Friday, July 30, 2021

158 Days and Counting

 


If you thought I was good playing basketball Wednesday, just come to Orchard Beach today at 1 PM as I wrap up my City Hall in the Bronx Week.


My little friend here Councilman Oswald Feliz who was horrible at basketball Wednesday when I visited Belmont Playground in his district to show him up at the game, can join me at Orchard Beach to embarrass himself again by trying to play volleyball with me. Then again Oswald you just got into office, and have to learn what to do, and what not to do, plus Orchard Beach is not in your district. 


Goodbye Bronx, I have 158 days left in office, let's see if I don't have to come back anymore, but I have to admit this week was fun, and there is a lot to do and see in the Bronx including some great food. Happy Birthday Anthony Rivieccio.

Thursday, July 29, 2021

Former New York City Council Member Sentenced To Prison For Tax Fraud

 

 Audrey Strauss, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that CHAIM DEUTSCH, a former New York City Council Member, was sentenced today in Manhattan federal court to three months in prison for filing a false tax return in connection with outside income he received from his real estate management corporation.  DEUTSCH previously pled guilty before United States Magistrate Judge James L. Cott, who imposed today’s sentence.

U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “Chaim Deutsch, a former New York City Council Member, violated his oath of office and the law when he defrauded the IRS in connection with income from his real estate business.  At the same time he was serving as an elected official and community leader, Deutsch concealed his true business income to avoid paying his fair share of taxes.  Appropriately, Deutsch has been sentenced to prison for his criminal conduct.” 

According to the allegations contained in the Information to which DEUTSCH pled guilty, other court filings, statements made during public court proceedings, and publicly available information:

From in or about January 2014 through April 2021, DEUTSCH served as the New York City Council Member for the 48th District, which includes portions of Brooklyn.  DEUTSCH was also the sole owner of Chasa Management, Inc., a real estate management business, and he received more than $120,000 annually in outside income from that business, until the end of 2017 when a change in the law prohibited council members from maintaining outside employment.  On or about April 27, 2021, subsequent to his plea in the instant case, DEUTSCH was determined to have vacated his elected office as a result of violating his oath of office by defrauding the federal government in connection with the instant tax offense.

During the tax years 2013 through 2015, DEUTSCH filed false individual and corporate tax returns that decreased his tax liability by claiming false and fictitious business deductions.  In particular, DEUTSCH falsely deducted personal expenses as business expenses, including rental payments for an apartment that he maintained in the 48th District in order to obtain residency for his council position; utility, water, repair, maintenance, automobile, and phone expenses; as well as routine living expenses such as groceries and clothing.  In addition, DEUTSCH further decreased his tax liability by filing fraudulent schedules to his personal income tax forms that declared fictitious business expenses, including for additional purported rent, vehicles, phones, and utility expenses. 

As a result of the false deduction schemes, DEUTSCH received federal tax refunds in each of the relevant tax years.  Specifically, in tax year 2013, DEUTSCH’s false filings generated a federal tax refund of $1,937; in tax year 2014, DEUTSCH’s false filings generated a federal tax refund of $262; and in tax year 2015, DEUTSCH’s false filings generated a federal tax refund of $7,511.

In preparing his personal tax returns and the books and tax returns of Chasa Management, DEUTSCH employed a tax preparer and accounting firm based in Brooklyn, and DEUTSCH would direct the firm to classify or reclassify expenses as business-related to decrease his tax liability.  Only after DEUTSCH was satisfied that the purported business expenses had sufficiently decreased his tax liability were the tax returns finalized and filed.  After DEUTSCH learned of the investigation, he used a different tax preparer to assist in the preparation of his subsequent years’ tax returns.

In total, for tax years 2013 through 2015, DEUTSCH claimed approximately $157,000 in false business expenses on Chasa Management’s returns and an additional approximately $111,000 in false business expenses on his individual income tax returns.  DEUTSCH’s failure to properly pay taxes on his business income evaded approximately $82,076 in taxes due to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), not including interest and penalties. 

In addition to the prison term, Judge Cott ordered DEUTSCH, 52, of Brooklyn, New York, to serve one year of supervised release, to pay a fine in the amount of $5,500, and to pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $107,007.05. 

