Eugene on Jiha Appointment to Mayor’s Board
City Council Member Mathieu Eugene (D-Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Kensington, Midwood, Prospect Park, Prospect Lefferts Gardens) issued the following statement on the appointment of Department of Finance Commissioner Jacques Jiha as Director of The Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget.
“I want to commend and congratulate New York City Department of Finance Commissioner Jacques Jiha on his appointment today as the new Director of The Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget. Mr. Jiha is a wonderful public servant who has always led by example. He has displayed a tremendous amount of dedication, integrity, and expertise in his role as Finance Commissioner, and has shaped the Department of Finance into a dynamic and forward-thinking agency.
“Mr. Jiha’s success as a leader epitomizes the American dream and is a profound example of how selfless ambition that is focused on helping people is key to moving our society forward. This is a well-deserved appointment, and I know that Mr. Jiha will do his very best to manage the city’s budget during this time of crisis.
“I am confident that he will do an outstanding job in his new role, one that will benefit all New Yorkers and help us work together towards a better future. I wish him and his family much success and continued good health.”
Gillibrand to Demand Money for Restaurants
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), David Chang, chef and founder of Momofuku, and Tom Colicchio, chef and owner of Crafted Hospitality, will hold a video press conference to urge the Senate to pass the Real Economic Support That Acknowledges Unique Restaurant Assistance Needed to Survive (RESTAURANTS) Act of 2020.
The RESTAURANTS Act would create a $120 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund to address the unique long-term challenges of food service and drinking establishments and ensure they can maintain operations, pay workers, and keep their doors open. It would provide economic relief to independent restaurants navigating unprecedented challenges caused by the pandemic.
Across the country, restaurants have been devastated by stay at home orders and operating restrictions that have slashed revenue and operations. Nearly 90% of New York City bar and restaurant owners couldn’t pay their rent in August and many may have to shut their doors permanently when they can no longer rely on revenue from outdoor dining. The recent uptick in coronavirus cases in parts of the state also threatens to impose restrictions that further limit the scale of operations, leaving millions of New Yorkers who work in food service at risk of permanent job loss.
The restaurant industry is New York’s second largest employer and employs nearly 1 in 10 New Yorkers. Across the country, more than 11 million independent restaurant employees are at risk of losing their jobs.
Rose, Malliotakis Race Heating up with Endorsements
U.S. Rep. Max Rose (D-Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island) and his opponent for the congressional race Nicole Malliotakis receive endorsements from different politicians.
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens), along with local elected officials, Asian American business and community leaders, joined Congressman Max Rose at a press conference to announce their strong support for Rose’s reelection.
“I’m honored to be joined by so many friends as well as such passionate and strong leaders in our community. And I’m especially honored to have my dear friend and colleague, Congresswoman Grace Meng here with us today. There’s no stronger advocate, fighter and champion,” Rose said.
President Donald Trump did a live call with Malliotakis last week in which he endorsed her.
“It is so important to me to take the time out to get Nicole into office. She’ll be an incredible Congressperson. She will be fighting for our police, our safety, our jobs, our borders, and our God-given rights guaranteed by the Constitution, and with your help we’ll have Nicole in Congress,” President Donald Trump’s team wrote.
