Governor Cuomo Announces Moratorium on COVID-Related Residential Evictions Will Be Extended Until January 1, 2021

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the State's Tenant Safe Harbor Act will be expanded until January 1, 2021 to protect additional residential tenants from eviction if they are suffering financial hardship during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Executive Order extends the protections of the Tenant Safe Harbor Act to eviction warrants that existed prior to the start of the pandemic.

"As New York continues to fight the pandemic, we want to make sure New Yorkers who are still struggling financially will not be forced from their homes as a result of COVID," Governor Cuomo said. "We are extending the protections of the Safe Harbor Act through January 1 because we want tenants to have fundamental stability in their lives as we recover from this crisis."

Governor Cuomo first announced a State moratorium on residential and commercial evictions on March 20 to ensure no tenant was evicted during the height of the public health emergency. The Governor signed the Tenant Safe Harbor Act on June 30 which became effective immediately as well as additional legislation providing financial assistance to residential renters and landlords. Additionally, previous Executive Orders have prohibited charges or fees for late rent payments, and tenants facing financial hardship can still use their security deposit as payment and repay their security deposit over time.

Earlier this month, the State's moratorium on COVID-related commercial evictions and foreclosures was extended by Governor Cuomo by Executive Order, until October 20th. This measure extends protections already in place for commercial tenants and mortgagors in recognition of the financial toll the pandemic has taken on business owners, including retail establishments and restaurants. The extension of this protection gives commercial tenants and mortgagors additional time to get back on their feet and catch up on rent or their mortgage, or to renegotiate their lease terms to avoid foreclosure moving forward. 

 

This is who we see as the favorite to win in the 15th City Council race. 

Elisa Crespo Gains Major Endorsements for City Council

 

Progressive Council Leaders Rosenthal, Van Bramer join LGBTQ Victory Fund, local leaders in supporting Crespo

 

Elisa Crespo, Democratic candidate in the 15th Council District, today is announcing major endorsements for her campaign, including City Council Members Helen Rosenthal and Jimmy Van Bramer; District Leaders Melissa Sklarz, John Blasco, and Samuel Nemir Olivares; the LGBTQ Victory Fund; and Northwest Bronx Democrats. Crespo was the only candidate running for election in 2021 included in this round of endorsements from the LGBTQ Victory Fund.

 

"The Bronx is facing difficult challenges, but we are resilient. With strong leadership, we'll create good-paying jobs and a dignified wage; ensure a just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic; fund a quality education system; support our families, seniors, and small businesses; modernize our transit infrastructure; cancel rent; and deliver new affordable housing. I am ready to deliver for the community that has given me so much," said Crespo.

 

"I am proud to endorse Elisa Crespo for the 15th Council District. More than any other candidate, Elisa Crespo has been fighting for income inequality, jobs, and education, and is a bold leader standing against racial and gender injustice. Elisa has a plan and is the most qualified candidate to implement these changes once elected to the City Council," said New York City Council Member Helen Rosenthal, Chair of the Committee on Woman and Gender Equity.

 

"I'm proud to support Elisa Crespo for City Council because I know she will represent her district with passion, grit and conviction. Elisa is a trailblazer whose life story demonstrates her inner strength. We need more activists with the courage to fight for working people and lift up those who need a champion. Elisa is and will be that champion," said New York City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer.

 

"I met Elisa Crespo as part of the Bronx Borough President's staff as part of the LGBT Policy Advisory team. In a short amount of time, I discovered her intelligence, passion, and vision for our community, for the Bronx and for New York. Elisa Crespo is the leader we need in the City Council and the 15th District and I am so proud to support her candidacy," said District Leader Melissa Sklarz.

 

"I am proud to endorse Elisa Crespo for City Council. During this difficult time of COVID19 I've seen Elisa step up to protect her community and engage with leaders around the city to make sure her district has the resources they need. We need a fighter for District 15 and Elisa embodies just that!" said District Leader John Blasco.

