Legislative Update, Monday, August 10th
Negotiations continue at the federal level to reach a deal on a stimulus package to provide badly needed aid to state and local governments, struggling working families, and more as the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the country. I joined Senator Gillibrand, Congressman Paul Tonko, and other leaders from the Capital Region to call on Congress to reach a deal and provide relief as soon as possible.
As always, read on for community updates and COVID-19 resources — and check out the launch of our 109th Trails Tour challenge below!
Legislative News and Events:
• Sen. Gillibrand, Rep. Tonko, Asm. Fahy, County Exec. McCoy Call for Federal Aid in Stimulus. 🚨 Over 1.5 million state and local government employees have been laid off or furloughed across the country as a result of the #COVID19 pandemic. Disastrous cuts to services for seniors and veterans, hundreds of public employees, and our roads and water infrastructure are forthcoming if Congress cannot reach a deal. This past week, standing with U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Rep. Paul D. Tonko, and others — we are calling for immediate federal aid to offset these losses.
Whether your state and local funding priority is pot holes, parks or pre-k slots — we need federal stimulus relief now!
• NY AG James Sues to Dissolve NRA. I commend New York State Attorney General Tish James for filing a lawsuit this past week to dissolve the NRA — National Rifle Association of America, for violating New York State law. Political organizations like the NRA are not above the law.
• Calling for Gym and Fitness Center Reopening. I joined fitness center owners, employees, and leaders from around the Capital Region to call for a safe, responsible reopening for gyms and other establishments under the plan they’ve put forth, which exceeds most CDC and NYS DOH recommendations. These businesses are facing dire straits as federal and state business loans begin to dry up as a result of the Congressional impasse — and must be allowed to reopen shortly.
• New CNN Report: PFAS in Most Fast Food Packaging. 🍔❎ A CNN report shows high amounts of PFAS chemicals in packaging used at common fast food establishments. A few have opted for safer alternatives — however, I urge the Governor to sign my bill carried with Senator Brad Hoylman to ban the use of PFAS chemicals in all food packaging. The New York State legislature passed this bill to protect New Yorkers from these dangerous, carcinogenic chemicals two weeks ago.
• TU Commentary: Tackling Child Poverty in NYS. The Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy’s President & CEO Kate Breslin hits it home with this Albany Times Union commentary; our children are our future, and we must address rampant child poverty exacerbated by COVID-19 through expanding NY’s EITC, and universal access to childcare. This must be a priority when we return to session.
• Governor Signs Fracking Loophole Ban Into Law. ✅ Proud to have cosponsored this legislation to close the ‘fracking waste loophole’ in New York State — which will ensure we continue to lead the country in anti-fracking regulations and protections.
• NY Times: Half of New York Small Businesses Gone for Good. 🗞 These are truly disturbing numbers that will have ripple effects across the broader New York State economy — and a harsh reminder of the need for a short-term public jobs and works program to employ the thousands of New Yorkers affected by this crisis.
• Advocates Rally to Tear Down Highways that Bulldozed Black Neighborhoods. We need to add I-787 to this list — if we’re to be serious about revitalization within our historically disadvantaged communities, we need to reimagine and redesign the highways that run through so many.
• Route 146 Roundabout in Guilderland; Grant Secured. 🛣️ Happy to have secured funds to help extend the sidewalk and pedestrian infrastructure down to Pine Bush Elementary School as part of this project, making the area safer for both schoolkids and motorists in the Town of Guilderland.
• No Kid New York Texting Hotline Launches. 🍎 No Kid Hungry NY’s summer texting hotline is live — to find free meals for kids in your neighborhood text FOOD or COMIDA to 877–877. Remember to check with your local school district to learn more.
Community Updates:
• Introducing the 109th Trails Tour Challenge! 🥾 This week, we’re launching the ‘109th Trails Tour’; a challenge encouraging constituents, kids, families, and neighbors to connect with the parks, preserves, and trails right here in the 109th Assembly District. The #109thTrailsTour runs until October 1st — to complete the tour, participants must simply snap 📸 a photo, or submit 🎨 a drawing/artwork depicting each of the 3 trails they completed. Those who complete the tour will receive a shout-out on our social media and will have their name(s) featured in our Assembly office throughout this upcoming Autumn on a commemorative 📜 poster in the Legislative Office Building. Happy hiking!
💬 For more details, completion submissions, please visit my official Assembly web page (nyassembly.gov/mem/Patricia-Fahy) or: tinyurl.com/109thTrailsTour
❗️ Stay tuned for additional prizes TBA!
• NEW VIDEO: 2020 Census Update. 📬 The Trump administration is ending U.S. Census Bureau outreach early on Sept. 30th — making it even more crucial that the #109thAD and #Albany are counted! Complete your 2020 Census by:
☎️ phone
🌐 or online at 2020census.gov!
Then call 5 friends or family members and help ensure that the #CapitalRegion and #NYS count!
• Wishing You a Safe and Blessed Eid Al-Adha. I’d like to wish the Capital Region’s Muslim community a safe, joyful, and blessed Eid Al-Adha!
• Note: Read my quarterly Spring Newsletter online here if you haven’t already!
• 📚 Albany Public Library Begins Curbside Pick-Up Service. The Albany Public Library’s curbside pick-up service began this past week! Details below on how to utilize this resource and click on the link or image for more information!
• NY State Parks Launches New App for Mobile Phones. NY State Parks & Historic Sites has launched its Parks Explorer app to help better connect you to parks, historic sites, camping, trails, and more! Download for Android or iPhone here:
📲https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ny-state-parks-explorer/id1496803341
📲https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.ny.its.nyspark
• All New Yorkers Can Now Be Tested for COVID-19. 📳 All New Yorkers can now receive testing for #COVID19 — including antibody and standard diagnostic testing. 📍 Find a test site near you: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you
• Albany NAACP Announces 3 Scholarships Available for Students. The Albany NAACP Branch has announced three scholarships are now available for students to apply for, to see if you’re eligible just follow the link in this section.
• 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.
• 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!
• 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.
109th District COVID-19 Resources:
>> Click here for The New York Times’ COVID-19 National and State Case Tracker <<
NYS Dept. of Labor Unemployment Insurance (UI) Updates
New York State Department of Labor UI FAQ
Tenants Guide to NY’s Residential Eviction Moratorium
Job + Employment Opportunities
109th Mental Health Resources
Domestic Violence Resources 1–800–942–6906
Nonprofit + COVID19 Capital Region Response Fund
New York State — How You Can Help
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
