Legislative and Community Updates   Dear Neighbor, Last Saturday morning, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed the final state budget for fiscal year 2024-2025, three weeks past its official April 1st due date. As I said on the Senate floor during the debate for one of the many budget extenders we passed during this process, I have never heard a constituent tell me they're worried about a late budget. Rather, I think most New Yorkers who follow the process are far more concerned about whether we can deliver a good budget. Of course we can disagree over what makes a good budget, but the quality is far more important than the timeliness. Unfortunately, my verdict on the budget we have actually delivered is decidedly mixed. Because of the way our state constitution has been interpreted by the courts over the years, the reality is that the Governor holds most of the cards in the budget-making process, giving the Legislature limited leverage in negotiations. If the Legislature and the Governor cannot reach an agreement, and legislation is needed to keep the government open, that has to come from the Governor, and she has the ability (as has happened in the past) to simply include her budget priorities in that legislation, which we must either pass or allow the government to shut down. On the one hand we managed to prevent several bad proposals from Governor Hochul's original proposal from making it into the final budget. This included restoring $250 million in Clean Water Infrastructure Act funding, which represented half of the funding for that desperately needed and very successful program. The Legislature also succeeded in preventing Medicaid cuts, stopping the closure of SUNY Downstate Hospital, and restoring the "hold harmless" policy to our education funding formula, which will save school districts across the state, including New York City's, from significant cuts this year. We also managed to expand the Child Tax Credit, increase funding for the arts, authorize lower speed limits in NYC, and empower the Office of Cannabis Management and local law enforcement to more effectively shut down unlicensed cannabis retailers. However, the budget fell short of requirements in several areas. The final budget does not contain two critical pieces of climate-related legislation, the NY HEAT Act and the Climate Change Superfund Act - both of which would save New York ratepayers and taxpayers billions of dollars every year - because of intransigence by the Assembly and the Governor, respectively. The housing deal that was negotiated falls short of the state's needs, both in terms of supporting the construction of new housing and protecting tenants in existing housing, and it gives away too much money to the real estate industry without getting enough in return. Below you will find more information on what is contained in the final budget, as well as other legislative updates, in-district events, and other 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 Final State Budget Is Passed And Signed Last weekend the Legislature passed, and the Governor signed, the state budget for fiscal year 2024-2025. As is always the case, we did not get everything we wanted in this final budget, but it represents progress for the people of New York across many important areas. We have defended schools across the state against drastic cuts while laying the groundwork for long-term solutions on school funding and mayoral control; we have taken steps toward protecting all tenants in the state and supporting new affordable housing development; we have eased the tax burden and the child care burden for working families; we have given localities new tools to stop illegal cannabis shops; and we have successfully restored clean water and environmental funding. Here are some of the highlights of the enacted budget: Restoration of Public Education Funding and Supporting SUNY/CUNY The budget ensures that no cuts will be made to school funding, and that kids across the state will still receive the investments that they both need and deserve. This year’s budget will also include transformative investments in higher education to make continued learning more accessible. School Funding Rejects the Executive’s proposal to eliminate Hold Harmless and also increases Foundation Aid for the poorest 63 districts in the State. This is a Foundation Aid increase of $934 million, or 3.9 percent, over the current school year, which is an increase of $430 million, or 1.8 percent, over the Executive’s Foundation Aid proposal. A Comprehensive Study by The Rockefeller Institute and NYS Department of Education to develop a modernized school funding formula. $180 million to continue our historic commitment to providing universal school meals for thousands of New York children. Extends NYC Mayoral Control for two years while reforming the Panel for Education Policy. An additional $100 million for Universal Pre-K to allow school districts throughout the state to serve at least 90% of eligible four year olds. A study to work towards a pathway for expanded afterschool across New York State. Higher Education The Enacted Budget increases SUNY Operating Aid by $60 million, Capital by $60 million, and Community College Support by $6 million over the Executive’s proposal. Increases CUNY Operating Aid by $40 million, Capital by $40 million and Community College Support by $4 million over the Executive’s proposal. Provides significant support for the SUNY Hospitals, providing operating assistance to cover their debt service and $150 million in capital. Increases the Tuition Assistance Program–for