Hochul said. “I’m committed to lowering costs and improving service for all public transit commuters, and ‘Winter Weekend’ is a fun way to get away and see everything that the region has to offer.”

$1 Travel Ideas

On Dec. 31, 2024, Governor Hochul announced the launch of the 2025 State Parks Wellness Challenge as a part of her “Get Offline, Get Outside” initiative. The challenge includes 50 missions, and encourages New Yorkers to visit their local parks and historic sites to increase outdoor recreation. Some of these spectacular sites and the beautiful scenery of New York’s state parks are located off the Metro-North or LIRR, and will cost monthly ticket holders only $1 on the weekend to bring a friend or family member. Taking a trip to go on a hike has just become more affordable, and the new wellness challenge will make the excursion both competitive and exciting.

New Yorkers can take advantage of the $1 fares on the LIRR and Metro-North, and travel to any of the suggested travel destinations.

• Metro-North: Hudson Line, Cold Spring Station — A village in Putnam County, with a beautiful landscape and great access to the outdoors, Cold Spring is a station stop on the Hudson line. Near the train station is an outlook of the Hudson River. Visitors can also hike different trails at Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve, and visit the nearby downtown shops and restaurants afterward.
• Metro-North: Hudson Line, Beacon Station — Breakneck Ridge is one of the Hudson Highlands’ scenic mountains, and its trailhead is a great destination for hiking enthusiasts. With another opportunity for New Yorkers to “Get offline, Get outside,” and complete some of the 50 missions set in the wellness challenge. Other attractions in Beacon include visiting the Beacon Flea Market, popping into the galleries and antique shops along Main Street, and exploring some of Beacon’s historic sites.
• Metro-North: New Haven Line, New Haven, CT Station — New Yorkers can go out-of-state to New England, as far as the Metro-North territory extends, and visit New Haven, Connecticut. Known for its miles-long stretches of food trucks and home to Yale University, visiting New Haven is an opportunity to take advantage of our transit system and cross state lines at an affordable price.
• LIRR: Montauk Branch, Patchogue — One of the featured downtowns on Long Island, Patchogue’s Main Street is lively with new up-and-coming shops and restaurants. What makes Patchogue stand out as a destination to visit is its arts scene — visitors can attend a show at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts and visit the Museum of Contemporary Art, among other activities.
• LIRR: Montauk Branch, Bay Shore — On the South Shore of Long Island, Bay Shore features a walkable downtown and provides access to Fire Island by way of the ferry. With unique small businesses and an adequate selection of restaurants and activities, a visit to Bay Shore will be a day to remember.
• LIRR: Montauk Branch, Montauk — A village on Eastern Long Island, Montauk is known for its beautiful beaches and oceanfronts, which include its shops and restaurants. Taking the train to Montauk could be a weekend-long trip, as the $1 trip fares apply to monthly ticket holders on Saturdays and Sundays.

The New York City Transit system continues to achieve ridership records and higher performance levels. On Dec. 13, 2024, Governor Hochul announced that the MTA achieved a record ridership of 4.5 million passengers on Dec. 12, 2024, the highest number of riders recorded post-pandemic since Mar. 11, 2020. As more commuters continue to use the transit system, investments in the MTA and its capital plan will deliver on the promise of providing faster and reliable service to all New Yorkers — a necessity for riders to have a stress-free commute.

LIRR and Metro-North trains will not cross honor tickets, and customers cannot use their ticket between the railroads — stations serviced by the LIRR will need a separate discounted monthly ticket from stations serviced by the Metro-North.

Discounted tickets can be purchased on the TrainTime app under Family Fares — the app is available for download on the App Store and Google Play Store. Riders can also purchase discounted tickets on board the train from the conductor without incurring an extra charge.

The “Winter Weekend” discount program for monthly ticket holders is expected to run through the end of March, according to the MTA.

