Dear Neighbor,

Before I share the reason for sending this email, I want to make sure you're aware that the NYC Emergency Management Department has issued a Travel Advisory for Monday night, February 12 into Tuesday, February 13. A Winter Storm Watch is in effect citywide from 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday. The latest National Weather Service forecast calls for the possibility of 5 to 8 inches of snow at rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. This may result in difficult travel alongside low visibility, especially for the morning commute tomorrow. New Yorkers are urged to remain off the roads to allow crews to operate and respond to weather conditions.

The NYC Department of Homeless Services has issued a Code Blue and outreach teams will canvass all five boroughs to connect our most vulnerable New Yorkers to shelters. No one who is homeless and seeking shelter in New York City during a Code Blue will be denied. For the most immediate response, New Yorkers who see individuals they believe to be experiencing homelessness and in need should contact 311 via phone or mobile app and request outreach assistance.

Residential building owners are legally required to maintain indoor temperatures at 68 degrees when the temperatures fall below 55 degrees outside during the day and a minimum of 62 degrees indoors overnight, regardless of outdoor temperatures. If an apartment lacks appropriate heat, a tenant should first attempt to notify the building owner, managing agent or superintendent. If heat is not restored, the tenant should register an official complaint via 311. Tenants can call 311, visit 311 online at NYC.gov/311, or use the 311 mobile app (on Android and iOS devices) to file a complaint. Hearing-impaired tenants can register complaints via a Touchtone Device for the Deaf TDD at (212) 504-4115.

All DOE schools will be closed tomorrow, and all instruction will take place remotely.

___________________

Now the real reason I'm writing. Every year, the New York State Senate recognizes outstanding members of our local communities through two ongoing programs - the Veterans Hall of Fame and the Women of Distinction program.

The New York State Senate Veterans' Hall of Fame was created to honor and recognize outstanding veterans from the Empire State who have distinguished themselves both in military and civilian life. The Women of Distinction celebration, held every year during Women's History Month, honors New York women who have enriched our community, our state, and our nation.

Each Senator may nominate a constituent for recognition through these programs. Last year I nominated Dr. Celine Gounder as a Woman of Distinction, and Steven Delorenzo for the Veterans Hall of Fame.

This year I am asking you to help me identify outstanding women and veterans from the 28th Senate District as potential nominees for these honors. If you would like to suggest someone as a potential nominee, please fill out the appropriate form below:

• For Women of Distinction, click here. The deadline to submit a nomination is February 23rd.
• For Veterans Hall of Fame, click here. The deadline to submit a nomination is March 6th.

Below you will find updates on other upcoming events and useful information. As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, please email or call my office at [email protected] or 212-490-9535.

Best,

Liz Krueger

State Senator

The Impact of Casinos on Urban Communities

Thursday, February 22nd, 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Up to three casinos could open in New York City in the coming years and five casino proposals are being discussed in Manhattan. Are you wondering how that would impact you and your neighborhood?

On Thursday, February 22nd from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm, join Senator Krueger for a virtual town hall on the “Impact of Casinos on Urban Communities.” You will hear from the experts about the casino siting process in New York City, the fiscal and economic impacts of gaming institutions, and their impact on individuals, businesses, and the surrounding community. The event will be co-sponsored by local elected officials who may be involved in the casino siting process depending on which casino applications are ultimately submitted, including Senators Brad Hoylman and Kristin Gonzalez, and Assemblymembers Alex Bores, Tony Simone, Harvey Epstein, and Linda Rosenthal.

Speakers:

• Vicki L. Been, Member, Gaming Facility Location Board, and the Judge Edward Weinfeld Professor of Law at NYU School of Law, an Affiliated Professor of Public Policy of the NYU's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
• Lucy Dadayan, Principal Research Associate with Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center
• Les Bernel, Executive Director, Stop Predatory Gambling.
• Tom Kirdahy, Producer, and Member of The Broadway League

You will have the option of joining the event online through Zoom.

You will also have the option to view the event online through Facebook. Please note that you do not need a Facebook account or profile to view the event through Facebook.

Finally, you will have the option of calling in to access the audio-only portion of the event.

The event will feature a question and answer session with Vicki L. Been, Lucy Dadayan, Les Bernel, and Tom Kirdahy. If you have questions about the casino siting process, how much revenue casinos may generate, and how casinos impact the surrounding community, please join us on February 22nd. You will be able to submit questions during the event but are strongly encouraged to submit them in advance.

Please let us know if you plan to attend on February 22nd by registering at http://tinyurl.com/KruegerCasinoTownHall.

Medicare Coverage of Paxlovid

As you may be aware, Paxlovid - an oral antiviral treatment for COVID-19 - has transitioned from being distributed at no charge through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Therapeutics Program (FRPTP) and has entered the commercial market. As a result, it is important to know what the options are to cover the cost of Paxlovid for individuals who have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan.

1. If you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan, you are eligible to receive Paxlovid for free through Pfizer's Patient Assistance Program.
2. If you have Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, Paxlovid may be covered, however, there could be out-of-pocket costs.

Coverage through Pfizer's Patient Assistance Program

If you enroll in Pfizer's patient assistance program, you can get a prescription for Paxlovid filled at no cost once every 30 days. Please see the following details for how the program works:

How to Enroll

You can enroll by phone or online. Doctors and pharmacies can also enroll a patient online.

