ASIANS NEED NOT APPLY: MINORITY EXCLUSION IN THE STATE GOVERNMENT WORKFORCE

Assemblyman Ron Kim, the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF), Korean American Civic Empowerment for Community (KACE), and the YWCA of Queens have announced a broad, joint initiative for "true inclusion and real diversity" in the public sector. They and other community partners have spoken out against the clear disparity in Asian American representation in New York State’s government workforce, and will be collaborating together on potential solutions. 

They have written a letter to Governor Cuomo, signed by many Assembly Members and community organizations, asking him to address the issue: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzBmKKty-GfDemdRU0Z4VXp5YmM

There will also be a large public awareness campaign to reach out to all New Yorkers, encouraging everyone to spread the word, voice their concerns to their elected officials, and sign onto a petition supporting Bill A.08050 – the New York Minority Employment Act – which would include Asian Americans in efforts to reform the state hiring and recruiting system. 

The website for this initiative:

http://nymep.goaction.net/

“Claiming to champion greater diversity and inclusion while overlooking an entire group of Americans is wrong and misleading, and through his actions the governor has shown a deliberate neglect for the concerns of our community,” stated Assemblyman Ron Kim stated, “When representation of Asian Americans in the government workforce is less than half that of our state’s total workforce, there is clearly systemic inequality that must be dealt with. The support of my colleagues and my office’s community partners has given us a mandate to truly address this problem. Though we hope to work with the administration on this issue, this is only the first step in a larger, community-wide mission to build a public sector that represents all New Yorkers.”

Henrietta Ho-Asjoe, Interim Executive Director, Coalition for Asian American Children and Families, stated: “Diversity and inclusion discussions exist to give a voice to the most historically excluded, as well as those with new perspectives and unheard experiences. The state workforce and Governor Cuomo's Advisory Council on Diversity and Inclusion are not in line with these goals. We invite Governor Cuomo to join in the fight against the model minority myth and urge him to make sure that those who serve and lead our state truly represent the community”  

Dongchan Kim, President of KACE, stated, “Asian Americans in New York State have been underrepresented in many aspects.  Especially in the NYS Government work force, only 3.8% are Asian Americans while 8.6% of the total state workforce is Asian American. When Governor Cuomo created the Advisory Council on Diversity and Inclusion in March 2016, we were very concerned about the fact that Governor Cuomo didn't pay heed to Asian Americans. The exclusion of Asian Americans is becoming systematic. Now we need a systematic measure to address the problem. The NYMEP Act will be the first step to address the problem."

South Asian Community Leader Dilip Chauhan stated, “We urge the NY State Governor to promote and encourage diversity in the state government workforce by including the Asian American population, evaluating the recruiting and employment practices of state government agencies, and mandating proper reporting - as well as including a Chief Diversity Officer in each of the respective agencies to monitor these initiative.”

“The Young Women’s Christian Association of Queens’ mission is to Eliminate Racism and Empower Women,” stated Katherine H. Kim, Executive Director of the YWCA of Queens. “We believe that while current law starts to address the structural inequalities that keep all New Yorkers from gainfully seeking employment in government positions, there is still a long way to go.  NYMEP will help everyone keep to task and ensure that our public servants truly reflect the wonderful diversity of our State.  As YWCAs are united in our mission, we have engaged our sister associations across New York State to stand with us in this effort. “

Assemblyman Gjonaj's Senior Tea Party

New York State Assemblyman
Mark Gjonaj

Invites you to his

Senior Tea Party

Friday, May 27,2016 

10:00am - 12:00pm 

F&J Pine Restaurant 

1913 Bronxdale Ave, Bronx, NY 10462

Come dressed in your best outfit for our Best Dressed Contest, Best Hat Contest and Prizes! 

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj's 80th District Office 

1126 Pelham Parkway South

Bronx, New York 10461

Phone: (718) 409-0109

Fax: (718) 409-0431

COMPTROLLER STRINGER: NEW YORK CITY ECONOMY CONTINUES EXPANSION IN FIRST QUARTER, BUT SIGNS OF A SLOWDOWN EMERGE

32,000 more New York City residents are engaged in the labor market now than last quarter, the highest quarterly increase in 12 years

Average hourly earnings for City private-sector workers, however, remain stagnant

 Strong gains in private-sector payroll jobs helped New York City’s economy grow by an estimated 3.4 percent during the first quarter of 2016, significantly faster than the national economy according to a Quarterly Economic Update released today by New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. However, signs of a cooling economy emerged as average hourly earnings in the private sector were flat and venture capital fell for the first time since 2012.

