Senator Persaud to Hold Merchants Meeting Roundtable
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) will be hosting a Merchants Meeting in collaboration with the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and community partners for a roundtable discussion regarding improvements to the Rockaway Parkway Business Corridor.
This event strives to improve partnerships amongst area merchants, assist in local business owners’ inquiries, and provide tools and support for further economic development along Rockaway Parkway.
The meeting will be held from 9:30-11:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 11 at the Capital One Bank located at 1425 Rockaway Parkway in Brooklyn.
Adams Hosted Meet-and-Greet with NYPD Officials
Borough President Eric Adams hosted a meet-and-greet on Monday between New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Dermot Shea, NYPD officials, and local faith leaders at Brooklyn Borough Hall.
“Dating back to my time serving in the NYPD, law enforcement has enjoyed a strong bond with the faith community. We are united in our commitment to making our communities safer and better for all residents, and we must ensure this fruitful partnership continues under the able leadership of Commissioner Shea. We sincerely appreciate his dedication to maintaining our hard-won gains in public safety, and in particular to ensuring we tackle the rising scourge of hate crime here in Brooklyn and throughout the city. The NYPD is the best police force in the country, and by working with partners on the ground like our faith community, we can ensure New York remains the safest big city in America,” said Adams.
During the meet-and-greet, Borough President Adams, Commissioner Shea, and participants discussed ongoing challenges to public safety throughout the borough and city, and how the faith community can partner with the NYPD to address these issues.
Ortiz Bill to Help Military Veterans
Assistant Speaker Félix Ortiz Assistant Assembly Speaker Felix W. Ortiz (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) announced yesterday he passed legislation to help military veterans when they apply for civil service jobs.
“Members of the armed service volunteer valuable years of their lives in the service and defense of our country,” Ortiz said. “As a veteran myself, I understand the sacrifice and it is my honor to help make it a little easier for veterans and their families to transition to civilian life when they return home,” Ortiz said.
The bill allows veterans to deduct up to seven years when applying for jobs that have age requirements. The bill had already passed in the Senate.
“When our veterans return home, they may no longer be eligible for certain civil service jobs because of age requirements,” Ortiz said. “Providing employment opportunities for our veterans is essential to making the transition to civilian life easier and successful.”
Colton Announces Plastic Bag Ban Took Affect
Assemblyman William Colton (Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and Dyker Heights) reminds that the New York State Bag Waste Reduction Act that went into effect March 1, will prohibit grocery stores, pharmacies and other merchants from using plastic bags.
“Stores will bag items in paper bags and will charge 5-cent for each paper bag, of which 40% of the 5-cent will going to municipalities to help distribute reusable bags 60% will going toward the Environmental Protection Fund. Shoppers have the right to bring their own bags to pack groceries or any other items. Free reusable bags may be obtained at public events distribution or by contacting The Department of Sanitation. New Yorkers who are qualified for Food Stamps (SNAP) benefits, will be exempt from the 5-cent charge for each bag,” Colton said.
“So far there is no delay in implementing the ban, also for the first month there may be a delay in issuing violations and enforcing it. Be aware that violations will be enforced on April 1, 2020. For the first offense, a warning will be issued. The second offense will bring a $250 fine. The third offense in the same year will be $500 fine. It applies to all groceries, supermarkets, and malls who use single-use plastic bags to bag food products or also any other items for which sales tax is charged. There is an exemption for plastic used to wrap uncooked meat and animal products, fruits and vegetables. The only plastic bags that are legal to sell are for garbage, dog feces, and clothing liners,” Colton added.
Speaker Ortiz Sponsors Emergency for Coronavirus
Assistant Speaker Felix Ortiz Assistant Assembly Speaker Felix W. Ortiz (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) passed an emergency bill to help prepare for the spread of the Coronavirus that will provide $40 million to prepare the State for the novel coronavirus.
