New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce - Hispanic Heritage Month - Pioneer Award - Save the Date

 

Office of the New York State Comptroller Dinapoli - Rural Counties Face Shortage of Health Professionals

 

Rural Counties Face Shortage of Health Professionals

A new report by Comptroller DiNapoli examined healthcare professional shortages in 16 rural counties in New York state and found alarming shortfalls in primary care, pediatric, and obstetrician and gynecologist (OBGYN) doctors, dentists and mental health practitioners, with several counties having no pediatricians or OBGYN doctors at all. The shortage of mental health practitioners in New York’s rural counties may be the most severe, with all counties designated by the federal government as areas having professional shortages.

“Having access to health care is an essential quality of life issue and helps people live healthier lives,” DiNapoli said. “Addressing gaps in the rural healthcare workforce to alleviate current shortages and plan for future demand will not only positively impact the health of people living in less populated areas of New York, but could also create new jobs and bolster our rural economies.”

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State Faces $34.3 Billion Cumulative Budget Gap Through State Fiscal Year 2029

The state’s Financial Plan shows a growing structural budget deficit with a cumulative three-year budget gap of $34.3 billion, as forecasted by the Division of the Budget. When accounting for recent federal actions, the gaps as a share of spending reach levels not seen since the Global Financial Crisis of 2009, according to Comptroller DiNapoli’s report on the State Fiscal Year 2026 Enacted Budget and First Quarterly Financial Plans.

The $34.3 billion gap is up $7 billion since the January release of the Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget Financial Plan, and is attributable to downward revisions to the economic forecast and projected revenues, as well as increases in projected spending.

“The Financial Plan paints a challenging picture for the state that will only grow more problematic with the incoming federal cuts from the reconciliation bill signed by the President,” DiNapoli said. “This is likely just the beginning; the relationship between the federal government and the states is being restructured, and state governments will be facing drastic reductions in federal aid that could force difficult decisions about state revenue and spending priorities. There is an urgent need to formulate a fiscal response to the federal reconciliation bill and support New York’s safety net.”

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MUNICIPAL AND SCHOOL AUDITS

• Town of Oxford – Financial Condition
• Village of Penn Yan – Water Treatment Plant Overtime
• Cuba-Rushford Central School District – Cafeteria Purchases
• Southwestern Central School District – Claims Audit
• Cheektowaga-Maryvale Union Free School District – Lead Testing and Reporting
• Indian Lake Central School District – Lead Testing and Reporting
• Glen Cove City School District – Lead Testing and Reporting
• City of Poughkeepsie Industrial Development Agency – Audit Follow-Up

A L S O   I N   T H E   N E W S

• Comptroller: Rural N.Y. faces health professionals shortage
• N.Y. faces cumulative state budget cap of $34.3B through FY 2029
• Sales tax trend encouraging for region’s counties
• New York Comptroller’s audit ‘Highlights Opportunities for Improvement of State Apprenticeship Programs to Enhance Their Value & Reach’
• New audit reveals gaps in prison tablet program
• Comptroller: NY returning over $2M in unclaimed funds daily

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P O S T   O F   T H E   W E E K

Governor Hochul Announces Nearly $300 Million to Strengthen Access to High-Quality Health Care Across New York State

Over 50 Projects Funded Through Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program IV

Statewide IV Projects To Expand Access for Inpatient, Primary, Behavioral Health and Long-Term Care Services

Governor Kathy Hochul announced nearly $300 million in new state funding to support health care transformation projects across New York. The awards, made through the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program IV, will support more than 50 projects aimed at expanding access to inpatient, primary, behavioral health and long-term care services.

“This targeted investment will help ensure that every New Yorker — regardless of ZIP code — can access safe, high-quality health care,” Governor Hochul said. “By supporting providers that serve vulnerable and underserved populations, we’re strengthening the foundation of our health care system and building a healthier future for all.”

New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “These awards will help providers deliver more effective, modern, and patient-centered care. We are focused on expanding access and improving outcomes while ensuring the sustainability of vital health services across the state.”

This funding prioritizes projects that:

• Improve access to primary, inpatient, behavioral health, and long-term care services;
• Support financially distressed and community-based providers;
• Expand patient-centered models of care; and
• Modernize critical infrastructure.

Awardees include hospitals, diagnostic and treatment centers, behavioral health organizations, and long-term care providers in every region of the State.

A full list of awardees, project descriptions, and award amounts is available here. Funds are administered by the New York State Department of Health and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY).

This investment builds on Governor Hochul’s continued efforts to strengthen New York’s health care delivery system. In 2023, the Governor announced over $650 million in transformation funding through earlier rounds of the program. Since 2017, the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program has awarded more than $4.7 billion to providers working to improve access, equity, and quality of care across New York.

The State will make additional funding awards for Health Care IT projects under Statewide IV and V, and for additional projects under the Safety Net Transformation Program.

