Photo credit: Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images
January 25, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Sabrina Rezzy
rezzys@nyassembly.gov
718-940-0428
NYC Introduces Blueprint To End Gun Violence

amid the Coronavirus pandemic

Appeals Court Stays Indoor Mask Mandate in NYS; Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Career Fair; Ribbon Cutting of Morris Heights Health Center; and More!
RODNEYSE IN THE NEWS
  • News 12 - Morris Heights Health Center Brooklyn Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
  • New York Construction Report - Gov. Hochul signs the Construction Industry Public Contracting Advisory Council bill into law. Read more here.
  • Caribbean Today - Two Officers Killed in Harlem, Caribbean American Legislators Shocked and Angry
STATE GOVERNMENT
Photo credit: Darren McGee- Office of Governor Kathy Hochul
  • Governor Hochul and Metropolitan Transportation Authority Acting Chair and CEO Janno Lieber unveiled the results of a yearlong study assessing feasibility of the Interborough Express. Read more here.
  • Governor Hochul announced that $1 million in grant funds is now available to municipalities through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's new Community Forest Conservation Grant Program. Read more here.
  • An appeals court judge ruled today that the state's indoor mask mandate can remain in effect, temporarily blocking a lower court ruling that the indoor mask requirement violated the State Constitution. Read more here.
  • The governor announced that nearly $3 billion of the proposed $32.8 billion State Capital Plan of her infrastructure project will go towards:
  • Kensington Expressway in Buffalo
  • Inner Loop in Rochester
  • I-81 in Syracuse
  • Hunts Point Access Project
  • Cross Bronx Expressway. Read more here.
CITY GOVERNMENT
Photo credit: Mayor's Office
  • Mayor Adams announced his new plan to stop gun violence, called the "Blueprint to End Gun Violence."
  • His blueprint will immediately ramp up enforcement and deploy more officers in the streets and subways. Read more here.
  • The mayor calls on Washington to block “constant flow” of firearms into NYC after two East Harlem NYPD cops were killed in a shooting. Read more here.
  • The mayor made a pledge to receive his first three paychecks as mayor in cryptocurrency by converting his paycheck into Bitcoin and Ethereum via Coinbase. Read more here.
  • Mayor Adams announced that mask mandates in New York City public schools will remain in effect. Read more here.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Photo credit: Eric Lee/Bloomberg
  • The President said that a Russian invasion of Ukraine would "change the world". Read more here.
  • The Biden administration is preparing to release a government-wide strategy for digital assets. Read more here.
  • President Biden spoke with New York City Mayor Eric Adams to express his support for his efforts to combat gun violence and violent crime. Read more here.
  • Nationally, deaths from COVID-19 top 2,100 a day, the highest level since early last year. Read more here.
  • The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is accepting and processing 2021 tax returns as of yesterday, Monday, Jan. 24, which is 17 days earlier than last tax season’s late start of Feb. 12. Read more here.
RIBBON CUTTING OF MORRIS HEIGHTS
HEALTH CENTER
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Council Member Farah Louis, President & CEO of the Morris Heights Health Center, Inc. (MHHC), Marie Millet, Council Member Rita Joseph, Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn and Senator Kevin Parker.
Council Member Rita Joseph, Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, CEO of One Brooklyn Health System Inc. (OBHS), LaRay Brown, President & CEO of the Morris Heights Health Center, Inc. (MHHC), Marie Millet, Council Member Farah Louis and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, CEO of One Brooklyn Health System Inc. (OBHS) LaRay Brown, and President & CEO of the Morris Heights Health Center, Inc. (MHHC) Marie Millet.
JANUARY LISTENING TOUR UPDATES
Due to the rapid spread of COVID, we have made the difficult decision to postpone in-person January 'listening tour' dates. Please stay tuned for updates, as we will be transitioning the majority of the planned sessions to a virtual setting on a similar timetable.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Join Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce for their Your Neighborhood Career Fair West Brooklyn on Thursday January 27 from 10AM - 2PM.
SNAP benefits are a lifeline for New York families. New changes include providing a simplified one-page application form, allowing older New Yorkers to recertify their benefits for 36 months instead of 24 months and eliminating the interview requirement for recertification. To learn more about SNAP and apply for benefits, visit: www.otda.ny.gov/programs/snap
If you are 18 or older and receive HRA benefits, you may be eligible to apply for a Pursuit Fellowship that trains adults to code and build tech careers. Pursuit Fellows go from $18,000 pre-program to $85,000 on average.
  • The deadline is 1/31, apply now
NHS BROOKLYN
NHS Brooklyn is providing assistance to disabled Brooklyn veterans who own a home and needs modifications in order for them to continue to live independently.
  • Modifications include:
  • Wheelchair Ramps, Lifts, Roll-in-showers, Door widening.
  • Applications are processed on a first-come, first served basis.
  • Contact:
  • Angella Cummings, Director of Operation
  • Email: acummings@nhsbrooklyn.org
  • Phone: 718-469-4679
COVID-19 VACCINATION SITES
If you or someone you love would like to schedule an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit here or call 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829).
New York State is partnering with counties to provide in-home vaccinations for those who can't travel to a vaccine provider for medical or nonmedical reasons.

