Budget Delays, Community Events, & Victory on Hospital Closure Bill

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What's Inside:
* Message from Jo Anne: Budget Updates
* Family Mourns Loss of 19-yr-old Samyia Spain
* My Bill to Reform Hospital Closures has Passed
* Save SUNY Downstate
* Woman of Distinction
* EPA IG Report on the Gowanus Canal
* Brooklyn Jail Construction Update
* St. Patrick's Day & the LGBTQ+ Community
* Comments or Testify About Non-Essential Helicopters, 4/16/24
* Schedule a No-Cost Mammogram, April 9, 2024
* Programe su Cita de Mamografía Sin Costo, 9 de Mayo 2024
* Earth Week Event, 4/25/2024
* OATH & DOB Resources
* BQE Meetings & Lane Closures
* My Op-Ed on the Finalization of Congestion Pricing
* Suitcases & Strollers Needed
* Atlantic Yards Update
* Community Resources & Events

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Dear Neighbors & Friends,

We are in the final stages of completing the New York State Budget for FY 2024-25, which is due annually on April 1st (so it is a few days late). After the Governor releases her budget proposal, both the Assembly and Senate release their one-house budgets in response. Right now, negotiations are taking place around the three proposals.

First, I’m very pleased that the Assembly has prioritized funding for critical issues that impact our everyday lives, from education to health care and social services. This includes rejecting the Governor’s proposed changes to the formulas for foundation aid to schools. Essentially, the Governor proposed calculating foundation aid based on a 10-year average CPI instead of the prior year’s CPI. This change would have led to many school districts and individual schools sustaining cuts in the millions of dollars, including schools in New York City.

Speaking of NYC public schools, the issue of mayoral control of schools will be determined this year. The Executive proposed a four-year renewal of mayoral control. This past year, the State Department of Education conducted a study of governance models and held hearings in each borough to hear from the public on how mayoral control was going. A report was due by the end of March, but has been somewhat delayed. Neither house of the legislature believes this is properly a budget issue and I expect we will address the issue and the report’s findings and recommendations in the post-budget season.

The Assembly also included funding for eviction prevention protections and expansions of affordable housing programs. An important ingredient needed for agreement on a possible tax credit for developers’ construction of new housing includes fair labor standards and pay. Thus far, the real estate industry and building trade unions have not been able to reach an agreement. I fear a stalemate on this and related issues such as much-needed tenant protections ([link removed]) may preclude a housing deal in the budget, but there’s still time for parties to come together. I am hopeful that this will resolve soon.

The Assembly budget resolution also included desperately-needed increases in the Medicaid reimbursement rate for hospitals, which is putting enormous financial strains on health care facilities serving middle and low-income households.

I am pleased that both houses have supported my bill to expand and extend the existing loan forgiveness program for the student debt incurred by lawyers working in indigent legal services, such as legal aid and Assistant District Attorneys. We have been losing public defenders (those providing representation to low-income New Yorkers in housing and family court) and prosecutors because they have enormous debt (law school being even more expensive than other professional degree programs), and can earn much more in the private sector. This bill presents a rare and beautiful occurrence: it is supported by both the District Attorneys Association and Legal Aid/public defender communities!

Both houses of the legislature have proposed a minor income tax increase on those earning more than $5 million in income (the top 0.3% of income earners) and a minor increase in the corporate tax rate applicable to large corporations (top 0.1% most profitable corporations that do business in our state). This makes our tax system fairer and will bring in much needed revenue.

Our funding for environmental initiatives were not as strong as I would have liked. I am thrilled that the Governor proposed elements of the NY HEAT Act in her budget, but I am even more happy with the legislature’s proposal to include more of the critical elements of HEAT. HEAT allows us to do two very important things: transition from our dependence on fossil fuels while also controlling skyrocketing costs to the consumer. My preference is still that we pass the full HEAT Act. In addition, both the Climate Superfund Act and my Stop Polluter Handouts bill were included in the Senate one house because both bills embody the principle that the polluter should bear the costs of the contamination they caused or are still causing. The Assembly proposal signaled support for both of the measures, but didn’t include the full bills.

I recently discussed my Stop Polluter Handouts bill on WNYC with Brian Lehrer. You can listen to the conversion here ([link removed]) . This bill raises at least $265M in revenue and eliminates current tax breaks for the polluting fossil fuel industry. It’s a win-win.

