Schumer Proposes $8.5 Billion In Emergency Funding To Fight Coronavirus
U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) yesterday released a detailed proposal for $8.5 billion in emergency funding to fight the spread of coronavirus in the United States.
“Congress must act swiftly to confront the threat of this global health crisis,” said Schumer. “This proposal brings desperately-needed resources to the global fight against coronavirus. Americans need to know that their government is prepared to handle the situation before coronavirus spreads to our communities. I urge Congress to move quickly on this proposal. Time is of the essence.”
Schumer assailed the Trump administration for making only a last-minute $1.25 billion emergency funding request to fight the virus, noting that Congress appropriated more than $6B for the Pandemic Flu in 2006 and more than $7B for H1N1 flu in 2009.
Schumer’s plan includes $1.5B for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; $3 billion for the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund; $2 billion as a set-aside for state and local reimbursement; $1B for the USAID Emerging Health Threats; and $1B for the National Institutes of Health vaccine development.
Rose Gets VA Reporting Transparency Act Passed
U.S. Rep. Max Rose (D-Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island) had his bipartisan VA Reporting Transparency Act passed Tuesday night which will increase transparency and accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
“When Congress mandates that the VA produces reports on the staffing levels of their nurses, or how the VA prevents fraud, waste, abuse, or how the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection truly keeps our VA employees safe, this information is useless if it is not made available to the general public in an accessible manner,” said Rose, “It’s valuable to the nearly 9 million veterans enrolled in the VA health care, and it’s valuable to every American who wants to make sure that their tax dollars are being used for the best possible care that our veterans deserve. That’s exactly why I introduced this bill.”
Rose’s bipartisan VA Reporting Transparency Act requires these Congressionally-mandated reports on the VA’s service and accessibility to be made available on VA’s website (after redactions) and requires the VA to provide Congress with a list of reports that are no longer useful to improve efficiency for both Members and the VA.
Comptroller Stringer to Discuss BQE Vision for BQE
City Comptroller Scott Stringer tonight will be discussing his plan and vision for a community-based approach to reimagining the BQE.
The Cobble Hill Association organized the event and the discussion comes on the back of a previous meeting in November where Stringer asked the community if they wanted him back to talk more about what is possible for the BQE. The crowd overwhelmingly responded in the affirmative. He will be back to give more detail and expand the discussion this evening.
The event is slated to take place from 7-9 p.m. tonight, Feb. 27 at PS 29, 425 Henry Street in Cobble Hill.
Felder Passes Bill to Help Students Counseling
State Sen. Simcha Felder (D-Midwood, Flatbush, Borough Park, Kensington, Sunset Park, Madison, Bensonhurst) saw the senate this week pass his bill that directs the chancellor of the State Education Department (NYSED) to study and report on the provision of school counselor services to public school students.
“School children face numerous challenges in and out of the classroom, and struggling kids are most likely to zone out, act out, or worse- drop out. Certified school counselors can strengthen skills, refer additional resources and provide the critical support they need to succeed. However, it is a sad reality that many children do not receive this crucial help,” said Felder.
NYSED recently updated their school counseling regulations in an effort to increase student success through expanded access to these services. School counseling programs are to include, school-wide classroom lessons, direct support services to individual students and small groups, and consistent consultation with teachers and principals to coordinate team efforts and evaluate student success.
AM Williams Addressed Homeowner Concerns
Assemblymember Jaime Williams (D-Canarsie, Georgetown, Mill Basin, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach) along with a conclave of homeowners gathered at the Hebrew Education Society in Canarsie to address multiple concerns and gather some vital information pertaining to their homeownership.
A panel of experts addressed the crowd on the issue including representatives from Kings County District Attorney’s office, the city’s Department of Finance (DOF) and the nonprofit Neighborhood Housing Services of Brooklyn (NHS).
“A home is not simply a financial vehicle it’s a place where one finds safety, solace and peace of mind,
and it is certainly in NYC an investment that was truly accomplished with a great deal of sacrifice. This
cornerstone to so many should not be jeopardized or at risk, and the assistance of guidance of
organizations such as NHS is a true treasure for the 59th AD,” said Williams
