Adams, Community Organizations to Kick Off #BrooklynSaves Campaign
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams along with Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration tomorrow will announce #BrooklynSaves, a campaign committed to helping Brooklynites build emergency savings for themselves and their families and to educate them on the threat almost one in two African Americans faces when their savings are short of $400.
Through this new borough-wide campaign, #BrooklynSaves, Adams and Restoration will announce a series of efforts to help Brooklynites achieve their emergency savings.
Alongside the campaign, Restoration will continue to offer a series of educational panels and roundtables, including one immediately following the announcement focused on getting neighborhood residents to commit to pledge their support to building emergency savings.
Restoration’s #BrooklynSaves campaign will aim to support hundreds of people in achieving a cumulative emergency savings of $40,000.
The kickoff is slated for 10 a.m., tomorrow Feb. 5 at the Restoration Plaza, Economic Solutions Center in the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation complex, 1368 Fulton Street in Bed- Stuy.
Cymbrowitz Urges Residents to Apply For Heartshare Heating Fund
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Bach) and the Heartshare Neighborhood Heating Fund (NHF) announced yesterday that eligible HEAP recipients will receive up to $200 in the form of a grant applied directly to their heating bill.
The Neighborhood Heating Fund is run under the auspices of Heartshare Human Services of New York, which receives both grants and private donations. National Grid is a major sponsor of the program.
The NHF program runs until funds are depleted, so constituents are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
“This winter brought unseasonably cold weather and higher heating bills. It is a particularly difficult time for low-income residents who must struggle to cover their basic needs,” said Cymbrowitz. “I am pleased that the Neighborhood Heating Fund is available to lend a much-needed helping hand.”
The NHF Heartshare enrollment site starts from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., today, Feb. 4, at Cymbrowitz’ office, 1800 Sheepshead Bay Road in Sheepshead Bay. Applications can only be filled out at the office and Cymbrowitz’ staff is happy to assist constituents in his district in verifying eligibility and applying. To see if you are eligible, what documentation to bring and for more information, call Assemblyman Cymbrowitz’ office at (718) 743-4078.
Felder Announces Prestigious Committee Assignments
State Sen. Simcha Felder (D-Midwood, Flatbush, Borough Park, Kensington, Sunset Park, Madison, Bensonhurst) announced yesterday that he has been selected by Democratic Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins (D-Westchester) to serve as Chairperson of the Senate Administrative Regulations Review Commission, or ARRC.
Carrying the force of law, State agency regulations affect business, industry and local governments. The ARRC is responsible for monitoring the rules and regulatory actions of all State agencies to ensure their efficacy and legality. Effectively acting as the legislature’s watchdog, this appointment puts Felder in a powerful position to combat regulations that hinder the economic growth and environmental health of communities, businesses and all New Yorkers.
“I’m humbled and honored to join the Senate leadership team as Chair of the Senate Administrative Regulations Review Commission, and I thank Leader Stewart-Cousins for placing her confidence in me. My goal as Chair of the Commission is to provide substantive results for New Yorkers that strengthen the future of our state,” said Felder.
Felder will sit on five additional committees including:
- Social Services Committee
- Children and Families Committee
- Budget and Revenue Committee
- Commerce, Economic Development, and Small Business Committee
- Domestic Animal Welfare Committee
Colton Introduces Measure Rewarding Businesses For Providing Charging Stations
Assemblyman William Colton (D-Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights) yesterday introduced Bill A9151 that will reward commercial businesses for providing charging stations for those owning electric vehicles.
The measure comes as The Electric Vehicle World Sales Database has reported electric vehicles sales have grown over the past year. During the first half of 2016, about 64,000 new EVs hit the road in the US, an 18% increase over the same period in 2015.
“However, if people are to buy electric vehicles, then the infrastructure to recharge these cars must be readily available. I introduced an Assembly Bill A9151 setting up commissions to propose recommendations for providing tax credits to commercial owners who install electric car charging stations on their property,” Colton said.
“I believe that this bill will provide several benefits. The air pollution comes with unsafe conditions creating health concerns for our bodies and our planet. Any steps that we can take as business owners or individuals to improve air quality will have great benefits for all living beings and for the sustainability of life on the planet. The simple fact is that electric vehicles produce no emissions. That makes them an essential factor in efforts to improve air quality. By creating a charging station at their business, they will be supporting a technology that will make this planet a cleaner place to live,” he added.
Lander Cheerleads Statewide Ban on Plastic Bags
City Council Member Brad Lander (D-Park Slope, Gowanus, Windsor Terrace, Kensington) lauded his and fellow advocates work in passing the statewide ban on plastic bags which will go into affect on March 1.
“Over seven years ago, we began our campaign to get rid of the plastic bags that clog our storm drains, catch on our trees, and litter our streets and oceans. We joined with students, seniors, surfers, public housing residents, and environmental activists to do something about the 10 billion plastic bags NYC residents throw away each year,” Lander wrote in his newsletter.
Under the new law, supermarkets and stores around New York State will no longer give out plastic bags. And in New York City, stores will be required to charge a 5-cent fee for paper bags, as an incentive to bring reusable bags. Three cents of the fee will go to the NYS Environmental Protection Fund, and 2 cents will go to the city for the purchase of reusable bags.
Landers’ office, over the next few weeks, we’ll be giving out thousands of free reusable bags around the district. This will start from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 8 at Kensington Plaza, Church and Beverley Road. You can also stop by at Landers’ office 456 5th Avenue, 3rd Floor in Park Slope during business hours to pick up a bag or two.