 

"When elected in the Bronx, Elisa Crespo will become the first transgender person in the City Council and to hold a legislative office in the state of New York. This historic advancement will cause ripple effects throughout the country confirming that LGBTQ and transgender candidates are as qualified and talented. I'm excited about Elisa's campaign - she's pushing a transformative and creative vision that includes a municipal jobs guarantee program for low-income people and vulnerable populations, and fighting for housing and environmental justice. Her personal life experiences - going through economic hardship, discrimination, sex work, family issues, and being a working-class New Yorker - Elisa understands the struggles and opportunities needed of everyday New Yorkers. She's smart, eloquent, and shares an electric and contagious energy that will inspire many in the fight for social justice," said District Leader Samuel Nemir Olivares.  

 

"We're proud to endorse Elisa Crespo, who is running to represent the 15th District in the Bronx on the New York City Council. Elisa is a trailblazing, trans Latina whose historic run is significant for the LGBTQ community. Elisa is poised to be the first trans voice on the New York City Council from the Bronx. Her allyship and solidarity with the LGBTQ movement will deliver unprecedented representation in local politics," said Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund.

 

"Elisa possesses a unique sense of justice, bravery, and inclusion that will be a refreshing change to Bronx Politics. We're proud to support her and her historic campaign for City Council," said Anthony Rivieccio and Sheila Sanchez of Northwest Bronx Democrats.

 

Born and raised in New York City, Crespo has called the Bronx her home for the last 10 years. A product of NYC public schools, she holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science with a minor in Human Rights, from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Crespo currently serves as the Education Liaison at the Bronx Borough President's office, making her the first openly transgender woman of color to work for a borough-wide office in the Bronx. In her role at the Borough President's office, Crespo has helped countless families navigate the bureaucracy that is NYC's Education system. As a working-class latina, the product of public housing, public transportation, public healthcare, and public schools, Crespo is committed to addressing inequities in our city. For more information about Crespo and her campaign, visit https://www.elisacrespo.com

Councilman Andy King Annual Back to School Giveaway with the Bronx YEP

  

Saturday was the annual Andy King Community Back to School Giveaway, free food giveaway, and meet Rapper Melle Mel in front of the Gun Post Lanes on Gun Hill Road. Tables were set for many different information and giveaways. Montefiore Hospital, the Montefiore Mosholu Community Center, American Cancer Society, Fresh Direct, and free bowling from the Gun Post lanes. Delicious food was provided by Chef K of Karibbean Flavor, also by McDonalds and White Castle. 

Over one-hundred boxes of food provided by Fresh Direct were handed out to area residents, but the almost two hundred people came to see rapper Melle Mel,  who did not disappoint them. The rapper stayed after performing to take photos with many of the people, and he even helped hand out the boxes of food from Fresh Direct with Councilman King. Members of the Youth Empowerment Program helped and then went inside the bowling alley to try their hands at bowling, many for the first time.

Above - Members of the Youth Empowerment Program with Councilman Andy King, Council Candidate Brian Melford, Rapper Melle Mel, and members of the National Action Network.

Below - Councilman King and Rapper Melle Mel are surrounded by the people who were at the various tables where there were free giveaways, Free food, or information. 

Above - Rapper Melle Mel gets right up into the camera lens.

Below - Councilman King thanks Rapper Melle Mel for his performance.

Above - Rapper Melle Mel helped hand out the boxes of food provided by Fresh Direct, as he places one box in this woman's wagon.

Below - Some of the many tables that had free giveaways or information 

The best food was being given out by Chef K of Karibbean Flavor.

MAYOR DE BLASIO SIGNS BILLS TO EXPAND PROTECTIONS FOR WORKERS, CONSUMERS, AND COMMERCIAL TENANTS

 

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today signed into law a package of bills that will expand protections for workers, consumers, and commercial tenants. The bills extend and expand the City’s paid safe and sick leave law to reach more workers, reinforce and extend protections for commercial tenants, and protect the jobs of hotel workers.

 

“Today is about justice for hard working New Yorkers,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “From expanding paid sick leave, to protecting our commercial tenants and hotel workers, these bills are crucial to standing by New Yorkers who have worked through the worst of this pandemic and are now helping our City get back on our feet.”

