On-Time, Balanced Budget Approved By Council

  Mayor Bill de Blasio, Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, and members of the City Council announced an agreement for an on-time and balanced City budget for Fiscal Year 2015—marking one of the earliest budget handshakes in recent history. The Council approved the budget with a vote of 50-0-1.

The $75 billion budget represents a fiscally responsible, progressive, and honest approach to the City’s finances, moving forward key initiatives that will improve the vitality of the city and address income inequality, while strengthening our fiscal health.

The vote follows a more honest budget process that ended the cynical “budget dance” and reflects a more productive and respectful relationship between the administration and the Council.

The adopted budget will continue to move forward the Mayor’s signature initiatives, including high-quality, universal pre-K, after-school and summer programming for middle schoolers, critical investments to lower the homelessness rate, a comprehensive affordable housing plan, a reduction in arbitrary and punitive small business fines, and Vision Zero. It also includes major new initiatives, developed with the Council, including a comprehensive anti-violence initiative at NYCHA developments, key investments to provide mental health services in city jails, and much more.

Key budget monitors and investors have validated the prudent way in which this administration has handled its first budget, which keeps out-year gaps and debt service at management levels that are well below the prior two administrations’ averages. The administration has also kept the city’s reserves strong – in fact, the annual general reserves (or “rainy day funds”) are more robust than in any previous administration.

All three major rating agencies recently affirmed the City’s strong, stable ratings, highlighting the City’s “highly effective budget management.” The City also just finished its first major bond sale since the labor agreement and executive budget; the sale increased in size from the planned $850 million to over $1 billion, reflecting extremely strong demand, while the City secured low interest rates that resulted in significant savings.

Fitch Ratings specifically stated, “the city’s sound approach to budget development features reasonable revenue and expenditure forecasting, proactive budget monitoring, and effective actions to eliminate projected deficits.”

As the Independent Budget Office testified before the Council earlier this month, “Contrary to the assertions of some fiscal observers, the city’s budget gaps are not ballooning. By historical standards, the budget shortfalls we anticipate are relatively modest.”

News From Councilman Ritchie Torres

  These two items came in from Councilman Ritchie Torres.

COUNCIL MEMBER RITCHIE TORRES REDEDICATES PARK TO HONOR WORLD WAR ONE HERO

WHO              Council Member Ritchie Torres and Vincent Daly, nephew of Thomas A O’Brien

WHAT           The O’Brien Oval is being rededicated to Captain Thomas A. O’Brien. Captain Thomas A. O’Brien grew up at 280 Burnside Avenue, just a few blocks away from the Oval, and served as a Lieutenant in World War I. He was killed in the second battle of the Marne, a month before Armistice. In recognition of  Independence Day, Council Member Torres has arranged for the Parks Department to create a new sign for the park to commemorate Captain O’Brien’s service to our great nation.

WHEN           Tuesday, July 1, 2014 from 11:30 AM

WHERE         O’Brien Oval, on East Tremont Avenue between Valentine Avenue and Webster Avenue

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 Adopted Budget includes unprecedented $150 Million Dollar Investment in Public Housing

NYCHA Community and Senior Centers - Housing – $17.1 million dollars

The budget allocates $17 million dollars to keep the doors open at 57 NYCHA run Community and Senior Centers across all 5 boroughs. These centers, which serve approximately 5,000 NYCHA residents daily and employs 160 workers, provides a range of vital services that many New Yorkers have come to see as essential components of their daily life, including public meeting spaces that promote a sense of community and encourage civic engagement, childcare services for working families, meals and outings for Seniors, and safe havens against gang activity for teenagers and other vulnerable youths.

              

Painters Apprenticeship Program - Housing – $8 million dollars

The Painters Apprenticeship Program (PAP) provides funding to train NYCHA residents as Painters’ Apprentices through classroom instruction and hands-on experience. The PAP program effectively tackles two of the City’s biggest concerns: job creation and public housing viability. It provides NYCHA residents with valuable in-demand skill sets that have already created 280 jobs for NYCHA residents in the last two years, while producing tradesman who are able to help maintain, upkeep and repair portions of the City’s public housing stock.

Member Items for Security Cameras and other Capital Improvements at NYCHA  – $34.98 Million dollars

The City Council has allocated approximately 25 million dollars to various Capital projects around the city, including Council Member initiatives aimed at enhancing security measures at NYCHA developments. Among these, Council Member Ritchie Torres’ $3.4 million dollar investment in security cameras and layered access controls.

City Council  NYCHA Security Investments – $ 10 Million dollars: The City Council allocated $10 million dollars, on top of individuals member items, to further ensure that residents of Public Housing have a safe and secure environment to come home to and to raise their families in. Primarily focused on the installation of security cameras throughout NYCHA developments, these funds address a need NYCHA residents themselves have long demanded.

