Myrie Stops the Clock on Pending Evictions
State Sen. Zellnor Myrie’s (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Gowanus, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, South Slope, Sunset Park) bill called The Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act stops the clock on all new and pending evictions for sixty days, and protects renters facing financial distress as a result of the pandemic passed yesterday,
This bill, which Gov. Cuomo has agreed to sign into law, takes effect immediately and keeps tenants in their homes. Tenants who have lost income or employment, have increased family or healthcare expenses, or cannot afford to move, will be protected from eviction until May. Renters at risk of eviction will be provided a simplified, multilingual form to attest to their hardship to their landlord and the court.
“This legislation gives tenants the tools they need to halt eviction proceedings through the pandemic winter ahead of us, but our work is not done. I will continue fighting on behalf of renters and small property owners and working to ensure that our existing crisis is not worsened by a tidal wave of evictions and foreclosures. Yesterday’s legislation is welcome news for tenants and homeowners facing difficulty making ends meet during the pandemic. I’m grateful to my partners and the advocacy community for making this bill possible,” he said.
Louis Comments on Shootings
City Council Member Farah Louis (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Marine Park, Flatlands, Kensington) issued the following statement after two separate shootings in Flatbush killed 62-year-old Daniel Romulus and wounded a woman listed in stable condition at Kings County Hospital.
The shootings, which occurred on Saturday, were 2.5 hours and about a mile apart. The perpetrator has not been identified or apprehended in either case. NYPD has not confirmed whether the two shootings are related.
“Between the COVID-19 pandemic and prevalence of gun violence, our city is near its breaking point. We have already lost so many relatives, colleagues, and friends this year alone. Instead of spending the holiday season at home among loved ones and counting down to the New Year, one family will be planning a funeral while another family hopes for a speedy recovery.
“Our streets are no longer safe, and neither are our homes when there are one or more unidentified suspects terrorizing apartment buildings in our community without hesitation. These incidents — related or not — are amoral. To break the cycle of violence, we must break our silence to hold these individuals accountable for their actions. I denounce and condemn gun violence, which affects all of us. I will continue to work closely with the Mayor, the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ), and Cure Violence groups to address these incidents and demand justice for the victims.
“We cannot continue to depend on Congress or the NYPD to take action and stop gun trafficking. Black and brown communities, engulfed in dual health crises, are dying at alarming rates. The end begins with us. Every block of this community belongs to the individuals who sacrificed and fought hard to reclaim it from perpetrators. We have lived here for generations, purchased homes, opened small businesses, and there is no way that we are going backward. I pray for healing, peace, and strength for the affected families,” she said.
Jeffries on Passing of CASH Act
U.S. Reps. Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn, Queens) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the CASH Act of 2020, legislation to secure $2,000 direct payment checks for everyday Americans.
“2020 has been a rough year filled with trials and tribulations, anchored in the fact that America is dealing with a public health crisis and an economic crisis at the same time. Americans need comprehensive financial help to make it through this storm.
“For months, House Democrats worked hard to secure increased direct cash payments. We passed the HEROES Act on May 15, but Senate Republicans and the Trump administration did nothing. On October 1, we passed the second version of the HEROES Act and again, Senate Republicans and the Trump administration did nothing. Finally, both sides came together last week and passed a COVID relief bill with $600 direct payments to provide a down payment on assistance to everyday Americans.
“Then, as the bill was being prepared for his signature, President Trump changed his mind and decided to agree with the position of House Democrats that $600 is not enough. Unfortunately, instead of helping get a measure with $2000 direct payment checks through the House with the urgency it required, House Republicans objected. This is the same group that in 2017 increased the deficit by $2 trillion to give tax breaks to the wealthy, well-off and well connected.
Today, the House passed the CASH Act to get desperately needed money into the pockets of the American people. Now, Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans must choose if they will join us and support this bill to help struggling Americans or if they will continue to be missing in action,” he said.
AG James Opens Investigation Over COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
NY Attorney General Letitia James released the following statement in response to her office opening an investigation into ParCare Community Health Network’s distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in New York:
“My office is launching an investigation into ParCare over allegations that it wrongfully distributed and administered COVID-19 vaccines. In order for the vaccine to be most effective in protecting our communities, we must all follow the same distribution plan. We will not tolerate any attempts to circumvent that process.”
ParCare Community Health Network is headquartered in Williamsburg and is reportedly under investigation for allegedly fraudulently obtaining and diverting highly coveted COVID-19 vaccines.