 

The bills are:

 

Intro. 2032-A (Cohen): Aligns the City’s Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law with recently enacted New York State Paid Sick Leave Law. The law expands paid safe and sick leave to employees of small businesses with four or fewer employees and a net income of more than $1 million. This legislation also expands paid leave for workers at the largest businesses, those with 100 or more employees must now provide up to 56 hours of paid sick leave. It also brings domestic workers in line with other private sector workers by allowing them to accrue and use leave the same as other private sector workers.

 

Intro. 2083-A (Rivera): Amends Local Law 55 of 2020, which temporarily prohibits the enforcement of personal liability provisions in commercial leases or rental agreements involving COVID-19 impacted tenants, by extending the sunset date of this protection from September 30, 2020 to March 31, 2021. 

 

Intro 2049-A (Levine): Establishes protections for displaced hotel service workers in the event of a sale or transfer of a hotel. New owners will be required to provide existing employment and maintain wages for a period of 90 days. At the end of the 90-day period, the new employer would perform an evaluation of the worker. Intro 2049-A also establishes consumer protections and notice requirements for service disruptions for guests of hotels. 

 

 “Since Paid Sick Leave’s passing in 2014, we’ve expanded it to include safe leave, closed almost 2,000 investigations and secured millions in restitution for more than 36,000 workers. Now, with more paid hours and no waiting period to use them, as well as expanded protections for domestic workers, we can help even more New Yorkers during a time where sick leave is crucial,” said Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Lorelei Salas. “If you would like to learn more about your sick leave rights or file a complaint, you can contact our office at nyc.gov/workers or by calling 311.”

 

“COVID-19 has heightened the challenges around rent affordability, paid sick leave, and consumer protections. It has forced us to think creatively about solutions,” said Jonnel Doris, Commissioner of NYC Department of Small Business Services.  “These new provisions protect our hardest working New Yorkers and uplifts our business owner, commercial tenants, and hotel workers as we all work to recover."

 

“It is imperative that we do all we can to help working class New Yorkers and protect local businesses, and this is why the City Council passed a package of bills expanding the City’s paid sick leave to include more people, protecting displaced hotel workers and extending protections for small business owners. These laws are about fairness, and will be critical to support thousands of New Yorkers as we battle this pandemic,” said City Council Speaker Corey Johnson.

Council Member Ruben Diaz Sr - EVANGELICAL MINISTERS. SUPPORT CATHOLIC JUDGE AMY CONEY BARRETT

 

What You Should Know

By Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz

District 18, Bronx County

EVANGELICAL MINISTERS. SUPPORT

CATHOLIC JUDGE

AMY CONEY BARRETT

 

September 25, 2020

 

Hon. Donald J. Trump

President of the United States

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington D.C.

 

Dear Mr. President:

 

As a New York City Councilman, elected by the residents of the 18^th District in Bronx County, New York, also as the Senior Pastor of The Christian Community Neighborhood Church and on behalf of the (139) {mostly Democrats}New York Hispanic Clergy Organization and its members, ministers, pastors, and bishops, mentioned below, I want to extend these lines to express to you our gratitude, satisfaction, and admiration for your committed promise, to the American people, to appoint constitutional judges, especially to the Supreme Court Judge Amy Coney Barrett.

 

As Evangelical ministers in New York State, mostly residing in New York City, we want to publicly thank you for, not only making the promise, but also for fulfilling it.  You have demonstrated your commitment to appoint judges who are dedicated to defending and protecting the integrity of the Constitution of the United States. We have seen your effort to defend the right to life, and religious liberty for people of faith.  

 

Know that we will be praying for you, members of your cabinet, your family and for this entire nation. We pray that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ grant you peace, and the strength to lead this nation forward, as one nation, one people under God.

 



 

Respectfully

 

___________________________

Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr.,

and the (139) ministers of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization. 

Senator Alessandra Biaggi - How to Vote in District 34

 

Dear Community, 

As we continue to adapt to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, my colleagues and I passed several laws to safeguard every New York voter’s access to the ballot box this November – including my legislation to expand eligibility to vote by absentee ballot amid the public health crisis. This year, New York voters have three options to safely and easily cast their ballots: by mail (absentee), during early voting, or in person on Election Day. However you choose to vote, I urge you to plan ahead now so your voice is heard in the upcoming election. 