 

Justice Department Reaches Proposed Consent Decree with Fulton County, Georgia, and Fulton County Sheriff’s Office to Resolve Claims that Conditions Inside the Fulton County Jail Violate the Constitution and Other Federal Laws

 

The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia announced that the Department has entered into a court-enforceable agreement to resolve the Department’s findings that conditions of confinement at the Fulton County Jail (the Jail) in Georgia violate the 8th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Today, the Department filed a complaint and a proposed consent decree with Fulton County and the Fulton County Sheriff in federal court.

The proposed consent decree, which must still be approved by the court, would resolve the Department’s claims that that the Jail engages in a pattern or practice of violating the rights of people incarcerated there. Under the proposed consent decree, the Jail will, among other things:

• Develop plans and policies to keep incarcerated people safe from violence;
• Improve supervision and staffing;
• Keep doors and locks in working order;
• Require any use of force by staff comply with constitutional standards;
• Take steps to protect incarcerated people at risk of suicide and to afford incarcerated people adequate medical and mental health care;
• Develop and implement a comprehensive housekeeping plan and pest management system to keep the Jail clean, sanitary, and free of pests;
• Stop housing vulnerable people in isolation when they are at substantial risk of self-harm or other negative mental health outcomes absent specific and significant protections; and
• Facilitate the provision of adequate special education services to children with disabilities in the Jail.

The proposed consent decree provides for an independent monitor to assess the Jail’s implementation of the decree’s requirements.  The monitor will issue public reports on the Jail’s progress every six months and members of the public can share information with the monitor regarding implementation of the decree and Jail conditions.

“This proposed consent decree is a critical step toward correcting the dangerous and dehumanizing conditions that have persisted in the Fulton County Jail for far too long,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “When the Department announced findings from our investigation of the Fulton County Jail in November, we called on the County and Sheriff’s Office to remedy the troubling pattern of unsanitary living conditions, brutal physical attacks, and other dangerous issues at the Jail. We are encouraged that local officials have agreed to a plan that will begin to address the inhumane, unconstitutional conditions that were reflected in Lashawn Thompson’s horrific death.”

“Our findings regarding the Fulton County Jail identified serious and life-threatening violations of the Constitution and other laws,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. “Detention in the Fulton County Jail amounted to a death sentence for dozens of people who have been murdered or who died as a result of inhumane conditions inside the facility. The proposed consent decree includes strong remedial provisions, an independent monitor and other remedies that make it a model for addressing these kinds of violations in jails and prisons across the nation. If fully implemented, this consent decree and its comprehensive remedies should reduce violence and unnecessary force; increase the quality of medical and mental health care; reduce the use of unnecessary isolation, particularly for people with mental illness and 17-year-old children; and afford children with disabilities the education to which they are entitled. We thank the County and Sheriff for working with the Justice Department on these long overdue reforms.”

“Our report from an investigation of Fulton County and the Fulton County Jail concluded that the Constitutional rights of incarcerated persons are being violated,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan for the Northern District of Georgia. “The proposed consent decree serves as a cooperative measure to address the grievous pattern of inhumane — and frequently violent — treatment of people in custody, along with the filthy and unsanitary living conditions they endure while awaiting formal charges or trials at the Fulton County Jail. This office is deeply invested in the well-being of all our residents, and we are hopeful that the systemic deficiencies revealed by our report will be remedied through the implementation of the requirements outlined in the decree, along with regular oversight of the progress of Fulton County and the Fulton County Jail, as overseen by an independent monitor.”

The Justice Department initiated its investigation of the Fulton County Jail in July 2023. The Department’s investigation proceeded under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), Americans with Disabilities Act, and Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which prohibits law enforcement officers from engaging in a pattern or practice of conduct that deprives people of rights protected by the Constitution or federal law. These statutes authorize the Attorney General to file a lawsuit in federal court to seek court-ordered remedies to eliminate a pattern or practice of unlawful conduct. The Department provided Fulton County and the Fulton County Sheriff with written notice of its findings, along with the supporting facts for its findings, and the minimum remedial measures necessary to address the violations found. The proposed consent decree seeks to address and resolve those violations.