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding work of IRS Criminal Investigation and the Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  Ms. Strauss also thanked the New York City Department of Investigation for its assistance in the investigation.

MAYOR DE BLASIO, ELECTED OFFICIALS AND NYC SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION AUTHORITY BREAK GROUND ON NEW SCHOOL BUILDING IN THE BRONX

 

Opening in September 2024, the new school will add 572 seats in District 7


 Mayor Bill De Blasio was today joined by New York City School Construction Authority (SCA) President and CEO Nina Kubota, NYC Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter, Department of Education officials, elected officials, and community members to mark the start of construction of a state-of-the-art, 572-seat school building in the Melrose section of the Bronx.

 

The school will be built adjacent to the South Bronx Educational Complex at 639 St. Ann’s Avenue and will address new seat demand in District 7 as a result of various redevelopment projects in the area.

 

The new, 4-story school building will be a fully air-conditioned, accessible facility for pre-k through grade 5 students and will contain four pre-kindergarten classrooms, three kindergarten classrooms, fifteen standard classrooms, two district special education classrooms, and reading and speech resource rooms. The building will also house a District 75 special education component consisting of eight classrooms, two speech rooms, occupational and physical therapy rooms, and other support space.

 

“A Recovery for all of Us must be focused on building a better future for our kids,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This new state-of-the-art school will provide the children of District 7 in the Bronx and District 75 the space to grow and the tools to succeed.”

 

“This new school building will be a vital part of a concerted effort to completely revitalize this Bronx community with a world class educational facility,” said Nina Kubota, President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York City School Construction Authority. “Today, we see another example of how government agencies, community leaders, and elected officials can get together to provide our students with the technology, facilities and resources they need to succeed.”

“Every student deserves a strong academic foundation and opportunities to chase their dreams – and projects like this help foster that mission by providing state-of-the-art learning facilities for our young people,” said Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter. “This investment will open doors for generations of students to come in the South Bronx, and I’m grateful for the collaborative partnership of everyone involved.”

 

Other amenities at the school will include:


·         Art Room

·         Music Room with instrument storage

·         Science Resource Room

·         Gymatorium

·         Bicycle Storage

·         Exercise Room

·         Library

·         Full Kitchen Complex

·         Students’ Dining Area

·         Guidance Suite

·         Medical Suite

·         Administration Suite

·         Teachers’ and Aides Workroom

·         Staff Lunch / Conference Room

·         Parents/Community Room

·         Playground



Construction will begin next week after a $66.79 million contract was awarded to Forte Construction Corp. It is expected to be completed for the start of the 2024-2025 school year. The SCA’s 2020-2024 Capital Program includes nearly $1.6 billion in funding for 21 buildings adding 11,983 seats in the Bronx.

 

State Senator Luis R. Sepulveda said, “It's important that we invest in our students and their education—and that starts with creating a space that will encourage active learning. This new school building will give students access to the arts and music; while also giving teachers and faculty an administration suite and workroom, among other amenities that the entire school will enjoy. This school was designed with both students and teachers in mind to maximize learning, support, and educational success.”

 

District 7 Superintendent Rafael Alvarez said, “It is with great pride and pleasure that we get to open a new elementary school in District 7 that will reimagine education as we innovate through engagement, elevation and empowerment.”

 

District 75 Deputy Superintendent Dr. Adam Breier said, “Our D75 students with diverse needs and abilities will benefit from opportunities to socialize with peers in this co-located school building and to attend a school that serves their needs close to home. This state-of-the-art facility will help ensure that our students are prepared for the 21st century in a space designed to support accessible, innovative learning. We certainly look forward to bringing our resources, experience, and flexibility to the table to collaborate with this community.”

 

In addition, as part of the SCA’s Public Art for Public Schools program, there will be an artist commissioned to create site-specific artwork for the lobby of the school. For additional information on the New York City School Authority, please visit www.nycsca.org


Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic - JULY 29, 2021

 

18,314 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours

2 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday 


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

"The vaccine is our strongest defense against the COVID virus, particularly the Delta variant. We don't want to go backward, we can't go backward and with the vaccine available there's no reason why we should go backward," Governor Cuomo said."Talk to your doctor, avoid misinformation. Over 11 million New Yorkers have gotten their vaccine to protect themselves and their loved ones - it's free, safe and accessible. If you haven't already, you should get yours as soon as possible." 
  