 

Justice Department Reaches Proposed Settlement with Greystar, the Largest U.S. Landlord, to End Its Participation in Algorithmic Pricing Scheme

Decree Would Prohibit Algorithmic Coordination and Exchanging Competitively Sensitive Data with Competitors 

The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division filed a proposed settlement to resolve the United States’ claims against Greystar Management Services LLC as part of its ongoing enforcement against algorithmic coordination and other anticompetitive practices in rental markets across the country.

Greystar, the largest landlord in the United States, manages almost 950,000 rental units across the country. As alleged in Plaintiffs’ complaint, Greystar and other landlords, including five co-defendants, shared competitively sensitive data to generate pricing recommendations using RealPage’s algorithms, which also included anticompetitive rules that aligned competitors’ pricing. In addition, Greystar and other landlords discussed competitively sensitive topics — including pricing strategies, rents, and selected parameters for RealPage’s software — directly with each other.

“American greatness has always depended on free-market competition, and nowhere is competition more important than in making housing affordable again,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We will continue to vigorously pursue President Trump’s pro-consumer agenda.”

“The Trump-Vance Administration is committed to promoting competition to help working class Americans pay for life’s necessities — including rent,” said Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “Whether in a smoke-filled room or through an algorithm, competitors cannot share competitively sensitive information or align prices to the detriment of American consumers.”

If approved by the court, the proposed consent decree would require Greystar to:

• Refrain from using any anticompetitive algorithm that generates pricing recommendations using its competitors’ competitively sensitive data or that incorporates certain anticompetitive features;
• Refrain from sharing competitively sensitive information with competitors;
• Accept a court-appointed monitor if it uses a third-party pricing algorithm that is not certified pursuant to the terms of the consent decree;
• Refrain from attending or participating in RealPage-hosted meetings of competing landlords; and
• Cooperate with the United States’ monopolization claims against RealPage.

As required by the Tunney Act, the proposed settlement, along with a competitive impact statement, will be published in the Federal Register. Any interested person should submit written comments concerning the proposed settlement within 60 days following the publication to Danielle Hauck, Acting Chief, Technology and Digital Platforms Section, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 450 Fifth Street NW, Suite 7050, Washington, DC 20530. At the conclusion of the public comment period, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina may enter the final judgment upon finding it is in the public interest.

Greystar is a residential property manager headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina.

Ghanaian Nationals Extradited For Roles In Criminal Organization That Stole More Than $100 Million Through Romance Scams And Other Fraud

 

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Christopher G. Raia, announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging four Ghanaian nationals, ISAAC ODURO BOATENG, a/k/a “Kofi Boat,” INUSAH AHMED, a/k/a “Pascal,” DERRICK VAN YEBOAH, a/k/a “Van,” and PATRICK KWAME ASARE, a/k/a “Borgar,” for their roles in an international criminal organization that stole more than $100 million from victims via romance scams and business email compromises.  They further announced Ghana’s extradition of BOATENG, AHMED, and VAN YEBOAH, who arrived in the U.S. on August 7, 2025, and was presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger.  ASARE remains at large.  The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian.  

“As alleged, Isaac Oduro Boateng, Inusah Ahmed, Derrick van Yeboah, and Patrick Kwame Asare led and participated in an international fraud ring that engaged in a massive conspiracy to defraud vulnerable people and steal from businesses,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “Offshore scammers should know that we, the FBI, and our law enforcement partners will work around the world to combat online fraud and bring perpetrators to justice.” 

The defendants have been brought to the United States to be held accountable for their alleged roles in scamming companies and vulnerable Americans out of over $100 million,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia.  “Deceiving businesses using email compromise campaigns and tricking innocent elderly victims through fraudulent companionship in order to exploit their trust and finances is not merely appalling but illegal.  The FBI will continue to ensure anyone who preys on companies and vulnerable Americans online is made to face the criminal justice system.”

As alleged in the Indictment:[1]

BOATENG, AHMED, VAN YEBOAH, and ASARE were high-ranking members of a criminal organization based in Ghana that committed romance scams and business email compromises against individuals and businesses located across the U.S.

Many of the conspiracy’s victims were vulnerable older men and women who were tricked into believing that they were in online romantic relationships with people who were, in fact, fake identities assumed by members of the conspiracy.  Once members of the conspiracy had gained the trust of their victims, they deceived those victims into sending their money to the enterprise or into helping them launder funds from other victims.  The conspirators also committed business email compromises to trick and deceive businesses into wiring funds to the enterprise.  In total, the conspiracy stole and laundered more than $100 million from dozens of victims.

After stealing the money, the fraud proceeds were then laundered to West Africa, where they were largely funneled to individuals called “chairmen,” who directed the activities of other members of the conspiracy.  BOATENG and AHMED were considered chairmen of the organization.

BOATENG, 36; AHMED, 40; VAN YEBOAH, 40; and ASARE, 39, each of Ghana, are charged with one count of wire fraud conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of money laundering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to receive stolen money, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; and one count of receipt of stolen money, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. 