The Civil Rights Division continues to prioritize unconstitutional conditions and violations of federal law in correctional and juvenile justice facilities.  It opened new investigations into prisons and jails in Tennessee, California, South Carolina, and juvenile justice facilities across Kentucky. The division also issued findings in its investigations of Mississippi prisons, Texas juvenile justice system’s facilities, the Georgia Department of Corrections, and San Luis Obispo County, California, Jail. The division entered into agreements, including consent decrees, regarding the Cumberland County, New Jersey, Jail, the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women in New Jersey, the Broad River Road Complex in South Carolina, the Manson Youth Institution in Connecticut, and the Massachusetts Department of Correction. The division is also litigating matters related to the constitutionality of conditions in Alabama’s prisons for men and the incarceration of people beyond their release dates in Louisiana prisons.   

For more information about the Civil Rights Division and its Special Litigation Section, please visit www.justice.gov/crt/special-litigation-section. You can also report civil rights violations by completing the complaint form available at civilrights.justice.gov/. To provide information related to the Department’s investigation of the Fulton County Jail, please call 1-888-473-4092 or email the investigation team at FultonCountyJail@usdoj.gov.

MAYOR ADAMS APPOINTS MICHAEL SEDILLO AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MAYOR’S OFFICE OF NONPROFIT SERVICES, ANNOUNCES SEVERAL NEW EFFORTS TO PAY NONPROFIT PROVIDERS FASTER

 

Mayor’s Office of Contract Services Payment Backlog Initiative Unlocked Over $1 Billion to Providers in Three Months 

  

Discretionary Contract Reform Has Reduced Payment Processing Times by Nearly 90 Percent in Last Year 

  

Led by Deputy Mayor Almanzar, Adams Administration Launches Nonprofit FOCUS Working Group to Bring Executive Accountability and Timely Decision-Making 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointment of Michael Sedillo as the executive director of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services. Sedillo will oversee the office’s efforts across city government to develop and promote a culture of customer service, introduce data-driven performance management measures, and reform practices, policies, and procedures to support nonprofits to contract with and deliver essential services to the city more easily. 

  

Mayor Adams also announced progress on several new efforts to help pay nonprofit providers faster. The Mayor’s Office of Contract Services (MOCS) launched a Payment Backlog Initiative in October 2024, focusing on clearing outstanding payments from Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 to FY25. In three months, over $1 billion was disbursed, and over 3,700 invoices were processed. Since announcing reforms to simplify bureaucratic barriers and allowing nonprofits to invoice faster in summer 2024, the average time to process discretionary contracts making use of this reform dropped from 366 days in FY24 to just 46 days in FY25 — a nearly 90 percent reduction, slashing nearly 11 months of delays. Finally, the Adams administration has launched the Nonprofit FOCUS (Facilitating On-Time Contracting & Urgent Solutions) Working Group, led by Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana Almanzar. Nonprofit FOCUS brings together senior City Hall officials on a weekly basis to examine contract performance data and make key programmatic, policy, or budgetary decisions that support expeditious nonprofit payments. 

  

“Nonprofit workers never hesitate to answer the call from our city, whether it’s an international humanitarian crisis, a global pandemic, or helping a neighbor in need. The last thing they should have to worry about is getting paid on time,” said Mayor Adams. “This announcement is a step in the right direction, proving that reforms are working on cutting red tape, and agencies are sprinting to unlock hundreds of millions for providers. Leading our efforts to get that work done is Michael Sedillo, a leader with a track record of delivering for working-class New Yorkers. Thanks to his leadership with ‘Jobs NYC’ and launching our community hiring efforts, Michael has helped move our city forward and will bring this same expertise to helping the nonprofit sector get paid faster.  Our work is far from finished, but I want each and every provider to know that our administration remains committed to not just clearing our backlog, but preventing another one from ever happening.” 

  

"Michael Sedillo has a proven track record of cutting through bureaucracy and driving results that directly benefit New Yorkers, especially those most in need. His leadership in reforming city contracting processes and unlocking critical resources for nonprofits has already made a significant impact,” said Deputy Mayor Almanzar. “With his appointment as executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services, Michael will continue our mission to streamline processes, ensure timely payments, and remove obstacles that prevent our nonprofit sector from operating at its full potential. This is a crucial step in ensuring that the organizations that are on the front lines of addressing our city's most pressing challenges can continue their vital work without unnecessary delays." 

