Weekly E-News: Monday, August 31
This past week, I joined Capital Region lawmakers and colleagues to urge that the state release badly-needed CARES Act funding slated for child care providers and programs as part of a statewide day of advocacy, and delivered hand sanitizer to small businesses throughout the district in need of PPE equipment and to hear from owners about challenges they’re experiencing. Remember to #ShopLocal and #BuyLocal so that we can #EmployLocal now more than ever.
Remember: Complete your 2020 Census today if you haven’t already by going online, by phone, or mail: www.2020census.gov
Note: Watch for my Summer 2020 Newsletter (click here to view the electronic version) in your mailbox — and as always, read on for community updates, COVID-19 resources, and check out the launch of our 109th Trails Tour challenge below!
Legislative News and Events:
• Press Conference: NY Capital Region Lawmakers Urge Swift Release of CARES Act Child Care Funds As Part of Statewide Day of Action. Childcare is in crisis in New York State — and is essential to our economic recovery. This past week I was proud to join my Capital Region legislative colleagues Assemblymember Carrie Woerner and Assemblymember John McDonald today as part of a statewide #ChildcareDayofAction to urge the state to swiftly release CARES Act funding to providers, and support these essential workers. We have both an affordability crisis and a funding crisis as it relates to providers of child care programs — and we must act now to prevent further losses within the child care industry and sector.
• Delivering Hand Sanitizer to Local Businesses In-Need. 🏡 This past week, Albany Councilman Owusu Anane and I visited some of our small businesses in Albany to hand out NYS Clean hand sanitizer and hear from owners. These ‘Mom and Pops’; like Duke’s Barber Shop of Albany, Moliendo Café, The Cuckoo’s Nest, Cafe Madison, and Madison’s Pizza — are the lifeblood of our communities. As we continue to navigate our ‘new normal’, I look forward to working with our small business community to effectively respond to the challenges they face. Remember to #ShopLocal and #BuyLocal now more than ever. 📍 I stopped in Bethlehem as well to visit the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce and Joyelles Jewelers to drop off hand sanitizer for our local small businesses! Reach out to President Maureen McGuinness at (518) 439–0512 to request some for your business.
• Times Union: More than 1 Million Americans Filed for Unemployment Last Week, Again. ↗️ 27 million Americans remain on some form of unemployment assistance, the Capital Region’s unemployment rate stands at a sobering 11.5%, and workers have seen hours and wages cut back — leaving many wondering what’s next as Congress’ inaction on real relief for families has made it all worse. If the federal government won’t act, then New York should act and pass my legislation (A.10480/S.8440) to create a new public works and jobs program that’d provide struggling NYers with good-paying jobs in rebuilding our infrastructure, environmental resiliency, and more — similar to FDR’s original Works Progress Administration (WPA). Help us spread the word about this legislation and share the graphic below on your social media to show your support:
“I support a new public jobs and works program similar to FDR’s original Works Progress Administration (WPA) to put thousands of New Yorkers back to work with good-paying jobs fast!”
• Hudson Valley 360: Local Gov’t Support for PFAS Bills Grows. New Yorkers deserve to know that the packaging their food comes in and the air they breathe is free of dangerous and carcinogenic #PFAS chemicals — the same chemicals responsible for water contamination crises across the country and here in the Capital Region. I urge Governor Andrew Cuomo to sign these bills into law quickly to protect our environment and the public’s health:
▪️ A.4739 Fahy/S.8817 Senator Brad Hoylman; banning PFAS chemicals in food packaging
▪️ A.9952 Assemblymember John McDonald/S.7880 Senator Neil D. Breslin; banning incineration of firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals
• Clarksville to Receive Long-Needed Route 443 Sidewalk. 🗞 The Altamont Enterprise & Albany County Post: Clarksville to receive sidewalk to improve pedestrian safety along Route 443 via a state grant I helped secure and funds authorized by the New Scotland Town Board. More: “Since 2005, when he started knocking on doors in his first run for town board, Town Supervisor Doug LaGrange said one thing he’s continued to hear over the years from Clarksville residents is that they wished there was a safer way to walk down Route 443. So now, with the grant money from Fahy, he said, the town will have the engineering in-hand should federal money be made available, or Capital District Transportation Committee money freed up, or ‘whatever it might be.’”
• NY Times: How the U.K. Restarted its Restaurant Industry by Paying Half the Bill. The U.K. government has started an innovative and creative initiative that’s helping restaurants and small businesses not just survive but thrive — while keeping people healthy both indoor and outdoor and avoiding new #COVID19 infections. As autumn and winter approaches we’ll need creative ideas like grants for propane heaters and heated booths to keep local eateries and small businesses alive.