Today's data is summarized briefly below:

  • Test Results Reported - 103,159 
  • Total Positive - 2,567 
  • Percent Positive - 2.49% 
  • 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 2.17% 
  • Patient Hospitalization - 611 (+20) 
  • Patients Newly Admitted - 120 
  • Patients in ICU - 126 (0) 
  • Patients in ICU with Intubation - 57 (+7) 
  • Total Discharges - 186,596 (108) 
  • Deaths - 2 
  • Total Deaths - 43,070 
  • Total vaccine doses administered - 22,128,025 
  • Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 18,314 
  • Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 216,936 
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 72.0% 
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 66.6%
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 74.9%
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 68.3%
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 60.2% 
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 55.3%
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 62.7%
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 56.8%

Former Nikola Corporation CEO Trevor Milton Charged In Securities Fraud Scheme

 

Former Executive Chairman and CEO of Nikola Corporation is Alleged to Have Made False and Misleading Statements to Retail Investors to Drive Investor Demand in Nikola Stock

 Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Phillip R. Bartlett, Inspector-in-Charge of the New York Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”), announced today the unsealing of a criminal indictment charging TREVOR MILTON with securities and wire fraud in connection with his scheme to defraud and mislead investors about the development of products and technology by the company he founded, Nikola Corporation (“Nikola”).

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “As alleged, Trevor Milton brazenly and repeatedly used social media, and appearances and interviews on television, podcasts, and in print, to make false and misleading claims about the status of Nikola’s trucks and technology.  But today’s criminal charges against Milton are where the rubber meets the road, and he now will be held accountable for his allegedly false and misleading statements to investors.”

Inspector-in-Charge Phillip R. Bartlett said:  “This defendant allegedly concealed the progress and success of Nikola’s technology, when he lied to investors and lured them into believing that they had invested at the ground floor of a company that had already developed viable Nikola One and Badger prototypes that were ready to be produced.  The one thing fraudsters have in common – they’re liars, cheaters and thieves.”

MILTON surrendered this morning and will be presented later today before United States Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos.

According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]

Overview

From at least in or about November 2019 up through and including at least in or about September 2020, TREVOR MILTON engaged in a scheme to defraud investors by inducing them to purchase shares of Nikola Corporation (“Nikola”), the electric- and hydrogen-powered vehicle and energy company that MILTON founded, through false and misleading statements regarding Nikola’s product and technology development.  MILTON’s scheme targeted individual, non-professional investors – so-called “retail investors” – by making false and misleading statements directly to the investing public through social media and television, print, and podcast interviews.

MILTON made these false and misleading statements regarding Nikola’s products and capabilities to induce retail investors to purchase Nikola stock.  Among the retail investors who ultimately invested in Nikola were investors who had no prior experience in the stock market and had begun trading during the COVID-19 pandemic to replace or supplement lost income or to occupy their time while in lockdown, and some of the retail investors that MILTON’s fraudulent scheme targeted suffered tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses, including, in certain cases, the loss of their retirement savings or funds that they had borrowed to invest in Nikola.  Moreover, MILTON took advantage of the fact that Nikola went public by merging with a Special Purpose Acquisition Company or “SPAC,” rather than through a traditional IPO, by making many of his false and misleading claims during a period where he would have not been allowed to make public statements under rules that govern IPOs.

MILTON made false claims regarding nearly all aspects of Nikola’s business, including: (a) false and misleading statements that the company had early success in creating a “fully functioning” semi-truck prototype known as the “Nikola One,” when MILTON knew the prototype was inoperable; (b) false and misleading statements that Nikola had engineered and built an electric- and hydrogen-powered pickup truck known as “the Badger” from the “ground up” using Nikola’s parts and technology, when MILTON knew that was not true; (c) false and misleading statements that Nikola was producing hydrogen and was doing so at a reduced cost, when MILTON knew that in fact no hydrogen was being produced at all by Nikola, at any cost; (d) false and misleading statements that Nikola had developed batteries and other important components in-house, when MILTON knew that Nikola was acquiring those parts from third parties; and (e) false and misleading claims that reservations made for the future delivery of Nikola’s semi-trucks were binding orders representing billions in revenue, when the vast majority of those orders could be cancelled at any time or were for a truck Nikola had no intent to produce in the near-term.