  

"I am a proud public servant with a clear North Star: Use the power of government to ensure people — especially those in need — understand they are not alone," said Mayor's Office of Nonprofit Services Executive Director Michael Sedillo. "I want to thank Mayor Adams, Deputy Mayor Almanzar, and all the inspiring leaders at City Hall for placing their trust in me. To my fellow public servants and nonprofit partners: In me, you have an enthusiastic partner who will be here for you, just like you are there for New Yorkers."  

  

Mayor Adams is working to immediately clear backlogged payments and implement long-term solutions to prevent further delays. In addition to the over $1 billion already disbursed and over 3,700 invoices processed since October 2024, MOCS is addressing unregistered amendments that have delayed payments and is providing additional training, office hours, and best practice guidance to agencies to help prevent future backlogs. 

  

The discretionary contract reform was projected to eliminate a total of nine months of discretionary contracting process time for nonprofits every year, beginning in the out-years for applicable contracts. Instead of requiring nonprofits that receive City Council discretionary spending to register a new contract every year, the new reform allows nonprofits to enter into multi-year contracts without needing to complete the entire procurement process annually. In years past, over 99 percent of these awards were not registered within six months of their start date and took an average of 366 days in FY24. Today’s announcement is a clear indicator that the reforms are making it easier to pay nonprofits and reducing a significant bureaucratic delay nonprofits conveyed early on in the administration. 

  

The Nonprofit FOCUS Working Group represents shared alignment across the highest levels of City Hall to support the vital nonprofit sector and help them get paid on time. This group of government leaders will meet every week to oversee agency actions toward clearing the payment backlog.  

  

Today’s announcement builds on the Adams administration’s continued efforts to support, make significant investments in, and enact policies to support the nonprofit sector in New York City. In March, the Adams administration announced a $741 million investment for an estimated 80,000 human services workers employed by nonprofit organizations with a city contract as part of a new cost-of-living adjustment. The human services workforce — which is overwhelmingly female at 66 percent and 46 percent women of color — remains on the frontlines of the most pressing issues facing the city as they deliver vital services across housing, food access, health services, and asylum seeker services, among other areas. To date, the Adams administration has invested over $1.4 billion towards wage enhancements for the human services sector. 

  

The Adams administration also worked with MOCS on the “Clear the Backlog” initiative, which has unlocked over $6 billion in funds for nonprofits that were long overdue, allowing these organizations to get paid for delivering their vital services. Finally, earlier this year, Mayor Adams announced the city’s first-ever Nonprofit Advisory Council. Comprised of leaders and experts in the nonprofit sector, the advisory council works with MONS to serve as a link between the Adams administration and the nonprofit organizations serving New Yorkers. 

  

About Michael Sedillo 

  

Michael Sedillo brings a proven track record within city government of cutting red tape, unlocking critically-needed resources and funding for nonprofits, and spearheading issues that support job creation for working-class New Yorkers. 

  

Sedillo started his career in New York City government as a change management analyst at MOCS. He joined City Hall in 2019 under then-Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Phil Thompson as his deputy chief of staff before joining the current Adams administration as a senior advisor. 

  

In 2022, he led an initiative to clear a backlog of unregistered contracts that unlocked more than $6 billion in contractual dollars for providers. In 2023, he led a successful Albany legislative campaign to win passage of the historic community hiring program, which leverages the city’s purchasing power to create thousands of jobs for low-income New Yorkers. 

  

Sedillo also led efforts that resulted in a 30 percent reduction in the city’s job vacancies from its 2022 peak. Through “Jobs NYC,” Sedillo oversaw efforts to reduce disproportionately high unemployment rates in each borough. The Jobs NYC team hosted 25 hiring halls across the city, engaging over 8,000 New Yorkers in public- and private-sector job opportunities. 

  

Before joining New York City municipal government, Sedillo started his career in the San Francisco Bay Area as a 2010 Teach For America corps member.  

  

Sedillo earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Communication from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. 

  

Sedillo will report to Deputy Mayor Almanzar.