I’m devastated to share the news that a 15-year-old boy who attended the Brooklyn Lab Charter School in Downtown Brooklyn School was shot and killed on his first day back to school this week. I’ve reached out to the school to offer support and I’ve contacted the police, who are actively investigating. There were quite a number of people in the park at the time of the shooting, so if you have information, call the NYPD Crime Stoppers hotline: 1-800-577-TIPS or submit confidential tips here.
Gun violence is a public health crisis and must be treated as such. New York State has invested heavily in community gun violence prevention programs and passed strong gun violence prevention laws. However, many firearms come into New York through the iron pipeline from other states. It’s why federal action is so critical and while I’m very relieved that Congress took important action on gun violence prevention this year for the first time in decades, I don’t believe they went far enough. Among the important things they did was to go after traffickers - the folks that push guns to New York through the iron pipeline, and provide $1billion to the states to pass and implement Red Flag laws, like the one I passed here in New York.
Earlier in the summer, the Supreme Court overturned New York’s 1913 law governing the issuance of permits to carry a concealed handgun. I believe this decision was wrong and utterly irresponsible. Fortunately, the legislature responded quickly to convene an emergency session and pass a bill to keep New Yorkers safe. I was pleased that my bill to ban firearms from sensitive spaces was incorporated into the comprehensive legislation.
The bill we passed included criteria for the granting of a permit and also banned carrying firearms in many sensitive spaces, like subways, schools, government buildings, hospitals, government buildings, establishments that serve alcohol, and allows private business owners to decide whether to allow guns on their property. The law went into effect on Sept. 1, 2022. While a lawsuit challenging the new law was brought, it has been dismissed. I expect there will be other such lawsuits which I will be monitoring closely. Rest assured, I will keep fighting to end the scourge of gun violence.
Sincerely,
Jo Anne Simon
P.S. Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency regarding the spread of polio in order to boost vaccination rates and expand who can administer the vaccine.
Flu Shot Drive: Thurs. 10/6/2022, 3-7pm. I am once again partnering with NYU to provide flu shots to the community at the NYU Langone Health Cobble Hill ED (83 Amity St, at Hicks St). It’s still very important to get your shot. They have strict safety measures in place to ensure the safest environment possible for patients. Insurance is not required. You must be 18 years or older. Please email [email protected] or call 718-246-4889 to RSVP (appointments are required).
Congestion Pricing Public Comment Period Extended to 9/23/22: If you didn’t get a chance to testify on the plan for Congestion Pricing (aka Central Business District Tolling Program), you can still submit written comments by 9/23/22 via email: [email protected]. Comments may also be provided to FHWA via email: [email protected]. More information is available here: mta.info/CBDTP
I was an early supporter of congestion pricing two decades ago and I also co-sponsored the congestion pricing bill that the NYS legislature passed. Done right, congestion pricing will (1) increase the use of mass transit and provide necessary funds to keep it in a state of good repair; and (2) reduce gratuitous vehicular traffic over the free bridges.The main benefit is about reducing congestion - not just because it’s costly - but because traffic congestion significantly contributes to climate change. Reducing congestion protects the health and safety of us all, even those who disagree with the approach.
I understand that New Yorkers want to be able to go where they want to when they want to. But not being able to breathe and increased flooding is much more of a pain in the neck and for so many more. Studies show that the U.S. must reduce Vehicles Miles Traveled (VMT) by 20% before 2030 to limit warming to 1.5°C regardless of an ambitious increase in electric vehicle usage. We have to reduce VMT while mitigating impacts to Environmental Justice communities such as those along the Cross Bronx Expressway, which -- like the Gowanus/BQE -- is another of Robert Moses’s crowning disasters.
I testified in support of congestion pricing, with an exemption for people with disabilities because the transit system is not accessible. Moreover, people with disabilities are overwhelmingly underemployed or living on fixed incomes. If you'd like a copy of my testimony, please email [email protected].