We continue to struggle to provide a living wage to home care workers and as a result we have a massive staffing shortage. State funds should go to the hard-working people who provide home care to vulnerable New Yorkers – not to pad the pockets of private insurance companies. We need to provide enough funding to hire and retain workers who provide care for older people, those with disabilities, or other health needs – and make sure the funds get to those workers and not just to the insurance companies.

Sincerely,

Jo Anne Simon
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Family & Community Mourn Loss of 19-yr-old Samyia Spain. We recently lost a young neighbor under horrific circumstances. After an evening with their family and friends, 19 year-old twin sisters Samyia and Sanyia Spain went to their local deli to get food. They encountered two young aggressive men in a group, one of whom took umbrage at the twins’ refusal to give him Samyia’s phone number. He stabbed both sisters, killing Samyia in front of her twin sister and another relative. My heart breaks for their family and loved ones. No woman or girl should ever have to fear that rejecting advances will cause them harm. No means no. If you’d like to support them and read about Samiya in her family’s own words, her family is taking a collection (linked here) ([link removed]) to create a foundation dedicated to fighting violence against women and to hold a ceremony for her.
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My Bill to Reform Hospital Closures has Passed! I’m thrilled to announce that my Local Input in Community Healthcare (LICH) Act, A1633A ([link removed]) , passed the Assembly with bipartisan support! This significant piece of legislation requires public notice and public engagement when a hospital seeks to either close entirely or close a unit that provides emergency, maternity, mental health, or substance use care. The bill would also strengthen state review of the proposed closings.

I have passed the bill in the Assembly a few times before, but it hasn't gotten traction in the Senate. I’m thrilled that the Senate Health Committee Chair, Senator Gustavo Rivera, has now taken up the bill in the Senate. We made some amendments, and I’m tentatively hopeful that this will enable us to pass the bill in the other house.

For far too long, there has been little to no transparency, planning, or public engagement in the hospital closure process, and thus no real assessment of impacts to the community’s health. The public is entitled to be fully informed. Since the closure of LICH a decade ago, more than 40 hospitals have closed across New York and 10 hospitals have closed maternity services. We are seeing history repeat itself now with the closure or possible closures at SUNY Downstate, Beth Israel, and the Burdett Birth Center in upstate NY, and St. Catherine of Siena Hospital on Long Island. This bill reforms the process to ensure stronger state oversight and real community engagement that protects the public’s health.

Save SUNY Downstate: SUNY Downstate Medical Center has been serving the medical needs of a systemically underserved Central Brooklyn population. The state's potential closure of SUNY Downstate would have devastating health impacts on Brooklynites. I have long advocated that any hospital that is considering such a drastic move should engage in meaningful conversations with stakeholders and study and address the impacts on the community - not leave them behind. I’ve joined my colleagues in central Brooklyn and Senator Myrie to urge the state to change course on the closure plan.
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Woman of Distinction. I was thrilled to celebrate Pat Conway as a Woman of Distinction in the 52nd Assembly District. Her unwavering commitment to service has impacted our community for the better. I was honored to spend time with Pat at the Governor’s mansion, along with women of distinction from across the state, to celebrate Women’s History Month. Thank you, Pat, for your dedicated work on behalf of our communities.
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EPA Inspector General Report on the Gowanus Canal: The EPA Inspector General recently released a report ([link removed]) confirming community concerns that the delay in the construction of the combined sewer overflow (CSO) tanks has led to the recontamination of the Gowanus Canal. The report identified multiple factors that led to extensive delays, a substantial cost increase and on-going scheduling issues. I am grateful for the advocacy of Representative Nydia Velazquez, the Gowanus Community Advisory Group, and Voice of Gowanus, which initiated this audit.