the first time since 2000–by $53 million to make college more affordable. It increases the minimum award from $500 to $1,000 and adds part-time tap for proprietary students. This increase also includes raising the TAP income threshold, by: Increasing the household income limit for dependent students from $80,000 to $125,000 Increasing the married, no children income ceiling from $40,000 to $60,000 (Net Taxable Income) Increasing the max income limit from $10,000 to $30,000 Supporting Housing for All New Yorkers The enacted budget includes a housing deal that targets both the affordability and supply of the current market through meaningful tenant and homeowner protections, along with real incentives to replenish the stock. This deal includes: Senate Majority proposals in final package: Housing Opportunities for the Future - a new $150 million program to build affordable homes and rentals across New York State. A new opt-in construction or commercial conversion tax exemption for affordable housing outside the City of New York. Authorization for municipalities to adopt a local tax exemption to make it easier for individuals to build accessory dwelling units. Tenant and Homeowner Protections: The budget includes the enactment of some “Good Cause” protections, which apply to market rate apartments. These guidelines state that: A rent increase is presumptively unreasonable if it is greater than the annual change in CPI plus 5%, or 10%, whichever is lower. A lease can only be terminated for one of the good causes lined out within the bill, including non-payment of rent, lease violation, and intent to use the property for the landlord's personal use. Takes effect immediately in New York City, while localities in the rest of the state may opt in and provides for flexibility in defining the small landlord and high-rent exemptions. Exempts certain classes of housing, including owner-occupied buildings will no more than 10 units, "small landlords" who own no more than 10 units statewide, condos and coops, apartments with rents about 245% of the Fair Market Rent (a metric published annually by the federal government), and any building built since 2009 is exempt for 30 years following construction. Sunsets in ten years. The budget also establishes the crime of Deed Theft, to protect homeowners from having someone steal the title to their home through fraudulent or deceptive practices, often which are targeted towards elderly homeowners. This provision will allow for the prosecution of individuals who intentionally alter, falsify, forge, or misrepresent property documents to unlawfully transfer ownership rights of real property. The budget also includes crucial funding towards affordable housing and homeowner protections, such as: $140 million in capital funding for NYCHA, $80 million to support Mitchell-Lamas and $75 million to support public housing authorities outside of New York City. $40 million in the Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP) A total of $10 million in Eviction Protection Funding in New York City and $40 million for outside New York City New York City Specific Housing Provisions: The budget implements 485x, a new version of 421a, to build new multifamily buildings across New York City with stronger labor and wage standards and required levels of affordability. It permits New York City to lift the 12 Floor Area Ratio (FAR) cap outside of historic districts for projects that have gone through the public review process and are subject to Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning (or include at least as much affordable housing). Compensation and relocation assistance must be offered to tenants in buildings that are demolished to rebuild beyond 12 FAR. This budget includes a pilot program to legalize basement and cellar apartments within identified geographic locations in the City of New York and to ensure those apartments are brought up to code to allow individuals to live in them safely. And, it builds on previous conference wins to include a tax incentive program for Commercial Conversions with higher affordability requirements. Supporting Working Families and Making Daily Life More Affordable Measures to address affordability in this year’s state budget include: $350 million for a new supplemental tax credit for families eligible for the Empire State Child Tax Credit to provide direct support to working families, and holding steady at the lowest Middle-Class tax rate in over 70 years. Allowing children ages 0-6 to remain continuously enrolled in Medicaid or Child Health Plus without having to redetermine eligibility, to ensure children have stable and affordable health insurance for their first years. Advances $50 million for customers enrolled in the NYSERDA EmPower+ Program to electrify their homes, providing subsidies to guarantee enrolled customers don’t spend more than 6% of their income on an electric bill. Includes Tier 6 pension reform by changing the final average salary calculation window for Tier 6 members from five to three years to help incentivize workforce retention. A 2.84% COLA for Human Services includes a 1.7% target salary increase for specific support, direct care, clinical, and non-executive administrative staff. This represents a notable increase over the Executive’s 1.5% COLA proposal. $50 million in transformative new funding for Anti-Poverty Efforts in Rochester, Syracuse and Buffalo. Access to Affordable Child Care: The Enacted Budget includes $1.78 billion for the New York State Child Care Block Grant, an increase of $754.4 million, which will provide subsidies for 119,000 eligible