“New York is not wasting any time by fully preparing for the coronavirus,” Ortiz said. “This $40 million will prepare all of New York State in the fight of this deadly virus. I am proud to take the lead in making sure this legislation was passed swiftly in the Assembly so we can get these emergency resources out the door right away to ensure we are best prepared in the coming days, weeks and months ahead.”
Last weekend Governor Cuomo confirmed that a case of coronavirus, had been found in Manhattan even as it has been in other places around the country. Governor Cuomo also received the authority from Washington to allow New York to test for the coronavirus on its own.
“We must be proactive to take on the issues of public health and protect our children and families. Our medical facilities must be prepared to treat people and stop the spread of this deadly virus. When other diseases have posed a health risk to New York in the past, our health officials have handled them incredibly well. SARS, MERS, and Ebola were all under control and did not prevent New Yorkers from going about the City as they normally would,” Ortiz said.
Rose Attends Coronavirus Briefing at White House
U.S. Rep. Max Rose (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, Canarsie, East New York, East Flatbush, Bergen Beach, Gerritsen Beach, Beach, Marine Park, Mill Basin, Brighton Beach, Coney Island) attended a bipartisan briefing today in the White House Situation Room with Vice President Mike Pence and over a dozen members of the Problem Solvers Caucus to get briefed on and discuss the global spread, and potential impact, of the coronavirus.
“I welcomed the opportunity to meet with the Vice President and his team on the coronavirus response, and share with them what I heard directly from hospitals and public health professionals in my district and across New York last week,” said Rose, “Now is not the time for politics and partisanship, but instead focusing on all levels of government working together to address this head on and ensure those on the front lines are fully supported and properly equipped.”
Last Friday, Rose and Staten Island Borough President James Oddo convened a meeting with federal, state, and local public health officials and local hospitals to discuss coronavirus preparedness and response to ensure Staten Island, South Brooklyn and all of New York City is prepared and fully supported in its response to the global public health epidemic.
Jeffries in Bipartisan Effort to Expedite Coronavirus Vaccine
U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, Canarsie, East New York, East Flatbush, Bergen Beach, Gerritsen Beach, Beach, Marine Park, Mill Basin, Brighton Beach, Coney Island), Rep. Peter King (R-NY), and other representatives introduced Cure the Coronavirus Act, to encourage the rapid innovation and approval of a treatment to prevent or cure the Coronavirus Disease 2019 on Friday.
“The Coronavirus is now an international public health crisis,” said Jeffries. “Congress must do the most we can to reduce the regulatory hurdles for discovering and launching a new drug or vaccine that can treat the Coronavirus Disease 2019 before more lives are lost.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Coronavirus Disease 2019 outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. There are over 89,000 confirmed cases of infection and over 3,000 deaths worldwide. As of this morning, there are more than 100 confirmed cases and six deaths in the U.S., including cases in New York, California and Washington.
Deutsch Nabs NYP Detectives Endorsement for Congressional Run
City Councilman and Congressional candidate Chaim Deutsch (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach, Homecrest, Midwood) this week received the endorsement of the city’s Detectives Endowment Association (DEA), the labor union representing 19,000 current and retired NYPD detectives in his run for Congress.
DEA President Paul DiGiacomo said in his letter of endorsement, “We trust that you will bring the needs and concerns of New York’s First Responders to Capitol Hill. We’ve had a fruitful and productive working relationship with you on local New York City Council issues, and we’re looking forward to continuing this rapport on a federal level on issues that affect the law enforcement, public sector, and labor communities.”
Deutsch announced his candidacy six weeks ago and has already received endorsements from major unions, including Local 831 representing Sanitation workers, the PBA representing rank-and-file police officers.
“I am honored and proud to receive the endorsement of the DEA, which represents some of our City’s finest public servants. It’s always been a pleasure to work with the DEA on the issues that impact its members including pay parity, health benefits, and resources for members and their families. I look forward to bringing their voice, and the voices of all NY-9 residents to Washington DC,” said Deutsch.
