Senator Biaggi's Week in Review: 10/25/21-10/29/21

 

Dear Community,

Election Day is almost here! This year, the Mayor, Comptroller, Public Advocate, and a number of other important city and municipal offices are up for election. Additionally, voters across the state will also have the opportunity to vote on five ballot proposals to amend the state constitution. Don’t forget to turn your ballot over and vote on these important proposals! The ballot questions are as follows: 

• Ballot Question #1: Amending the Apportionment and Redistricting Process: This proposed amendment would freeze the number of state senators at 63, amend the process for counting the state’s population, delete certain provisions that violate the U.S. Constitution, amend certain requirements for the appointment of the co-executive directors of the redistricting commission, and amend the manner of drawing district lines for congressional and state legislative offices.
• Ballot Question #2: The Right to Clean Air, Clean Water, and a Healthful Environment: The proposed amendment to Article I of the NYS Constitution would establish the right of each person to clean air, water, and a healthful environment. 
• Ballot Question #3: Eliminating 10-Day-Advance Voter Registration Requirement: The proposed amendment would delete the current requirement in Article II, § 5 that a citizen be registered to vote at least ten days before an election and would allow the legislature to enact laws permitting a citizen to register to vote less than 10 days before the election.
• Ballot Question #4: Authorizing No-Excuse Absentee Ballot Voting: The proposed amendment would delete from the current provision on absentee ballots the requirement that an absentee voter must be unable to appear at the polls by reason of absence from the country or illness or physical disability.
• Ballot Question #5: Increasing the Jurisdiction of the New York City Civil Court: The proposed amendment would increase the New York City Civil Court’s jurisdiction by allowing it to hear and decide claims for up to $50,000 instead of the current jurisdictional limit of $25,000.

In-person early voting has already begun, and will continue until October 31st. If you are unable to cast your ballot during the early voting period, head to the polls on Election Day on November 2nd. Consult the New York State elections website to look up your voter registration status and find your polling locations. 

Voting in the general election is an important way to participate in the democratic process, and with key races on the ballot this year, it is even more crucial that everyone’s voices are heard. I hope to see you all at the polls!

With Gratitude,

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi

Governor Hochul Signs Animal Welfare Legislative Package

 

Legislation S.4254/A.4075 Prohibits Insurers from Refusing to Issue or Renew, Cancel, or Charge or Impose an Increased Premium for Certain Policies Based Solely on the Breed of Dog Owned

Legislation S.5023A/A.5823-A Requires Veterinarians to Report Suspected Animal Cruelty

 Governor Kathy Hochul today signed a legislative package relating to animal welfare. Legislation S.4254/A.4075 prohibits insurers from refusing to issue or renew, cancel, or charge or impose an increased premium for certain policies based solely on the breed of dog owned. Legislation S.5023A/A.5823-A requires veterinarians to report suspected animal cruelty.

"To own a pet is a blessing and we owe it to the animals of New York to keep them safe and healthy," Governor Hochul said. "Dogs of all breeds deserve loving homes and no one should have to fear losing their insurance coverage based on the dog they own. In the same vein, veterinarians who see signs of abuse in their patients should be safeguarded so they can report said abuse to the proper authorities. I am proud to sign these bills into law to ensure the wellbeing of pets across the state."

Legislation S.4254/A.4075 prevents insurance companies from discriminating against homeowners based on the breed of the dog that they own by prohibiting insurers from canceling, refusing to issue or renew, or charging higher premiums for homeowners' insurance based on the breed of their dog. 

Legislation S.5023A/S.5823-A mandates that veterinarians report suspected animal cruelty to appropriate authorities to investigate. This legislation also protects the identity of such veterinarians and allows veterinarians to receive a copy of any report generated.  This legislation will ensure that those most likely to encounter animal cruelty and recognize its signs make timely reports to protect abused animals.  At the same time, the new law will provide protection to these veterinarians by ensuring they can make reports confidentially and maintain records of these incidents.

TAXI MEDALLION RELIEF PROGRAM SURPASSES $20 MILLION IN DEBT FORGIVENESS

 

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced the City’s Taxi Medallion Relief Program (MRP) has now achieved $21.4 million in debt forgiveness for 173 individual medallion owners.

More than 1,100 medallion owners have already completed appointments with the Taxi and Limousine Commission’s (TLC) Owner/Driver Resource Center, and will progress through the restructuring process in the coming weeks and months.

 

“The Medallion Relief Program is delivering justice for workers who have served our city tirelessly,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This program has achieved extraordinary results so far – and with nearly 1,000 more drivers in the pipeline, we look froward to celebrating even more debt relief in the weeks to come. The yellow taxi sector is a part of this City’s essential fabric, and our investment in their present and future will help ensure they remain strong and whole for years to come.”

 

“The TLC is grateful for all its Licensees and that the MRP has yielded success for the first 173 Medallion Owners. We are ensuring all possible resources to complete restructured loans and/or settlements for the remaining MRP applicant pool,” said TLC Commissioner and Chair Aloysee Heredia Jarmoszuk. “Each case requires individual attention and multiple meetings, therefore, we strongly encourage all Medallion Owners in need to come forth and schedule an appointment with the TLC Driver/Owner Resource Center. We very much look forward to bringing financial relief to our deserving individual Medallion Owners in partnership with Industry stakeholders, advocates and elected officials.”

 

“What makes New York City so familiar and unique is our iconic cabs that run across our busy streets every day. These driver/owners are truly the heart of our city,” said Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Peter A. Hatch. “We are determined, along with our partners TLC and NYLAG, to connect these driver/owners with the right tools to reach financial stability. New York City isn’t the same without their resilience, tenacity, and spirit.”

