Rose on FEMA Upending the National Flood Insurance Program
U.S. Rep. Max Rose (D-Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island) announced new legislation he will introduce this week to protect homeowners from unexpected and potentially drastic hikes in flood insurance premiums by requiring FEMA to report on the impacts of any changes in the national flood insurance program before they go into effect.
“Last year, I stood here and announced my opposition to a plan by FEMA bureaucrats to completely upend the National Flood Insurance Program and throw thousands of Staten Island homeowners into absolute confusion,” said Rose at a press conference on Staten Island with local homeowners. “It was a plan drafted behind closed doors to overhaul how premiums are determined, and then we stood up here and we noted that when we asked FEMA what the impact of it would be, they told me ‘wait and see.’ Well, I’m not willing to play Russian roulette with my constituents’ futures.
“And guess what? FEMA heard us, the Administration heard us. We aligned ourselves in a bipartisan group, put politics aside, did the right thing and we won. FEMA announced they’d delay Risk Rating until next year. But we’re not satisfied to sit back and say I did my job. We’re here to announce that this week, I will introduce new legislation that will block FEMA from implementing any similar changes in how they calculate flood insurance until they’ve demonstrated to Congress, until they’ve demonstrated to communities just like this what exactly the consequences will be,” he said.
Last year, the Administration proposed an overhaul of how the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) calculates premiums and rates called Risk Rating 2.0. Citing a lack of information on how this overhaul would impact his constituents, Rose led a bipartisan effort demanding answers from FEMA on how Risk Rating 2.0 could devastate homeowners. Following continued pressure by Rose, FEMA announced it would delay implementation of Risk Rating 2.0—which is now scheduled to be implemented in October 2021.
Gounardes Releases Endorsement from 9/11 First Responder
State Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Gravesend, Gerritsen Beach, Manhattan Beach, Marine Park) announced that John Feal, 9/11 first responder, advocate, and leader, has endorsed the Senator for re-election.
“Our 9/11 first responders are our heroes, but when it comes to being supported with the healthcare and benefits they deserve, they haven’t always been treated that way. That’s why, in my first term, I prioritized work to ensure our 9/11 heroes get the care they deserve. 9/11 first responders should not beg for care and help after what they’ve done for our great city. I will always be a friend to and advocate for these brave men and women, and continue to provide them with results, not just words, platitudes and promises. I am deeply honored to be endorsed by John Feal and will never stop fighting on behalf of our 9/11 responders,” said Gounardes.
“Andrew stepped forward and joined us. Because of him, and his dedication and his empathy, he fought for us. We got a bill passed that will help hundreds, if not thousands, of 9/11 [first] responders… Andrew’s values and his morals are a lot like mine. We shake hands, look each other in the eye, and get things done,” said Feal.
Adams, Perry Unveil Canarsie Mural
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams joined with Next100, a startup think tank, and Assembly Member Nick Perry (D-East Flatbush) over the weekend to unveil a new mural in Canarsie highlighting the impacts of collateral consequences, which refers to the 44,000 laws across the United States that make it more difficult for the formerly incarcerated to access housing, employment, education, job training, voting rights, and more upon their release.
The mural is the second in a series known as #EndPerpetualPunishment. Its unveiling comes amid a renewed national focus on the serious and pervasive racial inequities in all parts of the criminal justice system.
Persaud Hosts Back to School Supply Giveaway
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) held a free Back-to-School Supply Giveaway and Food/Mask/Hand Sanitizer Distribution.
“While this year may be untraditional as families, educators, and administrators tackle with remote instruction and restructured in-classroom learning, my office has attempted to ease the stress and anxieties many of our most vulnerable youth and families have as we begin the school year,” said Persaud; adding “as Chair of the Senate Social Services Committee, I am deeply concerned with the overall wellbeing of constituents in the 19th Senate District and all New Yorkers, as this pandemic has affected so many families and communities across New York State.”
Hundreds of constituents and their families were helped by Persaud’s efforts in securing needed school supplies, backpacks, food, and PPE to ensure a strong start to the 2020-2021 school year. Many organizations came together to make this a successful event. Grocery items and fresh produce were provided by The Campaign Against Hunger and Saba Live Poultry provided fresh eggs.
Colton Announces Event for Restaurant Guidelines
Assemblyman William Colton ( Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights) together with the 47th A.D. District Leaders Charles Ragusa and Nancy Tong, is holding an event this week demanding an airing of the public points of view regarding guidelines for safe indoor dining in NYC to save restaurants.
“I am glad that Governor Cuomo took the initiative allowing indoor dining to resume at 25% capacity on September 30th. The announced regulations include that all restaurants owners must comply with the rules and regulations by temperature checks, one party of each group must leave contact information for contact tracers, no bar service, masks must be worn unless seated at a table to eat, tables must be six feet apart, in order to proceed for the safe reopening as soon as possible,” Colton stated.
“Government must come up with a safe plan of action and help restaurant owners get back to normal so that they can safely continue to serve our community. We need small businesses to boost our economy. If a restaurant is violating rules and regulations, then the owner should be given a warning first. They shouldn’t be slapped with violations and license revocations. We need neighborhood restaurants and can’t let them perish. Unfortunately, our great country got struck by an invisible enemy, and we need to help each other in order to beat it. We are all in it together,” Colton said.
“We will continue to conduct these events to get real input from restaurants and community groups on what changes are needed to be made to save our NYC restaurants, which employ so many neighborhood people, bolster our neighborhood economy and provide a significant vehicle for promoting family life in NYC,” Colton added.
The event is slated to take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sep. 16 at the Il Centro Italian-American Cultural Center 8711 18th Avenue in Bensonhurst.
Adams, Rose on 9/11
U.S. Rep. Max Rose (D-Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island) and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams issued the following statement on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001:
Adams: “The terrible events of September 11, 2001 forever became a flashpoint in our nation’s — and Brooklyn’s — history, as that morning 291 Brooklyn residents kissed their loved ones goodbye, left for work, and had no idea of the fate that awaited them. Nineteen years later, our hearts still ache with grief over the 2,996 lives lost on that terrible day, and the continuing losses of our first responder heroes who toiled for months after in the scorched and smoldering toxic ruins of the Ground Zero pile. As a first responder on that day, I believe 9/11 will always be a time to pause, remember, and give thanks to everyone who made the ultimate sacrifice in lower Manhattan, at the Pentagon, and over the skies of Shanksville, Pennsylvania to save lives. I celebrate the America of 9/12 — the day we got back up on our feet, began the hard work of recovery, and became the most united our United States of America had ever been. We were one nation, undivided, indivisible, and we should always be. May the memories of our beloved brothers and sisters who we lost stay with us forever.”
Rose: “Today we remember the pain that swept over our nation 19 years ago. Here in New York, it wasn’t just an attack on our country, it was the last time we hugged our loved ones goodbye, or saw our neighbors dropping their kids off at school. And while so many of us wish we could unlearn what that pain, that loss feels like, with each year that passes an entire generation is now learning about September 11th for the first time from a history book, rather than remembering it.
“And if we’re being honest with ourselves, there are a lot of people outside this city who swore they would never forget and did. I saw it firsthand when politicians had to be shamed into fully funding the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. But they did it because we made them remember.
“Those of us who lived through that horrific day carry a heavy burden and responsibility to ensure the memories of those we lost never fade away. To never think—just for a second—that time alone can heal the wounds of loss. And to ensure the Museum—or any institution—charged with protecting the memory of our loved ones never again thinks it’s okay to turn off the lights. We have not forgotten. We will never forget. And together, we’ll make sure the rest of world never will either.”