• GOP Legislators Again Want to Split NY Into 3 Regions. 📰 From The Altamont Enterprise & Albany County Post: In the midst of a public health emergency that demands real, bold, and practical solutions, and leadership from those in government — to suggest any region of our state might benefit from a regional partition or secession is fantastical. This would unleash a real and devastating economic toll on Upstate workers, families, and businesses — at a time when most New Yorkers are simply looking to get back on their feet. We are — and will always be — one state.
• Limited High School Sports to Resume. ▶️ High school sports for this year are resuming in a limited fashion. Check with your individual school district for more information by clicking on the link in this section.
ICYMI: In Case You Missed It
• ICYMI: • GUIDE: Governor Signs Three Bills Into Law, Incl. Authorization of Absentee Voting for 2020 Election. In July, the New York State Legislature passed legislation to ensure that all voters have the opportunity to cast their ballot in a safe and secure manner for the November 2020 general election. These included three major pieces of legislation, which, as of this past week, have been signed into by the Governor and take effect immediately. Please use the guide my office has created for your use below (and at the link in this section), and take note of these changes as they relate to the upcoming 2020 general election and as always, please feel free to reach out to my office at fahyp@nyassembly.gov or (518) 455–4178 with any questions or concerns you might have.
• ICYMI: Local Advocates Urge State to Reconsider Unfair Ending of Preferred Source Program Contract — Leaving Dozens of NYers Living w/ Disabilities Unemployed. The Preferred Source Program (PSP) provides thousands of New Yorkers living with disabilities with the opportunity to begin a new job or career, and earn a living wage. This past week I was happy to join my colleague Assemblymember John McDonald and local advocates in a press conference to advance equality of opportunity for all New Yorkers and call for a reversal in denying the PSP’s contract for first time since 1975.
• ICYMI: After Winning Lawsuit, NYS DEC to Begin Enforcing Plastic Bag Ban. 🛍 The state will begin giving stores and shopping establishments the 30-day notice that it will begin enforcing New York’s plastic bag ban, says the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation following a lawsuit brought forth by the plastic bag industry, in a win for our environment and reducing reliance on single-use plastics.
Community Updates:
• 109th Trails Tour Challenge UPDATE! This past week we announced the first group of trail-goers to complete the #109thTrailsTour! Congratulations to these constituents (see photo below!) and thank you for your submissions! 📌 There’s still over a month to complete your own #109thTrailsTour! (more below and at this link) www.tinyurl.com/109thTrailsTour In addition to a shout-out on our social media, those who complete the tour will have their names featured in our office during the Fall.
🥾 Remember: The safest place to be during the COVID-19 pandemic is outside! This month, 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 ❗️
• NYS Eviction Moratorium and Health Insurance Enrollment Period Extended. 📌 #NYS has extended the special enrollment period for health insurance until Sept. 15th — as well as the statewide eviction moratorium until Oct. 1st. Sign up for health insurance on the New York Health Marketplace here.
• NYS DOL Unemployment Insurance (UI) Updates. Here are the latest updates on changes to unemployment insurance (UI). Regular UI benefits are now extended for up to 59 weeks, and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits are now extended for up to 46 weeks. Congress must act in the coming weeks to renew the $600 payment which expired July 31st.
• DMV Updates on In-Person Services. 🚘 The latest updates from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles relating to offered in-person and online services, including extensions on vehicle registrations and inspections, are linked here. 🌐 Visit dmv.ny.gov for services being offered online.
• City of Albany Launches New Small Biz Grant Program. This past week, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan and Capitalize Albany Corporation announced the creation of a new ‘Small Business Adaption Program’ grant program — small businesses (less than 50 employees) can apply for grants of up to $10,000, and minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses can apply for grants of up to $20,000 — see the flyer linked here for more details. Apply today at: https://capitalizealbany.com
• Albany Bicycle Coalition — Upcoming Events. Check out the Albany Bicycle Coalition’s upcoming events before the summer is over!
• 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.
• • Celebrating 100 Years of the 19th Amendment. 🗳 Over 100 years ago — the #19thAmendment was ratified as part of the United States Constitution, giving women the right to vote. Black women and women of color would not attain the right to vote finally for another 50 years. Women have made incredible progress in statehouses and in Congress — just in the last 4 years — but we have work left to do.
• 📚 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
• 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.
• 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,