NYC Smaller Class Size Bill is Signed! This week, the Governor signed A10498 to lower class size in New York City schools. What does this mean? First, it means that beginning in September 2023, public school class sizes will be capped at 20-25 students depending on grade level. In the aftermath of Covid, a number of schools have reduced enrollment with a corresponding reduction in class size. Teachers and parents report that the children in these reduced size classes are doing much better - which is consistent with the research. The class size reductions will be phased in gradually over 5 years, and fully implemented by 2028.
As the lead sponsor of the original class size bill, I was proud to support this effort. I believe this to be a critically important reform, one that will have a positive impact on students' learning, particularly those who experience difficulty with reading.
Summer Reading Challenge for Youth - Certificate Time! Kids: Did you complete the Summer Reading Challenge? If you did, congratulations! And even if you didn’t complete it, but you read throughout the summer, good for you. Submit the calendar to my office at 341 Smith Street (stop by or drop it in the mail) to receive an Excellence in Reading certificate. Give us a call to let us know when you’ll be coming by: 718-246-4889.
Park Slope Pedestrian Plaza: I’ve heard from many of you that you’d like to see a permanent pedestrian plaza on 4th Street at 5th Avenue in Park Slope, which I’ve supported for some time. I’ve added my voice to those reaching out to City DOT and the Mayor’s office to make the plaza official. It was a blast to paint the picnic tables at the plaza with community members and families recently! The kids had a great time and the colors of the picnic tables look terrific.
New COVID-19 Booster: Last week, the CDC approved a new booster for people ages 12 and older that specifically targets the most recent strains of the Omicron Covid-19 variant. These boosters will be a powerful tool in combating the expected winter surge. You can make an appointment here using the city’s vaccine finder. Public health officials still recommend wearing a mask in indoor public settings.
Help for Asylum Seekers. For the past several weeks, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has been sending people seeking asylum via buses from Texas to New York City. We are a sanctuary city and will provide people arriving here with the services, resources, and dignity they deserve. Here are a few ways you can help:
Mammogram Bus Event, Nov. 18, 2022. I’m so glad to provide this service to the community in partnership with the American-Italian Cancer Foundation. We are scheduling appointments for Friday, Nov. 18th, between 9am and 4:30pm right in front of my district office at 341 Smith Street in Carroll Gardens.
Screenings are open to those who are medically eligible for a screening mammogram, aged 40-79, currently living in New York City, who have not had a mammogram in the past year. The mammograms are provided at no cost: no co-pay is required if you have insurance. YOU DO NOT NEED INSURANCE to be screened! If you'd like to schedule an appointment, please call or email our office: 718-246-4889; [email protected].
Election & Voter Deadlines. Here are important dates for the upcoming November 8th General Election:
- Voter Registration Deadline - Applications must be postmarked by Oct. 14th and received by the board of elections (BOE) no later than Oct. 19th. You can also register in person at the BOE by Oct. 14.
- Change of address form from registered voters must be received by the BOE by Oct. 19th.
- Request your Absentee Ballot by phone (1-866-868-3692), fax, or here online by Oct. 24th. November 7 is the last day to apply IN-PERSON for an absentee ballot.
- More details here.
Housing Lottery Opportunity in North Brooklyn, Due 9/19. Visit
Housing Connect to learn more and apply online for these new rent-stabilized units. To request an application by mail, send a self-addressed envelope to: Eagle West Applications c/o Settlement Housing Fund, Inc., 247 West 37th St., 19th Fl., New York, NY 10018.
Fair Fares for Subway Riders. 600,000 New Yorkers are eligible for the MTA Fair Fares reduced cost subway program- yet many aren’t aware or taking advantage of it. I was happy to join my colleagues in government to help kick off an enrollment campaign for this program. Visit www.nyc.gov/FairFares or call 311 to get more information and to apply.
