Colton Encourages Constituents to Contact Him for COVID-19 Issues
Assemblyman William Colton (Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and Dyker Heights) is reminding his constituents that his office staff remains available to help his constituents with any issues they have experienced during the COVID-19 crisis.
“We have organized donations of hot meals and cleaning supplies through the various businesses for our neighborhood Police Precincts, Fire Houses and Hospitals as well as in obtaining a limited number of face masks for those constituents who are in need,” Colton said.
“My office is serving over 4,000 constituents a year, before being temporarily closed with the Executive Stay at Home order due to the COVID-19 health emergency. I am urging my constituents- please don’t hesitate to contact my office, in these difficult times when everyone is facing much anxiety and problems. I want to be able to continue to help anyone who’s in dire need. Constituents can choose to contact my office either by phone at 718-236-1598 and leave a clear message with your name, phone number, and a brief message of the concern or via email at coltonw@nyassembly.gov or at williamc8@verizon.net. All messages are being forwarded to a staff member who is working from home and who will call you back to help. In addition to English speaking staff, my staff members can return calls in Russian, Italian, Chinese, Spanish, and Bangladesh,” Colton continued.
BP Adams Calls For ‘Hero Grants’ For Restaurants
Borough President Eric Adams called on the City to create “hero grants” for restaurants that donate meals to first responders and essential workers.
“The coronavirus has created twin public health and economic crises that continue to ravage our borough. A number of businesses have been forced to close, while others are hanging on by a thread. And yet, despite their financial precarity, many food-service establishments have still stepped up to donate meals to front-line workers. It’s time the City recognize these businesses and others like them by creating a ‘hero grant’ program, which can help keep them afloat during these challenging times,” said Adams.
In a letter sent to Mayor de Blasio and New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Gregg Bishop on April 8, Adams notes that the coronavirus pandemic has caused significant financial hardship for restaurants across the city, many of which have had to close temporarily or permanently.
Creating a “hero grant” program would not only show gratitude to restaurants donating meals to those on the front lines, it would help restaurants remain financially solvent and keep workers on the payroll for the duration of the crisis, he added.
Frontus Bill Requires Employers to Warn Workers of Hazardous Conditions
Assemblymember Mathylde Frontus (Coney Island, Bay Ridge, Brighton Beach, Gravesend) introduced legislation that would require employers to inform workers of potential exposure to infectious diseases and provide personal protective equipment.
“There is nothing more essential than the health and safety of the workers we rely on to bring us food and keep crucial public services running. Nobody signed up for this,” Frontus said.
New Yorkers with jobs that allow them to work from home have relied on a core group of essential workers to keep the state running. Janitors, grocery clerks and MTA employees have fallen ill to COVID-19.
Frontus’ bill would require all employers to inform employees and contract workers of known environmental and health hazards and take steps to mitigate risks to workers’ health, including providing adequate personal protective equipment. Many frontline workers have reported that employers have not provided PPE. Earlier this month, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order requiring employers to provide face coverings to essential workers who interact with the public.
Myrie Sends Updates on Coronavirus
State Sen. Zellnor Myrie (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Gowanus, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, South Slope, Sunset Park) updated the public on coronavirus.
Cases and Hospitalizations
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The state reported 17,638 total statewide deaths, including 335 more fatalities in the past day. This marks a continuation of the decline in deaths from COVID-19.
Guidelines on Reopening Released:
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The governor announced more details on how the state will approach reopening. Each region of the state – Capital Region, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Mid-Hudson Valley, Mohawk Valley, New York City, North Country, Long Island, Southern Tier and Western New York – will have to follow these guidelines as part of the reopening plan. Cuomo also released a list of business and labor union leaders, college presidents and industry groups as part of a reopening committee. You can find the details here.
Department of Education:
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NYC’s public school students through fifth grade will receive grades of “meets standards” or “needs improvement,”the mayor announced, citing the need to recognize the reality of the present moment.
Primaries:
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We want to remind everyone that even though the presidential primary was cancelled, down ballot races will still occur. All registered voters will receive absentee ballot applications in the mail or you can request one now here.
Clarke Endorsed by New York Immigration Coalition
U.S. Rep Yvette D. Clarke (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Kensington, Midwood, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Park Slope) announced that her bid for re-election has been endorsed by the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) Action, a 501(c)(3) coalition with 200 member organizations across New York State.
“The global pandemic has made one thing clear —the health and well-being of every New Yorker is closely tied to that of our neighbors, including the immigrants who are on the front lines of this pandemic and bearing the brunt of it. Now more than ever, we must ensure that our elected leaders are fighting for all of us, committed to fairness, justice, and opportunity for all regardless of immigration status. We are proud to endorse [Congresswoman Yvette Clarke] and look forward to working with [her] in the next session to protect and provide relief – for immigrants and all New Yorkers,” said NYIC Executive Director Steve K. Choi.
This endorsement follows a slew of support from progressive organizations over the past months, including the Stonewall Democrats, Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, DC-37, 1199SEIU, CSA, 32BJSIEU, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Off the Sidelines, LGBT Equality Caucus, Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC and Independent Neighborhood Democrats.
Walker Holds Virtual COVID Infomation Session
Assemblywoman Latrice Walker (D-Brownsville) today will host a virtual information session titled COVID Essentials.
We are experiencing unprecedented times. We want to offer you answers to some of the most essential questions that many of you have but can’t get answers to. We will have attorneys from Brooklyn Legal Services to discuss issues relating to housing, unemployment, small business and community economic development,” said Walker.
The virtual session is slated for 5-6:30 p.m., today April 29. CLICK HERE TO JOIN or Dial in ZOOM: (929) 205 6099 MEETING ID: 899 5085 5697 PW: 401018. Please email any questions to Walkerl@nyassembly.gov.
