Deutsch Calls For Suspension of Alternate Street Parking
City Councilmember Chaim Deutsch (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach, Homecrest, Midwood) yesterday called for a suspension of alternate side of the street parking during the city’s State of Emergency, so people have one less thing to worry about during the coronavirus crisis.
Deutsch also called for the city to waive the added costs of water bills due to people staying home and having to utilize more water to wash while they are also suddenly out of a job because of coronavirus. They should not be forced to make a choice between basic hygienic protections and affording to survive, he said.
Deutsch also requested the city provide more at-home services for seniors, whenever possible. Meals are not the only benefit that seniors get from attending a center’s programs, and it is important to maintain normalcy for them, in a safe manner,” said Deutsch.
“While my district office is temporarily closed for your safety, my staff is still hard at work handling our existing caseload and assisting with any new issues or concerns that you may have. You can reach us by emailing me at CDeutsch@council.nyc.gov, or by calling our office at 718-368-9176,” the lawmaker said.
Menchaca Statement on Suspension of Participatory Budgeting
City Council Member Carlos Menchaca (D-Red Hook, Sunset Park) yesterday offered the following statement after City Council Speaker Corey Johnson’s (D-Manhattan) announcement that Participatory Budgeting (PB) is suspended this year due to the Coronavirus crisis.
“The New York City Council is suspending Participatory Budgeting. It was a difficult decision, but at this moment, we need to refocus our energy and redouble our efforts to help each other. What gives me hope is how the spirit of Participatory Democracy is evident everywhere. That was always the goal of PB,” said Menchaca.
“We have been building social solidarity that will get us through this crisis. I want to acknowledge the incredible work of Council staff and all the delegates in our district who worked tirelessly to put together a truly representative ballot. We will honor it when the time is right to re-launch, better than ever,” the lawmaker added.
Comptroller Stringer: Prepare For Economic Impacts of COVID-19
NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer released a new analysis of the economic impact of COVID-19 on New York City, including significant projected losses in the entertainment, hotel, restaurant, travel, and tourism sectors today.
“As we brace for the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, we must protect our children, our seniors, our small businesses, and the arts and cultural organizations that are core to our economy and our identity as a city,” said Stringer, “we’re facing the possibility of a prolonged recession — we need to save now, before it’s too late, if we’re going to weather the downturn ahead. Once again, I’m urging the City to immediately instruct all City agencies to identify savings in their City tax levy-funded budgets, with certain exceptions for vital public health and social services, to be included in the Mayor’s Executive Budget.The vital services for our most vulnerable populations and institutions during lean times will depend on prudent, responsible budgeting today, as will the level of relief we as a City can help to deliver to the hotel, restaurant, entertainment, social service and retail workers who are bearing the brunt of this crisis. I stand ready to facilitate and assist our City’s response to this emergency with any powers within my authority.”
The Comptroller’s analysis estimates that downturns in these key, revenue-generating sectors could conservatively cost the City $3.2 billion in lost tax revenues over the next six months. To preserve the social safety net and protect vital services for our most vulnerable New Yorkers, Comptroller Stringer is calling for the City to immediately identify potential savings.
Lentol: Must Provide Immediate Relief to Bars and Restaurants
Assembly Member Joseph Lentol (D-Greenpoint, Williamsburg) yesterday urged Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to adopt the following measures to provide immediate relief to the bar and restaurant industry as New York State responds to the coronavirus crisis.
“My Assembly district is comprised of many restaurants and bars that rely on day-to-day foot traffic for revenue. As New York State enacts measures to protect the health and safety of all New Yorkers, we must ensure that our bars and restaurants are provided with immediate relief during these difficult times,” said Lentol.
Lentol is calling for the immediate halting of commercial evictions, allow bar, restaurant businesses to retain sales tax to provide available funds for payroll and any other urgent expenses, and advise commercial landlords to concede, prorate or allow deferred payment of rent until the crisis has passed.
Rose Urges President to Increase Availability Medical Supplies
U.S. Rep. Max Rose joined 57 of his House colleagues in urging President Trump to use his authority under the Defense Production Act of 1950 for the production of vital medical supplies to meet the extreme demand during the coronavirus pandemic.
“We’re in unprecedented times, and the challenges we face are only growing in scale,” Rose said. “From masks and gloves to protect our frontline healthcare workers and first responders, to ventilators and other critical medical supplies—we need urgent action to address this demand and get ahead of shortages that could be devastating,
During World War II, our country adapted to the demands of the time to produce mass quantities of bombers, tanks, and many smaller items needed to save democracy and freedom in the world,” wrote Rose and his colleagues in a letter to President Trump. “We know what the demands of this time are, and we must act now to meet these demands. We urge you to invoke the Defense Production Act without delay.”
Brooklyn Electeds Want Special Grocery Hours for Vulnerable
U.S. Rep. Max Rose (D-Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island), State Senator Andrew Gounardes (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Gravesend, Gerritsen Beach, Manhattan Beach, Marine Park), Assembly Members Peter Abbate Jr.(D-Borough Park, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst) and Mathylde Frontus (D-Coney Island, Bay Ridge, Brighton Beach, Gravesend), and City Councilmember Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Gravesend) called on Mayor Bill de Blasio yesterday to implement special hours at grocery stores and pharmacies specifically for vulnerable populations like seniors and those who are immunocompromised.
“As we enter into the new normal of social distancing to contain the spread of coronavirus, we must be acutely aware of the challenges faced by our most vulnerable populations. It is particularly difficult for seniors and those with underlying health conditions to safely purchase necessary food and groceries to make it through this challenging time.
“That’s why we’re calling on the Mayor to enforce special hours for seniors and immunocompromised individuals to shop without fear of crowded stores and empty shelves. This has been implemented elsewhere around the country and world to great success, and believe it should happen here in New York City as well,” said the South Brooklyn electds.
BP Adams Unveiling New Tent Facility To Pre-Screen COVID-19 Cases
Borough President Eric Adams will join The Brooklyn Hospital Center’s President, health care workers, and elected leaders today to unveil a new on-site tent facility to screen patients who believe they have contracted the 2019 Novel Coronavirus to determine if they need to receive tests for the sickness.
The tent will help to relieve overcrowding in emergency rooms and allows health care facilities to allocate finite resources such as testing services more effectively to those with the greatest level of need.
Adams will call for this kind of unit to be replicated by hospitals throughout the city in order to contain the spread of COVID-19 and address ongoing critical health care needs separate from the disease.
The new tent facility will be unveiled at1 p.m., today, Match 17 at the Brooklyn Hospital Center – Intersection of Fort Greene Place and DeKalb Avenue in Fort Greene/Downtown Brooklyn.
Frontus Calls for Plan for Restaurants to Deliver Meals to Seniors
Assemblymember Mathylde Frontus (D-Coney Island, Bay Ridge, Brighton Beach, Gravesend) called on the city and state to connect restaurants with seniors and others with limited mobility.
“There are restaurants sitting idle and hungry people who need to stay home. This is how we can support our communities. This is a win-win,” Frontus said.
Don Lee, chairman of Homecrest Community Services, first suggested contracting with restaurants to deliver meals to the homebound. Lee met with Frontus and community activists to discuss ways to support Chinese communities that have been devastated by the coronavirus crisis. Restaurant owners told Lee that they can remain afloat by charging $6.50 per meal. For $13 a day, hungry New Yorkers can receive two home-delivered hot meals daily. Having a stable stream of business would also provide predictability in a volatile environment.