Nikola One

Throughout in or about 2020, MILTON promoted a false and exaggerated narrative that Nikola was a first mover in the zero-emissions-trucking business.  Specifically, MILTON emphasized that Nikola had defied expectations as a young, disruptive company when it managed to build its prototype Nikola One, which Nikola unveiled on or about December 1, 2016, at a large event that was filmed and broadcast on the internet.  During that event and later, MILTON claimed that the prototype Nikola One was a fully functioning truck, and emphasized that early purported success as a defining event for Nikola.  For example, at the unveiling event for the Nikola One, MILTON claimed the Nikola One “fully functions and works, which is really incredible.”

In fact, the Nikola One prototype was not completed, let alone tested and validated, by the time of the unveiling event.  Rather, the prototype was wholly missing significant parts, including gears and motors, and the control system (i.e., the system that communicates the driver’s directions to the vehicle) was incomplete.  The infotainment system in the cab was also incomplete.  Instead, for the purpose of the unveiling event, tablet computers or other computer screens were mounted into the areas where the screens for the infotainment would be, and the screens were set to display images created to have the appearance of infotainment screens, with speedometers, maps, and other information displayed.

Later, in or about January 2018, and despite the fact that the Nikola One prototype was never completed or operational, MILTON had Nikola publish on Twitter and also published on his own Twitter account a video in which the Nikola One appeared to be driving on its own power down a road with no incline.  In fact, to film these clips, the Nikola One was towed to the top of hill, at which point the “driver” released the brakes, and the truck rolled down the hill until being brought to a stop in front of the stop sign.

The Badger

From in or about February 2020 up through and including at least in or about September 2020, MILTON promoted a new electric pickup truck called the Badger through false and misleading claims about the Badger’s engineering and development.  In particular, MILTON repeatedly and falsely stated that Nikola engineered and built the Badger from the “ground up” as a “clean sheet” vehicle using Nikola’s in-house components and intellectual property, that the company had been working on the program for years and had tapped into billions of dollars in Nikola engineering, that the building of prototype vehicles was complete and they were “real” trucks and “fully functioning vehicle inside and outside,” and that an original equipment manufacturer partner (the “OEM Partner”) would mass-produce the vehicle using Nikola’s prototype design and engineering.

In fact, the production of Badger prototypes was outsourced, at MILTON’s direction, to third parties, and the components were not being built from the ground up.  Rather, Nikola purchased several Ford F-150 pickup trucks – a highly popular model to which MILTON had claimed his Badger would compare favorably – to use as “donor” or “surrogate” vehicles, and used the vehicles’ chasses and bodies as the base for constructing the Badger prototypes.  At MILTON’s direction and with his approval, engineers working on the Badger prototypes took steps to hide from the public that Ford donor vehicles were used to produce the prototypes.  And the two prototype Badgers that ultimately were built were little more than show cars and not real consumer vehicles.  For example, the Badger prototypes could not be driven on roads because some of the parts of the body were carbon fiber composite and because they had not undergone safety testing.  The Badger prototypes also lacked certain parts, such as airbags and an operable HVAC.  Similarly, many of the lights in the interior of the Badger prototypes were not operable and were merely backlit.

Moreover, despite MILTON’s claims that Nikola’s OEM Partner would manufacture the Badgers that Nikola had designed and engineered, and that the vehicles would be “70 percent Nikola 30 percent [the OEM Partner],”  the OEM Partner planned to build the Badger based on one of its own electric vehicle platforms.  In fact, the OEM Partner planned to use no Nikola technology or engineering, except for the general aesthetic and potentially the infotainment system.  No one at the OEM Partner ever saw the Badger prototypes that Nikola had been working on and they were not part of the OEM Partner’s engineering or development plans.

Hydrogen Production

MILTON also made numerous false and misleading claims regarding Nikola’s hydrogen business.  Specifically, and among other things, MILTON made false and misleading claims regarding the status of Nikola’s production of hydrogen, the current cost of producing hydrogen, the cost of electricity to produce hydrogen, Nikola’s ability to produce hydrogen using clean energy, and the status of permits related to hydrogen production. 

