Lawmakers Seek Changes to HUD Coronavirus Funding
Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-Brooklyn Heights, Boerum Hill, Bushwick, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Dumbo, East New York, East Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Gowanus, Red Hook, Sunset Park, Williamsburg, Queens, Lower Manhattan), 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) along with other U.S. Reps called on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to significantly revise its methodology for distributing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.
“The formula HUD developed for Round 2 funding failed to include the most pertinent metrics and the best available data. As a result, the State of New York was denied critical funding resources that are still desperately needed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in our state. In fact, despite New York being the epicenter of the pandemic here in the United States, the failure in HUD’s allocation methodology resulted in the State of New York seeing the largest decline in share of CDBG funding between Round 1 and Round 2 of any state in the country, the lawmakers wrote in a letter to HUD.
“While the public health needs of low-income seniors are accounted for, the metric of public health need completely fails to take into account COVID-19 transmission and relevant housing factors, such as renter overcrowding and extremely low-income rent-burdened households. Organizations like the National Low Income Housing Coalition have highlighted the vulnerability of extremely low-income rent-burdened households to economic shocks and to worse health outcomes,” they wrote.
Adams Says New Busway Opening Ignores Inner Brooklyn
Borough President Eric Adams yesterday released a statement on the new busway opening on Jay Street, saying while the Downtown Brooklyn busway is welcome it ignores important thoroughfares.
“The DOT announcement of a new busway on Jay Street between Fulton and Tillary streets, while much-welcomed, represents the lowest of low-hanging fruit among the bus infrastructure investments our borough needs. This represents just 0.6 of more than 300 miles in Brooklyn’s bus network, and the City’s announced list of emergency bus lane projects is just 20 of the 40 miles that my borough president colleagues and I have called for as our city reopens from the COVID-19 pandemic. This city’s economic recovery depends on our workforce, and that workforce depends on a public transit network that isn’t bogged down by car congestion. Essential workers and low-income riders particularly depend upon our buses, and they deserve greater priority than what City Hall is giving them in Brooklyn.
“I urge DOT to immediately consult with MTA and announce an expanded list of emergency projects, considering previously-suggested proposals like a busway on Livingston Street between Court Street and Flatbush Avenue as well as an improved bus lane on Flatbush Avenue between Empire Boulevard and Avenue H.”
Ortiz Applauds Police Legislation
Assistant Assembly Speaker Felix W. Ortiz (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) is glad that his police reform legislation is being considered now.
“The state legislature is enacting historic legislation today, passing several bills to protect New Yorkers, improve police and community relations, and bring transparency and accountability to the criminal justice system. I have been working tirelessly to enact meaningful and necessary progressive criminal justice reforms for our state. We have heard from our constituents and are acting now, not waiting for Washington or anyone else to take the lead.
I am particularly pleased that the legislature is taking up legislation I have long supported to make the reporting of false crimes based on race, religion or ethnicity a crime. This legislation was long overdue and is now becoming a reality. We’ve only begun the fight to rebuild New York after the pandemic crisis and the breakdown of trust in the police after recent incidents. The fight continues,” finished Ortiz.
Lander Endorses Richards for Queens Borough President
Council Member Brad Lander (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington, Gowanus) announced his endorsement of Council Member Donovan Richards for Queens Borough President.
“Donovan Richards has earned my endorsement for Queens Borough President through years of fighting together for progressive causes. He was the first Council Member with the courage to sign the ‘petition-to-discharge’ for paid sick days in 2012 when the mayor and speaker opposed it. He stood strong and spoke with conviction in the Council’s fight to combat discriminatory stop and frisk. He helped to build the strength of the Progressive Caucus in the City Council, as an early risk-taker in Queens and as co-chair. He’s fought like hell for his community, in the work for recovery and resilience after Hurricane Sandy, for affordable housing and good jobs, and for a stronger public health response to save lives during the COVID-19 crisis. As the Chair of the Council’s Committee on Public Safety, Donovan has been a consistent leader in the fight for justice in policing, and he was one of the first members, even before the killing of George Floyd, to call for a budget with real cuts to the NYPD. At this moment especially, as we reckon with building a fundamentally fairer city, Donovan Richards is the leader Queens needs,” said Lander.
“From before I was first elected to the City Council, Brad Lander has been a steadfast advocate of the progressive policies that have made our city a fairer and more equitable place to call home. I was proud to stand with him on issues like paid sick leave and chair the Progressive Caucus that he first founded. He has been a strong ally in the fight against police brutality and racism
The Democratic Primary for Queens Borough President will take place on Tuesday, June 23rd.
Gounardes Spearheads Celebrate Graduating Seniors
State Senator Andrew Gounardes (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Gravesend, Gerritsen Beach, Manhattan Beach, Marine Park) announced a southern Brooklyn-wide cheer to honor graduating seniors in southern Brooklyn with a massive community-wide cheer at 6 p.m. on June 12.
“My office launched #CheerForSeniorYear to show our students just how proud we are of everything they’ve accomplished. So many students and their families have been looking forward to their graduation ceremonies for months to celebrate their academic achievements. While these ceremonies have been canceled or modified or changed due to the pandemic, we will still celebrate our seniors and make some noise from our homes!” said Gounardes.
Similar to the daily 7 p.m cheer to honor essential and healthcare workers during COVID-19, those who are interested in participating will be asked to clap and cheer from their home windows to celebrate the students who are graduating during these unprecedented times. To see the announcement video, please visit this link: senatorgounardes.nyc/graduation
Felder Urges, “Shop Local” Small Businesses Need Life Support
State Sen. Simcha Felder (D-Borough Park, Midwood, Flatbush, Ditmas Park, Kensington) is urging people to support small businesses by shopping in their stores.
“Small businesses are essential- to our economy and to every thriving neighborhood. Shop owners are your friends, neighbors and relatives. For months, they have been choking and now they are at the breaking point. By shopping local, we can all do our part to sustain and protect them. Look for the bright red sign,” urged Senator Felder, “and when you need to shop, remember to shop local,” said Felder.
Felder is fighting to save them and rallying for grassroots support. The campaign urges people to shop local with posters displayed in storefronts across the district alerting local customers that they are open for business.
“The administration found a way for big box stores to operate safely, but as New York City enters Phase 1 today, small businesses are still shackled. No browsing? Shoppers have been browsing in Target throughout the pandemic! We must allow small businesses to operate safely, legally and effectively, now,” said Felder.