Citywide NYCHA Crime Prevention-  $19 Million dollars

The Mayor allocated $19 million for a comprehensive, citywide plan to reduce violent crime in NYCHA developments focused on improving community engagement efforts and expanding neighborhood watch and domestic violence outreach teams.  The plan also includes increased access for residents to employment opportunities, benefits assistance, and structured recreation, and mentorship opportunities. 

NYCHA Payment Relief towards NYPD –70 Million dollars

Under the FY 2015 budget, NYCHA is exempted from paying $70 million dollars towards the NYPD for patrolling and law-enforcement activities, which many residents had argued constituted a double payment (after taxes) towards the NYPD. The removal of this fee allows NYCHA to allocate more funds towards addressing the vital repairs and security enhancements that NYCHA residents have long demanded.  

Museum of Natural History Family Science Program-  $100,000 dollars

This program is a partnership with the American Museum of Natural History, and will provide science education to 1,000 families. Families will develop skills for observing and understanding the natural world, encouraging and providing them with resources to engage in scientific exploration.

Green City Force- Workforce Development for NYCHA Youth-  $50,000

This initiative will engage young adult NYCHA residents on six-month environmental projects to educate on sustainability issues and provides critical work experience. The program has been so successful that 80% of program graduates are either placed in jobs or are enrolled in college. 

Klein and Top Chef Host Padma Lakshmi Announce $250,000 in Funding to Expand Education Campaign on Endometriosis

  State Senate Coalition Co-Leader Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) and Top Chef Host and Co-founder of the Endometriosis Foundation of America (EFA) Padma Lakshmi announced $250,000 in funding secured by Senator Klein to support an education campaign aimed at raising awareness around endometriosis, a painful, and often undiagnosed disorder that affects women. The funding will help the EFA expand the scope of their program, which started last year, statewide.

 The announcement was held in front of the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club on Castle Hill Avenue in the Bronx, which held an educational training at its club late last year.

 Senate Majority Coalition Leader Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) said, “When I launched the Teen Health Awareness Campaign last year, I made a commitment to do everything possible to give our kids the tools they need to make smart choices about their health. Unfortunately, our teen health survey demonstrated that 70% of New York adolescents do not recognize the symptoms or signs of endometriosis. That’s why I am proud to have secured a grant that will go towards interactive programming aimed at raising awareness of endometriosis for our youth statewide. With more information, we can better understand how to recognize and treat endometriosis.”

Padma Lakshmi, Co-Founder of the Endometriosis Foundation of America, author and Emmy-winning host of Top Chef, said, "There is no doubt that we must educate our children in a broader, more comprehensive manner. If we are to prepare our youth for a successful future, we must ensure that their physical well being and emotional health are addressed  in concert with their academic endeavors.  The ENPOWR Project is a critical step in raising awareness about endometriosis among adolescents. Thanks to Senator Klein, we, now, are able to educate young New Yorkers statewide about this healthcare priority. The value of such education not only helps these adolescents but everyone their lives touch.”

  “We are thrilled by the progress that The ENPOWR Project has made thus far, and even more excited about its future,” said Mady Schuman, the EFA’s Executive Director.  “We are honored that Senator Klein has supported the EFA in fulfilling its mission, and that he facilitated the launch of such a critical program. The impact we are making on New York State’s young people is clear. Finally, endometriosis is being recognized as a public health priority, and strides are being made toward improving health outcomes.”  

The grants have enabled Endometriosis Nation Promoting Outreach and Wide Recognition (ENPOWR) Project – an educational program started at the beginning of  2013  school year that will now be expanded statewide in 2014 with the new funding secured by Senator Klein. This program seeks to increase endometriosis awareness and reduce the diagnosis delay by educating adolescents about the symptoms and treatment of the disease. The EFA engages a network of stakeholders from the state’s public school systems, private schools and community-based organizations in an effort to reach as many youth as possible. Presentations include differentiated, multimedia content designed to empower youth to disseminate their newly acquired knowledge to others, as well as to seek treatment if necessary. 

 Senator Klein, and Padma Lakshmi discuss the importance of this program being funded by Senator Klein.

Fallout From The 13th Congressional Election Victory of Charles Rangel

  Here are some items of interest that have happened since the 13th congressional election Tuesday June 24th where Charles Rangel defeated State Senator Adriano Espiallat to keep his seat in congress. 

1 - Candidate Adriano Espiallat decided to wait two days before conceding to the Congressman Rangel who won by a larger margin then two years ago.

2 - Elizabeth Ritter who was on the petition for state senate in the district of Senator Espiallat has withdrawn, and is supporting her boss current State Senator Adriano Espiallat to be her replacement.

3 - A scheduled 'unity rally' with both Congressman Charles Rangel and State Senator Adriano Espaillat planned by Al Sharpton was cancelled on Friday due to concerns that it would led to more disharmony.

4 - It is reported that Mayor Bill deBlasio has not called Congressman Rangel to congratulate him on his win.

