Weekly E-News: Monday, October 5
This past week I joined local elected officials to announce two major projects included in Albany’s 2021 budget relating to Lincoln Park and Lark Street — moreover, please view the re-caps of our legislative roundtables below!
As always, read on for more legislative and community updates from around the 109th District!
Legislative News + Events:
• Lark Street Streetscape Improvement Enters Phase 1. 🏘 This past week I joined Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan to announce Phase 1 of the ‘Lark Street Streetscape Revitalization’ program to improve pedestrian safety and cement Lark St. as the bridge between Uptown and Downtown Albany while supporting its growth as a successful business district. Step by step — we’re making Albany greener, more walkable, and a more interconnected city than ever before.
• Lincoln Park to Receive Transformative Improvements, Investment. 🌲 The Trust for Public Land’s ParkScore index shows that 77% of #Albany residents live within a 10-minute walk to a park or public green space — well above the national average of 55%. I’m proud to have secured state funds to build on that achievement with Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan to revitalize not just Lincoln Park with a new outdoor amphitheater and pedestrian improvements, but a host of green spaces across all of our neighborhoods.
• TU: Big Restaurants Warn State of Impending Layoffs. 🍽 Thousands of Capital Region workers are employed by our local restaurants who’ve been hit the hardest by the COVID recession. What’s more is that our locally-owned, smaller establishments are struggling even more than the corporate chains, and are in desperate need of assistance from the federal government.
• Spotlight: Restaurants Brace for Winter. 📰 Thank you to the Spotlight Newspaper for highlighting our discussion with local restaurant owners and the challenges facing these small local businesses as we prepare for colder weather. Hundreds of Capital Region residents rely on these jobs — changes to third-party delivery apps and more is on the table as we seek to address this crisis.
ICYMI: In Case You Missed It
• ICYMI: Dining Out 101: Saving Our Restaurants Recap; TU. 🗞 A great recap of our roundtable today from Steve Barnes of the Times Union with local restaurant owners and business leader including Yono’s Restaurant, The Cuckoo’s Nest, McGeary’s Irish Pub, Nicole’s Restaurant, the Lark Street Business Improvement District, Central Avenue Business Improvement District, and Downtown Albany Business Improvement District, about their current realities, and concretes solutions and steps we can take together to help our small businesses not just survive the pandemic — but hopefully thrive as we look to the future and continue to combat COVID-19. Click here to view the full recording of the roundtable from last Tuesday.
• ICYMI: 1st Joint Roundtable with NY & MA Legislators On New Works Progress Administration (WPA). This past week, we held our 1st Legislative Roundtable to discuss same-as legislation that’s been introduced in both NY and MA to create a public jobs program. NY State Senator Rachel May (D — Syracuse) and I have introduced A.10480/S.8440, and MA Representative Danillo Sena (D — Acton) and MA State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D — Acton) have introduced H.4907/S.2832 to create similar public jobs & works programs. Click here for a full recording of the legislative roundtable and the discussion that took place including this legislation’s potential impact, role in the economic recovery, and why a public works program is so critically needed in the face of continued federal inaction on rampant unemployment in the United States!
• VIDEO: Census 2020 — #BeCounted with Danielle Hille! Time is running out to complete your 2020 Census whether it be online at www.2020census.gov, by phone, or mail. This past week, I joined Dannielle Hille and Assemblymember John McDonald in Townsend Park to remind folks about why it’s so important for the #CapitalRegion to #BeCounted — click on the link in this section or the image below to watch!
• ICYMI: Residential Eviction Moratorium Extended Until End of Year. 🏠 To help keep New Yorkers in their homes, today it was announced that the state’s residential eviction moratorium was extended until the end of this year. More info at the link in this section.
• ICYMI: DOWNLOAD NOW: NYS Launches COVID Tracking App. The New York State Health Department has launched a COVID-19 contact tracing app (click on this link to download) for iPhones and Androids that will alert you if you’ve been exposed to someone who tests positive for COVID-19, anonymously and without tracking your location. Please note: The app uses Bluetooth technology to sense proximity to another phone with the same app, but not geographic location (GPS), and does not store or use your personal information.
• ICYMI: Governor Launches Campaign to Educate Voters on Expanded Options. 🗳 Take a moment to review some of the changes to New York State election law for the 2020 general election to ensure casting a ballot is both safe and secure as we combat the spread of #COVID19: 🌐 www.elections.ny.gov GUIDE: 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.
Community Updates:
• Charter/Spectrum Offering 60-Day Free Internet to K-12 Student Households. For more information on what’s being offered by Spectrum; click here for more details.
• LASNNY Tenants’ COVID-19 Know Your Rights Guide. Click here to access the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York’s tenants’ Know Your Rights flyers.
• New Scotland Ave. Restaurant Week Begins This Week. 🍽 Starting this week, make sure you use the Helderberg Neighborhood Association’s #NewScotlandRestaurantWeek to #BuyLocal and support some of our local Mom and Pop restaurants and eateries!
• 📚 Albany Public Library Opens Select Branches By Appointment. Check out the exciting news from Albany NY Library at this link!
• Albany Bicycle Coalition — New Bike Map and Upcoming Events. Check out the Albany Bicycle Coalition’s new biking map of our area and upcoming events before the summer is over!
• Washington Park Farmer’s Market Open. Saturdays 10am-2pm, weekly!
• 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.
• 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
• 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,