Voting by Mail (Absentee Ballot)

The first voting option is by mail, also known as voting by absentee ballot. This summer my legislation S.8015D was signed into law to allow all New York voters to vote absentee this November due to the ongoing pandemic. You can request an absentee ballot online by filling out the application form at absenteeballot.elections.ny.gov, or by mailing, emailing, or faxing a copy of the form, which can be downloaded in multiple languages at www.elections.ny.gov, to your County Board of Elections. If you are voting absentee due to concerns about COVID, you must select “temporary illness” as your reason for requesting an absentee ballot on the application form.

If you plan to vote absentee, I encourage you to request your ballot as soon as possible, to ensure you have time to receive it and return it. 

• Your application must be submitted online, via email, faxed, or postmarked no later than October 27th, or delivered personally to your County Board of Elections no later than the day before Election Day, November 2nd.
• Your ballot must be postmarked no later than Election Day, November 3rd, and received in the mail no later than seven days later, November 10th. 

Voters can also drop off their completed absentee ballot at their: (1) County Board of Elections office by November 3rd, (2) early voting site from October 24th to November 1st, or (3) polling site on Election Day. 

New York City voters can track the status of their absentee ballots by visiting www.nycabsentee.com/tracking. 

You can find more information about requesting a ballot and vote by mail deadlines at www.elections.ny.gov/votingabsentee.html.

Voting Early

The second voting option is voting early in-person between October 24th and November 1st. New York City voters can locate their early voting site and its operating hours on the NYC Board of Elections website here. Westchester voters can vote early at ANY of these locations during operating hours. You must wear a mask or face covering and maintain six feet of distance from others when at your early voting site.

Voting on Election Day

The third voting option is to cast your ballot in-person on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3rd. NYC voters can find their Election Day polling site here, and Westchester voters can find their site here. Polls are open from 6AM to 9PM. You must wear a mask or face covering and maintain six feet of distance from others when at your polling site.  

Register to Vote 

Lastly, if you haven’t already registered to vote or updated your voting address, you can do so by filling out a voter registration form located at www.elections.ny.gov, in either English or Spanish, and mailing it or delivering it to your County Board of Elections. You can also request a voter registration form be mailed to you at www.elections.ny.gov or by calling 1-800-FOR-VOTE. Your voter registration form must be postmarked no later than October 9th and received by the Board of Elections no later than October 14th for you to be eligible to vote in the November election. The deadline to drop off your registration form in-person is October 9th.

If you have a New York State-issued ID from the DMV, you can register to vote or change your address online at dmv.ny.gov until October 9th.

If you have any questions regarding voting this fall, you can always reach out to your local Board of Elections or contact my office at biaggi@nysenate.gov or 718-822-2049. 

Remember –– your vote, your voice! 

With Gratitude, 

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE CALLS ON GOVERNOR, LEGISLATURE TO RE-DEFINE PUBLIC SAFETY WITH NEW PLATFORM

 

Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams called on the Governor and State Legislature to re-define public safety by using his new platform as a framework for envisioning and expanding non-police alternatives to ensuring safety. He first unveiled the platform for the city in mid-September, and sent a letter to state leaders urging them to pursue the measures after Governor Cuomo reiterated his call for city leadership to present a plan for better policing or lose state funding.

"Simple reforms or discussions around policing is not the answer...While policing has an important role and improving it is imperative, the prevention of violence for example - a primary focus - can only be done through an all-encompassing approach that prioritizes public health and social well-being as alternatives to policing," the Public Advocate says in the letter to Governor Cuomo, as well as Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. 

It would be a failure, he notes, to address policing in isolation rather than recognize the broader need to redefine public safety itself. He also acknowledges the Governor's recent policing reform workbook, saying he has presented his own platform "not as a response to those reforms, but as a blueprint for effectively effectively reimagining what creates public safety."

