Saturday, May 1, 2021

Joint Statement from local Congress Member and Legislators abt Stringer's Mayoral Campaign


Joint statement from Congress Member Adriano Espaillat, NYS Senator José M. Serrano, NYS Assembly Member Carmen De La Rosa, and NYC City Council Members Mark Levine and Diana Ayala:

“We rescind our endorsement of Scott Stringer’s mayoral campaign.” 



Jeff, my world is coming apart all my so-called friends are abandoning me, you are still with me Jeff right? 

Scott I was never with you from the beginning of the race since you endorsed Biaggi.

246 Days and Counting, A Thought?

 


Is this what Mayor Bill de Blasio is thinking?

Poor Scott Stringer, he was once considered a top candidate to replace me as mayor next year. He had several State Senate candidates and other elected officials behind him. Scott even had the Working Families party helping him in the Democratic Primary. Now all candidate Stringer has left is the UFT behind him. Republian Mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa should have a field day with that one. Scotty to Captain Mulgrew. 'I've lost the others, do you are still have me in your tractor beam, the life support system is running out on this campaign'? 


Senator Luis Sepulveda - District 32 Community Update

Luis R. Sepúlveda

Dear Neighbor, 

I hope you and your family are healthy and staying safe. In honor of Earth Day, the NY State Senate passed groundbreaking environmental legislation that would ban the use of small plastic bottles in hotels, prohibit state forests from being used for gas production, and provide that sales of new passenger cars be zero emissions by 2035, among many other important pieces of legislation. We also celebrated #WaterWeek by expanding water protections in the state of New York. This legislation will add new chemicals to the list of emerging contaminants, require public parks to test for lead contamination in drinking water, and ban the use of coal tar to limit groundwater contamination, among other bills aimed to improve the state’s water quality. These bills are a necessary step in ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to a healthy environment and safe, clean water.

I am excited to announce that my bill (S2211) to prohibit double-bunking in state correctional facilities has passed. I will keep fighting to make tangible changes to prevent prison overcrowding and restore humane conditions for incarcerated individuals. In addition, my bill (S2209) also passed the Mental Health Committee, which would require the Office of Addiction Services and Supports to monitor programs providing treatment to incarcerated individuals in correctional facilities and provide an annual report. 

On Thursday, my team and I held an informational tax season webinar that covered important tax updates on unemployment benefits and stimulus checks. Watch it before the IRS filing date on May 17th here.

Positive COVID-19 cases are continuing to rise citywide, but especially here in the Bronx. As of Thursday, April 29, the COVID-19 positivity rate in the Bronx was 1.95%. It is important to stay vigilant of this virus and take precautions to keep our friends, neighbors, and families safe. Wear a mask, wash your hands, practice social distancing, and get vaccinated. 

My office continues to work to bring more critical resources to Senate District 32 and my team is assisting constituents with unemployment claims, SNAP and Cash Assistance, Medicaid, landlord-tenant issues, among other things. Although our office is currently closed due to the spike of COVID-19 cases, my staff continues to work remotely. To contact my office, please call 718-991-3161 or email team@senatorsepulveda.com. 

Eligibility Updates: All state-run mass vaccination sites will be accepting walk-ins for anyone age 16 and older. This includes Yankee Stadium, which is administering Pfizer vaccines in the Bronx. As a reminder, 16- and 17-year olds can only receive the Pfizer vaccine.

The City has also expanded its walk-up appointment pilot for all New Yorkers age 16 and older at City-run sites.

  • Bronx location sites: 
  •  - South Bronx Educational Campus: 701 St. Ann’s Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10455 (Moderna)
  • - Northeast Bronx YMCA (Edenwald): 1250 E 229th Street, Bronx, NY, 10468 (Moderna)
  • - Co-Op City Dreiser Community Center: 177 Dreiser Loop, Bronx, NY, 10475 (Moderna)  
  • - Bathgate Contract Postal Station: 4006 3rd Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10457 (Moderna)
  • - West Bronx Gymnasium: 1527 Jesup Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10452 (Moderna)
  • - Lehman College - Apex Center: 250 Bedford Park Blvd W, Bronx, NY 10468 (Pfizer)

Homebound New York City residents can register here to be contacted by the City regarding eligibility for the in-home vaccination program. To schedule an appointment by phone, please call 877-VAX-4NYC or 877-829-4692.


