Gottfried to Host Hearing on COVID-19 and Hospitals
Today, Assemblymember Richard Gottfried (D-Chelsea, Midtown) will be hosting an hearing on COVID-19 and its impact on hospitals.
The hearing will cover PPE shortages, our hospitals’ infrastructure, and the financial strain they endured during the State of Emergency, among other issues. It will also examine the effects of state policies on the ability of hospitals to handle the crisis.
Gottfried expects to hear from the NYC Department of Health, hospital trade associations, policy advocates and healthcare professional organizations.
The hearing will take place today at 10 a.m. and will be livestreamed here.
Espaillat to Pay Respects to John Lewis
U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-Manhattan, Bronx) will be hosting a memorial service for the late Congressman John Robert Lewis today.
At the event, New York lawmakers and community leaders will reflect on how Lewis changed their lives and encouraged them to fight on behalf of justice. Rev. Al Sharpton of the National Action Network (NAN) and Rev. Calvin O. Butts of the Abyssinian Baptist Church will be offering remarks.
The event will take place tonight at 7 p.m. at facebook.com/RepEspaillat.
Velázquez Bill Would Help Communities Apply for Benefits
Yesterday, U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-LES, Brooklyn, Queens) introduced legislation to help community nonprofit organizations address the needs of families and small businesses.
The Connecting Communities to Grant Opportunities Act of 2020 would provide $200 million in funding for community nonprofits; this money would go toward outreach efforts to help people and businesses apply for benefits provided through COVID-related legislation.
“For far too long, low income and underserved communities have disproportionally felt the brunt of every disaster and economic downturn our nation faced,” said Velázquez. “We have an obligation to reach out to those who are struggling and help them obtain all the aid that they are eligible for. With this bill, we are empowering underserved communities, vulnerable populations and small businesses that have not been able to apply for benefits even though they meet eligibility criteria.”
James Announces Intent to Sue Trump Admin for Failure to Update Energy Efficiency Standards
New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) released a statement yesterday, announcing that she will be sending a 60-day notice of intent to sue the Trump Departments of Energy (DOE) for neglecting its responsibility to update energy efficiency standards.
In particular, the DOE has failed to meet deadlines for the review of efficiency standards for 25 varieties of consumer products. Among these are washers, dryers, refrigerators, air conditioners and microwave ovens.
“Updated energy efficiency standards for commercial and household products would provide tremendous benefits for the environment and for consumers’ wallets,” said James. “The Trump Administration is demonstrating its continued disregard for public health and the wellbeing of our communities by refusing to update these standards. My office is committed to taking legal action to force the DOE to comply with the rule of law; enough is enough.”