NYC Ferry Discount Program: Changes are coming to the
NYC Ferry system that may benefit you. Beginning Sept. 12, ticket prices will be $4.00 per ride, yet an expanded NYC Ferry Discount Program will offer $1.35 one-way tickets for seniors, people with disabilities, and other riders who qualify for the MTA Fair Fares program. There are also free trip vouchers and expanded outreach at NYCHA to encourage residents to try NYC Ferry for the first time. Each NYCHA household within a mile of a NYC Ferry stop will receive two free NYC Ferry app tickets for new riders.
4th Avenue and Bridge Work Updates from NYCDOT. There’s quite a bit of activity on our bridges and streets, as you’ve likely noticed. Some of the Brooklyn Bridge work was just postponed from this weekend to next weekend so please
check the NYC DOT website for changes and updates before you travel:
- The 4th Avenue Vision Zero Great Streets project is underway starting this month. This 3-mile, $60M project spans 4th Avenue from 8th to 64th Streets in Brooklyn, through the neighborhoods of Park Slope, Gowanus, and Sunset Park. Through June 2024, NYC DOT and DDC will complete the construction of raised, landscaped medians to encourage safe pedestrian crossings and to calm vehicular traffic. HEADS UP FOR CYCLISTS: To accommodate construction, the 4th Avenue bike lanes will serve temporarily in smaller segments as a shared lane for both vehicles and bikes, which markings and signage will make clear. As construction progresses, the shared lanes will move, following crews as they work. Bike lanes will be restored to their previous condition as work is completed. Bike lanes outside the construction zone will not be impacted.
- BROOKLYN BRIDGE:
- BIKE LANE: To accommodate repairs, the bikeway will be closed from 11:59pm on Friday, Sept. 16th, for a period of 24 hours. Bicyclists are advised to use the bikeway on the Manhattan Bridge during this closure.
- Tillary and Sands streets entrance ramps will be closed from 11:30pm on Friday, Sept. 16th until 8am the next day. Manhattan-bound motorists will be detoured to Manhattan Bridge.
- Pearl Street ramp to northbound FDR will close on weeknights from 11:00pm to 5:00 am the next morning until Sept. 30th. This ramp closure is required to clean the limestone walls of the approach arches adjacent to the ramp.
- Single lane closures in both directions from September 12th to 16th.
- MANHATTAN BRIDGE: Maintenance and rehabilitation continues on Manhattan Bridge from Sept. 12th to 17th; the ongoing single-lane closure on the Lower Roadway will continue through September. The bike and pedestrian paths continue to be narrowed at work zones for a maximum of fifty feet. At least one lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained at all times.
- I recently added my support again to the Bridges4People effort to improve access to East River Bridges and upgrade the critical bike routes used to connect Brooklyn and Manhattan, and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists across the board.
Resources on Monkeypox (MPV/MPX) / Orthopoxvirus. MPV is a contagious disease caused by a virus. There is currently an outbreak of MPV in the U.S. and other countries where the virus does not usually spread. Anyone can get and spread the virus, primarily through sex and other intimate contact; direct contact with a rash or sores of someone who has the virus; contact with clothing, bedding and other items used by a person with MPV, or prolonged face-to-face contact. People who have multiple or anonymous sex partners are at a high risk of exposure. If you have a new or unexpected rash or sores, contact a healthcare provider.
Cases in NYC are declining, which is good news. However, anyone at risk who is not currently infected should get vaccinated.
- Vaccination appointments for eligible people can be made on the City’s vaccine portal: vax4nyc.nyc.gov/monkeypox and by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692).
- Talk to your healthcare provider about testing, treatment options, & steps to protect yourself. If you need a provider, you can search for one using the City’s Health Map. You can find providers with a focus on LGBTQ+ care here. You can also call 311 to get connected to care through NYC Health + Hospitals.
