Schumer: Feds Must Deliver Resources To Stop Spread Of Superbug Across NY
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) yesterday called on the federal government to provide millions of dollars in more funding in the fight against a vexing bug giving great angst to hospitals, nursing homes and other long-term care facilities across the State, not to mention the public.
Schumer’s call for additional funding comes just days after the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released a case count update on New York’s spreading superbug, a multidrug-resistant fungus called Candida Auris.
Schumer is urging the CDC to designate the spreading and multidrug-resistant fungus an official ‘emergency,’ making New York eligible for special public health crisis response dollars that could stretch into the millions.
“While the CDC is doing a fine job honing in on the threat this superbug presents to New York and the country, with the wave of a pen, they can help beat back the wave of this fungus’ spread across New York in an even tougher way. And that is what they should do: deliver a new raid of resources to stop this superbug from spreading even more across New York, Long Island and Upstate,” said Schumer.
“They can do it by qualifying ‘superbugs’ for official emergency response funding, adding the category to the federal eligibility list. We have done this successfully for Zika, Ebola, H1N1, the list goes on. The point here is that when you are dealing with a vexing bug like this one, which puts our healthcare facilities and the public on edge, every dollar we can use to better identify, tackle and treat this deadly fungus is a dollar well spent,” he added.
Gounardes Holds Successful Parent Town Hall
State Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Gravesend, Gerritsen Beach, Manhattan Beach, Marine Park) last week hosted a successful “Parent Town Hall,” providing parents the opportunity to address a variety of top-of-mind issues affecting families in Southern Brooklyn.
Among those in attendance included Assembly Member Mathylde Frontus (D-Coney Island, Bay Ridge), District 20 Superintendent Karina Costantino, Commanding Officer of the 68th Precinct Robert Conwell, representatives of the Department of Health, the FDNY, the Department of Transportation, the MTA, NYLAG, and the office of City Councilman Justin Brannan (D-Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, Bath Beach).
Parents were able to submit questions and get answers in real time on topics ranging from pedestrian safety to diversity to SHSAT reform.
“When I campaigned for this office, I did so on the premise that everyone should have access to their elected officials and have their voice heard,” said Gounardes on Friday. “Last night, parents had the opportunity to spend time with the stakeholders of our neighborhoods. They shared their perspectives, what they’re most concerned about, and what we can be doing better. I’m grateful to all those who turned out and look forward to many more events like these in the coming months.”
Deutsch Calls On De Blasio To Provide More Security To Houses Of Worship
City Councilman Chaim Deutsch (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach, Homecrest, Midwood) tomorrow will join with community and faith leaders to call on Mayor de Blasio to fund security for houses of worship in the FY20 budget.
The call comes in the wake of attacks on houses of worship in Poway, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Louisiana, and Pittsburgh, and many New Yorkers of faith are concerned about security in their own scared spaces, said Deutsch.
“I’m calling on Mayor de Blasio to fund security for houses of worship in the FY20 budget. I urge you to join me and other community and faith leaders on Tuesday, as we rally for this funding. It is crucial that New Yorkers of all faiths unite together for this important cause,” said Deutsch.
The rally is slated for 2 p.m., tomorrow, May 7 on the steps of City Hall in Lower Manhattan.
Colton To Host Another Of His Neighborhood Clean Ups
Assemblyman William Colton (D–Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights) and 47th Assembly Democratic District Leader Nancy Tong will be conducting another neighborhood clean up in the community later this month.
This event is also been sponsored by other community groups, including the United Progressive Democratic Club and its president Nino Magali. Colton is continuing his tireless effort to keep our neighborhood clean.
“Cleaner streets mean a better quality of life for all people and business owners in the area and at the same time it keeps children involved in productive community work and does a good deed for the community,” said Colton. “April 22, 2019 Earth Day was celebrated worldwide, so it gives an opportunity to a younger generation to perform earth day activities throughout the year not just on Earth Day. At the same time we are showing support in protecting our environment.
The clean up is slated for 11 a.m., May 18 at starting at 2019 at 29 Bay 25th Street. Volunteers wishing to participate should call Annie Mui at Colton’s District office at 718-236-1598.
Malliotakis: Two-Way Tolling Revenue Should Be Used To Lower Tolls
Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R- Bay Ridge, Staten Island) said on Friday that at least part of the $10 to $15 million in anticipated annual revenue from two-way tolling on the Verrazzano Bridge should go to lower the toll for Brooklyn and Staten Island residents.
Pat Foye, Chairman and CEO of the MTA, and Democratic Congressmembers Jerry Nadler, Nydia Velazquez and Max Rose introduced the two-way tolling plan for the bridge last week. They explained that the MTA recently conducted a study proving two-way tolling would bring $10 to $15 million in additional revenue to make improvements to the bridge, which Malliotakis says should already be funded by the existing Verrazzano Bridge toll revenue of nearly $500 million a year.
“I’m generally supportive of two-way tolling but I would like to see the study made public and I’d like to see the extra revenue it creates to go toward lowering the bridge toll for my constituents. The existing $500 million in toll revenue is already going to fund bridge maintenance and transit. With congestion pricing coming down the pike to fund transit options and infrastructure improvements, a move to take the extra revenue from two-way tolling and claim it is being used for bridge maintenance would be nothing more than a Ponzi scheme,” said Malliotakis.