children. It further includes $280 million in underutilized federal pandemic funds to continue the Workforce Retention Grant program and provide another round of bonus payments to employees at 14,000 programs statewide. The Enacted Budget will also continue $6.25 million for the Child Care Facilitated Enrollment program in New York City and $5.6 million to the rest of the state. This program is designed to help qualifying working parents get access to child care in New York City. Spurring Economic Growth and Supporting New York Small Businesses The budget continues to invest in small businesses and development at all levels of the economy, including: Empire AI, a pioneering consortium to develop and inaugurate an artificial intelligence computing center in Buffalo. The "Newspaper and Broadcast Media Jobs Program." This will secure several key measures to support and promote local media: It will create a personal income and corporate franchise tax credit for certain qualifying, independently owned print media or broadcasting entities, including those that have experienced workforce or circulation decline in the last five years. It places a total cap on the credit per entity of $300,000, and an annual cap of $30 million. It sets aside $4 million to provide a $5,000 credit for the hiring of new employees, and $26 million set aside for the retention of current staff. Half of the funds will be set aside specifically for those with 100 or fewer employees. The budget adds $365,000 over the Executive proposal in additional funding for the Minority and Women-Owned Business Development lending program, for a total of $1 million. It also increases the grant amounts for Entrepreneurial Assistance Centers from $175,000 to $250,000 to support small businesses and MWBEs across the state and help establish EACs in unserved areas. This budget successfully enacts the Retail Security Tax Credit, which helps small businesses make the investments needed to keep employees safe. $1 million for beginning farmers, along with $1 million for socially and economically disadvantaged farmers. Cannabis The Enacted Budget includes support for New York’s Legal Cannabis Market, including: Language to lower the medical cannabis tax rate from 7% to 3.15% and direct revenue to counties in order to keep them whole. $100,000 for the Cannabis Farmers Alliance, and $50,000 for the Cannabis Association of New York. Increased enforcement powers for the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) to enable cities and counties to crack down on illegal cannabis shops. Investing in Mental Health Services and Access to Quality and Affordable Healthcare The budget will bolster healthcare resources and continue investing in mental health services for everyone throughout the state. Including: Health $7.5 billion invested in New York’s health care system through modifications to the state's 1115 Medicaid Waiver to be used for promoting health equity, diminishing health disparities, and enhancing access to primary and behavioral health care. $800 million in support for distressed and safety-net hospitals. Continuing to increase the minimum wage for home care workers. Establishing minimum collection policies for medical debt, increasing eligibility for hospital financial assistance, a uniform financial assistance application for all hospitals, prohibiting hospitals from using immigration status as a criterion for financial assistance eligibility, requiring reporting on users of financial assistance, and clarifying that the notice requirements on medical credit cards apply to hospitals as well as other health care providers. Eliminating cost-sharing for insulin in commercial insurance for thousands of New Yorkers. Requiring commercial insurance to reimburse outpatient behavioral and substance use disorder treatment services at no less than the Medicaid rate. Mental Health Provides $55 million to establish 200 new inpatient psychiatric beds at State-run facilities. Invests $33 million to enhance mental health services targeting first responders and aiding individuals with mental illnesses involved in the criminal justice system. Allocates $19 million for mental health services for school-aged children. $75.8 million increase for Crisis Services, which includes improving public safety by addressing serious mental illness, and providing critical care to young people. $8 million increase to the Judiciary to support Mental Health Court operations. Extending the Mental Health Support and Workforce Reinvestment Program for an additional three years, allowing Office of Mental Health to reinvest savings from the closure of State-operated inpatient facilities for workforce development activities and community mental health services. Supporting Reproductive and Maternal Health The budget contains greater protections and resources for those who utilize reproductive services, ensuring that they remain available to all who need them. This includes: Passing first-in-the-nation Paid Prenatal Leave, providing 20 hours of paid sick time for pregnant employees to use for their prenatal care visits. Codifying the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Grant Program to provide funding for abortion providers and non-profit entities to support increased access to abortion. Enacting the Community Doula Expansion Grant Program to provide funding to community-based organizations for recruitment and retention and startup and administrative costs to increase the number of community doulas. Allowing the Health Commissioner to issue a statewide, non-patient specific order to provide doula services for any