THE 2021-22 ADOPTED BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

BOOSTING TENANT AND HOMEOWNER RELIEF

- $2.4 billion in COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program with 12 months’ arrears for rent and utilities, three prospective months of rent, a year of eviction protection, and eligibility of up to 120% AMI, regardless of immigration status.
- $100 million to convert hotel and vacant property into affordable housing.
- $200 million for NYCHA and $125 million for public housing across New York State.


HELPING FAMILIES AND WORKERS

- A $2.4 billion infusion to the childcare system to increase access and support providers.
- A $2.1 billion Excluded Worker Fund to provide one-time unemployment benefits to workers who lost employment or income during the COVID-19 pandemic but were ineligible for Unemployment Insurance or other federal benefits such as stimulus payments. The benefits program will be administered by the Department of Labor. Applicants must be able to verify their identity, residency, and work-related eligibility. Based on the ability to demonstrate work-related eligibility, applicants may be able to qualify for one of two benefit tiers.

Education/NYC Public Schools

  • 3-K for All programs will be available in all 32 NYC school districts this fall and the 3-K application deadline for NYC children born in 2018 has been extended to May 28. Visit http://nyc.gov/3K to learn more and apply.
  • Starting on Monday, April 26, families will be able to register for Summer Rising, a free summer program for all New York students grades K-8 for any child who wants to participate. Learn more at https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/summer.
  • The Einstein Enrichment Program will once again be offering a free three-week academic enrichment and science exposure program to prepare students to take the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT), as well as participate in science exploration, group counseling, high school readiness activities, and mentoring. The program dates are July 12th to July 29th and sessions will be virtual, Monday through Thursday. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, June 1, 2021. For more information, please contact Alicia Martinez (Alicia.martinez@einsteinmed.org) or you can call the office to speak to an EEP Team member at 718-430-4166.
  • New York Institute of Technology: The Robert Noyce STEM Teacher Scholarship provides a full-tuition scholarship for people interested in becoming teachers of STEM subjects. The scholarship is available to anyone who has an undergraduate degree in a STEM field. It leads to a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree that qualifies graduates to teach science or mathematics in secondary schools. The Robert Noyce Scholarship, therefore, offers candidates an opportunity for personal advancement and for launching a rewarding career in education at no cost. For more information or to apply, visit the link here.
  • The Bard Prison Initiative (BPI) has announced the launch of its third tuition-free microcollege, which will open in Harlem this fall. This new microcollege will enroll students who are formerly incarcerated or directly impacted by the justice system and others who aspire to careers in advocacy, community building, or social justice. The Bard Microcollege for Just Community Leadership will be housed at the Countee Cullen branch of the New York Public Library on 136th St. Find more information about the program here.
  • The New York State Youth Leadership Council (NYSYLC) launched the undocu grad school guide for undocumented students thinking about grad school. They will be hosting an Instagram live to discuss the guide and hear from undocumented students about their experiences going to grad school. In addition, NYSYLC is awarding 11 scholarships and 3 fellowships. The deadline is May 14, 2021. Apply at NYSYLC.org/scholarship.

On Thursday, I joined Urban Health Plan, NYS Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul, Councilmember Salamanca, and Assemblymember Burgos on a tour of the Simpson Pavilion vaccination site in the Bronx. Please get vaccinated!.

