Adams on Goldman Sachs Possible Move
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams released the following statement yesterday on a report that Goldman Sachs might move out of New York City.
“Yesterday’s report that Goldman Sachs is looking to move its asset management division to Florida is extremely disappointing, if true. New York grew Goldman Sachs into the international behemoth that it is today with our wealth of talent, tax breaks, and the exciting energy only New Yorkers can provide. Goldman should be asking how it can help our city during this unprecedented crisis, not turning its back on us.
“Today I renew my call for the Banking Commission and the City Comptroller to look more closely at the banks the City does business with, and evaluate them as civic partners in addition to their performance as vendors. New York City — with its billions of dollars a year in bank deposits, bond issues, and other financial business — is a massive client, and we must use our leverage where possible to force better behavior by big banks.
“I also would like to send a message directly to Goldman Sachs: If you move jobs out of New York, you will regret it. Companies like JP Morgan and Facebook are committing to New York for the long haul because they know that there is no other place on Earth like our city for attracting talent and doing business. When New York is all the way back — and we will be, soon — your competitors’ employees will be eating at the best restaurants, enjoying the most celebrated new performances and exhibitions, and loving life in the greatest city in the world,” he said.
Savino & Cusick Announce Hospitality Relief Package
State Sen. Diane Savino (D-Southern Brooklyn, Coney Island) and Assemblyman Mike Cusick (D-Staten Island) announced a package of legislation and policy proposals to provide much-needed relief for restaurants and bars.
The proposals include a Hospitality Relief Fund and amnesty from fines imposed by the State Liquor Authority.
“We’ve seen bars and restaurants across the city and state be forced to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many more are struggling to find a way to keep the doors open as we enter the winter months. These businesses are not just places we enjoy a night out at, they employ hundreds of thousands of people and the products they purchase have an economic impact across the state. This package is a step towards making them whole and ensuring that they can continue to operate here in New York,” said Savino.
As the state continues to wait for action from the federal government, it is clear that more must be done immediately to help these businesses. One part of the proposed package calls for the passage of the business interruption bill, S8211/A10226, which will hold harmless businesses and nonprofits that currently hold business interruption insurance for losses sustained because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but for which no such coverage is currently being provided, the lawmakers said..
Carroll & Simon Address the Needs of the Special Needs
Assemblymembers Robert Carroll (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington, Ditmas Park) and Jo Anne Simon (D-Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Gowanus, Park Slope, Boerum Hill, DUMBO) yesterday sent a letter to Mayor de Blasio and Department of Education Chancellor Richard Carranza to urge them to address the needs of children with autism and related disabilities currently enrolled in ASD Nest, ASD Horizon, ACES and bilingual special education Middle and High School programs.
“These students have unique needs and require in-person instruction,” said Carroll. “They have struggled for months in front of computer screens that do not provide the type of kinesthetic social instruction that they need. It is past time for Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Carranza to fulfill their duty to these children and to give them the education they are legally entitled to.”
“Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Carranza should open in-person specialized education programs immediately so that these students get the services they need and are legally entitled to. Too many students are struggling at home because they need social-emotional support and multi-sensory interventions to learn and thrive, which can only be provided in highly specialized programs. This includes students with autism, intellectual disabilities or multiple disabilities or who require bilingual special education services,” said Simon.
Cornegy to Tis the Season
Council Member Robert Cornegy (D-Bedford Stuyvesant, Northern Crown Heights) today will join with Friends of Brower Park and Crown Heights North Association to brighten Crown Heights with a tree lighting as well as Wellness Wednesday and Toy Giveaway events he hosts.
Cornegy has been hosting Wellness Wednesdays starting in the darkest times of the Covid-19 pandemic. After giving out more than 10,000 boxes of food in Bed-Stuy, he is coming to Brower Park in Crown Heights. Teaming up with Crown Heights North Association and Friends of Brower Park, they will host a toy drive and tree lighting. Participants, through tabling or sponsorship of giveaways, include the Office of NYPD Community Affairs, the Campaign Against Hunger, and generous food contributions by Met Council.
This event is slated to take place at 3 p.m. today, Dec. 9 at Brower Park, Kingston Avenue & Park Place in Crown Heights.
Jeffries on Secretary Defense
U.S. Reps. Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn, Queens)issued the following statement after President-elect Joe Biden nominated retired General Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense:
“Lloyd Austin is a groundbreaking, visionary, highly capable patriot who has dedicated his life to protecting and serving the American people. It is beyond peradventure that General Austin will serve the country well as Secretary of Defense,” said Jeffries.
“He is a crisis-tested leader who has broken barriers in a historic ascent to our military’s highest ranks. General Austin’s nomination deserves full and fair consideration in the Senate,” he added.