For example, in or about March 12, 2020, MILTON stated, “Up until Nikola came in the market, hydrogen was around $16 a kilogram, U.S. dollars. Now Nikola is producing it well below $4 a kilogram.” In fact, Nikola has never produced any hydrogen at any price, nor at the time could it have produced hydrogen for below $4 per kilogram.  To the contrary, Nikola has never obtained a permit to produce hydrogen or installed the equipment necessary to produce hydrogen.  At the time that MILTON was claiming that Nikola was producing hydrogen for less than $4 per kilogram, it was in fact purchasing hydrogen from a supplier for $16 per kilogram.

As another example, in a July 17, 2020, podcast, MILTON stated, among other things, that when Nikola first started, hydrogen production stations “were going to be 50 to 60 million,” but now Nikola is “down to, you know, 14, 14 million bucks” due to the “standardization of a hydrogen station.”  In truth and in fact, Nikola had not built a single hydrogen production station, much less “standardized” hydrogen production stations.  At the time, due to the high cost of electricity in California, Nikola was seriously considering moving away from its plan to produce hydrogen on-site at all of its fueling stations, and instead was considering producing hydrogen at a central location through liquefaction.  Milton was well aware of the issues with Nikola’s hydrogen station plan, but directed that Nikola employees “[k]eep the liquefaction discussions quiet from the market.”

In House Technology

MILTON has repeatedly claimed that Nikola has intellectual property rights over important components of its semi-truck line.  While MILTON has stated that Nikola outsources many parts of the trucks, like its tires or windshield, MILTON has also repeatedly stated that Nikola makes the most important parts, including batteries and the powertrain, of the semi-trucks “in house.”  For example, in or about June 2020, MILTON tweeted, “We do our own batteries at Nikola and have since day 1,” and “All the technology, software, controls, E axle, inverters etc. we do internally.” 

In fact, although Nikola has partnered with various companies to try to develop proprietary battery technology, these efforts were not successful, and Nikola has not successfully developed technology internally, and the batteries it has planned to use in its semi-trucks were developed and manufactured by third parties.  Similarly, Nikola has not produced an inverter in house and the inverters it planned to use in its semi-trucks were developed and manufactured by third parties.

Reservations

MILTON has also repeatedly misstated the nature of Nikola’s reservations to suggest that reservations made for its semi-trucks are firm and binding.  For example, in or about July 2020, MILTON claimed that Nikola had “billions and billions of dollars with the contracts” and that these reservations were not “just like, a non-committal thing,” but instead were “like, sign on the dotted line, billions and billions and billions and billions of dollars in orders.”

In fact, although Nikola did have 14,000 reservations for its sleeper semi-truck, with the exception of a reservation for approximately 800 semi-trucks, which is binding provided that Nikola meets certain conditions, these reservations were non-binding and cancellable at any time for any reason.

Milton’s False and Misleading Statements Induced Retail Investors to Purchase Nikola Stock 

After MILTON made the false and misleading statements regarding Nikola’s products and capabilities described above, tens of thousands of retail investors purchased Nikola’s stock between in or around March and September 2020.  During this same period, certain institutional investors who had access to more complete information regarding Nikola’s products and technology, including some who received Nikola shares as part of the SPAC transaction, were able to sell their stock for a significant profit.

The value of Nikola’s stock plummeted after the fact that certain of MILTON’s statements had been false and misleading was disclosed to the market in or around September 2020.  As a result, many Nikola stockholders, including the retail investors who were the target of MILTON’s scheme, suffered significant financial losses, in some cases totaling in the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars and compromising their financial security or retirement savings. 

MILTON, 39, of Oakley, Utah, is charged with two counts of securities fraud and one count of wire fraud.  The securities fraud counts carry maximum penalties of 20 and 25 years in prison, respectively. The wire fraud count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding work of the USPIS, which jointly conducted this investigation with special agents from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  Ms. Strauss further thanked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which today filed a parallel civil action.

If you believe you are a victim of Trevor Milton or have relevant information, please email: USANYS.NIKOLAVICTIMS@USDOJ.GOV.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is 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 constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation. 

