Stringer Writes Op-Ed on How to Ensure Fair Distribution of PPP
Yesterday, City Comptroller Scott Stringer (D) published an op-ed on Medium on how to ensure that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) doesn’t leave any businesses behind.
According to the article, in the previous round of PPP, only 12 percent of eligible New York businesses received financial support. The second round of the program opened on Monday, Jan. 11. To ensure as many businesses as possible get their fair share, the article lays out a list of suggestions, including:
- Building a multilingual team to reach out to business owners and teach them about the PPP application process;
- Publish a list of all financial institutions that are administering PPP, so businesses know where to go;
- And advertise the second round of PPP through every medium possible, including television, radio and social media.
“The City must start implementing our recommendations immediately to make sure New York small businesses get their fair share of funding and remain open, and so our economic recovery stays on track,” wrote Stringer.
Read the full article here.
Krueger Urges Cuomo to Create Centralized Vaccine Appointment System
Yesterday, State Senator Liz Krueger (D-Upper East Side, Lenox Hill) released a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo (D), urging him to create a centralized, statewide vaccine appointment system.
Krueger wrote that she was “extremely concerned” about the vaccine rollout in New York, citing the dearth of vaccination locations and insufficient supply of vaccines the State has received from the federal government. She also cited several reports from constituents who found the States’ vaccine appointment process to be agonizing, frustrating and borderline impossible to navigate.
To remedy the latter issue, Krueger suggested the creation of a single, navigable, centralized system, available via website or phone. The website would have to have “a logical, clear and uncluttered layout with a user-friendly design”, and the phone hotline would have to be manned by “a sufficient, well-trained staff”.
“I understand that creating such a statewide system is a large undertaking,” wrote Krueger. “However, such a system is already in place in Indiana and Mississippi, and is being developed in Florida and Vermont. If we are truly at ‘war’ with COVID-19, vaccination is our only hope for victory. New York is losing this battle, and we must act rapidly and at scale to turn the tide.”
Nadler, Schneider, Durbin Introduce Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act
Yesterday, U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan, Bronx) joined U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to introduce the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act (DTPA) of 2021.
The act, which passed the House Judiciary Committee last Congress, would strengthen the federal government’s ability to prevent, investigate and report on acts of domestic terrorism.
“I commend Congressman Brad Schneider and Senator Dick Durbin for introducing the ‘Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act,’ and I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill, which we need now more than ever,” said Nadler. “Two weeks ago, our nation and the world watched aghast as domestic terrorists, incited by President Trump, breached the Capitol, looted, and murdered a Capitol Police officer. As Congress moves to hold the President accountable, we must now also take immediate legislative steps to address the rising menace of white supremacy and extremist violence.”
Jackson Applauds Passage of Legislative Package to Support Small Businesses
Yesterday, State Senator Robert Jackson (D-Washington Heights, Inwood) and the Senate Majority voted to advance legislation to help small businesses impacted by COVID-19.
Among the bills included in the package were:
- A bill creating a moratorium on evictions for small businesses who have endured COVID-related hardships;
- A bill establishing a maximum fee that a third-party delivery service can charge to a food service establishment;
- and a bill requiring the Department of Labor to increase their efforts to inform workers about the Shared Work Program.
“From restaurants to salons and from bookstores to clothing retailers, small businesses in our communities have suffered profoundly during this pandemic,” said Jackson. “I’m proud to support this common-sense package of bills that will alleviate some of the burdens these cornerstones of our community have borne by keeping them in their brick-and-mortar spaces and reducing some of the financial difficulties they face.
“I thank my colleagues for their work on these bills and look forward to building on these measures as we chart our state’s recovery. This legislation package continues the Senate Majority’s commitment to helping New Yorkers and businesses recover, and we will continue to hold hearings and advance legislation as our communities move forward. I thank my colleagues and Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for moving this legislation package forward.”
