Dear Neighbor,

I have spent most of this month in Albany, running the Joint Legislative Budget Hearings in my role as Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, along with my colleague Helene Weinstein, Chair of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee. You can find the links to archived video of all the budget hearings, as well as written testimony, by clicking here.

If you would like to dig deeper into what is included in the Governor's Executive Budget Proposal, you can read the Blue Book, which is the Senate Finance Committee staff analysis, by clicking here.

The next step in the budget process is the passage of the Senate and Assembly one-house budget resolutions, which serve as the Legislature's response to the Governor's proposal. Those resolutions will be passed in mid-March, followed by three-way negotiations between the Senate, Assembly, and Governor's office, to pass the final budget, which is due April 1st.

Stay safe and healthy. 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

At the end of January, Governor Hochul vetoed a bill that I carried with Assm. Helene Weinstein that would have closed a nonsensical loophole in New York's False Claims Act. The law, which makes it illegal to make fraudulent claims to the government, was updated in 2010 to include tax fraud. It allowed the state to sue wealthy corporations and individuals – those with over $1 million in annual income who owe at least $350,000 in taxes – to recoup the taxes they owe.

Unfortunately the law contains a loophole. If a big corporation owes New York taxes but knowingly files a false tax document with the state, they are liable under the False Claims Act. But if they owe New York taxes and knowingly fail to file any tax documents or records at all, they are not liable. In other words, big out-of-state corporations and wealthy individuals who pretend to be non-residents can get away with not paying any of the taxes they owe to New York State, and all they have to do is… nothing.

My bill would have closed this loophole once and for all - so I was extremely disappointed that Governor Hochul chose to veto it.

On February 15th, the full State Senate voted on the nomination of Justice Hector LaSalle as Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, New York State's highest court. The nomination was rejected by a vote of of 39-20. Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins made the following statement on behalf of the Senate Majority:

“Today, the Senate Majority will once again rise to our leadership responsibilities and end the ongoing distraction of the Justice Hector LaSalle nomination. We maintain that the Senate Judiciary Committee’s vote on Justice LaSalle’s nomination was a faithful execution of the judicial nomination procedure. The Senate acted constitutionally by following our own set of rules, which as a separate branch of government, we are empowered to create and follow under the State Constitution. Despite being in accordance with our State laws, the outcome of that Judiciary hearing has not been accepted by all members of government. The recent court case brought by Republican Senators proves that prolonging the LaSalle nomination – which never had the requisite votes to pass – is merely a wedge issue to distract us from other pressing matters at hand. We have a state to run. The 2023-2024 $227 billion dollar budget is due in six weeks. Our highest court has no appointed Chief Judge, and we need the court system to function. This court case, if allowed to continue, would’ve dragged on for months and stymied our judicial system. It’s time to put this matter to rest.”

This past weekend I was proud to stand with Congressman Jerry Nadler, as well as my colleagues Assembly Member Jeff Dinowitz and Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, to call for the inclusion of my bill, the Climate Change Superfund Act (S.2129/A.3351), in the state budget.

New York State is facing well over a hundred billion dollars in climate change-driven damages over the next three decades. Someone is going to have to pay to prepare the state to weather those storms. The only question before us is who will pay. I believe that the companies most responsible for causing the climate crisis - the biggest multinational fossil fuel companies - should pay to clean up their mess, not New York taxpayers and businesses.

The Climate Change Superfund Act uses the polluter-pays model exemplified by existing federal and state superfund laws to collect $75 billion over twenty-five years for New York's climate change adaptation costs from the parties most responsible for causing the climate crisis - big fossil fuel companies.

Funds would be dispersed to qualifying climate change adaptive infrastructure projects, which are defined as projects designed to avoid, moderate, or repair damage caused by climate change. These would include, for example, storm water drainage systems, coastal wetlands restoration, defensive upgrades to roads, bridges, and subways, air conditioning and other upgrades to schools and public buildings, as well as projects to adapt to damage to agricultural land or fisheries. In line with the requirements of the CLCPA, at least 35% of expenditures will go to projects that directly benefit disadvantaged communities.

I thank Congressman Nadler for his support, which included an op-ed this past weekend in the New York Daily News, co-authored by Congressman Jamaal Bowman.

Session III: “Get It Fixed: Know Your Rights to

Get Repairs in Your Rental Apartment"

Wednesday, March 8th 7 pm – 8:45 pm

*Note Evening Time*

Are you a renter who has plaster coming down in the bathroom? Has your stove or fridge stopped working? Is the lock broken on your building’s front door? Scared to contact your landlord to make these needed repairs but unsure of your rights to get those repairs done?

On Wednesday, March 8th from 7 pm – 8:45 pm, hear from leading experts about effective strategies for how to get repairs in your rental apartment. 

The March 8th Roundtable will feature:

• Sateesh Nori, Executive Director, JustFix
• Michael Grinthal, Director of Housing Rights, TakeRoot Justice
• Andrea Shapiro, Director of Program and Advocacy, Met Council on Housing

You will have the option of joining the event online through Zoom, a webinar hosting service. 

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

If you do not have access to a computer, tablet, or other electronic device, you can listen in by telephone.

**If you register for an event, a confirmation email with the Zoom link and the call-in information will be sent at least a week in advance of the event.**

The event will feature a question and answer session with Sateesh Nori, Michael Grinthal, and Andrea Shapiro. If you want to know the best way to approach your landlord to make a repair; how to work with your neighbors to improve building conditions; and to find out about online tools to assist in your housing advocacy efforts, join us at the March 8th Roundtable. Attendees will be able to submit questions through Zoom and Facebook during the event but are *strongly* encouraged to submit them in advance.

Please let us know if you plan to attend the Wednesday, March 8th Virtual Roundtable by RSVPing at https://tinyurl.com/3-8-23-Senior-Roundtable.

On February 19th, I was pleased to join the next generation of climate activists for a climate play date, one of several such events being organized by Climate Families NYC. At the playdates, families get to know each other while engaging with their kids in climate activism, like writing letters to elected officials. At February's event, we created a large banner in support of the NY Renews Climate, Jobs, & Justice Package (CJJP), which includes three bills that I carry - the Climate Change Superfund Act, the NY HEAT Act, and the Stop Climate Polluter Handouts Act.

I am always inspired by the leadership that young people show in tackling the climate crisis, and I am committed to doing everything I can in the Legislature to ensure that they inherit a livable planet.

Tax season is upon us, and it's always a good idea to get an early start on filing your return. Here’s a new piece on How to File Your Taxes for Free in New York City from The City, as well as a link to the Wall St. Journal’s Where to Get Your Taxes Done for Free which highlights, among others, the IRS’s Free File program which does the math for you and includes access to additional forms for slightly more complex returns.

Also, don’t forget the deadline to apply for a $150 NYC property tax rebate has been extended to March 15th for homeowners who couldn’t apply by the previous November 15th deadline due to an extenuating circumstance. If your property is your primary residence and your adjusted gross household income is $250,000 or less, you may be entitled to a property tax rebate. If you think you qualify, visit: www.nyc.gov/propertytaxrebate.

New Yorkers can call 311 or visit New York City’s tax prep website to choose the best filing option for themselves and find the most convenient location if choosing in-person or drop-off tax prep. A checklist of what documents New Yorkers need to bring with them to file and multilingual information about the services are available online. In-person services are available in English, Arabic, Armenian, Bengali, Chinese, French, Haitian-Creole, Hebrew, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu, and other language are yet to come. Consumers who use a paid tax preparer should ask the preparer for a Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding Tax Preparers (available in multiple languages) and read it before having their taxes prepared. 

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has issued a fact sheet that provides an overview of how several key policies will be impacted by the ending of the Public Health Emergency on May 11th of this year: https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/02/09/fact-sheet-covid-19-public-health-emergency-transition-roadmap.html.

It is important to note that there will be changes in health insurance coverage of COVID-19 testing; furthermore, it will at some point become necessary to obtain COVID-19 vaccinations and treatment commercially instead of free of charge from the federal government.

Moderna has stated that it will continue to make its COVID-19 vaccines available at no cost to individuals who are uninsured or underinsured. To view the statement, please visit: https://investors.modernatx.com/Statements--Perspectives/Statements--Perspectives-Details/2023/Modernas-Commitment-to-Patient-Access-in-the-United-States/default.aspx

Under the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, the SNAP Emergency Allotments are scheduled to end March 1, 2023. Emergency Allotments (EA) of SNAP benefits were authorized by Congress under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020. SNAP EAs were intended to continue for the duration of the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency declaration. However, the omnibus bill passed by Congress in December 2022 put into law a premature end to SNAP EAs, setting February 2023 as the last month of distribution.