“The City’s job market was a bright spot in the first few months of 2016 as more New Yorkers joined the workforce, but there are signs of a slowdown on the horizon,” said New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. “More City residents than ever before are now employed, but too many of the jobs we’re gaining are in low-wage industries. When New Yorkers work full time and still can’t afford a decent living, it undermines our entire economy.”

Released every quarter, the Comptroller’s Quarterly Economic Update examines a broad range of indicators that reflect the City’s current conditions in the national context.

Specific findings for the First Quarter of 2016 include:

Continued Overall Economic Growth 

• New York City’s economy, as estimated by Gross City Product (GCP), grew at a 3.4 percent annual rate in the first quarter of 2016, greatly outpacing U.S. GDP growth of only 0.5 percent. While the past two years began with similarly divergent rates, over the course of those years, the gap in growth narrowed.
• New York City resident employment grew by 21,200 in the first quarter, reaching a record level of more than 4 million and raising the employment-to-population ratio to 58.1 percent. The spread between the national and the city employment-to-population remains close to its historical low.
• Signaling optimism in the local labor market, the number of city residents working or looking for a job soared. About 32,000 city residents joined or rejoined the labor force, the highest quarterly increase in 12 years.

Stagnating Wages 

• Of the total 41,700 private-sector payroll jobs added in the first quarter, nearly half (19,100) were in low-wage industries and 36 percent were in mid-wage industries. All major sectors expanded except for the high-paid financial activities sector.
• The continued dominance of low-wage job creation contributed to disappointing wage gains. Average hourly earnings for private-sector payroll workers grew only 0.1 percent year-over-year.
• Between the end of the Great Recession and 2014, average pay in low-wage industries has fallen 3.2 percent after adjusting for inflation. Real wages for mid-wage industries have grown 4.1 percent, while high-wage industries experienced 10.3 percent real wage growth in those five years.

Falling Venture Capital Investment and Weak Income Tax Collections 

• Venture capital investment in the New York metro area fell 6.2 percent to about $1.4 billion in the first quarter of 2016, the first year-over-year decline since 2012. Nationwide, venture capital investment fell even faster, leading the New York metro area’s share of investment to grow from 10.7 percent in the final quarter of 2015 to 11.3 percent in the first quarter of 2016.

• Quarterly City personal income tax revenues fell 0.3 percent on a year-over-year basis, driven by a 28 percent increase in tax refunds. The steep increase in refunds was offset by modest growth in taxes withheld from paychecks (3.1 percent) and estimated payments (1.1 percent).
• A decrease in financial sector bonus payments contributed to relatively weak first quarter personal income tax collections. Wall Street bonuses are estimated to have been $23 billion in the 2015 bonus season, 15.9 percent lower than $27.5 billion in 2014, and the lowest level since 2011. Lower bonuses coincided with a 10.5 percent drop in Wall Street profits in 2015. 

Real Estate Market Growth, but Signs of Cooling 

• Manhattan’s vacancy rate for commercial property fell to 9.0 percent, the lowest first-quarter level since 2008. Vacancy rates in Midtown South dropped from 7.0 percent in the first quarter of 2015 to 6.3 percent this quarter, as Midtown overall and Downtown recorded smaller declines.
• New commercial leasing activity in Manhattan, however, fell 6.0 percent to 6.5 million square feet. The highest-leasing sector was TAMI (technology, advertising, media and information services), accounting for nearly 37 percent of new leases 10,000 square feet and larger.
• The volume of residential home sales increased 8.1 percent in Manhattan and 26.9 percent in Brooklyn. However, home sales in Queens fell 1.9 percent in the first quarter, after growing 32.7 percent in the final quarter of 2015. Similarly, average home sales prices increased in Manhattan and Brooklyn but fell in Queens.

“A strong City economy and job gains are always welcome news, but stagnant wages, a potential cool off in the commercial real estate market, and slowing venture capital investment are causes for concern.  We’ll be keeping an eye on these economic indicators and continuing to focus on enacting policies that ensure every New Yorker has a fair chance to share in our City’s growth,” Stringer said.

Croton Filter Plant - Agenda for FMC Meeting June 15, 2016

Croton Facility Monitoring Committee Meeting

Wednesday, June 15, 2016 – 7:00 PM

DEP Office – 3660 Jerome Avenue, Bronx NY 10467 - (718) 231-8470

Agenda

I Welcome, Meeting Call to Order Dan Padernacht, Chair

II Consider, Adopt June 15 CFMC Agenda - CFMC Representatives

III Consider, Adopt Meeting Minutes of March 22, 2016 -  CFMC Representatives

IV Jerome Park Reservoir Task Force Update - CFMC Representatives and Task Force on Public Access

V Update on Replacement Trees Installed in Community - Andrew Penzi, DPR

VI Update on Croton Funded Parks Projects  - Andrew Penzi, DPR

VII FY 2017 Water Rates -  Eric Landau, DEP

VIII Croton Costs Report and Construction Update - Bernard Daly, DEP

IX Old Business - CFMC Representatives, and Public

X New Business - CFMC Representatives, and Public

XI Adjourn

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Wednesday, May 18 Bronx Chamber Business Breakfast

Assemblyman Mark Gjona - BESA The Promise at Bronx House

On Sunday May 22, 2016, Temple Hatikva is hosting a special screening of the acclaimed documentary BESA: The Promise. The film focuses on the tales of ordinary Albanian families taking in Jewish refugees escaping the horrors of the Nazi regime. 