- NYS Dept. of Health website has additional information. New Yorkers can sign-up for monkeypox text alerts from NY State by texting “MONKEYPOX” to 81336 or “MONKEYPOXESP” for texts in Spanish.
Community Events:
- Brooklyn Conservatory of Music: Fall Fest - Sat., 9/10, 2-5pm. Brooklyn Conservatory of Music welcomes music lovers of all ages for this free participatory family festival to preview the BKCM Fall term. Meet faculty, sample Early Childhood classes, and enjoy live performances by BKCM faculty and students.
- Free community reuse event, Stop ‘N’ Swap, will take place at Pioneer Works on Sun., 9/11, 1pm-4pm at 159 Pioneer St, Red Hook. You do not need to bring anything to take something, so check it out!
- Job Fair at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, 9/14. Building Skills NYC, Brooklyn Workforce 1, Helping U Homecare and the Brooklyn Navy Yard are hosting a job fair on Sept. 14th from 10AM to 3PM at 630 Flushing Avenue, 2nd Floor. Employers will be on site and hiring for the following jobs: construction laborers, flaggers, security guards, maintenance workers, and food service workers. Call or email Rupert Stewart with questions: (917) 267 5588 or [email protected].
- Broadway In The Boroughs: Brooklyn Kickoff, 9/16, 1-2pm, the Plaza at 300 Ashland. The Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment is bringing back its "Broadway in the Boros" series, featuring live performances by cast members and musicians of current Broadway musicals. The Brooklyn kickoff event features free, live performances by Beetlejuice, Book of Mormon, Chicago, and Little Shop of Horrors.
- Little Amal Puppet Walks NYC to Bring Awareness to Refugees. Little Amal is the giant puppet of a ten year old refugee girl, at the heart of Little Amal Walks NYC. She has traveled across 12 countries representing children fleeing war, violence and persecution. From September 14 to October 2, Amal will travel to New York City in partnership with St. Ann’s Warehouse. Events are suitable for children and families. See Brooklyn appearances here.
- Park Slope Sanitation Station 9/17, 9am-1pm. Bring your e-waste, take home compost, and shred your old stacks of paper at the 4th Street Plaza near Old Stone House in Park Slope, sponsored by Councilmember Hanif, The Old Stone House, and Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID.
- Brooklyn Book Festival 9/25-10/3. The Brooklyn Book Festival is New York City’s largest free literary festival and connects readers with local, national and international authors and publishers during the course of a celebratory literary week.
- The Atlantic Antic, New York City’s biggest and best street fair, will return on Sunday, October 2! Don’t miss the fun on Atlantic Avenue from 4th Avenue to the water. Check it out at https://www.atlanticave.org/atlanticantic
- Holiday Market coming to Downtown Brooklyn. Urbanspace, known for their holiday markets in Union Square, Columbus Circle, and Bryant Park, is heading across the East River to Brooklyn this year. The Borough Hall Holiday Market will run from Nov, 28 to Dec, 26 daily from 11am-8pm and feature 100 vendors. They will showcase Brooklyn-based minority-owned businesses to reflect the diversity of Brooklyn’s neighborhoods and its entrepreneurs.
- Brooklyn Lifelong Learning (BLL) is a community resource for the intellectual, social and physical well-being of adults. The semester will be on zoom with the eventual return to Brooklyn College. The fall semester is underway and there is a charge for classes, but if you first would like to try a class or two at no charge, visit BLL.brooklyn.cuny.edu to see what may be of interest to you, then contact them ([email protected] or 718-951-5647) to get the Zoom link or call-in number.
Brownfield Cleanup in Gowanus - Public Comments Due by 9/23. The public is invited to comment on a draft work plan being reviewed by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to investigate the 318 Nevins Street site located at 300-344 Nevins Street. You can also ask public health-related questions. The planned redevelopment for the site is mixed residential and commercial. Additional details, including environmental and health assessment summaries, are available on NYSDEC's Environmental Site Remediation Database (enter site ID C224350).
