State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli - South Bronx Sees Economic Growth Despite Pandemic Challenges

 

South Bronx Sees Economic Growth

Despite Pandemic Challenges

The COVID-19 pandemic hit the South Bronx especially hard, but the area’s economy has shown resiliency, according to a report by New York State Comptroller DiNapoli. He shared the findings at La Central YMCA on Tuesday with City Councilmember Rafael Salamanca, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Bronx Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Sorin, Hunts Point Produce Market CEO Phillip Grant, State Senator José Serrano, State Assemblymember Kenny Burgos, City Councilmember Althea Stevens and community groups and advocates.

“The South Bronx was hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic but was resilient because of dedicated and hardworking neighborhood groups and advocates, and the strength of its residents,” said DiNapoli. “Still, the need for more affordable housing, jobs and quality of life improvements remains pivotal to the community’s long-term success.”

Despite the impact of the pandemic, jobs and businesses grew faster in the South Bronx than the rest of the borough and City. This was due in part to community-led investments through the pandemic, stemming from the City’s public-private partnerships to develop commercial, housing and cultural projects. Federal pandemic assistance helped many South Bronx businesses stay afloat, and in 2022, the area had 78,476 private sector jobs, which accounted for almost one-third of jobs boroughwide.

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DiNapoli Urges Companies to Join Workplace Pledge to Fight Antisemitism

State Comptroller DiNapoli, trustee of the New York State Common Retirement Fund, sent letters to 50 major portfolio companies, including Tesla Inc., Meta Platforms Inc, Microsoft Corp. and NIKE Inc., urging them to join the Anti-Defamation League’s Workplace Pledge to Fight Antisemitism. DiNapoli announced his action Saturday night at the Stand With Israel event at the Hampton Synagogue in Westhampton Beach. The event featured a keynote address by internationally known Rabbi Marc Schneier on unity and solidarity.

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Buffalo Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing Her Deceased Grandmother's State Pension Payments

A 55-year-old Buffalo woman pleaded guilty to stealing more than $54,715 in State pension payments meant for her deceased grandmother, State Comptroller DiNapoli and Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced. The defendant, Bernadette Russell, was convicted of grand larceny.

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DiNapoli and Oneida DA McNamara Announce Arrests of Utica School Superintendent and Former Utica Mayor for Theft of Public Funds

State Comptroller DiNapoli, Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara, and the New York State Police announced the arrest of the long-time superintendent of the Utica City School District (UCSD) Bruce Karam and the former Utica Mayor and UCSD School Board President Louis LaPolla for allegedly using taxpayer funds to pay for political campaigns and a non-school related fundraiser.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK

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• Comptroller: South Bronx economy shows resiliency post-pandemic

• DiNapoli Urges Companies to Join Workplace Pledge to Fight Antisemitism
  
  
• NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli discusses Arrests of Utica School Superintendent Bruce Karam and former School Board Member Louis LaPolla for Public Corruption and Theft
  
  
• Buffalo woman admits to stealing deceased grandmother’s pension
  
  
• Audit studies access to addiction services during pandemic

 Post of the Week 
Tom DiNapoli @NYSComptroller 

Comptroller Brad Lander Issues Annual Report on Capital Debt & Obligations, Unveils New Web Resource Focusing on NYC’s Infrastructure

 

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander released the Annual Report on Capital Debt and Obligations for fiscal year 2024, analyzing the city’s debt in relation to its tax base and national benchmarks. This report is accompanied by the launch of a new web resource about the Comptroller’s Office’s work to strengthen New York City’s infrastructure by focusing more strategically on where investment is needed, reforming the capital process to deliver projects on-time and on-budget, and raising the funding necessary to invest in the vital construction and improvements relied on by millions of residents, tourists, and daily commuters.

The report’s key findings:

• As of the start of FY 2024, New York City’s debt was $37.2 billion below the State Constitutional limit of $131.6 billion, highlighting the City’s substantial borrowing capacity and strong financial foundation. However, if the City continues to commit capital at the rate projected in the capital plan, it could exhaust its debt-incurring capacity by FY 2033.
• The share of the City’s tax revenues dedicated to debt service grew from 9.6% in FY 2022 to 10.2% in FY 2023, well below the 15% threshold used to evaluate affordability. However, rising interest rates and greater capital debt will push that number up nearer to the threshold in the coming years.
• The City’s credit rating remains strong. New York City’s debt burden is relatively high compared to U.S. peer cities, but not unreasonably so when viewed in context. Rating agencies maintained New York City’s bond rating at Aa2 (Moody’s), AA (S&P and Fitch), and AA+ (Kroll).

“New York City’s capital dollars contribute to essential infrastructure from schools, water systems, public spaces to housing in order to address the evolving needs of our growing city. This report provides a detailed look at how much debt the City has taken on to support these investments and how much room is left to borrow more. The City faces impending challenges from aging infrastructure, housing affordability, and the climate crisis. We must continue to strategically plan and invest in long-term solutions to ensure a sustainable and resilient future,” said Comptroller Brad Lander.

As the City manages these challenges, Comptroller Lander also launched a new web resource to bring transparency to the City’s infrastructure needs, help New Yorkers assess the status of the City’s capital planning, investments, and project management. This website is a repository for initiatives to improve capital project delivery, in-depth reports about the state of repair of the City’s infrastructure, analyses of the costs and delays in City construction, vulnerabilities in the face of climate change, and economic development opportunities among other critical aspects of public infrastructure projects.

