Weekly Legislative Update — Monday, August 17th
The Legislature’s series of marathon joint legislative public hearings continued this week with a focus on the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to nursing homes, hospitals, veterans, and our electoral process.
Meanwhile — events and outreach to help Capital Region residents complete their 2020 Census continue in an effort to beat the newly-imposed outreach deadline of September 30th.
Note: Watch for my Summer 2020 Newsletter in your mailbox — and as always, read on for community updates, COVID-19 resources, and check out the launch of our 109th Trails Tourchallenge below!
Legislative News and Events:
• Bowling Alleys, Fitness Centers Cleared for Safe, Limited Reopening. ✅ It’s official: #NYS bowling alleys may reopen this Monday, Aug. 17, at 50% capacity — while gyms and fitness centers will receive reopening guidance from the state on Monday. Let’s keep up our progress and continue to wear masks while remaining socially distant — and continue working to reopen our businesses safely and responsibly. Now my advocacy shifts to re-opening movie theaters (in a responsible manner) — if there will be any left to open!
• Inspired by NY WPA Bill, Massachusetts Lawmakers Introduce Similar Version. Great to see our neighbors to the east emulating legislation NYS Senator Rachel May and I have introduced to create jobs through a #NewWPANow in New York State. Unemployment remains at record-high levels and we need to get New Yorkers back to work — especially in the face of continued Congressional inaction and impasse at the national level.
• 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!
• 2020 Census — We Need Your Help to #GOTC and #BeCounted! 👇 We need your help to ensure a complete count for the Capital Region in the 2020 Census. The federal government is ending U.S. Census Bureau outreach early on September 30th this year, increasing the chances of an under-count, especially in our most vulnerable communities. Census funding determines allocation of billions ($) in federal resources that goes directly to our public schools, local governments, infrastructure, community centers + programs, and more. Parts of the City of #Albany are averaging a ~50% response rate, including a lower-than-average response rate in other parts of the Greater Capital Region, putting our communities at significant risk of an under-count we cannot afford. ▶️ I invite you to join me and the local coalition of community organizations, along with the official state “NY Counts 2020” and the national “Census Counts” Coalitions, to call residents throughout the Capital Region in phone conversations to help increase the response rates to the 2020 Census in this area! Join us for our Phone and Text Banking series to the community! 🌐 Never done phone or text banking before? It’s easy and it will only take a few minutes for you to be trained to complete calls with a written script provided. All you need is a laptop/desktop or android tablet, and your phone — the calls or texts will come to you.
TEXT Banking Session: TUESDAY, August 18th, beginning at 5:00pm; https://www.mobilize.us/civilrights/event/287197/ (Entire Capital Region)
Remember that you can always complete the 2020 Census online, by phone, or mail. www.2020census.gov
• What De-Militarizing the Police Looks Like; My Legislation Prohibiting Retaliation During Police Misconduct. 🗞 This past week, I was happy to speak with 518Independent’s David King about the need to remove weapons of war from our local police forces to help restore trust between law enforcement and our communities — and my bill that would make it illegal to retaliate against police officers who intervene in police misconduct.
• 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.
• Lawmakers, Families, Constituents Urge Flexibility at NH Public Hearing. This past week, the New York State Legislature held two public hearings relating to the nursing homes and the impact of COVID-19 on these facilities and residents. “Dementia has grown exponentially”, because of the inability to visit family even in limited, safe, and secure settings as a result of actions taken on nursing homes, per constituent Sorrelle Brauth — who testified at the hearing. She included that mental health disorders and diseases such as depression are multiplying and being exacerbated by the current crisis — we need greater flexibility for in-person visits!
• 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
• 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.
• 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.
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!
• 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,
Pat