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE TO INTRODUCE MATERNAL HEALTH LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE

 

 Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams will introduce a package of legislation today aimed at supporting maternal health and wellness and particularly targeted at reducing Black maternal mortality and pervasive maternal health disparities.  This legislation includes measures for both during and post-pregnancy, and is a model for ways in which local legislatures can combat maternal mortalities and maternal health inequities and injustices. It also includes a resolution calling for further federal action and funding.

"Black maternal mortality and morbidity is a health crisis, one that is inexcusably under-acknowledged and tragically under-addressed. The challenges and inequities of maternal health persist throughout and post-pregnancy, and we must address it at all stages, " said Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. "On a federal level, we need aggressive funding and research to combat this disparity and save lives - but localities can lead the way. Through the creation of a maternal health bill of rights with dedicated and sustained outreach to inform people of those rights, we can help ensure that rights are respected, requests heard, and resources granted. And when someone is ready to return to work, we need to make that pathway clear and minimize barriers to reentry. These bills are common sense, and their impact could be lifesaving."

The first bill, Intro 2370, establishes a maternal health bill of rights, and provides that pregnant individuals are informed of those rights. It would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), together with the Commission on Human Rights, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, and community organizations, to create a public education campaign in facilities that provide obstetric and gynecological care informing patients about the City Standards for Respectful Care at Birth, the right to be free from discrimination in relation to pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition, and health care proxy forms. The legislation would also require DOHMH to inform patients about the right to reasonable accommodations in the workplace, and New York's paid family leave program through promotional materials at their locations. Information is essential to  body autonomy and empowering people to seek the care they deserve, and being informed of ones' rights gives power to pregnant individuals as patients and as employees. 

Intro 2369 is aimed at addressing inequities and issues that primarily arise post-pregnancy, related to re-entry in the workplace. It would require employers to hold an onboarding meeting to discuss an employee's reintegration back into the workplace after parental leave, under guidance from the NYC Commission on Human Rights. The employer would hold this meeting with every employee who returns from parental leave within two weeks of their return, with the goal of improving the reintegration process for the employer and employee. Employees returning from parental or medical leave are often disadvantaged upon their return to work, lacking critical information about changes to the workplace or projects that have occurred while they were away. This bill would help correct that information gap.

The maternal health legislative package also includes a resolution calling on Congress to pass and the President to sign the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021. The federal legislation would provide grant funding for maternal health research, fund community based organizations focused on Black maternal health, and invest in a wide range of tools to improve maternal health outcomes, particularly in underserved areas and among marginalized groups. The Act also would also ensure continuity of health insurance coverage for the duration of labor, delivery, and postpartum care.

Maternal health is an issue of racial inequity. In New York City, Black women are 8 to 12 times more likely to die during childbirth than their white counterparts. This is often rooted in medical personnel overlooking, minimizing or dismissing health concerns of Black patients. Action on these issues is decades overdue, and while the current administration has taken some steps to address this inequity, maternal mortality and morbidity remains a problem - especially for Black women and pregnant persons.

"It is clear that the systems in place are failing pregnant people of more color - a failure as staggering as it is inexcusable," added Public Advocate Williams. "The pain of Black women like Sha-Asia Washington or Amber Rose Isaac is less likely to be believed, more likely to be dismissed, and far too often ignored by providers and politicians alike."

The ongoing tragedy of Black maternal mortality and health inequities has been repeatedly realized in New York City. In July of 2020 a 26 year old woman, Sha-Asia Washington, lost her life when she suffered cardiac arrest after her doctors induced labor. Just three months earlier, Amber Rose Isaac died during an emergency C-section.

DEC NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR SPONSORED PHEASANT HUNT PROGRAM

 

Applications Due Sept. 1, 2021


 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced that DEC is accepting applications for sponsored pheasant hunts. Sponsored hunts are free, non-competitive events coordinated by a group, club, individual, or organization to benefit youth, women, first-time hunters, veterans, and people with disabilities. As part of the program, DEC provides up to 50 propagated pheasants to each sponsoring organization free of charge.

"For many years, DEC’s Reynolds Game Farm has provided pheasants for sponsored hunts, which are a great way for new hunters of all abilities to learn first-hand about hunting ethics and safety,” Commissioner Seggos said. "Sponsored pheasant hunts are also an opportunity for experienced hunters to share their knowledge with the next generation, strengthening New York’s hunting culture and traditions.”