The Public Advocate's platform is part of a campaign that aims to highlight the intersection of public safety in other aspects of city life and governance, outlining a new framework and empowering with effective tools to be the change agents in defining public safety. It addresses ten key areas of gun violence, schools, housing and homelessness, mental health, transportation, technology, domestic violence, immigration, families, and public health. More information on each of these areas is available here. 

The full letter to state leaders is below and can be downloaded here. 

Dear Governor Cuomo, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, and Assembly Speaker Heastie:

I'm writing to share with you a recently assembled platform, curated by both experts and grassroots organizations, to redefine public safety. With this platform, my office seeks to help lead New York City into an era of enhanced safety and amplify the concerns New Yorkers flagged in Governor Cuomo's recent Police Reform Workbook. 

I offer the attached platform not as a response to those reforms, but as a blueprint for effectively reimagining what creates Public Safety. That begins by acknowledging that Public Safety cannot be synonymous with law enforcement. Simple reforms or discussions around policing is not the answer. 

While law enforcement has a part to play, for too long so many integral roles have not been sufficiently embraced. My platform addresses ten key areas where intersectional solutions can be discovered for inadequate services. While policing has an important role and improving it is imperative, the prevention of violence for example, a primary focus, can only be done through an all-encompassing approach that prioritizes public health and social well-being as alternatives to policing. 

The attached platform is only the beginning of a conversation on how we can transform public safety in New York. Over the next view months our plan is to expound on each one of the 10 points and engage in robust community discussions. Your consideration and support of these policy proposals could be instrumental in bettering the lives of countless New Yorkers and inspiring similar transformations across the nation. I hope to engage in further collaboration with all of you on moving forward with these critical issues.

For further discussion, please contact First Deputy Public Advocate Nick E. Smith at nsmith@advocate.nyc.gov and Rama Issa-Ibrahim, Deputy Public Advocate for Justice, Health Equity & Safety at rissa-ibrahim@advocate.nyc.gov. 

Thank you very much for your time and consideration. 

Sincerely, 

Jumaane D. Williams

Public Advocate for the City of New York

South Bronx City Councilman Rafael Salamanca Gives Out Book Bags and School Supplies in Norwood

 

South Bronx City Councilman Rafael Salamanca came up to Norwood to give out book bags and school supplies with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and his son 11th City Council  district candidate Eric Dinowitz. Also on hand was Councilman Andrew Cohen who represents the area where the event took place. Stopping by were 80th A.D. Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez a declared candidate for Bronx Borough President, and Marcos Sierra the Male District Leader from the 80th A.D. who has declared his candidacy for the 11th City Council district.

The significance of Councilman Salamanca coming to Norwood was that he is expected to announce his candidacy for Bronx Borough President shortly after the Bronx Democratic County Committee meeting this Wednesday night where State Senator Jamaal Bailey is expected to become the new Bronx Democratic County Leader. 

Due to term limits of most Bronx City Council members there had been a large field of candidates running for Bronx Borough President expected, but with the probable election of Ritchie Torres to Congress, and Andrew Cohen to Bronx Supreme Court the field of candidates thinned out. Currently only term limited Bronx City Council members Fernando Cabrera and Vanessa Gibson have declared with businessman Victor Gutierrez, and Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez. Councilman Salamanca who is not term limited, is undecided as to which office he is running according to the Campaign Finance Board website. One or two other candidates are expected to announce after the November election their intention to run or not for Bronx Borough President.

Above - City Council members Andrew Cohen and Rafael Salamanca with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and his son Eric Dinowitz (background) a candidate in the 11th City Council district. Book bags and boxes of school supplies sit on the tables.

Below - 80th A.D. Assemblywoman and Bronx BP candidate Nathalia Fernandez speaks to Councilman Salamanca as Councilman Cohen looks on.

Above - Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz explaining to Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez where their district lines are, and the spot they are right now is in the 81st assembly district.

Below - 11th City Council candidate and 81st A.D. Male District Leader Eric Dinowitz handed the book bags to the children.

Above - Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz holds the box of school supplies with the Rafael Salamanca sticker on it.

Below - 11th City Council candidate and 80th A.D. Male District Leader Marcos Sierra gives this woman his card.