De Blaso Expands Young Mens Initiative
Mayor Bill de Blasio Friday came to the Van Dyke Houses in Brownsville to announce an expansion of the City’s Young Men’s Initiative (YMI), a public/private partnership program first launched in 2011 to confront inequality and create opportunity for young men of color.
The four-pronged program will align with President Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative aimed at increasing literacy in young children, improving graduation rates and workforce readiness, as well as protecting youth from violent crime.
“By deepening New York City’s commitment to the Young Men’s Initiative, we are fighting inequality at its root in neighborhoods in every borough,” said de Blasio. “New York City is answering President Obama’s call and doubling down on its commitments to expanding literacy in our youngest children, ensuring our high school graduates are ready for college and career, and forging a deeper partnership between police and community to prevent crime.”
The City has a $22.5 million annual commitment to the Young Men’s Initiative, nearly half of which is dedicated to employment-services programs such as Jobs-Plus, with additional investments in the areas of education, health and justice. The City will leverage existing agency programs and resources to augment YMI’s reach. The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City will seek to maintain and expand private support for programming.
Golden Says Not So Fast on E-Prescriptions
Bay Ridge State Senator Marty Golden last week co-sponsored legislation that would delay the requirement that all prescribers for certain controlled substances use electronic prescriptions until March 27, 2016.
The law that all prescribers use electronic prescriptions was to go into effect on March 27 this year.
“There is no denying that New York State must move in the direction of e-prescribing of medications for all residents. However, there are many concerns brought forth by medical professionals that in order to be successful, they need more time,” said Golden. “I think that many would agree with my colleagues and I that the implementation of such a major change within the field of medicine must be done right.”
Golden cited concerns amongst medical professionals are based on the fact that the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency moved slowly in certifying vendors who are authorized to transmit electronic prescriptions for controlled substances. Many doctors and other prescribers around the state, many of
whom have electronic records and e-prescribing capability have contracts with vendors who have not yet received the necessary federal certification.
Golden’s proposed legislation would provide additional time to facilitate a smooth and appropriate implementation of electronic prescribing in New York.
“Electronic prescribing will go a long way in preventing pills from getting into the wrong hands, limiting opportunities for addiction and abuse. I hope my colleagues in the State Assembly will join the efforts of
the State Senate and propose similar legislation so that we can take immediate action for sake of the medical profession and all patients,” said Golden.
James Tells Con Ed Delay Rate Hike
Public Advocate Letitia James today called on Con Edison—which served New York City and charges among the highest electric rates of any municipal provider— to delay its reported plan to hike bills on residential rates.
“Given the recent declines in oil and natural gas prices it is hard to understand why Con Edison is choosing now to raise electricity rates,” said James. “The overwhelming majority of New Yorkers have still not recovered from the Great Recession, and any rate increase is going to unfairly impact low and fixed-income New Yorkers. The utility giant has not articulated why this increase is appropriate now, and as a result I am calling on Con Edison to postpone its rate hike for the foreseeable future.”