District Office:

900 Rogers Place Bronx, NY 10459  718-991-3161

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress during COVID-19 Pandemic April 30, 2021

 

2,837 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide

ICU Patients Drop to 666 — Lowest Since November 27

Intubations Drop to 423 — Lowest Since December 3

Statewide Positivity Rate Drops to 1.76%—Lowest Since November 3

Statewide 7-Day Positivity Rate Drops to 1.93% — Lowest Since November 6; 25 Straight Days of Decline

44 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday


 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"We've said from the very beginning that the data and the science would guide our reopening plan, and with the positivity and hospitalization rates on a consistent downward trend we are able to relax restrictions even further," Governor Cuomo said. "This is all good news, but we're not out of the woods yet. Our progress is directly affected by what we do and how we act, so we must continue with the precautions we know work to stop the spread if we want to beat COVID once and for all — wearing masks, staying socially distanced and, most importantly, getting vaccinated."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

  • Test Results Reported - 220,074
  • Total Positive - 3,868
  • Percent Positive - 1.76%
  • 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 1.93%
  • Patient Hospitalization - 2,837 (-97)
  • Net Change Patient Hospitalization Past Week - -550
  • Patients Newly Admitted - 366
  • Hospital Counties - 53
  • Number ICU - 666 (-25)
  • Number ICU with Intubation - 423 (-2)
  • Total Discharges - 175,506 (+379)
  • Deaths - 44
  • Total Deaths - 41,992

State Senators Alessandra Biaggi, Gustavo Rivera, and Julia Salazar, Assembly members Yuh-Line Niou and Catalina Cruz, Rep. Jamaal Bowman, and WFP Pull Their Endorsement of Scott Stringer for Mayor.

 


Only one day after State Senator Jessica Ramos pulled her endorsement of mayoral candidate Scott Stringer over carges of sexual abuse, the dam broke as the rest of the Progressive legislators backing him, State Senators Alessandra Biaggi (who Stringer campaigned vigorously for, as seen in the photo above), Gustavo Rivera, and Julia Salazar, Assembly members Yuh-Line Niou and Catalina Cruz, Congressman Jamaal Bowman, pulled their endorsement of Stringer for Mayor. “We are rescinding our endorsement of Scott Stringer’s mayoral campaign,” the legislators wrote. The working Families Party followed suite also rescinding its endorsement of Stringer in the June Democratic Primary.


NYC ADVISORY COMMISSION ON PROPERTY TAX REFORM TO RELAUNCH PUBLIC HEARINGS ON ITS TEN PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS

 

Staten Island and Brooklyn virtual borough hearings scheduled for May

 The New York City Advisory Commission on Property Tax Reform today announced it would relaunch the public hearing process on its 10 preliminary recommendations, starting with virtual hearings for Staten Island on May 11 and Brooklyn on May 27.  Both hearings will begin at 6:00pm.  Initially delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the hearings will resume virtually. The Commission will be holding virtual hearings for all five boroughs and will be scheduling hearings in other boroughs soon.

On January 31, 2020, the Commission released a Preliminary Report with 10 initial recommendations to make NYC’s Property Tax System simpler, clearer and fairer.  The Commission was formed by Mayor de Blasio and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson in 2018 with a mandate to reform NYC’s property tax system while ensuring there is no reduction in revenue used to fund essential City services.  An in-person hearing following the report’s release was initially scheduled for March 12, 2020 in Staten Island, but later postponed due to COVID-19.   

 

The Commission is soliciting input from the public on the 10 initial recommendations in the Preliminary Report, specifically whether they would achieve the goals of a fairer system, would be improved by certain modifications, or should be enhanced with additional recommendations.  To testify, speakers may register at the Commission’s website.  Anyone wishing to testify must register no later than 24-hours in advance.  Following registration, speakers will receive further instructions.    

 

Speakers may (but need not) submit their presentations ahead of time by emailing them to PropTaxInfo@propertytaxcommission.nyc.gov or uploading them through an online portal.   The portal and email address may also be used by those who are unable to attend but wish to submit testimony. 