COVID VACCINE SCAM ALERT
DON'T FORGET YOUR MASK
MUTUAL AID NYC FOOD RESOURCES
Mutual Aid NYC is providing food assistance, resources, and other services. To get more information call their hotline at which you can call at 646-437-8080.
NYC SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE NETWORK
The NYC Small Business Resource Network is a unique private/public partnership that provides our local businesses with the free, personalized guidance they need right now to survive the pandemic. If you have a small business, you can sign up for this network today.

Once you fill out the brief intake form, you will be matched with a business support specialist. Through this program, all five borough Chambers of Commerce have specialists offering one-on-one support to businesses in their boroughs.
 
The program is funded by a $2.8 million grant from the New York City-based Peter G. Peterson Foundation and supported by in-kind contributions from other partners, this collaboration, led by the Partnership for New York City, the NYC Economic Development Corporation and all five Chambers of Commerce, leverages the city’s corporate, financial and professional services sectors, as well as universities, philanthropies and expert volunteers to help small business owners gain access to a range of programs and services.
COVID-19 RAPID TESTING BROOKLYN LOCATIONS
STOP THE SPREAD
WEARING FACE COVERINGS
AVOID SCAMS
Photo Credit: Pixabay/CDC
  • Notify NYC: Beware of COVID-19 scams!
  • Report price gouging to 311 or NYC.gov/dcwp. You can also file a complaint to the Attorney General's office by filling out a complaint form.
  • NYS Price Gouging Hotline: 800-697-1220.
  • CDC staff will NOT go door-to-door. If you experience this, call 911.
SERVICES AND RESOURCES
Photo Credit: Ansi.org
Due to the impact of COVID-19 on New York City's workforce, the City of New York has developed a list of resources for those who may be unemployed due to COVID-19 or are seeking additional assistance. The list below will be updated frequently.

It has information on the following categories:
  • Employment Resources
  • Food Assistance
  • Health & Medical Assistance
  • Financial Assistance
  • Rent Arrears and Public Assistance
  • Emotional Support & Spiritual Care
  • Other Assistance

Visit this website for resources.

NYS Department of Health Hotline for people who want to be assessed and get appointment for test (888-364-3065). NYC residents should call (844-692-4692).


The Hebrew Educational Society in partnership with MET Council has a food pantry that is open to all. To reserve a spot, visit here.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn represents the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn covering Ditmas Park, Flatbush, East Flatbush and Midwood. She is currently the Chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs), Chair of the Task Force on Women's Issues and serves on the following committees: Housing, Government Operations, Education, Banks, Health, and Higher Education. She also sits on Governor Hochul's Domestic Violence Advisory Council and Mayor Adams MWBE Task Force.

As a current Assemblymember, District Leader, and Chair of Brooklyn Democratic Party, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn has been an outspoken advocate on issues concerning immigration, education, economic development, unemployment, education reform, health care access, senior citizen centers, affordable housing, school safety, 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 websites: