Meng, Suozzi Call For Co-op & Condo Owners to Get Coronavirus Relief Funds
U.S. Reps. Grace Meng (D- Bayside, Flushing, Forest Hills, Fresh Meadows, Glendale, Kew Gardens, Maspeth, Middle Village, Rego Park) and Tom Suozzi (D-East Queens, Long Island) yesterday led members of the New York congressional delegation in calling for co-ops and condos to be eligible for loans under the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
In a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Jovita Carranza, the lawmakers called for immediate reconsideration of the decision to exclude co-ops and condos from PPP loans.
“Co-ops and condos are a critical part of Queens and New York City, serving as homes for so many residents throughout our borough and city,” said Meng. “They are integral parts of our communities, and like many other entities are being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. They deserve relief and we urge the Treasury Secretary and SBA Administrator to make it happen so that co-ops and condos are not forced to endure further financial burdens as a result of this crisis.”
“Residential housing cooperatives and condominium associations must become eligible for Paycheck Protection Program loans under the CARES Act to ensure their financial stability throughout the COVID-19,” said Suozzi. “I will continue to urge the Federal Government to deliver more help to communities hit hardest by the pandemic like those in Queens and throughout all of New York.”
AG James Slams Trump For Sanctuary Cities and States Remark
State Attorney General Letitia James yesterday slammed President Donald Trump yesterday for saying at his daily press briefing that he would consider holding off funding to help cities and states respond to the economic fallout of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) until certain “sanctuary city adjustments” are made.
“President Trump’s threat to hold coronavirus funding hostage to cities and states across the country are the latest in his efforts to push a sinister political agenda that only aims to punish us all — citizens and non-citizens alike. This is just another attempt to again feed to his base and push the same partisan ideology we’ve seen for the last three years,” said James.
“New York is proud of its status as a sanctuary state that welcomes and will fight to protect its immigrant residents — many of whom are fighting on the frontlines to battle the coronavirus. It is my sincerest hope that one day the president will wake up and realize the power of his words, until that day comes we will be ready to take legal action,” she added.
Sanders Hosts Future of Public Education in Southeast Queens Forum
State Sen. Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park, Jamaica, Rochdale Village, Rosedale and parts of Far Rockaway) in partnership with City Council Member Adrienne Adams (D-Jamaica, Richmond Hill, Rochdale Village, South Ozone Park) and Assembly Member Alicia Hyndman (D-Laurelton, Rosedale, St. Albans, Addisleigh Park, Hollis, Springfield Gardens, Jamaica) today are hosting a virtual community conversation on the future of public education in Southeast Queens after coronavirus.
“We will examine what the pandemic has taught us about the role of public schools in our everyday lives in Southeast Queens, what priorities really matter regarding public education in our community. If schools re-open in the Fall what kind of education should the community of Southeast Queens demand,” said Sanders.
Joining Senator Sanders for this conversation will be education activist and author Noliwe Rooks, NYS Senator Shelley B. Mayer, Chairwoman of Senate’s Committee on Education; State Senator John Liu, Chairman of Senate’s Committee on NYC Education; Adrienne Austin NYC DOE Acting Deputy Chancellor; Jasmine Gripper, Executive Director of Alliance for Quality Education; Dr. Betty A. Rosa, Board of Regents Chancellor, 12th Judicial District; and Dermot Smyth, Queens Political Action Coordinator, United Federation of Teachers.
The Facebook Live forum is slated for 3 p.m., today, April 29 at Facebook.com/StateSenatorJamesSandersJr/. RSVP on Eventbrite Click HERE.