“New Yorkers deserve a clear view into how the City spends their tax dollars– especially on the capital investments that are essential for our city’s long-term thriving. This new resource will help make sure funds are invested strategically by identifying the most critical investments to meet the challenges of the coming decades, protecting City dollars, and ensuring timely completion of projects with real-time insights into project timelines and budgets. Ultimately by transparently presenting our capital projects, this resource will empower New Yorkers to actively participate in overseeing these initiatives,” continued Comptroller Lander.

Read the full Annual Report on Capital Debt and Obligations.

View the new capital projects web resource.

Justice Department Finds that Enforcement of Tennessee State Law Discriminates Against People with HIV

 

The Justice Department announced its finding that the State of Tennessee, including its Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office (SCDAO), violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by enforcing the state’s aggravated prostitution statute against people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Today’s announcement comes on World AIDS Day, an international day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic.

The department’s comprehensive investigation found that the state and the SCDAO subject people living with HIV to harsher criminal penalties solely because of their HIV status, violating Title II of the ADA. 

“Tennessee’s aggravated prostitution law is outdated, has no basis in science, discourages testing and further marginalizes people living with HIV,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “People living with HIV should not be treated as violent sex offenders for the rest of their lives solely because of their HIV status. The Justice Department is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities are protected from discrimination.”

Tennessee’s aggravated prostitution statute elevates what would otherwise be misdemeanor conduct to a felony because the individual has HIV, regardless of any actual risk of harm. A person convicted of aggravated prostitution faces three to 15 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000, while a person convicted of a misdemeanor charge based on the same conduct is subject to a sentence of no more than six months and up to a $500 fine. While the aggravated prostitution statute applies statewide, it has been enforced most frequently in Shelby County.

Aggravated prostitution is also categorized as a “violent sexual offense” mandating registration by those convicted on the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry, in most cases for life. The state maintains the registry through the TBI. Individuals placed on the registry due to convictions for aggravated prostitution are restricted in where they may live, work and go in public, and have experienced increased homelessness and unemployment. These individuals also face public disclosure of information about their HIV status, which can lead to harassment and discrimination. The department opened this investigation in response to complaints about enforcement of the statute.

The department’s letter provides Tennessee, TBI and the SCDAO, with written notice of its findings and details the minimum remedial measures necessary to address them.

The Justice Department plays a central role in advancing the ADA’s goals of equal opportunity, full participation, independent living and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264) or visit www.ada.gov.

Statement from Governor Kathy Hochul on Judicial Approval of Cannabis Settlement Agreements

“Our top priority is to grow and expand New York's legal cannabis industry while cracking down on the illicit storefronts that continue to plague communities. With this settlement behind us, hundreds of new licenses can now move forward, new stores will open, and consumers can legally buy safer, legal, tested cannabis products from New York-based entrepreneurs and small businesses. Now, we're putting the illicit storefronts on notice: competition from legal dispensaries is about to skyrocket, and we won't hesitate to crack down on bad actors who break the law.”

 

Calvary Lutheran Church - Holiday Market

 

Free Van Cortlandt Jewish Center’s Chanukah Celebration

 

Celebrate the Festival of Lights at the Van Cortlandt Jewish Center’s Chanukah Celebration

The Van Cortlandt Jewish Center invites the community to join in the festive spirit of Chanukah at its upcoming celebration on Tuesday, December 12th, at 7:00 PM. The event, hosted at 3880 Sedgwick Ave, Bronx, NY 10463, promises an evening of joy, tradition, and community camaraderie.

Attendees will have the opportunity to bask in the warm glow of the 6th Chanukah candle, symbolizing unity and the triumph of light over darkness. The celebration will feature delightful culinary offerings, including mouthwatering Latkes (potato pancakes) and sweet Jelly Donuts, adding a culinary touch to the festivities.

Musical entertainment for the evening will be provided by the talented Chaim Zadok, whose enchanting melodies will fill the venue with the spirit of the season. The event is free for all members of the community, encouraging inclusivity and shared celebration. Evweryone is invited.

As part of the festivities, attendees can participate in raffles for a chance to win exciting prizes. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase at the event for just $1.00, offering a fun and affordable way to engage with the celebration.

“We are thrilled to open our doors to the community for this special Chanukah Celebration. It's a time to come together, enjoy delicious food, music, and create lasting memories,” says Stuart Harris, President at the Van Cortlandt Jewish Center. “This event embodies the essence of Chanukah - a celebration of light, community, and shared joy.”

 

Affordable Housing Lottery Launches For 2330 Cambreleng Avenue In Belmont, The Bronx

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for 2330 Cambreleng Avenue, an eight-story mixed-use building in Belmont, The Bronx. Designed by IMC Architecture and developed by Global Management, the structure yields 45 residences, community facility space, and 13 parking spots. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 14 units for residents at 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $75,738 to $198,250.

Units come equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood floors, and name-brand kitchen appliances, countertops, and finishes. Residents have access to a recreation room, gym, bike storage lockers, covered parking with electric vehicle charging stations, and on-site laundry facilities. Tenants are responsible for electricity.

At 130 percent of the AMI, there are three studios with a monthly rent of $2,209 for incomes ranging from $75,738 to $146,900; four one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,242 for incomes ranging from $76,869 to $165,230; and seven two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,505 for incomes ranging from $85,886 to $198,250.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than December 20, 2023.