In addition to the pheasants reared for fall stocking throughout New York State, DEC's Reynolds Game Farm in Ithaca raises 2,000 pheasants each year for sponsored hunts. Volunteers are key to this program's success. In a sponsored hunt, dedicated local hunters share their expertise with beginners in a supportive environment.

Program requirements and applications are available for download on DEC's website. Applications must be received by Reynolds Game Farm no later than Sept. 1, 2021. Successful applicants will be notified via phone. If an application is approved, sponsors are required to arrange with the Reynolds Game Farm to coordinate a delivery time, date, and location.

Organizers of sponsored hunts should be prepared to follow State guidelines for social gatherings to minimize COVID-19 risks. For more information, visit the New York State Department of Health website.

Governor Cuomo Announces Launch of $35 Million Restaurant Return-to-Work Tax Credit Program

 

Initiative Will Provide Financial Relief to Restaurants That Rapidly Hire Workers; Restaurants May Qualify for Up To $50,000 in Tax Credits   

"Fast Track" Option Allows Restaurants to Claim Credits Ahead of 2021 Tax Filing  

More Information and Application Portal Available Here


 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the launch of New York State's $35 million Restaurant Return-to-Work Tax Credit program, designed to help expand employment opportunities for workers and provide relief to COVID-impacted restaurants. Created as part of the New York State FY 2022 Budget, the program offers a tax credit for the rapid hiring of restaurant workers to reduce the restaurant industry's pandemic-induced economic difficulties. Qualifying restaurants could receive a $5,000 tax credit per net new hire, totaling up to $50,000 in tax credits per business.   

"New York's restaurants are not only the best in the world, they are vital to the state's economy, employing thousands of people and showcasing cuisines that reflect our great diversity. Restaurants also serve as an entrepreneurial outlet and are often families' gateways to the American Dream," Governor Cuomo said. "The restaurant industry was among the hardest hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, as public health and safety concerns restricted many of its service operations. With the state's COVID-19 restrictions lifted, restaurants opening to full capacity, and tables filling up, this will support the much-needed hiring of workers by these establishments to meet their increased demand." 

The Restaurant Return-to-Work Tax Credit is available to small, independently-owned restaurants in New York City, or in areas that were designated as an Orange Zone or Red Zone for at least 30 consecutive days by the New York State Department of Health during the state of emergency related to COVID-19. Eligible restaurants will need to demonstrate COVID-related losses and show proof of hiring at least one full-time worker at the restaurant.   

Recognizing the need for restaurants to receive this assistance quickly in the economic wake of COVID-19, a "Fast Track" option will allow restaurants to claim the tax credit as an advance payment ahead of filing their 2021 tax returns. Under this option, restaurants will be evaluated based on their net new job growth during a truncated period, from April 1 to August 31, 2021.  

More information on the program, including the application and details about the Fast Track option, is available here.  

Empire State Development Chief Operating Officer and Executive Deputy Commissioner Kevin Younis said, "New York's restaurants were among the most affected industries during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this program will provide relief to businesses in the hardest hit parts of the state. Through the Restaurant Return-to-Work Tax Credit, the state can help get restaurant workers back into jobs while supporting the small businesses so integral to the fabric of communities across New York State." 

The Restaurant Return-To-Work Tax Credit Program is part of a comprehensive package of economic recovery initiatives announced in April as part of the FY2022 Budget to help restart the State's economy and support the recovery of New York's businesses. The $1 billion package includes assistance and relief for arts and cultural organizations, the tourism industry, restaurants, and the state's small businesses, which represent 98% of all New York State businesses. Earlier this month, Governor Cuomo announced the launch of the $100 million New York City Musical and Theatrical Production Tax Credit program to revitalize the stage-based arts and entertainment industry, which supports thousands of jobs and countless business that rely on live performances.  

Empire State Development launched NYSBusinessRecovery.ny.gov, a dedicated website featuring an interactive tool that can guide businesses through the state's various pandemic recovery programs. The site also highlights additional resources available to support businesses seeking pandemic relief. It will be continuously updated by Empire State Development as more details and funding information become available.