Legislative and COVID-19 Weekly Update, Monday, May 18, 2020
Best news in weeks is the re-opening of the Capital Region, expected to begin Phase 1 this week. One positive part of the coronavirus is the united front among state, county and local officials who have pulled together to advocate for our region.
We held our sixth Transition Town Hall focused on how existing historical and societal health disparities play into the current COVID-19 pandemic — see more below — and keep an eye out for our next one this Thursday at 11am — again focused on our small businesses and reopening the region responsibly!
Please also find my comments on recent developments regarding nursing homes and the plan to reopen the Capital Region below.
Legislative News and Events:
• Nursing Homes Struggle to Comply With Testing Mandate. As one who has advocated for weeks to address the nursing home crisis, the Governor’s latest executive order for testing staff twice a week is not the most effective way forward. The article below highlights concerns from Leading Age and other advocates, as well as St Peter‘s (which operates 7 homes including the Eddy), and the Daughters of Sarah Nursing Home. Nursing homes and their staff don’t have access to the increased number of tests required, Wadsworth Labs cut off processing these tests, insurance will not cover them ($120 avg per test), and the turnaround time is 3 to 5 days for a test that is supposed to be twice per week. There has to be some flexibility here — let’s run the first set of tests ASAP and go back at it. The scale of this crisis requires serious intervention to prevent more needless loss of life.
• Regional Reopening Metrics Dashboard, Cap. Region Reopening Delayed. The Capital Region has cleared 5 of the 7 metrics required to begin reopening of our region, as seen in the Governor’s newly launched Regional Reopening Dashboard. Discrepancies in local and state data must be resolved to have a clearer picture of when the Capital Region can begin reopening in safe, responsible manner that includes our region’s small businesses and protocols they can follow — breaking with the bias we’ve seen directed towards big box stores like Target and Home Depot.
• Town Hall Recap: ‘Recognizing Health Disparities: Pre and Post COVID-19’. Thank you again to our panelists and everyone who attended our town hall (Recognizing Health Disparities: Pre and Post COVID-19) yesterday on disparate health outcomes we’re seeing in communities of color during COVID-19 and how to best address the historical and societal inequities that play into those disparities. Panelists included UAlbany School of Emergency Preparedness Asst. Professor Dr. DeeDee Bassett, Capital District Latinos Board Chair Dan Irrizary, founder of the Black Nurses Coalition Dr. Brenda Robinson, and Chief Executive Officer at Capital Roots, Amy Klein. Read WAMC Northeast Public Radio’s story for a full re-cap at the link in this section. If you missed it, you can view the full recording and discussion here:
🎥 Click for the Full Recording
🎥 WATCH: Addressing Your UI Claims. There is no doubt we are living through an extraordinary time due to COVID-19. Despite the NYS Department of Labor’s hard work and best efforts, too many New Yorkers remain without their #unemployment benefits despite having filed, had their claim processed, among other — unfortunately persistent — problems. Every day, my office and I receive calls from frustrated and anxious constituents who are concerned about the status of their unemployment claim. Too many are struggling just to afford rent, their bills, and food. Some have waited up to 7, 8 or 9 weeks to receive their benefits. While millions of claims have been processed,there are still thousands upon thousands that are outstanding, including well over 100 in my assembly district. We need to alleviate the immense financial strain that’s been placed on all too many New Yorkers. Constituents who continue to have issues or questions with their UI claims can e-mail my office at fahyp@nyassembly.gov, or call 518–455–4178 so we can assist you. We’ve already assisted over 200 constituents with their claims.
• Amid Worsening Housing Situation, Rent Relief Included in 4th Stimulus Bill. Alarming new data on housing and rent problems arising due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which will have ripple effects for working families trying to pay rent, mortgages, school taxes, more. Almost a month ago, I signed a letter alongside several of my Assembly colleagues calling on Congress to include relief for renters and tenants in their next stimulus package. The new stimulus package introduced in the House of Representatives thankfully included this funding and relief for New York tenants and should be included in the final version of the fourth stimulus bill as it goes to the U.S. Senate.
• Albany to Consider Outdoor Seating for Restaurants During Reopening. Kudos to Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, Central Avenue Business Improvement District, the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District for considering this creative approach to adding outdoor space and occupancy/seating capacity for restaurants to help drive business to our independently-owned establishments. As other cities in the United States and other countries have done — we might consider shutting down a few busy thoroughfares to create pedestrian-only corridors as we seek to creatively reopen.
• Albany Boys & Girls Club Delivers 100,000th Meal. This past Monday I did my part and pitched in to help the Albany Boys & Girls Club deliver meals — and then joined them again on Friday with colleagues Senator Neil Breslin and Assemblymember John McDonald III to celebrate their 100,000th meal delivered in the Capital Region. For over 50 years, the ABGC has stepped up to serve our community in its darkest hours, and their work is invaluable in reducing the overall food insecurity felt in our region.