pregnant, birthing, or postpartum individual. Requiring paid breaks for breast milk expression in the workplace for 30 minutes. Fostering Children’s Wellbeing and Advancing Youth Development The budget includes vital funding for youth programming and intervention services, with: $103.2 million for After School Programs, an increase of over $20 million from last year’s budget. $10 million for the Youth Sports Initiative. $1.5 million in additional funding for the Youth Development Program, for a total of $15.6 million. $1 million in additional funding for the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act program, for a total of $8.1 million. $2 million in additional funding for Child Advocacy Centers, for a total of $7.2 million. Environmental and Climate Goals The budget includes: Restores $250 million cut in the Executive proposal for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act for a total funding level of $500 million. Reverses cuts to the Environmental Protection Fund for an investment of $400 million. Expedites the siting and construction of electrical transmission and commercial energy storage through the RAPID Act, with the addition of Senate Majority proposals to preserve prime agricultural land, incorporate greater community input in the siting process, and improve labor standards. $1 billion for the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and investing $47 million to plant 25 million trees by 2033. $300 million in Capital for enhancing and improving parks statewide and $150 million for the New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NYSWIMS) program to improve pools and build new ones in communities across the State. Investing in Local Communities by Funding Local Government and Critical Infrastructure The budget builds on record investments to infrastructure and local municipalities by restoring roads funding and putting more money into local government. This includes: $50 million increase in AIM funding for local governments, the first increase in AIM in over a decade for a total of $765.2 million. The Senate’s successful inclusion of Sammy’s Law, which will authorize citywide speed limits to be reduced at DOT’s discretion, upon authorization from the New York City Council, allowing for the speed limits to be changed from 25 mph to 20 mph, and to lower special traffic-calming zones from 15 mph to 10 mph. $2.5 million to establish and support the Dr. John L. Flateau Voting Rights and Elections Database of New York to assist in efforts to enforce the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York, increasing both accountability and transparency in New York’s elections system, and $5 million in assistance for Local Boards of Elections. Increased funding for public transportation across New York State: $10 million in additional funds for Upstate STOA funding, for a total of $333.2 million. $4.2 billion for the MTA, an increase of $140 million or 3.4 percent from SFY 2023-24. $551 million for non-MTA downstate systems, a 5.4 percent increase in funding. Critical funding for roads: $60 million in additional funding for CHIPS, for a total of $598 million. $40 million in additional funding for State Touring Routes, for a total of $140 million. $200 million per year for BRIDGE NY $150 million per year for PAVE NY $200 million for Pave our Potholes $100 million for Extreme Winter Recovery Investing in Public Safety and Combating Hate Crimes The budget puts meaningful resources into public safety and the protection of all New Yorkers, of all backgrounds. This year’s funding builds on previous efforts by: Preventing hate crimes: Expanding the range of offenses that can be prosecuted as hate crimes. Investing an additional $35 million in the Securing Communities Against Hate Grant to safeguard houses of worship, religious schools, and other vulnerable locations. Enhancing public safety with strategic community investments: Allocating $347 million to continue efforts to reduce and prevent gun violence in New York. Providing $35.7 million to combat and prosecute domestic violence crimes. Reducing recidivism and improving workforce reentry: Investing $7.1 million to provide more intensive supervision for individuals on parole through the Supervision Against Violent Engagement (SAVE) program Expanding transitional housing and college programming across all state prisons. $1 million for transportation for visitors to and from State Correctional Facilities. Strengthening street safety through new initiatives: Implementing measures to combat toll evasion on roads and fare evasion on subways, commuter rails, and buses, including cracking down on vanish plates and fraudulent paper plates. Combatting Retail Theft Crimes: Creates a Class E felony for assaulting a retail worker. Allowing for aggregation of retail theft crimes to make it easier to prosecute repeat offenders. Fighting to Prevent the Aggravated Harassment of Transit Workers: Creates a new Class A misdemeanor, Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree, which would make it a crime for an individual to intentionally subject a transit worker to unlawful physical contact. Combatting AI Deep Fakes: Protecting against sexually explicit artificial intelligence - expands the existing statutory right to privacy, which says that it is unlawful to use a person’s name, portrait, or picture for commercial advertising without consent, by adding “likeness and voice” to the list of protected characteristics. Combatting the use of deep fakes in elections - requires distributors or publishers of “materially deceptive” political communications to