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the FBI. He also thanked Ghana and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs for their assistance. 

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with the International Cooperation Unit of the Office of the Attorney-General of Ghana to secure the extraditions to the United States.  Ghana’s Economic and Organized Crime Office, the Ghana Police Service – INTERPOL, Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority, and Ghana’s National Intelligence Bureau all provided significant assistance to ensure the success of these extraditions.

The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mead and Mitzi Steiner are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitutes only allegations, and every fact described therein should be treated as an allegation.

MONDAY: Back to School Giveaway at Zimmerman Playground!

 

Dear Neighbors,  

The start of the new school year is right around the corner and Team JZ has got you covered! Together with my partners in government we are giving away FREE backpacks!!

 

Details as follows: 

 

Where: Zimmerman Playground

When: Monday, August 11th

Time: 3pm - while supplies last

 

Please remember that this is a first come/first served event and every adult must have their child present to receive a free back-to-school backpack while supplies last. 

 

In Gratitude,

John Zaccaro, Jr

Air Quality Health Advisory Issued for New York City Metro Region

 

 

In Effect for Sunday, August 10, 2025]

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton and State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. James McDonald issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, for ozone for the New York City Metro region. In addition, smoke from wildfires in Canada may still be visible aloft, and Air Quality Index (AQI) values may spike temporarily in other areas of the state.   

The pollutant of concern is: Ozone

The advisory will be in effect: 11 a.m. through 11 p.m.  

The Quality Health Advisory regions consist of: New York City Metro, which includes New York City and Rockland and Westchester counties.

DEC and DOH issue Air Quality Health Advisories when DEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter (PM2.5), are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. The AQI was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale, with a higher AQI value indicating a greater health concern.

OZONE

Summer heat can lead to the formation of ground-level ozone, a major component of photochemical smog. Automobile exhaust and out-of-state emission sources are the primary sources of ground-level ozone and the most serious air pollution problems in the northeast. This surface pollutant should not be confused with the protective layer of ozone in the upper atmosphere.

Ozone is not a direct emission, but rather forms when sunlight chemically reacts with nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from automobile exhaust and industrial emissions. High ozone is not as visible as PM2.5 because it is a colorless gas, but will produce hazy skies and reduce visibility in high concentrations. Ozone production can also be enhanced by the presence of wildfire smoke.

People, especially those with cardiovascular disease and those who have respiratory disease (such as asthma), young children, the elderly, those who exercise outdoors, and those involved in vigorous outdoor work should consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity when ozone levels are the highest (generally afternoon to early evening). When outdoor levels of ozone are elevated, going indoors will usually reduce exposure. Individuals experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing should consider consulting their personal physician.

Ozone levels generally decrease at night and can be minimized during daylight hours by curtailment of automobile travel and the use of public transportation where available.

New Yorkers also are urged to take the following energy-saving and pollution-reducing steps: 

• use mass transit or carpool instead of driving, as automobile emissions account for about 60 percent of pollution in our cities;
• conserve fuel and reduce exhaust emissions by combining necessary motor vehicle trips;
• turn off all lights and electrical appliances in unoccupied areas;
• use fans to circulate air. If air conditioning is necessary, set thermostats at 78 degrees;
• close the blinds and shades to limit heat build-up and to preserve cooled air;
• limit use of household appliances. If necessary, run the appliances at off-peak (after 7 p.m.) hours. These would include dishwashers, dryers, pool pumps and water heaters;
• set refrigerators and freezers at more efficient temperatures;
• purchase and install energy efficient lighting and appliances with the Energy Star label; and
• reduce or eliminate outdoor burning and attempt to minimize indoor sources of PM 2.5 such as smoking.?

Additional information on ozone and PM 2.5 is available on DEC's website and on DOH's website (PM 2.5) / DOH's website (ozone). A new DEC fact sheet about the Air Quality Index is available on DEC’s website or by PDF download. 

To stay up-to-date with announcements from DEC, sign up to receive Air Quality Alerts through DEC Delivers: DEC's Premier Email Service. A toll-free Air Quality Hotline (1-800-535-1345) was also established by DEC to keep New Yorkers informed of the latest air quality situation.

Housing Lottery Launches for 947 College Avenue in Concourse Village, The Bronx

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for 947 College Avenue, an eight-story residential building in Concourse Village, Brooklyn. Designed by Sion Associates and developed by Gurwinder Singh of Kulwant Properties, the structure yields 17 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 11 units for residents at 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $101,418 to $227,500.

Amenities include an accessible entrance, elevator, online payment options, security cameras, and package lockers. Tenants are responsible for electricity, which includes stove, heat, and hot water.

At 130 percent of the AMI, there are five one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,684 for incomes ranging from $101,418 to $189,540, and six two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $3,025 for incomes ranging from $118,218 to $227,500.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than August 25, 2025.