In March 2023, households currently receiving SNAP benefits will see a reduction in the amount of monthly SNAP benefits they receive. All SNAP households in New York State will receive their normal benefit amount, without the added allotment.

Over the last month I have heard from many constituents about concerns related to plans by the Redeemer Church East Side to construct a new worship center at 150 East 91st Street. The plans as they currently stand would have a significant negative impact on the church's neighbors at 160 East 91st Street, as well as on the neighborhood more generally.

On February 16th, I signed on to a letter authored by Council Member Julie Menin, urging the church to come to the table and work with their neighbors to come up with a plan that all parties can be happy with.

The MTA has announced its plans for the F Train 63rd Street Line Direct Fixation Track Rehabilitation. The project is expected to extend through several months, beginning in May and continuing into October. I understand how disruptive this will be for commuters, particularly for constituents on Roosevelt Island.

I signed onto a letter, authored by Council Member Julie Menin, urging RIOC and the MTA to develop plans to alleviate the burden. We offer a number of suggestions that will not eliminate but at least mitigate some of the disruption. 

Last month the New York State Department of Labor implemented a bill I carried last year that clarifies that it is illegal for employers to threaten, penalize, discriminate, or retaliate against employees for using absences protected under federal, state, or local law, including time off covered by New York State Paid Family Leave and New York State Paid Sick Leave.

Under the new law, employers are specifically prohibited from assigning or deducting points under an absence control policy for using legally protected absences, including those related to sickness, disability, pregnancy, and caregiving obligations. Other examples of legally protected absences include domestic violence leave, jury duty leave, voting leave, and blood donor leave. Employers who violate the law face penalties up to $10,000 for initial violations and up to $20,000 for subsequent violations. Impacted employees may also be eligible to receive backpay and other damages.

Protecting the rights of workers is critical to ensuring the wellbeing and quality of life of New York families. We have several laws in place to allow workers to take leave for important reasons. Employers must follow the letter and the spirit of those laws, and not penalize workers for exercising their right to take legally protected leave.

Workers who believe their employers have violated state labor law should report it to NYSDOL’s Division of Labor Standards at 1-888-52-LABOR or [email protected].

The NYC Department of Sanitation is implementing a new rule to reduce the time that trash, recycling, and curbside composting will sit on sidewalks. The new rule goes into effect April 1, 2023.

Residential buildings have two options:

• Place waste out after 6:00 PM in a container of 55 gallons or less with a secure lid, or
• Place waste out after 8:00 PM, if putting bags directly on the curb.



To ensure collection, all waste must be set out by midnight. 

Businesses that place waste at the curb* for collection have two options:

• If using a container with a secure lid, place waste at the curb 1 hour before closing, or
• If putting bags directly on the curb, place waste out after 8:00 PM

* This does not apply to businesses that have waste collected from a loading dock.

Remember, containers must be removed from the curb by the time your business reopens.

988 is the new, three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL). It is now available nation-wide.

988 is more than just an easy-to-remember number. It is a direct connection to caring support for anyone in mental health distress. This may include:

• thoughts of suicide
• substance use crisis
• emotional distress

988 is a free service available to everyone.

HOW TO CONTACT 988:

You can contact 988 by chat, text, or phone.

Call or text 988 to be connected with a trained crisis counselor. When you call, you can access support in Spanish by pressing 2. Interpretation services are available in over 150 languages.

To access 988 via chat, visit 988lifeline.org/chat.

DOROT is welcoming volunteers to participate in Passover Package Delivery on Sunday–Monday, 3/26–27 at DOROT on W. 85th St. The program celebrates the Jewish holiday of Passover, and welcomes participants of all faiths and backgrounds. Volunteers check in at DOROT to pick up a gift package of treats, deliver the treats to a DOROT participant and either stay for a short visit or make a friendly call to follow up. Opportunities are available for adult and family volunteers. For more information and to register, click here.

This spring, DOROT is also recruiting for DOROT’s GENuine Connections, a celebration of multigenerational community through weekly, online workshops of high schoolers and adults 65+ in interactive small groups. Participants discover new perspectives and build deeper connections through mutual interests explored in meaningful discussions and creative activities over Zoom. Older adults are invited to join free weekly, virtual intergenerational workshops starting the week of 3/20. Take a look at the workshop calendar here (PDF). To join, please fill out an application here Or reach out to Sam Sheldon at [email protected] or 917-441-5040.