disclose the use of digitization. It also gives candidates a private right of action to seek injunctive relief and court and attorneys’ fees. Continuing Funding into AAPI Equity: $30 million for AAPI Equity Coalition priorities for crisis intervention initiatives and community-based programs to combat bias crimes. Ensuring Limo Safety: Enacts the Limousine Passenger Safety Task Force’s recommendations, including increasing the minimum fine for operating a stretch limousine that has been suspended with an out-of-service defect, requiring stretch limos to be equipped with a window break tool as well as a fire extinguisher, equipping stretch limos with anti-intrusion and roll-over protections, improving safety data reporting and requiring a pre-trip safety briefing for limo passengers. Budget Includes Increased Powers For Enforcement Against Unlicensed Cannabis Shops I am very pleased that the Legislature and the Governor were able to come together to make necessary changes to our cannabis law in response to the evolving needs of the nascent adult-use market. Unlicensed cannabis shops not only undermine the equity goals of our recreational cannabis program, they also diminish the quality of life of our communities, frequently sell to minors, and put their customers at risk by failing to abide by health and safety and other regulations set by the Office of Cannabis Management. We have now given localities, including New York City, the powers they sought to close these shops down. I look forward to continuing to work with City officials to ensure that this change in law is reflected on the ground. The final enacted budget includes: Padlocking Illicit Storefronts The budget gives broad padlocking authority to the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). OCM will be authorized to padlock businesses immediately following an inspection if they are selling illicit cannabis and pose an imminent threat to health and safety for the following reasons: Sales to minors Unlicensed processing of cannabis Violent conduct Presence of unlawful firearms Proximity to schools, houses of worship or public youth facilities Products leading to illness or hospitalization Products not tested or labeled according to NY Law Additionally, authorities from counties and cities, including New York City, will be authorized to padlock unlicensed businesses. In addition to expanding padlocking authority, the budget establishes a misdemeanor penalty for damaging or removing a padlock. This addresses previous limitations that beleaguered padlocking efforts statewide. If a business is found to not meet the standards of imminent harm required for padlocking, OCM will issue a notice of violation and an order to cease unlicensed activity. These stores will be padlocked upon reinspection if unlicensed sales activity is still ongoing. If the store has approval from a State agency to sell alcoholic beverages, lottery tickets, or tobacco and vaping products, OCM will send a notice to the relevant State licensing agencies to inform of a violation under the cannabis law, and the business will be warned they are at risk of losing their licenses. Actions Against Landlords Who Fail to Cooperate With Cannabis Law If landlords fail to bring forth eviction proceedings against tenants in violation of the cannabis law, they will be held to strict penalties including: A $50,000 fine for any landlord notified of the violation within New York City Five times the rent from the time the landlord was notified of the violation outside of New York City The budget also lowers the standard of proof required to evict a tenant in violation of cannabis law. Landlords will now only have to prove that a business is “customarily or habitually” engaged in selling cannabis without a license, rather than “solely or primarily” doing so. Expanding Local Authority Counties and cities, including New York City, will be able to adopt laws related to regulating unlicensed cannabis businesses. The local laws must ensure consistent enforcement by requiring the establishment of procedures to conduct inspections, hearings, and emergency padlocking of businesses that mirror the State’s processes. Localities outside of New York City must designate a point of contact to coordinate with and report on enforcement activities with OCM, and they must require hearings in city or county courts within three days and decisions in four days following the hearing for locations that were padlocked at first inspection due to imminent harm. Local governments will now be able to initiate emergency proceedings against both unlicensed businesses and landlords. This allows localities to establish their own orders to cease unlicensed activity (upon 10-days' notice to OCM), and they may collect penalties through those proceedings. Creating a Statewide Enforcement Task Force Governor Hochul is launching a statewide task force to carry out civil enforcement to close illegal stores. By going after suppliers and taking on the pipeline of illegal cannabis these stores rely on, New York is taking on the root causes of the issue. And through fostering collaborations on this issue between State Police and local law enforcement, the state will be equipped to tackle the full scope of illegal cannabis activity. Granting New York City Immediate Enforcement Powers The New York City Administrative Code will be amended, allowing the City to act under the law immediately. This amendment will allow the City to inspect, issue violations, and seize cannabis and padlock stores. Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office will be designated as the lead under the law and can deputize other personnel to assist in enforcement. New York City will be able to conduct administrative hearings within five days of execution of an emergency padlock order and will provide a decision within four days after the hearing. The legislation allows the New York City Council to amend the law at a later date. Senate Passed Legislation Strengthening Animal Cruelty Law April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, and earlier this month the Senate passed a package of bills addressing animal welfare, including my bill to strengthen our animal cruelty laws. S761, which I carry, eliminates the word “serious” from the “serious physical injury” language of the Agriculture and Markets law, in relation to aggravated cruelty to animals, to ensure that someone attempting to physically harm an animal is appropriately penalized even if the assault is not successful and the animal makes a full recovery. Our society can be judged in part by the way we treat the animals in our care. It's just common sense that if you set out to cause extreme physical pain to an animal, that counts as 'cruelty,' and you should get more than a slap on the wrist. I thank my colleagues for passing this bill, and standing up for the needs of vulnerable animals. I hope the Assembly will follow suit. State Department of Health Returns Mount Sinai Beth Israel Closure Plan As "Incomplete" Earlier this month, the state Department of Health (DOH) returned Mount Sinai Beth Israel's incomplete closure plan, and will require additional documentation to be submitted with the new, comprehensive closure plan. I have been working with fellow elected officials to push for accountability and to ensure that emergency and inpatient health care service needs are met in Lower Manhattan. This move from DOH is a step in the right direction. It is not an outright rejection of the plan, but it will bring more accountability to MSBI's actions. Click Here to Read More about the Department of Health Decision Baby Supplies for the Newest New Yorkers Earlier this month, Assembly Member Harvey Epstein and members of my staff distributed baby supplies donated by our community for asylum seeker families residing in the district, with the incredible help of the Open Hearts Initiative. Many asylum seekers arriving to New York are expecting parents, with babies and young children. We have seen government agencies, organizations, and community members step up in unprecedented ways but our office was recently made aware of the ongoing need for formula, diapers, and other crucial baby items. Thank you to everyone who stepped up with donations. Town Hall with NYC Schools Chancellor Banks Click Here to Register for the Town Hall New Affordable Housing Opportunity The waitlist is open, and applications are now being accepted for affordable housing at 180 W. 20th Street, New York, NY 10011. Applications must be requested, postmarked, and returned by June 1, 2024. You can request an application via email at [email protected] or by phone at (646) 677-5754. To request an application in person, please visit Related Affordable Housing Group at 330 W. 30th Street, New York, NY 10001, or by mail by writing to Attn: Westminster Remarketing, 330 W. 30th Street, New York, NY 10001. People can find more information on the website, [link removed]. Waitlist Opens for Manhattan Plaza Performing Artist Housing Beginning April 4, Manhattan Plaza is opening its waitlist for Performing Artists. Located at 400 West 43rd Street, qualifications will be based on Performing Arts Qualification guidelines and Section 8 Federal guidelines. Interested persons may apply for the lottery through the City of New York Department of Housing, Preservation & Development’s website, Mitchell Lama Connect. This is open to New York State residents only. If you need any additional information, please contact the leasing agent at [email protected]. Biden Administration Launches American Climate Corps Join the next generation of creators, thinkers, leaders and doers, working together to tackle the climate crisis. Through our collective action, we are forging a clean energy, climate-resilient future – in our own communities and across the nation. We stand united in the firm belief that every person, regardless of race, zip code, or economic background, has the power to build a more sustainable and just future – one in which all of us can thrive. The American Climate Corps (ACC) will empower a new, diverse generation to tackle two of the greatest challenges of our time: environmental injustice and climate change. We are creating a world in which individuals are equipped with the career training and hands-on skills to make change — change we can breathe, see, feel, and touch. And where together, we have the power to reimagine and reorient the course of our lives, our communities, our country, and our planet. Click Here to Learn About Opportunities with the American Climate Corps HEAP Cooling Assistance Benefit The 2023-2024 HEAP Cooling Assistance benefit opened on April 15, 2024. If you are eligible, you may receive one Cooling Assistance benefit per applicant household for the purchase and installation of an air conditioner or a fan to help your home stay cool. In circumstances where an air conditioner cannot be safely installed, a fan will be provided. Only one air conditioner or fan, not to exceed $800 with installation for a window, portable air conditioner, or fan and not to exceed $1,000 for an existing wall sleeve unit, will be provided per applicant household. No additional HEAP cash benefits are available. You