As of this audit, the project cost is estimated to be more than $1 billion, well over the original estimate of $78 million. In addition, the project is more than six and a half years behind its original schedule, and based on data provided during the audit, additional delays are possible. The Inspector General called on the EPA to strengthen its enforcement and actively supervise construction efforts to ensure this project is completed without further financial losses or environmental contamination.
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Brooklyn Jail Enters New Construction Phase. The NYC’s Department of Design and Construction (DDC) recently hosted a community workshop to share construction updates on the new jail. The dismantling of the Brooklyn House of Detention (BHOD) is wrapping up, and the design-build phase on the new facility will begin this month. Tutor-Perini Corporation, the construction company which will oversee this next phase, announced that they will work with DDC and the community to mitigate community concerns around noise, vibrations, dust, and traffic disruptions; several community members brought up impacts from the dismantling ([link removed]) . Tutor-Perini will place air and noise monitors around the perimeter of the site; this phase of work is expected to go through November. To report concerns about the construction or to sign up for the weekly construction updates, please
contact the Community Construction Liaison, Lucian Allen, at [email protected] or (917) 270-2370.
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St. Patrick’s Day & the LGBTQ+ Community. Once again I marched in the Park Slope St. Patrick’s Day parade with members of the LGBTQ+ community. It was only a few years ago that the Brooklyn Irish LGBTQ+ Organization was allowed a place in the parade to march behind their banner. Being an ally to the community is critical now more than ever because of the increasing physical and legislative attacks on the trans community across the country and right here in New York. I’m proud to have helped pass strong laws to protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, including New York’s landmark GENDA law ([link removed]) .
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Provide Comments or Testify About Non-Essential Helicopters, 4/16/24. The NYC Council is holding an upcoming hearing on Tuesday April 16th at 10am on a bill to ban nonessential helicopter traffic ([link removed]) at city heliports. The bill would ban all nonessential fossil fuel-based helicopters from the two City-owned heliports: Downtown Manhattan Heliport (DMH) and E. 34th Street Heliport. You can testify in person, virtually, or you can provide written comments.
You can sign up on the Council website here ([link removed]) , and connect with Stop the Chop ([link removed]) , an advocacy group working on this issue.
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Free Mammogram Van, 5/9/2024. My office is partnering with the Italian American Cancer Foundation and Council Member Shahana Hanif to bring the mammogram van to my district office (341 Smith St) on Thursday, May 9. Appointments are required and are available from 9am-4:30pm. Mammograms are free and for anyone with or without insurance. Clients must be between the ages of 40-79 and have not had a mammogram for at least one year. To schedule your appointment, please call my office at 718-246-4889 or email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .
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Earth Week Event, 4/25. I will be a panelist at the Sierra Club’s Earth Week event and will discuss my bill ([link removed]) A2246 ([link removed]) , the “Planes, Trains, and Boats Bill.” This bill will reduce emissions in three transportation market segments that were not considered when doing the NYS 2019 Climate Act’s (CLCPA) carbon calculations. If implemented, this bill would increase the odds that our state attains the goals of the CLCPA. The panel will be moderated by a member of the Sierra Club, Senator Brian Kavanaugh, Per Stromhaug of SUNY Binghamton, and more. This free event will be held on April 25th, 5:30pm, at the SUNY Global Center, 116 E 55th St, New York, NY. Hope to see you there!
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NYC Department of Buildings & Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. In March, my office partnered with the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) and the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) on two events. Their representatives were able to solve numerous constituent cases and answer complicated questions around city bureaucracy. If you need assistance reaching these agencies on any issues, please contact my office at 718-246-4889.
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BQE Visioning Meetings: Join NYC DOT and your neighbors for an in-person or virtual workshop detailing the concepts for the reconstruction of the BQE near the Manhattan Bridge. The in-person workshop will be held today, Thursday April 4th, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Church of the Open Door, 201 Gold Street Brooklyn New York 11201, in coordination with the Farragut Stakeholders Group. The virtual workshop will be held on Monday April 8th from 6:30pm-8:30pm; register here ([link removed]) . For more information or to request accessibility accommodations or translation services, contact the Brooklyn Borough Commissioner’s office at 646-892-1350.

BQE Partial Closure: One lane on the Staten Island-bound BQE from the Vine Street entrance ramp to Atlantic Ave will remain closed overnight until May 3rd. The closure hours are Monday-Friday from 1am-5am, Saturday 1am-6am, and Sunday 1am-9am.

