We are deep in final budget preparations and a number of the budget bills will be ready for voting to begin today. As you may recall from prior years, “the budget” comprises roughly 10 separate budget bills that interlock, which is part of why the finalization of the budget can seem a tortured dance. While I would have preferred an earlier budget, many details needed time for resolution. As of this writing, several of the final budget bills have not yet been released as some details haven’t been decided.
Like every budget, there are things to like and dislike. We are making progress on education and higher education, and street safety (Sammy's Law to ensure safer streets and give the City flexibility to lower its own speed limit has made it into the final budget), to name a few. However, it seems that some of the tenant protections that we have been fighting for will not come to fruition, in addition to some of the key environmental initiatives. I look forward to reviewing the budget bills in greater detail upon their release. I’ll be sharing more details soon. In the meantime, I anticipate a few very long days with final voting to end Friday evening at the earliest. Fingers crossed.
Sincerely,
Jo Anne Simon
Free Mammogram Appointments! 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 office (341 Smith St) on Thursday, May 9, 2024. 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].
Provide Comments on Non-Essential Helicopters by April 19, 2024: Thank you to Council Member Lincoln Restler, Stop the Chop, and all those who came out to testify this week on Council Member Restler’s bill to ban nonessential helicopter traffic 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 still submit written comments until 10AM on Friday, April 19. Submit your testimony on the Council website here and connect with Stop the Chop, an advocacy group working on this issue.
Earth Week Event on Climate Change & Transportation, 4/25/24. Join me to kick-off Earth Week! I'll be on a panel to discuss climate change and transportation, hosted by Sierra Club NY Chapter and SUNY on Thursday, April 25th at 5:30pm. We'll discuss my bill to ensure watercraft, aircraft and trains are zero-emission.
The Planes, Trains, and Boats Bill A2236 will reduce emissions in three transportation market segments that were not fully 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 in person or over Zoom at the SUNY Global Center, 116 E 55th St, New York, NY. RSVP to attend in person or to get the Zoom link.
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, including sites in Clinton Hill, Crown Heights & Bushwick. The local drop-off is in Gowanus: Dancewave, 182 4th Ave, Monday-Friday, 9am-7pm.
New Emergency Migrant Shelter Now Open in Gowanus. The city has opened the emergency migrant shelter in Gowanus, which has capacity for up to 400 single adult men. Our office is in close communication with elected officials, city agencies and the non-profit shelter provider, BRHAGS Home Care. Please reach out to Yolanda, VP of Shelter Operations at BRHAGS with any concerns or issues regarding the shelter: [email protected], 646-832-9274.
On April 5, my office released a joint statement with Council Member Hanif, Congressmember Goldman, Senator Gounardes, and the CB6 Board Chair:
“New York City is dealing with a massive shelter bed shortage, which has resulted in thousands of New Yorkers having their requests for overnight shelter rejected in recent months. It is up to communities across the city to meet this moment with compassion; if we don't, the inevitable reality is that more people will be forced to sleep on our streets.
The Adams Administration has informed our offices that the New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) has opened a new emergency shelter in Gowanus, which will be operated by a non-profit provider. We are committed to working with DHS, the shelter provider, and neighbors surrounding the shelter to ensure minimal disruption and to maintain an open line of communication to share information. We will also work with DHS and the provider to ensure that the needs of the residents are being met and that the provider maintains conditions that affirm the basic dignity of our new neighbors.
These are challenging times, but together, we can create a neighborhood that is safe and welcoming for everyone.”
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Cooling Assistance Benefit Now Open. Eligible households receive a cooling benefit of up to $800 for the purchase and installation of an air conditioner. If one cannot be installed safely, a fan will be provided. Applications for the benefit can be submitted in-person, by phone, and through ACCESS HRA. Learn more here.
BQE Partial Closure: The NYCDOT will continue to close one lane from midnight to 5:00 AM on the Queens-bound BQE from Atlantic Avenue to Clark Street now through until May 10th. During the right lane closure, the Atlantic Avenue entrance ramp to Queens-bound BQE will also be closed. These closures are required for core extraction and testing along the BQE and for removal of plates and placement of asphalt for interim repairs and are dependent on weather and field conditions.
The NYCDOT will continue to close the Pearl Street Ramp to the Brooklyn Bridge on weeknights from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. from April 22nd to May 3rd. The ramp closure is necessary for continued masonry repair on the walls of the approach arches. Click here for more details.
If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to DOT community Liaison Anita Navalurkar at (347) 647-0876 or to [email protected].
Earth Day Activities!
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Atlantic Ave Earth Day Celebration, Saturday, April 20th, 12-3pm. Kick off our Open Streets 2024 season. Come by Hoyt Street between State St and Atlantic Ave for free plants from The Hort, a Natural Dye Workshop with Out of Seam, and an e-waste drop-off site.
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Downtown Brooklyn Celebrates Earth Day, April 20th: Join Downtown Brooklyn on April 20th for Earth-friendly and car-free activities including music, fashion, cycling lessons, and more. Albee Square West will be closed to traffic all day, so bring your bike or roller skates, and enjoy activities and music at Albee Square Plaza. Learn more here.
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Youth Earth Day, April 20th, 9am-11am: Please join the Gowanus Canal Conservatory as they celebrate Earth Day at the Lowland Nursery, located at 25 9th Street, Brooklyn. This volunteer opportunity is specifically for youth ages 14-24 who are interested in engaging in environmental stewardship. We will focus on soil mixing and plant propagation with native plants. Youth under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Sign up here.
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Free Citi Bikes for Earth Day, April 20th: Citi Bike will offer free unlimited 30-minute rides on a classic Citi Bike, Saturday April 20th only! All riders may take advantage of the offer by using the promo code CARFREE24 on the "Day pass" tab of the Citi Bike app.
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Old Stone House Earth Day Celebration, April 21st: Join the Old Stone House on April 21st from 10am-2pm at their tent on 5th avenue to mix compost, clay and native flower seeds all sourced from Washington Park. Create pollinator friendly packages that you can drop at the site of your choosing. Learn more here.
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Mulchfest at Cadman Park, April 21st: Meet at Juneteenth Grove on April 21 from 10am-12pm to help spread mulch at the family-friendly event! Supplies and gardening tools will be provided. Sponsored by the Cadman Park Conservatory.
Community News:
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Fill out the Forth on Fourth Ave Community Survey! 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.
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Free Leaf & Garden Bags! Stop by our office at 341 Smith St. for free leaf and yard waste bags, Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm.
