Montgomery Supports Industry City
State Sen. Velmanette Montgomery (D-Fort Greene, Boerum Hill, Red Hook, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Sunset Park, Gowanus, Park Slope) recently wrote City Council Speaker Corey Johnson (D-Manhattan) of her support of the Industry City rezoning, which has been approved by the city’s Planning Commission and is now before the City Council.
“As one of the state elected officials representing Sunset Park, l am writing in support of my Council colleagues to urge the City Council to move forward with the Industry City Rezoning Proposal,” wrote Montgomery.
“I recognize that traditionally the City Council provides deference to the local Council member on issues i-elated to land use and rezoning in their community. However, in this instance, three Council members have publicly stated their support for the Industry City proposal. The expansion of this major industrial park would create twenty thousand jobs in Brooklyn.
“This is a very important issue to me. Having represented both, I view Industry City and Brooklyn Navy Yard as vital economic engines for our borough and our City. Both industrial complexes are critical to the City’s economic growth. Both Industry City and Brooklyn Navy Yard provide much-needed incubator space for new and small businesses, have on-site employment centers to connect neighborhood residents with employers and are developing jobs in the new economy.”
“I have spoken extensively with Industry City’s leadership about creating pathways to careers for the people of Brooklyn, including Sunset Park, by forging partnerships with academic institutions and employers. I applaud Industry City’s commitment to establishing a public technical high school and an adult education center, creating a manufacturing hub, investing in green energy infrastructure initiatives and providing support services for local residents.”
Rose Secures Relief Funds
U.S. Rep. Max Rose’s (D-Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island) office has helped secure or return more than $18 million that was owed to constituents, including over $16 million in COVID-19 relief funds.
“When I took the oath of office, I swore that if it mattered to you, it mattered to me,”Rose said. “It didn’t matter if it was a city, state, or federal issue we’d have your back.”
Rose noted that while the total returned is significant, the sum was a reflection of how many people were relying on critical government assistance to stave off economic ruin—and how much relief is still needed.
“What I didn’t expect was that during my first term we’d come face to face with a pandemic and economic crisis that turned our world upside down. And the hard truth is that it shows no sign of slowing down. The cases continue coming because the pandemic is not over. We are standing on the brink of an even worse economic crisis if the Senate does not pass the Heroes Act. If we do not secure unemployment benefits, aid to restaurants, and money for our state and local governments—we’ll be on course to match the Great Depression. We cannot play politics with this. We cannot delay. This isn’t just about New York, it’s about America,” Rose said.
In May, Rose helped pass the Heroes Act, which received bipartisan support and provided over $100 billion in critical relief for New York, including funding for state and local governments, extended federal unemployment benefits, protections and benefits for frontline workers, small businesses, and those hit hardest by the pandemic.
Malliotakis on NYC Federal Funding
Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis (Bay Ridge, Staten Island) made a statement on NYC requesting federal funding.
“President Trump is sending a clear message to Bill de Blasio and New York City’s left-wing elected officials; you can’t break federal laws with radical far left policies and squander billions in tax dollars on pet projects like Thrive NYC, then defund the NYPD with expectations that the federal government will bail you out. New York and other cities are facing tough times which demand belt tightening and fiscal responsibility; two principles that Mayor de Blasio has thrown aside in favor of runaway spending and higher taxes.
“Federal dollars need to come with commitments and restrictions to ensure that the taxpayers’ money is being spent on its intended purposes. The mayor needs to clamp down on lawlessness, restore the plainclothes anti-crime unit and the billion dollars he took from the NYPD. In Congress, I’ll fight to restore funding to the NYPD and fiscal responsibility to our city,” she said.
Gounardes, Brannan Rally for Indoor Dining
State Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Gravesend, Gerritsen Beach, Manhattan Beach, Marine Park) and City Councilman Justin Brannan (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach) joined local restaurant owners to urge the city and state to immediately issue guidance on indoor dining so restaurant owners and workers can plan for the future.
The elected officials and restaurant owners held a press conference in front of Bay Ridge restaurant Chadwick’s to urge clarity on metrics or thresholds for re-opening.
“Restaurants are the lifeblood of our city, and the fact that we don’t have any information or metrics for the reopening of indoor dining is absurd. As winter approaches, we can’t leave our restaurants out in the cold. We need to give them information on how they will be able to welcome back indoor customers, as restaurants have done on Long Island, Westchester and in New Jersey. And once indoor dining does resume, restaurant owners need as much advance notice as possible to prepare their facilities and their teams. We need a plan of action and clear communication to follow the science and also issue guidance for our local restaurants to help them succeed. If we just let them fail, we let our economy fail,” said Gounardes.
“It’s September and there are still no details on how or when indoor dining will resume for New York City restaurants – even though New York City has met, sustained, and exceeded all the public health metrics that have allowed restaurants throughout the rest of New York State to reopen at a limited capacity. The fact that you can go just a few miles outside New York City and dine indoors makes no sense. Today, I can go have lunch indoors in Westchester but not across the street in the Bronx. Tonight, I can go have dinner inside a Long Island restaurant but not across the street in Queens. It’s indefensible. While the outdoor dining program has been a success – and a much-needed and creative lifeline for our struggling restaurants – with cold weather around the corner, our small businesses are still hanging on by a thread. We need answers. We need a plan. We need a light at the end of the tunnel and we need it now. Restaurant owners need time to prepare, workers need to know what’s happening, and New Yorkers deserve to know how the virus will be kept under control once indoor dining returns. Let’s do it smart, let’s do it safe, and let’s make it happen,” said Councilman Justin Brannan.
Persaud Updates on Census, Gyms, Labor & Memorial Day
State Sen. Roxanne Persaud (D- Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Old Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, Mill Island, Georgetown, Ocean Hill, Starrett City) included some useful reminders in her weekly newsletter.
Census
- Have you completed the critical 2020 Census? If yes, Thank You. Less than 30 days are remaining for you to complete the 2020 Census online or by telephone. By completing your Census information, you are helping your community to receive its fair share of federal funding. I urge you to take ten minutes or less out of your day and complete the ten questions for ten years of resources. Please take a moment to answer the survey today by phone at (844) 330-2020 or online at my2020census.gov. It’s fast, easy, and completely confidential.
Gyms
- Gyms across New York City opened on September 2 at limited capacity with an additional modification: state-mandated inspections are required, and indoor group classes will not be permitted. New York City restaurant owners are asking for the reinstatement of indoor dining services; however, approval is still pending. I will continue to work with my colleagues on this issue.
Labor Day
- This weekend is Labor Day Weekend, a time when we celebrate with family and friends. Due to COVID-19, many of the festivities that we enjoy attending are canceled or will be virtual. I encourage you to stay home and enjoy the time with your family. Do not have large parties or attend any. We want everyone to be safe. Also, remember Labor Day is a day to recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States. Thank You to our Labor Unions!
Veterans Day
- Lastly, our nation will celebrate Veterans Day on November 11. I am asking veterans in SD-19 to contact my office and give us your veteran status. Call us at 718-649-7653 or email senatorpersaud@gmail.com.
