Weekly E-News: Sunday, August 23rd
This past week the Governor signed key changes to New York’s elections into law in preparation for the 2020 general election, and I spoke at a large press event with theater owners & local colleagues to again urge a responsible reopening of movie theaters.
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:
• Joining Capital Region Lawmakers & Theater Owners Hold Press Conference Urging Reopening. I joined local elected officials and theater owners this past week to urge the Governor to consider a limited reopening of movie theaters. 🎥 In Upstate New York, movie theaters are more than a place to see a movie — they’re the lifeblood of our communities, driving critical business and foot traffic on our Main Streets. Our small businesses and downtowns depend on this multiplier effect and are operating on even thinner margin lines than before the global COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these are locally-owned by members of communities throughout New York and need to be able to reopen under the comprehensive and safe plan submitted in order to remain open, or many will be forced to shut their doors for good.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Times Union: Guilderland School Officials Discuss Realities, Concerns Surrounding Reopening. I support a responsible reopening of our schools — especially the hybrid approach — which gives parents the option of whether to send their children to school or keep them at home. I commend the teachers, faculty, and staff working around-the-clock in the face of tremendous challenges this year to ensure students continue to receive a quality education. We need to continue working to prevent at-risk students from falling between the cracks as we know the COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted low-income households and working families — who’ve been hit the hardest.
• NY Post: Experts Weigh-in on How to Save New York City Post-Coronavirus. The chorus of support for a #NewWPA continues to grow as we look towards NY’s post-pandemic recovery — and in the absence of federal action, we need a New Deal-style statewide jobs program to build new public infrastructure and re-employ thousands of workers. 📃 Modeled after FDR’s original Works Progress Administration (WPA) — NYS Senator Rachel May and I sponsor legislation to create such a program at the state level.
• INVITE: Register for this Tuesday’s (8/25 @ 1pm) Virtual NY Renewable Energy Tour. Want to learn more about renewable energy and the progress made in #NYS, and what the future of the clean energy sector looks like? Join me, the NY Alliance for Clean Energy, Vote Solar, Assemblymember Michael Cusick, + more next Tuesday (8/25) at 1pm for the Renewable Energy & Jobs Tour! Register here ▶️ https://acenytour.eventbrite.com
• 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.
• Celebrating 100 Years of the 19th Amendment. 🗳 #OTD (August 18th) in 1920, 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.
ICYMI: In Case You Missed It
• ICYMI: Governor Announces Preservation of Susan B. Anthony’s Childhood Home. This past week the Governor announced that Susan B. Anthony’s childhood home in Washington County will receive funds to help preserve and stabilize the structure. Kudos to Assemblymember Carrie Woerner and local community member’s who rallied to make this a reality.
• ICYMI: Spectrum News Albany: ‘Gaveling-In, Gaveling-Out’. 🎥🗞 Thanks to Spectrum News Capital Region and Nick Reisman for capturing one of the state Assembly’s longest and lesser-known traditions known as ‘gaveling in’ — carried out by the member representing the district containing the NY state Capitol building. Check it out at the link in this section!
• ICYMI: Governor Signs Law Requiring Seat-Belts in Backseat At All Times. 🆕 Approximately 30% of highway deaths in New York State are accounted for by occupants not wearing a seatbelt. Requiring all vehicle occupants age 16 and older to wear a seatbelt including those in the back seat is a commonsense measure that will help prevent more needless tragedies on our roads.
Community Updates:
• Introducing the 109th Trails Tour Challenge! 🥾 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
❗️ Stay tuned for additional prizes TBA!
• 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.
• Albany Public Library’s Seven StoryWalks! 📖 Looking for something to do this week? Check out the Albany NY Library’s StoryWalks — there are 7 to choose from!
• 📚 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,
