The Case for a 21st Century WPA, Town Hall Re-Cap on Careers & Job Search, NYS Schools Closed Thru June, and COVID-19 Updates
I hope you and your family are are continuing to stay healthy and safe as we begin the month of May, celebrate workers, and remember to buy local!
Re-Employing Workers and Creating Jobs. This past week, my Op-Ed was published in both the Albany Business Review as well as The Altamont Enterprise on the need to create a 21st Century-Works Progress Administration (WPA) to help address the record-setting unemployment and long-term challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more about this push, that began with a letter to the NY Congressional Delegation signed by two dozen of my Assembly colleagues, below.
• Op-Ed: Via The Altamont Enterprise: The Case for a 21st-Century WPA — We Must Be Bold As Well As Practical. “Over a million people in New York State are out of work, and the United States economy is in disarray on a scale that our nation has not seen since the 1930s. By necessity, federal aid in the form of stimulus packages have focused primarily on the immediate health-care crisis, yet the economic crisis of unemployment and business failure will be long-term ones without rapid federal action. The federal small business assistance funds are helping but will not be sufficient to re-employ millions of workers around the country. Let’s revisit what worked in the 1930s and launch a short-term 21st-Century Works Progress Administration (WPA) — and fast.”
Transition Town Halls Continue. This past Thursday, myself and Assemblymember John McDonald hosted our 4th virtual town hall to discuss career transitioning and job searches during the COVID-19 pandemic with a panel of local job experts. Stay tuned for an announcement on another for the upcoming week and catch a roundup of resources and the full webinar recording below.
All New York State public schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year.
Additionally, please find the most recent updates and condensed COVID-19 Capital Region information and resources below!
Legislative News and Events:
• Town Hall Recap: Career Transitioning and Job Search During COVID-19. This past Thursday, myself and Assemblymember John T. McDonald III hosted a virtual town hall on adjusting your career transition or job search amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. We heard from Noah Simon, UAlbany Director of Career and Professional Development, Elizabeth Miller, Executive Director, Capital District Women’s Employment & Resource Center, Jason Benitez Vice President, Talent and Inclusion, Capital Region Chamber for Commerce and Brian Williams, Commissioner, Rensselaer County One Stop Career Center. The full stream of the webinar and a list of resources, links, opportunities, and more can be found below:
📋 Click Here for the Full Resource List
🎥 Click Here for the Full Recording
• Op-Ed: Via The Altamont Enterprise: The Case for a 21st-Century WPA — We Must Be Bold As Well As Practical. “Over a million people in New York State are out of work, and the United States economy is in disarray on a scale that our nation has not seen since the 1930s. By necessity, federal aid in the form of stimulus packages have focused primarily on the immediate health-care crisis, yet the economic crisis of unemployment and business failure will be long-term ones without rapid federal action. The federal small business assistance funds are helping but will not be sufficient to re-employ millions of workers around the country. Let’s revisit what worked in the 1930s and launch a short-term 21st-Century Works Progress Administration (WPA) — and fast.”
• Op-Ed: Via the Albany Business Review: It’s Time for a New Works Progress Administration (WPA). Read my Op-Ed in the Albany Biz Review from this week: “Let’s establish a 21st century WPA in the next federal stimulus package without delay and focus on the millennials who are bearing the brunt of the economic fallout. As the famed 1890s World’s Fair architect Daniel Burnham stated, ‘Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood.’ We can restore faith in our country and future while enabling men and women alike to dream again.”
• Spectrum News: Asm. Fahy Wants a New WPA. Read more coverage of my push for a new, short-term federal Works Progress Administration to help mitigate the economic effects of COVID-19 on working families and millennials in particular. Our push was also covered in Nonprofit Quarterly, as part of a larger story encompassing several proposals similar to a new WPA that to help reinvigorate our national economy.
• State Sen. Todd Kaminsky: Revive NY’s Economy with Green Jobs. Read NY State Senator Todd Kaminsky’s — Chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee — Op-Ed published in the Daily News last week calling for any recovery or revival strategy for New York State to include an emphasis and focus on creating next-generation, clean, renewable energy jobs to help jumpstart our transition to a clean-energy economy. In calling for the creation of a new WPA — I too stress the importance of creating these jobs and ushering in a new generation of environmental conservation and sustainability as we combat climate change here in NYS.
• 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.
• 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!
• Federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Applications Being Accepted Again. PPP applications can be submitted through June 30, 2020. SBA is not accepting new applications for EIDL based on the appropriations funding but submitted applications will continue to be processed on a first come first serve basis. To check on the status of your loan application please call: (855) 853–6346
• Study (Via Newsday): Masks Matter in Lowering Future NY Death Rate. Although universal mask and facial protection in public would’ve helped early on — and will make a tremendous difference moving forward.
Community Updates:
• 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.
• Preservation League of NYS Home Rehab. Webinar. May 4, 1:00–2:00 p.m. — NYS Historic Homeownership Rehabilitation Credit — Learn the basics of this program and hear from homeowner Nick Zumbulyadis on his personal experience with the program in the Maplewood Historic District in Rochester. All are welcome to participate. Click here to register.
• Nominate a Community Hero to be Recognized at “The Joe!” The ValleyCats have partnered with American National Insurance to honor nine Home Run Community Heroes on July 22nd at “The Joe!” Those selected will be recognized during a special on-field ceremony before the game vs. the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. The ‘Cats and American National Insurance are encouraging fans to nominate personnel from military, law enforcement, firefighter/EMS agencies, healthcare, non-profit organizations, as well as teachers, volunteers, children, and everyday people that have helped make a positive impact within the Capital Region.
• 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:
- All New York State schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year.
- 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 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