Tickets will be sold at the door.

Please call in advance to reserve your ticket:

Klaudio Rroku (347) 671-4355

Sunday, May 22, 2016
10:00am
Bronx House
990 Pelham Parkway South
Bronx, NY 10461

For more information, please contact the office of 

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, 718-409-0109

45th Annual Bronx Week Parade Across Mosholu Parkway

  It was cold, damp, and sunny at times, as the 45th Annual Bronx Week Parade marched on across Mosholu Parkway. As the four Bronx Week Hall of Fame Honorees arrived - Arlene Alda, Vincent Pastore, Peter Sohn, and Eduardo Vilaro, they joined Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. The parade of over 125 groups then began marching led by the NYPD and FDNY as you will see in the many photos below. 

  As the children form PS 76 marched by the reviewing stand Arlene Alda gave a speech to them to say that anyone of them could wind up like her with their own Bronx walk of Fame sign, and she hoped it would be many. After the parade the Music and arts festival began.

Above - Actor Vincent Pastore arrived in style.

Below - The four Bronx Week Honorees on the review Stand with Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr.

Above - The elected officials. 

Below - Members of Community Board 7.

Above - BP Diaz introduces Arlene Alda as a former student of PS 76 as the PS 76 students wait for words of encouragement by Bronx Week Honoree Arlene Alda.

Below - Bronx Week Honoree, Vincent Pastore, a star from the HBO hit show 'The Sopranos' seems to be offering BP Diaz his help, for a possible higher office?

Above and below - schools performed for the BP and Bronx Week Honorees.

Above and Below - The famous Bronx Dance group Tanima marches, and then performs in front of the reviewing stand.

Above and Below - Bronx Science High School was well represented with some of their student projects.

Above - BP Diaz receives a Bronx Science t-shirt from another student project.

Below - The parade continued.

Above - In Tech Middle/High School 368.

Below - New Yoga.

Above - Bronx Democratic County Chairman Assemblyman Marcos Crespo thanks the attendees of the parade.

Below - After the parade it was time for the Parks Department to clean the grass, and Sanitation Department to clean the street.

SENATOR KLEIN HOSTS 2nd ANNUAL JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE CELEBRATION

Jewish American Community Leaders and Hundreds of Bronxites Gather to Celebrate Jewish Heritage Month at Bronx House

State Senator Jeff Klein hosted his 2nd  Annual Jewish Heritage Celebration on Sunday at Bronx House, honoring local community leaders and honoring the over 350-year history of Jewish contributions to American society and culture.

“Each year, I am proud to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month and recognize the valuable contributions that Jewish Americans have made to our communities. Our nation was built by hardworking individuals whose perseverance and dedication to seeing a brighter future for all will never be forgotten. Thank you for joining me today to salute those who have made a positive difference in our communities and improving the quality of life for their fellow citizens,” said Senator  Klein.

Joined by hundreds of community members, Senator Klein highlighted the contributions of outstanding Jewish Americans including: Charles Landsberg, president of the Jewish Community Council of Pelham Parkway; Arlene Salman, board member of Bronx Jewish Community Council and co-chair of B.J.C.C. Marketing Committee; and the late community activist Blanche Comras Rifkin.

“I am grateful for this recognition and feel honored. I had large shoes to fill when I took the office many years ago, as Senator Klein was a predecessor. He set an example that I have tried to continue,” Charles Landsberg, president of the Jewish Community Council of Pelham Parkway.  

“I am honored to have been selected to be recognized for my work with Bronx Jewish Community Council, an organization that does so much for all of the people of The Bronx. It makes me good to feel that I make a difference to those who need help. Thank you Senator Klein for having this program and making people aware of the need to give back to the community,” said Arlene Salman, board member of Bronx Jewish Community Council and co-chair of B.J.C.C. Marketing Committee.

“The whole family is very thrilled and honored that Senator Klein is recognizing our mother’s life’s work for Jewish Heritage Month,” said Madelyn Katz, daughter of the late Blanche Comras Rifkin.

Senator Jeff Klein will also host another Jewish Heritage Celebration on Sunday, May 22nd at the Riverdale YM - YMHA.