5 - Then there is the case against now former Espiallat ally and Assemblywoman Gabriela Rosa by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. Rosa has resigned from the assembly, pled guilty to having a arraigned sham marriage to become a U.S. citizen, and also lying about her assets in bankruptcy court. 

What else can happen?

News From Council Member Andrew Cohen

The following comes from Councilman Andrew Cohen

Council Member Cohen Touts Funding to Combat Mental Illness in City Budget

“This budget is progressive, fiscally responsible and most importantly it helps all New Yorkers.  I thank Speaker Mark-Viverito for ensuring an inclusive process that was not only open and transparent but substantive as well.

“As the Chair of the Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, Alcoholism, Drug Abuse and Disability Services, I am especially proud that we were able to secure $33 million to combat violence and mental illness on Rikers Island.  I am also pleased that we have secured a $200,000 enhancement for the Children Under Five Initiative and $50,000 for the Young Adult Initiative.  Mental health is a serious issue and this funding shows that the City is serious about fighting this epidemic on behalf of these vulnerable populations,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen.

Council Member Cohen to Bring Participatory Budgeting to District 11 and the Bronx

Groundbreaking program allows community residents to determine how taxpayer money is spent

Council Member Andrew Cohen has announced that he is instituting Participatory Budgeting in the 11^th Council district for Fiscal Year 2016.  Participatory Budgeting is a groundbreaking program which allows community residents to vote on how a portion of their tax dollars are spent.  Council Member Cohen is the first Bronx Council Member to establish this program in the borough and he will allocate a minimum of $1million of his discretionary funds to the process.

The participatory budgeting process involves a series of meetings that feed into the City’s annual budget cycle.  Starting in the fall, community members will brainstorm spending ideas at budget assemblies. Volunteers will turn these ideas into full proposals, and the public will also be able to submit, review, and discuss project ideas online.  In April 2015 residents will vote on which proposals to fund.

“I am excited to bring Participatory Budgeting to my district and let our community have a voice in how their tax dollars are spent.  It is my hope that through this process we will have residents from all over the district engage one another and work together to develop and support various projects that will benefit everyone.  I am looking forward to working with my neighbors on establishing this program in the Bronx and ensuring its success,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen.

This summer, the Council Member and his staff will be hosting information sessions throughout the district to let residents know more about participatory budgeting and how they can get involved. The confirmed information sessions are listed below and they will all begin at 7:00pm.  Additional information sessions will be confirmed shortly.

Monday, July 7^th at Community Board 7 Office, 229A East 204^th Street

Thursday, July 10th at Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center, 3225 Reservoir Oval East

Tuesday, July 15^th at the Emerald Isle Immigration Center, 4275 Katonah Avenue

Thursday, July 17^th at the Riverdale Y-MWHA, 5625 Arlington Avenue

WHERE WAS OLIVER KOPPELL?

  Today at 2 PM Oliver Koppell scheduled an anti-IDC/Jeff Klein rally in front of the Jeff Klein for Senate Headquarters on Williamsbridge Road. What was missing was Oliver Koppell and his supporters, because the only rally to go off in front of the Klein for Senate Headquarters was a pro Klein rally. Starting just before 2 PM Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, and over 100 Klein supporters shouted "Koppell take a hike, Go back to retirement","Koppell is an outsider to this community," and "Jeff Klein is the hardest working senator in New York." This went on for about 20 minutes, and with so many people the police asked that the crowd allow a path for people to get through several times.

  By 3 PM the crowd was asking "Where's Ollie, Where's Ollie?" Oliver Koppell never showed, and this columnist was waiting for Koppell to announce that he was withdrawing from the race now that Senator Klein and the IDC were going to return to work with the Senate Democratic Conference which was one of Koppell's demands. Only time will tell if Koppell stays in the race, because it was Koppell and others who encouraged 33rd State Senate candidate Dan Padernacht in 2010 to withdraw for the good of the Democratic Party. I am sure that Oliver Koppell has already received such calls now that Senator Klein and Governor Coumo have announced that the IDC will no longer share the senate leadership position with the Republican Conference, but will share the senate leadership with the Senate Democratic Conference. 

A crowd of over 100 Jeff Klein supporters were on hand for any Oliver Koppell rally, but Koppell was a no show for a scheduled 2 PM rally.

80 A.D. Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj led the Pro Jeff Klein rally. 

BP DIAZ & SENATOR KLEIN TO HOST ANNUAL FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA

   Tomorrow, Friday June 27, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and State Senator Jeff Klein will host the borough’s official kickoff to the Independence Day Celebrations, the annual “New York Salutes America” boardwalk festival and fireworks extravaganza at Orchard Beach.

The event is free; open to the public and includes fun activities for the kids, such as magicians, balloon artists, music performances and much more. The event will begin at 6 p.m., with the fireworks show beginning at 9 P.M.

The event is produced by The Bronx Tourism Council.

WHEN:       Friday, June 27, 2014

WHERE:    Orchard Beach, Bronx

TIME:         6 P.M.