Mid-Year Review 2021
State Budget FY 2021-2022 Highlights
K-12 Fiscal Equity:
  • State aid to school districts increased by $29.5 billion. Foundation Aid increased to $1.4 billion plus commitment to fully fund the state's foundation aid. Full-day prekindergarten expanded by $105 million.

Higher Education:
  • 3-year tuition freeze for SUNY and CUNY. Tuition Assistance Program maximum award increased by $500, plus commitment to eliminate TAP gap in 4-years.
  • Restore $35 million in Bundy Aid. Restore SUNY and CUNY operating aid cuts to $72 million.

Excluded Worker Fund:
  • $2.1 billion to provide one-time unemployment benefits to undocumented immigrants losing work during COVID-19.
Housing:
  • $2.4 billion in Emergency Rental Assistance Program to aid those impacted by COVID-19.

Homeowner Support:
  • Mortgage Forbearance extension to December 31, 2021, for homeowners experiencing hardships due to COVID-19.

Legalization of Marijuana:
  • Decriminalized the adult use of cannabis; provides licensing for marijuana producers, distributors, and retailers; created an economic equity program for those disproportionately impacted by cannabis enforcement.
Bills Passed by the Legislature
Correctional Reform
  • A2277 HALT Solitary Confinement Act: Ends the use of longterm solitary confinement limiting to 15 days. Restricts it for individuals under 21, pregnant women and disabled. CHAPTERED INTO LAW; CHAP.93
  • A4448A Restoring the right to vote for individuals convicted of a felony that are on parole. CHAPTERED INTO LAW; CHAP.103
  • A8022 Provides additional support to formerly incarcerated individuals to help with a successful reentry into the community.
  • A5576A Less is More: support formerly incarcerated individuals in completing their community supervision and avoid the return to the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision for minor technicalities.

Gun Safety
  • A7957 Seize a weapon of a person who is subject to an order of protection
  • A6522 Bans the manufacture of guns that look like toy guns
  • A2666A Prohibit possession of unfinished firearm frames and receivers
  • A0613 Require licensed gunsmith to add serial numbers and register ‘ghost guns’
Election Reform
  • A6046 Permits voters to electronically request an absentee application. SPONSORED BY RODNEYSE BICHOTTE HERMELYN.
  • A6047A Eliminates the need for a voter to request an absentee ballot application via a signed absentee ballot application. Also, allow an absentee ballot that is post-marked by the date of election, to be rendered a timely ballot. SPONSORED BY RODNEYSE BICHOTTE HERMELYN.
  • A5424A Required boards of elections to designate early voting sites based on the number of registered voters. Also increased the voting hours on weekends and legal holidays.
  • A7931 Allows absentee, affidavit, military, and special ballots to be reviewed sooner to expedite results quicker.
Other
  • A6593B The ‘Housing Our Neighbors With Dignity Act’ allows New York’s DHCR to expand the affordable housing stock by financing the acquisition and conversion of distressed hotels and commercial properties into low- and middle-income properties.
  • A6935B Requires funds from opioid settlements to be used for the development of new services and support. Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn

Extending the Eviction Moratorium
Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn speaks on legislation that will extend the eviction moratorium in New York. (A.40001)
Rodneyse in the News
Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn to propose a bill in Michael K. Williams' honor that would help lower the state's prison population. Read more here.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn is a Guest on CNN Newsroom w/ Ana Cabrera to discuss Cuomo's resignation.Watch here.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn joins Al Sharpton on Politics Nation to discuss the assassination of Haiti's president. Watch here.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn speaks on the the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake on NY 1 Inside City Hall. Watch here.
Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn at the Mayor’s press briefing to discuss NYC/MWBE Opportunities Act and Community Hiring
Virtual Corner
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn participated in a City & State panel titled “Economic Inclusion Initiative.”
Debbie Esther Louis is the presenter at a Rank Choice Voting event, hosted by the Office of Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn to educate the community on the June 22 election.
Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn provides remarks for her Tax Webinar event.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn as the special guest at the Haitian American Nurses Association of Greater New York Annual Celebration.
Activism and Community Initiatives
Bichotte Hermelyn speaks at the press conference for NHAEON, the National Haitian American Elected Officials Network to discuss the mistreatment of Haitians at the Texas boarder.
(left to right) Council Member Darma Diaz; Professor Jane Ginsburg, the daughter of Justice Ginsburg, and Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn at the renaming of the Brooklyn Municipal Building, now known as the 'Ruth Bader Ginsburg Municipal Building'.
Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn speaks at Dr. Roy A. Hastick Sr. Way Street Co-Naming & Unveiling Ceremony.
Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn speaks at the Cadman Park Conservancy for the Juneteenth Celebration.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn with members of the New York Haitian-American community, Jackson Rockingster, president of HABNET and Little Haiti BK, Council Members Matthieu Eugene and Farah N. Louis spoke against the deportation of Haitian migrants at the Texas boarder.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn provides remarks at the ribbon cutting of the new Bishop Philius and Helene Nicolas Senior Residence on New York Avenue.
Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn joins family members of 12-year-old Romy Vilsaint, who died in Kings County Hospital after being sick in the school nurse’s office at P.S. 361
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn; Council Member Farah N. Louis, National Action Network, George Floyd Foundation, and other community organizers at a press conference at Flatbush Junction addressing the defacing of George Floyd’s statue.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn provides remarks at the 2nd annual Juneteenth Celebration at Grand Army Plaza.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn and volunteers pack Haiti Relief donations to be shipped to Haiti
Diplomats from Consulat General of Israel visit the office of Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn to donate items for the Haiti Relief Drive
Members of the New York State Haitian-American delegation stand with U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Haiti's Ambassador to the U.S. Bocchit Edmond following a breakfast meeting to discuss relief efforts between the U.S. and Haiti.
In the Community
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn with volunteers Amber Hoque and Gabrielle Hoque at the Back to School Giveaway hosted by her and Council Member Farah N. Louis at the courtyard of PS 152/315 on Friday, September 3rd.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn hosts her Summer Subway Office Hours at Newkirk Plaza B/Q train in which she meets with the community and provides resources
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn at the 70th Police Precinct National Night Out (NNO) event with Inspector David Wall; 70th Precinct Community Council President Ed Powell; Council of Peoples Organization founder, Mohammad Razvi; Community Board 14 District Manager, Shawn Campbell; 70th Precinct Officer; and Dovi Zeitlin of Events by Dovi.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn attends the God Squad's 11th Anniversary Evening of Celebration.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn at the 67th Police Precinct National Night Out (NNO) event with 67th Precinct Community Council president Patricia Reddock; and officers and residents of the community.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn commemorates the 20 year anniversary of 9/11 with members of the 70th precinct police department.
Deputy Inspector Richie Taylor, Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Joel Eisdorfer, Assemblymember Simcha Eichenstein and others at the event hosted by Plaza Auto Mall and sponsored by FJCC.
(Left to right) Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn; Judge Dweynie Paul; District Leader Josue Pierre; and Chair of COPO, Mohammad Razvi at the official recognition of Little Pakistan.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn with 300 East 25th Street Block Association Co-Presidents Carol Reneau, & Garline Octobre and residents.
Office of Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn collects items for victims of the St. Vincent Volcano. Soleil Griffin, Director of Operations for Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, with a constituent donor.
Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn at the Back to School Giveaway in partnership with the office of Council Member Farah N. Louis and Plaza Automall. Bichotte Hermelyn stands with Mark Meyer Appel and Dov Zeitlin and school children.
Elected officials join Michael Miller from the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC) for a Virtual Hamantaschen Tasting.
Lauture Jacques, Consul General of Haiti to the U.S., Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Haiti's Ambassador to the U.S. Bocchit Edmond, and Dr. Patricia Marthone.
Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn attended the closing bell ceremony at the New York Stock Exchange with Governor Kathy Hochul and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney.
Council member Matthieu Eugene, Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, and Senator Kevin Parker join Chancellor Meisha Porter at her visit to with school children at P.S. 249.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn with East 26th Street Block Association president Christine Chapman, and resident.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn speaks at the HALEFO’s Haitian Flag Day celebration, flanked by Deputy Inspector Gaby Celiba and Lt. Claude Celestin in Little Haiti, Brooklyn on Jean Jacques Dessalines Boulevard.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn and Democratic nominee for Council, Rita Joseph, attend Superintendent Dr. Clarence Ellis farewell from the New York City Department of Education in order to assume the position of Superintendent of Schools for the East Ramapo Central School District.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn presents citations to Pakistani American Youth Organization (PAYO) and ICNA Relief for their one year anniversary of the community food pantry.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, and Josh Mehlman of the Flatbush Jewish Community Coalition with attendees at the Chasdei Lev holiday charity distribution at Floyd Bennett Field.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn and other elected officials and community leaders participated in a Sukkot gathering in Brooklyn.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn; Kenneth Mbonu of the Flatbush-Nostrand Junction BID; and Lori Raphael of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce join members of Humana's team as they cut the ribbon for the Grand opening of their first NYC location, at Flatbush Junction.
Health Care
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn brings, Morris Heights Health Center, a newly revamped ambulatory care facility to Flatbush Brooklyn; slated to open in 2022.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn and Council Member Farah N. Louis delivered greetings to Morris Heights Health Center and Flatbush YMCA’s staff during their pop-up COVID-19 vaccine site.
Recognition
Carib News 8th Annual Power 100 honors Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn during their Caribbean American Heritage Month Celebration.
The Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.(CACCI) honored Borough President Eric Adams (Pastor Gilford Monrose accepting on his behalf), Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, and Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn for their leadership in the community.
Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn celebrates the retirement of Detective Kim Walker of the 70th Precinct after 20 years with the NYPD.
Statue Unveiling
Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn with Terrence Floyd, brother of George Floyd and CB 17 Chair Joan Alexander-Bakiriddin and community residents at the unveiling of a statue of his brother at Flatbush Junction
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn and Democratic nominee for mayor Eric Adams unveil the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Statue at City Point Brooklyn.
Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn provided remarks during the preview of the statue of the U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at City Point in Brooklyn.
Statue Unveiling
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn provides remarks at the Justice Ginsburg Statute Unveiling at City Point in Brooklyn

Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn represents the 42nd Assembly District in the New York State Assembly representing the Brooklyn communities of Ditmas Park, Flatbush, East Flatbush and Midwood. She is currently the Chair of the Task Force on Women's Issues, Chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs), and serves on the following committees: Housing, Government Operations, Economic Development, Banks, Health, and Higher Education. She also sits on Governor Hochul's Domestic Violence Advisory Council and Mayor de Blasio's MWBE Task Force.

As a current Assemblymember and District Leader, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn has been an outspoken advocate on issues concerning immigration, unemployment, education reform, health care access, senior citizen centers, affordable housing, women's and LGBTQ rights, as well as other issues affecting the quality of life in the community.
  
Learn more about 
Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn by visiting her website at www.rodneysebichotte.com