• State Comptrollers Criticize J.P. Morgan Fossil Fuel Financing. The NYS Comptroller, NYC Comptroller, and CA Comptroller have criticized J.P. Morgan for refusing to follow the Paris Accord guidelines and scale back investment in fossil fuel companies who are the major driver behind climate change.
Community Updates:
• UAlbany Small Business Development Center Holds Reopening — Phase 1 Webinars. Register now for any of the webinars scheduled to provide participants with an overview of the guidelines by industry, guideline affirmation requirements, safety plan development and how to navigate the NYS website.
• Albany Schools Most Recent COVID-19 Update. You can find the Albany City Schools’ most recent COVID-19 update for families and students at this link. I appreciate the district’s transparency in sharing data regarding the serious challenges they face and getting their students and families online for e-learning.
• Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY (LASNNY) COVID-19 Guide. LASNNY has a free, easy to use COVID-19 legal/other resources guide you can access by following this link.
• Federal Stimulus Check — IRS’ ‘Get My Check’. Click here to check on your federal stimulus payment if you haven’t received it yet using the IRS’ new ‘get my check’ tool.
• Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region and Local Coalition Launch COVID-19 Grant Program to Assist Small Businesses. Application & Guidelines Available Here — ‘During this time of unprecedented economic hardship, local banks and community organizations have banded together to launch a new grant program in order to stabilize Capital Region small businesses. The COVID-19 Small Business Continuity Grant Program will award small businesses up to $20,000 to help them stay afloat during the COVID-19 crisis. Small businesses can use the grant funds to make payroll, pay bills, and keep their operations going.’ Kudos to #SupportSmAlbany for continuing to support our local small businesses!
• U.S. Census Launches COVID-19 Resource List. The United States Census has put together a detailed analysis and interactive map of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States to help keep you informed about what’s going on in your community.
• NYS Comptroller Launches Financial Resources Toolkit. The New York State Comptroller’s Office has released a COVID-19 financial resources toolkit for families and individuals navigating this challenging time when it comes to financial wellbeing.
• Guilderland and Washington Park Farmer’s Markets Go Virtual. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects here in the Capital Region, the Guilderland and Washington Park Farmer’s Markets have decided to go virtual for their seasonal openings. Click on the link in the beginning for more information!
• Schuyler Center COVID-19 Resource Guide. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns about families’ health and mental health, social isolation, economic insecurity, child welfare, child development, and parenting needs, the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy has compiled a body of informative links, phone numbers, and text numbers to connect families to resources that may be helpful during this stressful and challenging time.
Most Recent NY-ON-PAUSE/COVID-19 Updates:
- Regions of NYS have begun to reopen after meeting requirements found in the Regional Reopening Metrics Dashboard linked here.
- Reminder: Billions of dollars in Paycheck Protection Program funds still available for local small businesses to apply for.
- New protections/rules for tenants and renters were announced by Governor Cuomo (graphic below).
- All New York State schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year with a decision on summer schooling to be announced by the end of May.
- New York State will begin to reopen certain businesses and areas based on COVID-19 data and more after May 15th.
- New York State’s stay-at-home order known as PAUSE-NY is extended until Friday, May 15th. For more information on the PAUSE-NY order, please follow this link.
- Masks Matter: All New Yorkers, in situations where 6 feet of social distancing cannot be maintained, must now wear a mask or face-covering in public.
- 🗳 Reminder: All eligible voters in active or inactive status will be mailed an absentee ballot application for the primary or special elections to be held on June 23, 2020. No one should have to put themselves or their health at risk to exercise their fundamental democratic right. More info: www.elections.ny.gov
109th District COVID-19 Resources:
>> Click here for The New York Times’ COVID-19 National and State Case Tracker <<
Federal COVID-19 Stimulus Check Information
New Federal Resources Available for Small Businesses
New York State’s Empire State Development (ESD) Updated List of Essential Businesses
NYS Dept. of Motor Vehicles + Registration/Inspection Updates
NYS Dept. of Labor Unemployment Insurance (UI) Updates
New York State Department of Labor UI FAQ
Tenants Guide to NY’s Residential Eviction Moratorium
Health Insurance Enrollment Period Extended Until May 15th for Displaced Workers
Job + Employment Opportunities
109th Mental Health Resources
Headspace Partners with NYS to Provide Free Mental Health Resources
Domestic Violence Resources 1–800–942–6906
Hate + Biased-Related Crime due to COVID-19
Non-Essential Construction Ceasing — Executive Order
Healthcare Providers Who Need Equipment
Nonprofit + COVID19 Capital Region Response Fund
New York State — How You Can Help
Albany County Medical Reserve Corps
109th District | Capital Region Family Resource Guide, Now Available en Espanol
REMEMBER: Should you have any questions during this time please do not hesitate to utilize my office as a resource at (518) 455–4178 or fahyp@nyassembly.gov.
Sincerely,
Pat