may be eligible for a Cooling Assistance HEAP benefit if: Your household's gross monthly income is at or below the current income guidelines for your household size as posted here, or You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or You receive Temporary Assistance (TA), or You receive Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone), or You received a Regular benefit greater than $21 in the current program year or received a Regular benefit equal to $21 during the current program year and reside in government subsidized housing with heat included in your rent, and Your household contains at least one individual with a documented medical condition that is exacerbated by extreme heat, or Your household contains a vulnerable member based on their age (elderly age 60 years or older, or young children under age 6) which meet all other component eligibility criteria, and A member of your household is a United States Citizen or Qualified Non-Citizen, and You currently do not have a working air conditioner or the air conditioner you have is five years old or older, and You did not receive a HEAP funded air conditioner within the past five years. Your household eligibility requirements include filing an application with your local department of social services, providing all necessary documentation, and the household must reside in an eligible living situation. Getting the air conditioner installed The participating Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) vendor list can be obtained by accessing the HEAP Participating Vendor List. Select your county of residence, “Cooling” as the fuel type, and press “Go”. It will be your responsibility to maintain the air conditioner. This includes the responsibility to remove, cover, store, and/or reinstall the unit or the installation sleeve after vendor installation. Where to apply You may apply for the HEAP Cooling Assistance with your HEAP Local District Contact. New York City Residents may also apply for the HEAP Cooling Assistance benefit online by visiting ACCESS NYC. Click Here to Learn More Beware of Con Ed Scammers Criminals are impersonating Con Edison to get money or your personal information. Know how to recognize a scam and protect yourself: 1. Con Edison doesn’t accept payments via Venmo, Zelle, CashApp, prepaid gift card, debit card, or Bitcoin. Hang up on anyone calling and asking for Con Edison payments by these methods. 2. Asking for ID isn’t rude; it’s safe. If someone comes to your door, claiming to be from Con Edison, call 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633) and confirm the employee’s name and ID number. 3. Make payments safely. We accept online payments through conEd.com and conEd.com/GuestPayment. 4. We will never ask to see your bill. Never share your account number or show your bill to someone at your door. 5. If you’re not sure an email is really from Con Edison, don’t click on any links. Suspect a Scammer? Call the police. Then call us: 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633). Click Here to Learn More NYPL’s FREE Job Fair & Expo 2024 Join us for The New York Public Library's annual Job Fair & Expo on Friday, May 17, from 10am to 4pm at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building in midtown Manhattan. Register Now! Discover Career Opportunities Connect with recruiters and HR managers to find open positions, network with companies and organizations, and get valuable job training information. More than 60 employers and community-based workforce development organizations have confirmed, including: Administration For Children's Services Black Girls Code Bronx Community College Workforce Development Center for Independence of the Disabled NY City University of New York Cypress Hills LDC Idealist Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York Immigration Coalition New York State Department of Education NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection NYC Department of Small Business Services The Viscardi Center United Staffing Solutions Workforce1 Career Center Improve Your Job Search & Presence Online Attend an introductory workshop on crafting an attention-grabbing LinkedIn profile and learn strategies for standing out in the professional world. Plus, get a FREE professional headshot, as well as connect with NYPL experts on resume building, completing job applications, and printing services. Embrace Career Shifts Participate in engaging workshops and conversations, and access a wide range of resources and services supporting seamless transitions across various career stages. From adapting to career changes following significant life events to situations like re-entering the workforce after a break, pivoting to a new industry, upgrading skills in a rapidly changing job market, and more. Workshop sessions include: Building a More Inclusive & Equitable Workforce Effective Career Transitions for Older Adults How to Navigate Your Career Odyssey: Crafting Your Path to Success Lanzando su carrera profesional post-migración (Launching your career post-migration) Transitioning a Career Into Finance/Technology Registration Now Open! NYPL’s Job Fair and Expo is free and open to all patrons 18 and above. You do not need to have a library card to attend. If you cannot attend but want to find out how the Library can support your job search or career development journey, we encourage you to register for our job and workforce readiness programs. Get More From Career Services at NYPL Find essential professional development support, resources, webinars, events, and more tailored for job seekers and