 

“NYLAG is pleased to continue in these efforts to aid medallion owners/drivers in restructuring their loans and saving their medallions,” said Rose Marie Cantanno, Associate Director of Consumer Protection Unit, New York Legal Assistance Group. “We will continue the critical work of aiding yellow taxicab medallion owner/drivers as they work to save their livelihoods.”

63 Days and Counting

 I have only two months to go, and now my friends in the media are asking me when am I going back to live in person media briefings. I have my moderator choose which eight reporters I want to ask me questions, an now even they are asking me the wrong questions.

Moderator, on Monday no more questions from that reporter from 1010 WINS. Here I let her ask me questions two times a week, and she asks me when am I going back to live in person media briefings. Add her to the do not call on list I have of reporters whom I do not want to take any questions from. What's that? I now have half the media on my do not call on for a question list.

Rally for Climate, Jobs, and Justice in New York State, at Fordham Plaza

 

The late Thursday afternoon rally had over two hundred people either participating or supporting the event for Climate, Jobs, and Justice. Dozens of organizations from all over the Bronx joined forces with current or future elected officials to demand a stop to pollution, and that the government do something now to protect the environment.

Former City Council candidate Jessica Haller who ran unsuccessfully on a platform of Climate and Community Investment put this event together. The Climate and Community Investment Act (CCIA) is expected to raise Fifteen Billion Dollars per year from corporate polluters using it to create good green jobs, invest in frontline communities, and build a renewable economy for New York State. All who spoke were in favor of the CCIA, which has passed both houses of the state legislature awaiting Governor Hochul to sign it into law.

State Senator Luis Sepulveda addresses the crowd why the CCIA is so important, and why it needs to be signed into law.

Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez speaks, as Senator Sepulveda speaks to future Bronx Borough President Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson.

Assemblywoman Karines Reyes speaks as one of the sponsors of the CCIA bill in the assembly. 

Soon to be Bronx Borough President Councilwoman Vanesa Gibson speaks on the importance of passing the CCIA. In the background are assemblyman Kenny Burgos, and Future 14th City Councilwoman Pierina Sanchez, both who spoke and support the CCIA. 

A view of the crowd from behind the speakers.

Just a few of the organizations on hand for this rally.

Our Bronx People's Festival Recap

 

On behalf of the Bronx-wide Coalition, we’d like to thank everyone who was able to join us last Saturday, October 23rd for our first in-person coalition event this year, The Bronx People’s Festival. We absolutely couldn't have done it without you!

The day began with all coalition hands on deck despite some morning rain that eventually cleared and made way for plenty of sunshine and engaged Bronxites at the Mary Mitchell Family and Youth Center courtyard.

Attendees and onlookers could see, hear, and feel the excitement in the air as our coalition members and partners prepared planning, learning, healing, and civic stations for community members, along with an activity hub for children and youth.

Coalition organizations and partners were present to engage an inspiringly diverse group of Bronx residents coming together under a shared vision of advancing racial justice and economic democracy, and building community power.

The coalition also unveiled a beta version of the Bronx People's Budget Survey, an opportunity to reflect on and decide how public resources should be allocated for our borough and city. We believe that the City budget reflects a set of priorities, and we want to hear how you would allocate those resources in line with what’s important to you. Check out the survey here.   Last, but certainly not least, is that we didn’t forget all of the food, music, and culture that comes along with a festival. Amarilis Medina and Al-Aqsa Restaurant prepared our complimentary meals, the Bronx's own DJ KayKay47 provided our tunes, and a handful of local emcees, poets, performers, and speakers shared the communal microphone for the day. All while freebies and raffle prizes added further cheer throughout the celebration.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - OCTOBER 29, 2021

 

99,746 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours  

33 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.  

"New Yorkers are doing a fantastic job of getting themselves and their loved ones vaccinated, but we can't stop now," Governor Hochul said. "As the weather gets colder and friends and family start to gather indoors it will become easier for the virus to spread and we risk losing much of the progress we've made so far. Don't hesitate - getting the shot is safe, easy, and more effective than anything else at stopping the spread and finally overcoming this virus." 

  

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 235,693
• Total Positive - 5,064 
• Percent Positive - 2.15%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 2.14% 
• Patient Hospitalization - 1,913 (-39) 
• Patients Newly Admitted - 262 
• Patients in ICU - 469 (0) 
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 256 (-12) 
• Total Discharges - 207,925 (+276) 
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 33 
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 45,509 

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only. 

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 57,913 

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.

• Total vaccine doses administered - 27,029,827 
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 99,746 
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 502,222 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 84.1% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 76.4% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 87.2% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 78.5% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 71.2% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 64.7% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 74.0% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 66.4% 

Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association Holds Halloween Giveaway

There was a threat of rain and winds beginning to gust, but the Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association with the help of the Albanian American Open Hands Association Inc. gave out almost three-hundred bags of candy, apples, and cookies to area residents. 

A table was set up outside of 2141 Holland Avenue so passing children from the nearby school and residents of Holland Avenue could receive a bag of candy, an apple, and a package of delicious cookies, while supplies lasted. A special guest showed up to help give out some Reses candy she had in her pumpkin, as Assemblywoman Fernandez joined with the PPNA for a group photo. 

(L-R) PPNA President Edith Blitzer, Volunteer Dila, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, PPNA Executive Board members Robert Press and Christian Amato, and Volunteer Adalina.

Candy, apples, and cookies are handed out to the children.

More Children receive candy from Christian as the other volunteers give out apples and cookies.

As it got colder PPNA President Edith Blitzer put on a warmer coat. Christian Amato and the volunteers continued to give out the bags of candy, and apples, but the cookies had run out.