BQE Full Closure: The Queens-bound BQE will be fully closed from Atlantic Avenue to Sands Street from Saturday, April 13th at 2am to Monday, April 15 at 4am. Drivers are strongly encouraged to avoid the BQE during this time. For more information and detour information please visit this website ([link removed]) .
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Congestion Pricing Finalization: The MTA Board just voted to approve the toll rates the Traffic Mobility Review Board recommended. Starting in June, cars will pay $15 to enter Manhattan at 61st Street and below during the day and $3.75 at night. Motorcycles will pay $7.50 during the day and $1.75 at night. Trucks will pay between $24-36 during the day and $6-9 at night. Taxi drivers will see a $1.25 surcharge per ride, while Uber and Lyft drivers will pay $2.50

I’m proud to have been a longtime supporter of this initiative. I was a co-sponsor of the congestion pricing bill and testified in support of this program. This toll will raise much-needed revenue to revitalize and expand our transit system while curbing pollution and traffic in our district. However, the partial exemptions for people with disabilities that the MTA proposed do not pass muster. Please read my Op-Ed with New York Lawyers for the Public Interest ([link removed]) , in which we outline ways to fix this.

Here’s the problem: the MTA has enabled some people with disabilities to apply for an exemption ([link removed]) from the new toll pricing. However, they need to do much more. Advocates and I are calling on the MTA to link the “exemption reader” to a personal electronic device rather than a vehicle, offer a remote application process rather than forcing individuals with disabilities to travel to eligibility assessment centers, and extend the exemption to qualifying individuals when they ride in accessible taxi, Uber, and Lyft vehicles. These changes are not insurmountable barriers for the MTA to overcome, but rather they are based on existing technologies and have been modeled by congestion pricing plans in other cities. The changes can pave the way for a future where all New Yorkers can enjoy freedom of movement and equal access to the opportunities afforded by the city.
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Suitcases & Strollers Needed for GMA. Gowanus Mutual Aid is collecting suitcases for migrant families facing shelter evictions. Families and single people are being forced to leave shelters after 60 and 30 days, respectively, and must bring all their belongings with them. Please consider donating large suitcases that are new or in very good condition. I recently donated several suitcases and encourage others to do so as well. Please check the updated drop-off sites here ([link removed]) , including sites in Clinton Hill, Crown Heights & Bushwick. The local drop-off is in Gowanus: Dancewave, 192 4th Ave, Monday-Friday 9am-7pm.
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Atlantic Yards Update: As of this month, there is still no buyer for the debt incurred by developers to build Atlantic Yards. As you may recall, Atlantic Yards proposed to build 2,250 units of affordable housing of 6,250 units of housing. 877 affordable housing units remain unbuilt along with the promised open space, all of which were to be constructed on platforms over the rail-yard. However, as of November 2023, Greenland USA, the developer who owned the rights to this project, defaulted on their loans. An auction of the debt has been postponed twice, and no developers have yet to express interest in purchasing the debt which would obligate the buyer to develop the remaining parts of the site. The new date for the auction is April 30th. You can read more about this debacle here ([link removed]) .
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Community Resources & Events
* Fill out the Forth on Fourth Ave Community Survey! ([link removed]) This is your chance to voice your opinion about 4th Ave. Results will be distributed before the public meeting on May 15th at Old Stone House. The survey will be open until Friday, April 19th.
* Brooklyn Book Bodega Party. April 6, 11am-2pm. Join Brooklyn Book Bodega for a Big Book Party! Performer Akim Funk Buddha will spark your families’ imagination with interactive storytelling, music, and movement at two performances: 12pm and 12:45pm. The book giveaway will be open throughout the event. Registration and more information available here ([link removed]) .
* Brooklyn Public Library Celebrates the Solar Eclipse, April 8. We will experience a solar eclipse ([link removed]) the afternoon of April 8. The Brooklyn Public Library has viewing parties across our district, including the Adams St Library ([link removed]) , Carroll Park ([link removed]) , and Cadman Plaza ([link removed]) . It is not safe to look directly at the sun. Pick up a pair of solar eclipse glasses ([link removed]) from the Central Branch of the library at Grand Army Plaza this week.
* Free Tax Prep: NYC offers free tax prep service for families who earned $85,000 or less in 2023, and for single filers who earned $59,000 or less. Connect to a free IRS certified VITA/TCE volunteer in person, virtually, and at drop-in locations. For more information, contact 311 or visit nyc.gov/TaxPrep ([link removed]) .
* Free Leaf Bags! Stop by our office at 341 Smith St. for free leaf and yard waste bags, Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm.
* Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP): Application dates for Regular and Emergency benefits have been extended to April 12, 2024, or until funds are exhausted. A second HEAP Emergency benefit is available immediately. To apply, call 718-557-1399 or visit a HEAP BAC location. ([link removed])

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Mailing address: 341 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
718-246-4889

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