professionals looking to craft an effective professional portfolio to enhance their careers. NYPL’s Career Services team offers FREE virtual and in-person support to help you achieve your career or employment goals including coaching, resume or cover letter writing, job application support, and career development events. If you have questions about these offerings, please contact [email protected]. Pay-By-Plate at NYC Parking Meters Beginning on May 8, 2024, the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) will begin upgrading parking meters across the City to Pay-By-Plate operation. The transition to Pay-By-Plate parking will modernize paying for parking in New York City. The current Pay-And-Display meters offer operational and functional limitations, mainly the requirement of having to display a receipt on your dash. By moving to Pay-By-Plate, motorists will experience : A larger, modern full color, backlit display that allows for the display of payment information and the entry of license plate information. Multiple language options and an intuitive user interface Upgraded components and communication systems, including the introduction of Tap-And-Go contactless payment options at the meter, reducing the need to insert your card in the meter. Most importantly, eliminate the need to return to the vehicle to display a receipt on the windshield. Upon parking, motorists will enter their license plate and state, pay, and be able to go on with their day. Just like the convenient ParkNYC app, all meter transactional data is shared immediately with NYPD so that traffic agents can use their handheld enforcement devices to easily see which vehicles have paid. Parking meter rates are not changing as part of this meter upgrade, and access to meters will not be impacted. In addition to these improvements to the City’s meter system, NYCDOT encourages motorists to use the ParkNYC mobile app, our mobile payment application with over 1.8 million users, which eliminates the need entirely to pay at a parking meter. To learn more about ParkNYC, please visit parknycapp.com or download the App on your smart device. Implementation of Pay-By-Plate parking begins in Northern Manhattan on May 6, 2024, and will gradually be deployed in Manhattan over the following year. In the Spring of 2025, implementation will follow in Queens, followed the Bronx, Brooklyn and Staten Island. Detailed information on the deployment schedule, how to use the meters, as well as other parking information can be found at nyc.gov/paythemeter. In addition, the location of metered blockfaces across New York City can be found at nyc.gov/ParkingRateMap. Update from the Attorney General Prescription Drug Take-Back This Saturday Guide to Free Programs for Kids from InsideSchools New York City offers children and teens a wide range of after-school and summer activities -- from paid museum internships to free science research programs. The free and low cost programs listed by InsideSchools are a great way to explore new interests, get extra support, and supplement what is being taught during the school day. The list is not exhaustive and new listings are welcome. Click Here to Browse the Free Program Guide NYS Courts Announce Student Internships As part of the New York State Courts’ ongoing efforts to promote civic participation and provide young people a firsthand opportunity to learn about the New York State Courts’ important work––including the varied, rewarding career opportunities available in courts across the State––the system has announced the second-year launch of the Student Aide Summer Internship Program. This interactive, paid internship offers high school students, recent high school graduates, and college students a chance to develop a concrete understanding of our government’s Third Branch, with the interns gaining knowledge of New York’s state court operations, the civil, family, and criminal justice systems, and the roles of the various professionals working in service of the courts’ mission, among other court- and law-related topics. In addition to the experience and knowledge gained from their job assignments, the interns benefit from training in computer, business writing, public speaking, negotiation, and other essential job skills. They also engage in a variety of enrichment activities, including court tours and panel presentations. This year’s program will include a panel discussion on leadership with Chief Judge Rowan D. Wilson, Judges Zayas, St. George and Richardson, and the New York State Courts’ entire judicial leadership team. There are multiple internship opportunities available within the court system in courts and court offices throughout the State. The internship program will run from July 8 through August 14, 2024. Student Aide I Interns earn $18 hourly. Candidates should have an interest in working in and learning about the justice system and/or legal profession. Students who are economically disadvantaged or come from underserved communities are encouraged to apply. Applications must be postmarked or received by May 3, 2024. For more information about Student Aide I Internship Program opportunities, including the required qualifications and how to apply, go to [link removed]. District Office: 211 East 43rd Street, Suite 2000 | New York, NY 10017 | (212) 490-9535 | Fax: (212) 499-2558 Albany Office: Capitol Building, Room 416 | Albany, NY 12247 | (518) 455-2297 | Fax: (518) 426-6874 Email: [email protected] | On the Web: krueger.nysenate.gov   Senator Liz Krueger | 211 E 43rd St, #2000, New York, NY 10017 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!