 

To request interpretation services please email PropTaxInfo@propertytaxcommission.nyc.gov or call 212-676-3072 by 5:00pm three business days before the hearing.  For ASL, or to request an accommodation for a disability, please email or call by 5:00pm five business days before the hearing.

 

Senator Biaggi's Week in Review: 4/26/21- 4/30/21

 

Senator Alessandra Biaggi

Dear Community,

This week, Riverdale has experienced a horrific string of hate crimes and vandalism directed towards places of Jewish worship. Last weekend my office was notified of the vandalism of four local synagogues in Riverdale, and unfortunately we have seen a continuation of attacks throughout the week. I extend my deepest condolences to the Jewish residents of Riverdale, and acknowledge the pain that these acts of vandalism and hate have caused for the entire Riverdale community. 

I want to reiterate my strong condemnation for these acts fueled by hate and antisemitism. Every person — regardless of their religion, race, gender, or creed — deserves to be treated with respect and the ability to attend their place of worship without fear. Hate crimes of any kind are unacceptable and will not be tolerated in District 34, and I condemn any iteration of white supremacy or bigotry. 

I extend my gratitude to Captain Emilio Melendez, the NYPD investigators, the NYS Hate Crime Task Force, the Guardian Angels, and the rabbis and community leaders who are involved in ensuring that justice is served. This is a true demonstration of unity and is an example of the resilience of Riverdale. 

My office continues to be in close communication with local leaders and the 50th precinct to ensure the safety of the Riverdale community. I urge that anyone with relevant information reach out to the 50th precinct directly. You can reach them at 718-543-5700 or by emailing their Crime Prevention unit aralph.cintron@nypd.org.

Please know that my office and I are here to continue to support you in every way we can during this difficult time. You can reach my office at biaggi@nysenate.gov or by calling 718-822-2049.

With Gratitude,

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State Vaccination Program

 

218,676 Doses Administered in the Last 24 Hours      

More than 1.2 Million Doses Administered Over Past Seven Days     

1 in 3 New Yorkers Fully Vaccinated   

Previous Restrictions on Vaccinating Individuals Outside of Specific Prioritization Groups Are Repealed to Reflect Open Access for All New Yorkers Ages 16 and Older      

Vaccine Dashboard Updated Daily on the State's Vaccine Program; Go to ny.gov/vaccinetracker  


 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's vaccination program. 218,676 doses have been administered across the state's vast distribution network in the last 24 hours, and more than 1.2 million doses have been administered over the past seven days.  

"We're making great progress in our efforts to get every New Yorker vaccinated, but the rate of people getting vaccines is slowing," Governor Cuomo said. "The vaccine side is available - it's been tested, it's safe and it won't cost anything to get. We have a vast distribution network in place to get shots in arms and now every eligible adult can walk into a mass vaccination site without an appointment to get vaccinated. Nothing is standing in your way, so go get the vaccine. It's the best way to help one another and it is the ultimate weapon to win the war against COVID." 

All New York State mass vaccination sites are now open to eligible New Yorkers for walk-in vaccination on a first come first serve basis. The walk-in appointments are reserved for first doses only with second doses to be scheduled automatically after administration of the initial shot. In addition, all vaccine providers are encouraged to allow walk-in appointments for eligible New Yorkers. People who would prefer to schedule an appointment at a state-run mass vaccination site can do so on the Am I Eligible App or by calling 1-833-NYS-4-VAX. People may also contact their local health department, pharmacy, doctor or hospital to schedule appointments where vaccines are available, or visit vaccinefinder.org to find information on vaccine appointments near them.       

Additionally, the provisions that restricted access to specific providers or created penalties for vaccinations given to individuals outside of the required prioritization groups earlier in the process are repealed, to reflect open access for New Yorkers age 16 and over at all sites.       

STATEWIDE BREAKDOWN
Total doses administered - 15,389,526
Total doses administered over past 24 hours - 218,676
Total doses administered over past 7 days - 1,283,170
Percent of New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 46.0%
Percent of New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 34.1%