Clarke Champions Social Security Cost-Of-living Increase
Flatbush Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement on H.R.3588, a bill she recently co-sponsored with Bronx Congressman Eliot L. Engel that would provide individuals who receive Social Security Retirement benefits with a three percent cost-of-living increase.
“The current method for determining cost-of-living increases for retired Americans does not account for dramatic increases in the cost-of-living in many parts of the United States, such as the community I represent in Brooklyn, where the cost of housing – as well as some products and services – has increased much more quickly than Social Security Retirement benefits,” said Clarke. “As a consequence, there are many older residents who are worried about paying rent or buying food – and some of them have already been displaced from their homes. We must honor the contributions of our parents and grandparents, not only in the holiday season but every day of the year.”
Hikind Keynote Speaker At International Conference Fighting Sexual Abuse
Borough Park Assemblyman Dov Hikind will be one of the keynote speakers at an international conference in Israel entitled, “Shedding Light on the Darkness of Abuse.”
The three-day event held in Jerusalem and organized by Tahel – Crisis Center for Religious Women and Children, a nonprofit organization that deals with fighting sexual abuse. Hikind has long been an advocate for victims of sexual abuse within the often insulated world of the Orthodox Jewish community.
“One of the most important issues I have confronted in my political career is dealing with victims of sexual abuse. Since I first got involved, I was shocked and overwhelmed by the enormity of the issue. Listening to the stories and hearing the pain of all these victims has had a profound effect on me. When I first started, people shied away from discussing the issue. I am thankful to have contributed to educational efforts and overall awareness. While much progress has been made and we have come a long way in terms of awareness, there is still a lot of work to be done,” said Hikind.
Hikind will keynote a lecture titled, “The Politician’s Role in Combating Abuse” and facilitate a group panel on “How to Deal with High Profile Abuse” at the conference.
The conference will address social, legal, and educational perspectives regarding the epidemic problem of abuse facing Jewish communities worldwide. Over 1,000 participants are expected to attend. The conference will feature panels and discussions with a range of notable academic, educational, and religious figures, as well as policymakers and professional experts in the field.
Velázquez Sandy Relief Bill Signed into Law
President Obama has signed into law legislation authored by North Brooklyn Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez that would mean small businesses and certain renters and homeowners harmed by Hurricane Sandy could reapply for emergency loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
The measure also makes significant reforms to the disaster lending program, ensuring these initiatives function more effectively in the wake of future disasters and facilitating the loan application process for borrowers.
“After Sandy struck, many New Yorkers turned to SBA for help only to encounter needless delays and a wall of red tape,” Velázquez noted. “These reforms will allow business owners and many other New Yorkers to reapply for assistance and be made whole, while streamlining the lending program in the event of future catastrophes.”
After Hurricane Sandy, Velázquez, who is the top Democrat on the House Small Business Committee, helped document problems in the SBA’s disaster loan assistance program. Among other issues, her analyses demonstrated that small businesses waited 46 days to get their application processed by SBA, a three-fold increase over previous Atlantic storms. Many businesses withdrew their loan applications out of frustration, while others never filed a loan after seeing other entrepreneurs in their community encounter significant bureaucratic hurdles.
In addition to reopening the disaster loan program, the “Recovery Improvements for Small Entities After Disaster Act” will make needed reforms to the SBA’s disaster lending functions, so the initiatives operate more efficiently in the wake of future disasters.
Golden Hosts Two Tree Lighting Ceremonies
Bay Ridge State Senator Marty Golden yesterday announced his plans to host two Christmas tree lighting ceremonies this week which promise to bring holiday cheer and excitement, with Christmas Carols, a special visit from Santa Claus and hot chocolate for all.
Donations for Toys for Tots will be collected at the events.
“It has become a great tradition here in our community to join together to celebrate the holidays, and give thanks for all the good in our lives,” said Golden. “I encourage neighbors, families and friends, to take part in this year’s Christmas tree lightings and help us usher in this most magical time of the year. No matter what you like best – hot
chocolate, candy canes or singing Christmas Carols – a great time awaits you.”
The first event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., tomorrow, Dec. 2 at the Gazebo on Shore Road and 90th Street. The event is in cooperation with the Shore Road Parks Conservancy.
The second event is slated for 6:30 p.m., Thursday, December 3 at McKinley Park on Bay Ridge Parkway and Fort Hamilton Parkway. It is in cooperation with the Dyker Heights Civic Association.
Williams, Barron Bill Raises Interest On Landlords
Mayor Bill de Blasio yesterday signed into law a bill that will increase the rate of interest applied to unpaid charges owed by landlords to the City for emergency repair work conducted by the Department of Housing, Preservation and Development (“HPD”).
The Brooklyn co-sponsors of the measure were Flatlands City Council Member Jumaane Williams and East New York City Council Member Inez Barron.
Under the existing Emergency Repair Program (“ERP”), administered by HPD, the city foots the bill and makes repairs when immediately hazardous conditions are not cured in a timely manner. The failure of landlords to make these repairs means that tenants may be forced to live without heat or hot water, electricity or other critical services.
The current rate is 7%, and has not been updated since 1974. This rate is lower than the rate for unpaid property taxes. Under the bill, the rate would increase between 7 to 9 percent for properties assessed up to $250,000, and up to 18% for properties worth more than $250,000.
“The new law is meant to crack down on those bad-actor landlords who fail to keep their properties in habitable condition and make needed repairs– especially ‘immediately hazardous’ repairs, such as a lack of heart of hot water, an electrical issue, or a plumbing issue– in a timely manner. There is no reason why any tenant across this city should go without these services, and this bill is meant to target those landlords who fail to act,” said Williams.
“By matching the interest rate for Emergency Repairs with the rate for unpaid property taxes, the City is taking a huge step in encouraging those select, bad-actor landlords who fail to cure immediately hazardous conditions in a timely manner to complete the repairs and protect New Yorkers’ quality of life,” he added.
The law takes effect on July 1, 2016.
Seddio Holiday Lighting Set For Sunday
Kings County Democratic Party Boss Frank Seddio will hold the annual Seddio family holiday display lighting at 5 p.m. this Sunday, December 6 at the former Seddio Family home and now his law office, 9306 Flatlands Avenue (corner of 93rd Street).
The holiday lighting display is an annual tradition and arguably the biggest and greatest house lighting in all of Brooklyn. There will be a ferris wheel, a carousel, elves, the Smurfs skating on ice and more.
This is an especially great event for young children. Santa will be making an appearance, as will other cartoon characters. Many of your elected officials will also be there. All are welcome to attend.