• By Phone: You can call the Pfizer patient assistance program at 877-219-7225 Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. My office was informed that you will be asked to provide your name, date of birth, address, the name of the doctor who prescribed the Paxlovid, and your pharmacy**. You will then be asked to provide three forms of consent: 1) HIPAA, 2) Consent to communication if Pfizer needs to contact you, and 3) Consent to program terms and conditions.
• Online: You can enroll online at www.paxcesspatientportal.com 24 hours, 7 days per week.
• Doctors and pharmacies can also enroll a patient online at www.paxcesspatientportal.com.

Once You Are Enrolled

You will receive a voucher with four sets of numbers to provide to the pharmacy.

If you need to get another prescription for Paxlovid filled after 30 days have passed, you will be required to go through the enrollment process again. At this time, Pfizer's patient access program is scheduled to end on December 31, 2024.

**Please Note: The pharmacy must participate in the Pfizer patient access program in order to get the Paxlovid filled at no charge.

Coverage through Medicare Part D

If you are unable to get your prescription for Paxlovid filled through Pfizer's patient assistance program, or if you prefer to use your Part D prescription drug coverage, please check with your Part D provider to confirm whether Paxlovid is covered and if you will have any out-of-pocket costs.

In December, the MTA announced details of a public comment period of the tolling structure that has been proposed for Central Business District Tolling, New York’s congestion pricing program. The agency will accept written and audio comments and will hold four hybrid virtual/in-person public hearings in February and March.

The proposed tolling structure is available online. It is modeled on recommendations made by the Traffic Mobility Review Board on Nov. 30.

Through Monday, March 11, 2024, members of the public may submit written comments online and by email, mail and fax, and may submit audio comments by leaving a voicemail message. All comments will be recorded and submitted for review.

Online: https://contact.mta.info/s/forms/CBDTP  

Email: [email protected]  

Mail: CBD Tolling Program, 2 Broadway, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10004  

Phone: 646-252-7440  

Fax: Send to (212) 504-3148 with Attention to CBDTP Team.

The hearings begin on Thursday, Feb. 29, and conclude on Monday, March 4. Members of the public who wish to speak at the hearings are required to register in advance online, by calling the Public Hearing Hotline at (646) 252-6777, or in person. Registration will open one week before the start time of each hearing and will close 30 minutes after the beginning of the hearing. Speakers will be provided two minutes to speak. The hearings will be hosted in person at 2 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 in the William J. Ronan 20th Floor Board Room. People may also register to participate remotely via Zoom or telephone.

The hearings will be accessible online at mta.info/CBDTP at these dates and times:  

• Thursday, Feb. 29, at 6:00 p.m.
• Friday, March 1, at 10:00 a.m. 
• Monday, March 4, at 10:00 a.m.
• Monday, March 4, at 6:00 p.m.  

Each public hearing will be livestreamed on the MTA YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/mtainfo and on the project website: mta.info/CBDTP.

Next Steps

The Central Business District Tolling Program was mandated by the State of New York in April 2019 and modeled on urban congestion pricing programs around the world to reduce traffic congestion and raise needed revenue to improve public transportation. Other cities around the world that have similar programs have also experienced improved air quality.

Following the public comment period, MTA Bridges and Tunnels (known legally as the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority) will review the public comments. Then its Board, which is coterminous with the MTA Board, will consider adopting a ratemaking regulation that includes any updates that may follow the public comment period.

As with any proposed toll ratemaking, this public comment period is being conducted in accordance with the State Administrative Procedure Act.

In 2021, Congress established the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, appropriating $14.2 billion. The ACP is a benefit program that ensures households can afford broadband by providing a discount of $30 per month towards internet service. 

If Congress does not provide additional funding, the 14.2 billion allotted to the ACP is projected to run out in April 2024. As a result, the FCC has begun taking steps to wind down the ACP, which means:

• ACP applications and enrollments will no longer be accepted at this time.
• Households who have applied, been approved, and began receiving the monthly internet discount before February 8, 2024 will continue to receive their ACP benefit until ACP funds run out.
• After the ACP funds run out (projected in April 2024), households participating in the ACP will no longer receive the ACP discounts.

During the ACP wind-down period, ACP households will receive notices from their internet company about the impact of the end of the benefit on the household’s bill and service. The notices will also tell households the date of the last bill they will receive that includes the ACP benefit. Households receiving the ACP may change their service or opt out of continuing service after the end of the ACP as well as switch their internet plans without penalty.

ACP households can visit http://www.AffordableConnectivity.gov or www.fcc.gov/acp to access answers to frequently asked questions about the ACP wind-down process, including what households need to know about retaining internet service after the end of the ACP.  Households can call the ACP Support Center at 877-384-2575 for information about their benefit.

The Office of Civil Justice will hold its sixth annual public hearing on New York City’s Universal Access to Legal Services program, also known as Right to Counsel, on Wednesday, February 28th from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm remotely via Zoom.

Right to Counsel was established in 2017, making the City of New York the first in the United States to commit to making legal services available to all tenants facing eviction in housing court and public housing authority termination of tenancy proceedings. As part of the implementation of this legislation, the Office of Civil Justice is holding this public hearing to provide an opportunity for tenants, attorneys, advocates, and other stakeholders to be heard on the program’s progress to date as well as to inform implementation for future plans. 

You may sign up to speak at the public hearing as well as submit written testimony on or before Tuesday, February 27th. More details on how to attend and participate in the hearing can be found here.