Bichotte Calls For More MWBE Participation In Tax Exempt Projects
Midwood/Flatbush Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte and colleagues in the state legislature last week called on a greater percentage of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) in all 421a Tax Exemption Development Projects
The 421-a Property Tax Exemption (Tax Abatement) Program encourages the new construction of affordable housing in New York City. At the end of the last legislative session, the proposed enhanced program that includes more affordable housing was extended for four years, under the condition that a prevailing wage requirement for construction workers be negotiated within six months.
The agreement reached at the end of the session was that if no understanding between developers and laborers could be reached within the six-month period, which is this month, the program will be suspended until an agreement is reached.
As part of that discussion, Bichotte and her colleagues called for a 30% MWBE participation goal to be included in the final MOU.
“What we are requesting is nothing new,” said Bichotte. “We are simply emphasizing the necessity to leverage opportunities that the City and State have to address and remedy socio-economic disparities and underscore what Governor Cuomo has already been calling for, which is to ensure that MWBEs are fully represented throughout the State. The last State MWBE disparity study conducted in 2010 showed that MWBEs were woefully underrepresented and by including MWBEs in 421-a tax exempted development projects, we have another opportunity to improve upon that.”
Last Friday, Bichotte and colleagues from both the Assembly and Senate delivered a letter stating this view to John Banks, President of the Real Estate Board of New York, Gary Labarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades of Greater New York, and members of the Negotiating Team who are currently in deliberations around the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the 421-a Property Tax Exemption (Tax Abatement) Program.
Among the Brooklyn lawmakers that signed the letter were Assembly Members N. Nick Perry, Felix Ortiz, Charles Barron, Walter Mosley, Diana Richardson, Annette Robinson, Latrice Walker; and Senator Jesse Hamilton.
A copy of the letter was also shared with Governor Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Bill de Blasio, and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.
Walker Leads Protest Against Errant Landlord
Brownsville/Bed-Stuy Assemblywoman Latrice Walker today will lead a protest against landlord Sam Gross for repeatedly failing to repair dangerous electrical conditions for tenants in his building at 204 Sumpter Street in Ocean Hill/Bedford-Stuyvesant near the Broadway Junction.
Tenants at 204 Sumpter St. should not have to fear turning on the microwave. The electrical wiring is so faulty that turning on a microwave or even a coffee maker can cause the electricity to cut out. The tenants are facing hazardous living conditions. One of the tenants on the first floor relies on an electric oxygen machine and therefore living under these conditions cause extreme risk, said Walker.
Walker said to make matters worse, the only circuit breaker that allows people to turn the power back on is located in the basement. Only the super and a new tenant paying almost 5 times more than the rest of tenants, have the key to access the circuit breaker, she said.
The rally to demand the landlord repairs the faulty and dangerous electricity conditions on his building is slated for 9 a.m., today at 204 Sumpter Street.
WFP Endorses Bernie Sanders For President
The Working Families Party yesterday announced its endorsement for Senator Bernie Sanders in the New York Democratic Primary for President. The announcement marks the first-ever national endorsement for the Working Families Party.
“We want to live in a nation that allows all people to live a decent life, no matter what is in their parents’ bank account or who is in their family tree. But the super-rich have used their economic muscle to buy political muscle, and unless you’re one of them, what you think government should do basically doesn’t count. That’s why we’re standing with Bernie Sanders to build the political revolution and make our nation into one where every family can thrive,” said WFP National Director Dan Cantor said:
The announcement followed a WFP membership vote, in which 87.4% of members voted for Sanders, 11.5% of members voted for Hillary Clinton, and 1.1% for former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley.
The WFP, considered the most progressive wing of the Democratic Party, is very active in Brooklyn politics, and most recently, one of their candidates, Diana Richardson was elected to the state assembly.
Bay Democrats Honors Treyger With Legislator of the Year Award
The Bay Democrats will honor Coney Island City Councilman Mark Treyger with their Legislator of the Year Award at their second annual fundraising dinner tomorrow night.
Other honorees at the event includes Dr. Rada Sumareva-Ukrainsky, President of the Russian American Dental Association (“Doctor of The Year Award”); Lina Chen, one of the leaders of Asian American community in Southern Brooklyn and President of the Health Essential Association (“Community Service Award”); Oleg Zinkovetsky, prominent businessman and generous philanthropist (“Caring Heart Award”); and Odessa Kennedy, Esq. (“Attorney of The Year Award”).
About 200 people, including many elected officials, journalists, community leaders, business professionals are expected at the event.
The Fundraising Dinner is slated for 7 p.m., tomorrow night at the famous National Restaurant, 273 Brighton Beach Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11235.
For further info call: 646-797-6552.
Cymbrowitz, Weinstein In Toys For Tots Drive
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach), in partnership with Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein (Flatlands, Gerritsen Beach, Georgetown), former Councilman Lew Fidler, and The Be Proud foundation, announced that his office will participate as a collection site for the United States Marine Corps (USMC) Toys for Tots drive.
Since 1947 the USMC has collected new, unwrapped holiday toys for needy children. The drive, organized locally by the 41st Assembly District Democratic Club, has collected over 60,000 toys in the last 12 years.
“There is no greater gift than to bring a smile to a child during the holiday season,” said Cymbrowitz. “If you can, donate a toy and brighten the holidays for kids who don’t enjoy the luxuries that many other children have.”
New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the collection box at Cymbrowitz’s office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 1800 Sheepshead Bay Road until December 17. Toys can also be dropped off at the 61st Precinct located at 2575 Coney Island Avenue, or the Kings Bay Y located at 3495 Nostrand Ave.
The drive will hold its finale at 7:30 p.m., December 17 at 2952 Avenue R and all are invited to attend and donate.
Residents also have the opportunity to take part in another toy drive sponsored by City Councilman Councilman Chaim Deutsch and Weinstein in partnership with Bay Improvement Group (BIG). For drop-off sites, please visit BIG’s website at www.bayimprovementgroup.org.
That toy drive will culminate with an event from 5-7 p.m., Sunday, December 13 at P.S. 52, 2675 E 29th Street. Admission is one new, unwrapped toy.
