Weekly Legislative Update, Monday, May 11, 2020
Hoping you had a happy & healthy Mother’s Day, including all of our Moms, Stepmoms, Aunts, and more!
We held another insightful Transition Town Hall focused on what a reopened local economy might look like for businesses, and how to best prepare — see more below — and keep an eye out for our next one this Thursday.
NY State Parks has begun soliciting public comment and input on a new ‘NYS Greenways Plan’ — a Statewide Multi-Use Trails Master Plan — a bill I proudly sponsored and championed — read more below!
Legislative News and Events:
• NY State Parks Launches NYS Greenways Plan; Result of Legislation Passed Last Year. 🛣 Many of us have found ourselves enjoying some form of outdoor recreation in the last one to two months — and have likely traversed trail networks without realizing it. Early in 2019, I introduced legislation directing NY State Parks to create a ‘Statewide Trails Master Plan’, to identify gaps and opportunities in our statewide trail system — boosted by the imminent completion of the Empire State Trail — helping to plan future multi-use trail development. After passing both houses of the legislature almost unanimously, the Governor signed this legislation into law late last year. NY State Parks recently announced that work on the NYS Greenways Plan has begun, including solicitation of public comment and scheduling of two public information sessions (webinars); information below. Parks & Trails New York is also soliciting your input via a survey that can be found here for what amenities and features you might want to see included in future Greenway Trails. Help us create a NYS Greenways Plan that will continue to drive record tourism in Upstate NY, direct even more traffic flow to our small businesses and Mom and Pops, and create hundreds of good-paying jobs that wouldn’t otherwise exist.
• Times Union Interview with Amanda Fries. Last week I joined the Albany Times Union live for an interview with Amanda Fries to discuss concerns I’ve heard from constituents over the past weeks and months, and how we’re working to connect with our constituents even in such unprecedented times. To watch the full interview, click on the link in this section or click on the image below!
• Town Hall Recap: ‘A Roadmap to Reopening’. Thank you to everyone who joined me and Assemblymember John McDonald for our most recent virtual town hall last week; ‘A Roadmap to Reopening: Looking At Your Businesses’ Next Steps’ with Mark Eagan from the Capital Region Chamber, Tony Gaddy with the UpState NY Black Chamber of Commerce, and Kate Manley with the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce, to discuss how businesses might best protect themselves and best protocols when venues are able to reopen, and what the long-term economic future and reality looks like for these enterprises. If you missed it, you can view the full recording and discussion here:
🎥 Click for the Full Recording
• COVID-19 Transmission: The Risks — Know Them. Linked here is a long yet fascinating read by immunologist Erin S. Bromage, Ph.D., on Covid-19 transmissions: “…the main sources for infection are home, workplace, public transport, social gatherings, and restaurants. This accounts for 90% of all transmission events. In contrast, infections while shopping appear to be responsible for 3–5% of infections.” (ref) “Importantly, of the countries performing contact tracing properly, only a single outbreak has been reported from an outdoor environment (less than 0.3% of traced infections).”
• Letter Expressing Concerns with Opening of NY Canals and Navigation System Sent. I joined my colleague Assemblymember McDonald along with other legislative colleagues in sending a letter outlining our concerns with the opening of NY Canals and the Navigation System as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Regeneron Begins Human Trials for Antibody Cocktail. Some much needed encouraging news from Regeneron this week as they announce upcoming human trials for a COVID-19 antibody cocktail. Regeneron is also hiring right now — visit Regeneron Careers on Facebook or careers.regeneron.com for more information on job and career opportunities.
• National Building Service Workers Day. Last week, we recognized National Building Service Workers day, and we thank the thousands of building service workers in New York State who maintain some of our state’s most critical facilities, day in and day out — ensuring that essential services can continue to function. #ThankEssentialBuildingWorkers
• National Nurses Day. For this year’s National Nurses Day, we thank the hundreds of nurses in the Capital Region working around the clock on the frontlines of the COVID-19 outbreak, caring for our loved ones, and saving lives. We owe every New York State Nurse nurse a debt of gratitude. 🏩
• The Irish Return An Old Favor, Helping Native Americans Battling the Virus. Despite all the horrific ongoing news of this pandemic, here is a heart warming international story of generosity and of paying it forward with an unexpected historical twist. My Mom and Dad — both of whom immigrated to this country from Ireland — would be so proud!
• In Midst of COVID-19 Pandemic, Trump Admin. Continues Rollback of Environmental Protections. While we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and work on a long-term national economic recovery strategy, the Trump administration continues to dismantle gains on climate change and in protecting the environment. Incredibly short-sighted, and actions that must be resisted in the courts.
Community Updates:
• 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.
• 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.
• Tulip Festival Goes Virtual This Saturday (5/9). This year’s Albany Tulip Festival is going virtual; so if you miss anything on Saturday be sure to catch up on it at this link!
• 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!
• 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:
- Reminder: Billions of dollars in Paycheck Protection Program funds still available for local small businesses to apply for.
- New protections/rules for tenants and renters were announced by Governor Cuomo (graphic below).
- All New York State schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year with a decision on summer schooling to be announced by the end of May.
- 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
