Schumer, Gillibrand Announce More Than $89 Million In Federal Funding For YouthBuild Programs
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) recently announced more than $89 million in federal funds for the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) YouthBuild Program.
The funding is part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill that just passed into law on Friday.
YouthBuild is a pre-apprenticeship program that helps at-risk youth from ages 16 to 24 develop skills and knowledge to gain industry-recognized job credentials, apprenticeships, and employment. There are currently 20 YouthBuild programs located throughout New York State that are eligible for funding. Funding is also available to community-based organizations that follow the YouthBuild model.
“YouthBuild is a nationally recognized pre-apprenticeship program that helps at-risk youth earn their GED, accrue real construction-related job experience and make a better life for themselves. I am proud we secured this vital funding for YouthBuild and look forward to hearing about its many successes across New York State,” said Schumer.
“YouthBuild has a proven track record of preparing at-risk youth throughout New York State with the skills necessary to get good jobs. With this federal investment, YouthBuild will be able to continue creating opportunities for students as they prepare to enter the workforce,” said Gillibrand.
Cumbo Announces Final PB Neighborhood Assembly Meeting For District 35
Majority Leader Laurie A. Cumbo (D-Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, Crown Heights) announced over the weekend the final Neighborhood Assembly meeting for Participatory Budgeting Cycle 8 for Council District 35.
The final meeting will give constituents one last opportunity to submit their ideas on how to improve and dedicate up to $1 Million in parks, schools, libraries, streets, and more for this year’s budgeting cycle.
The participatory budgeting program is a year-long cycle in which community members vote on how to spend a set portion of a public budget. It was first introduced in New York in 2011.
The event is slated for 6 p.m., today, Oct. 1, at Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) (Located in the Leavitt Workshop space), at 321 Ashland Place in Clinton Hill.
For constituents of Council District 35 that want to stay up-to-date on this year’s PB cycle, text PBNYC to (212) 676-8384 or sign up here. Those interested in volunteering, learn more and sign up here or contact Jason Hur at jhur@council.nyc.gov or 212-788-7081 for any questions about Participatory Budgeting.
Wright To Host Cannabis Forum
Assembly member Tremaine S. Wright (D-Bedford-Stuyvesant, Northern Crown Heights) will host an upcoming forum about the future of Cannabis in the State of New York.
The event, titled Cannabis 101, will feature an outdoor screening, panel discussion, hosts of conversations and workshops on the drugs possible legalization.
Earlier this year, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced that starting in the spring of 2018, his office gradually expanded its policy of not prosecuting low-level marijuana possession cases to include cases involving smoking in public, which are charged under the same statutes (PL 221.10 and 221.05).
Additionally, back in May of this year, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the creation of a task force to prepare for the expected legalization of cannabis in New York state. The task force consist of city officials who will develop zones for cannabis dispensaries, law enforcement procedure for public smokers, advisory public health campaigns, and regulations for business and economic fairness.
The event is slated for 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 5, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 6, at Restoration Plaza, at 1368 Fulton Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
Persaud To Hosts Small Business Tax Information Seminar
State Senator Roxanne Persaud (D-Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, Mill Island, Georgetown, Ocean Hill, Starrett City) in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a Tax Information Seminar for Small Business Owners this week.
This free Seminar will address the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that President Donald Trump signed into law on December 22, 2017. Arguably the most significant change to the Internal Revenue Code in decades, the law reduces tax rates for individuals and corporations and repeals many deductions, thus simplifying filing for many taxpayers.
“Small Businesses need and deserve access to information in a timely manner. This is a proactive and cost-effective approach to assist small business owners to prepare to make the necessary adjustments. I want to ensure that we limit the barriers to the success of businesses in our community so that they can grow and expand,” said Persaud.
This event is slated for 9 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 3. Participants must register at this link, or call Persaud’s District Office at 718- 649- 7653.The seminar will be presented by experts in the field that are affiliated with the IRS.
