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February 28, 2024

NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, State Senators Andrew Gounardes and Michael Gianaris, and I advocated for renewing and expanding NYC's 30-year-old red light camera program. The program, set to expire, aims to combat a deadly increase in red-light running. This legislation would extend the program to December 1, 2030, and expand its reach to 1,325 intersections, about 10% of signalized intersections, up from the current 150. The bills also propose suspending vehicle registrations for repeat offenders with five or more violations. The program has shown a nearly 13% reduction in T-bone injury crashes and effectively deterred repeat offenders.

To tackle reckless driving, NYC DOT has backed legislation from State Senator Michael Gianaris (S451) and Assemblymember William Magnarelli (A7621), allowing the DMV to suspend registrations for vehicles with five or more red light camera violations in 12 months. This measure targets a small but high-risk group, as research indicates a tripling crash risk for those with five violations.

Bottom picture (from left to right): State Senator Andrew Gounardes, State Senator Michael Gianaris, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, and a public advocate for these bills.

I joined 1199SEIU workers outside of Montefiore Hospital to fight healthcare injustice and save lives.

Our healthcare workers deserve better wages and working conditions.

Top picture: Healthcare workers pose with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (center left) and 1199 SEIU Union Political Organizer Winsome Black (center right).

Middle picture: Healthcare workers holding up "Medicaid saves lives!" signs on behalf of 1199 SEIU Union with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (center right) and 1199 SEIU Union Political Organizer Winsome Black (center left).

Bottom Picture: Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (left) with a healthcare worker outside of Montefiore Einstein Hospital in Wakefield.

I enjoyed being interviewed by Laura Levine-Pinedo on The 4Bronx Project Podcast to discuss local matters and issues I want to address during this upcoming legislative session in Albany. Thank you for having me!

Top picture: Laura Levine-Pinedo, host of The 4Bronx Project Podcast, and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (right) pose for a photo after the podcast.

Pictured to the right:

Laura Levine-Pinedo, host of The 4Bronx Project Podcast, and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (right) cheer their coffee mugs after the podcast.

BRONX, NY – ASSEMBLYMAN DINOWITZ HENRY HUDSON BRIDGE TOLL REBATE NOW IN EFFECT FOR BRONXITES

My Henry Hudson Bridge Toll Rebate Program for Bronxites successfully took effect on February 3rd, 2024. I negotiated this program into the state budget in 2019. It was scheduled to take effect in 2020 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will be funded through the Outer Borough Transportation Account, established in 2018, to enhance transportation resources in the outer boroughs. Under the program, Bronxites with passenger cars registered in the Bronx and a funded E-ZPass account will get an instant rebate every time they cross the Henry Hudson Bridge. The bridge is one of the shortest bridges in the city. Hence, the toll on the bridge has always irked people. It used to be known as the "10-cent bridge" years ago. Currently, the toll on the bridge is $8.25 one way without an E-ZPass and $3.18 one way with an E-ZPass. Under this program, your account will be charged and instantly credited for the same amount (in essence, free) for Bronxites.

I worked hard during the budget negotiations to make this available for all Bronxites. It is only fair that residents of the Bronx are not subjected to an extra toll when crossing this particular bridge into Manhattan. Especially given that every other bridge providing access to Manhattan from the Bronx is toll-free. Currently, many people avoid this toll and drive into Kingsbridge and Marble Hill, causing additional congestion and pollution in these neighborhoods. Once this program takes effect, some people will save hundreds, even thousands of dollars annually. I am very proud that I could get this in the state budget, and I am thankful to Governor Hochul and the MTA for implementing this fantastic idea.

In this week's Albany Update, I spoke about the Independent Redistricting Commission's proposed Congressional district maps and how they affected my Assembly district. The legislature rejected those lines, and I talked about the deadline to get this completed. I also spoke about the budget process and the progress we have made with the budget. To conclude the interview, I talked about ConEd working in Van Cortlandt Village and the potential development taking place there.

Due to station maintenance, the 242 St-bound 1 skips Marble Hill-225 St, 231 St, and 238 St from March 23 - 24, Saturday  3:45 AM to Sunday 10 PM

· To service these stations, take the 1 to Van Cortlandt Park-242 St and transfer to a Manhattan-bound 1.

· For service from Marble Hill-225 St, 231 St, and 238 St, take the Bx9 bus.

As always, please consult the MTA website or the MyMTA app for the latest service information and alternative service options. Customers can also sign up for the MTA’s customer real-time email and text alert system or call 511 for service-related information.

The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection has started its NYC Free Tax Prep campaign. The IRS has announced that it will begin accepting tax returns on January 29th, so we want to make sure all eligible New Yorkers use the NYC Free Tax Prep.

New Yorkers who earned $85,000 or less for families or $59,000 or less as single filers in 2023 will be eligible to file for free with an IRS-certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparer using NYC Free Tax Prep.

The DCWP Community Affairs Team is available to facilitate presentations in person or virtually for your organization, including staff and/or members. If you haven’t already, please fill out our FTP Presentation Request Form to secure a date.

We are also working on distributing Free Tax Prep brochures for the 2024 tax season. If you haven’t already, please share with us the brochure orders for your agency/organization by completing the Google Form: 2024 Tax Season Brochure Request Form. Please submit your orders by March 1st, 2024.

Please note that you can request presentations, brochures, or both.

Should you have any questions, please e-mail us at [email protected].

Important Notice: From Tuesday, February 20th, to Friday, March 1st, NYCDOT will perform wire rope cable cleaning on the Broadway Bridge. As a result, right lane closures in both directions will occur from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Additionally, alternating center lane closures in either direction will take place from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Alternating sidewalk closures will be in effect. (At least one lane of traffic and one sidewalk will remain open at all times).

Yanna Almonte is available to provide information about this project at (516) 497-3588 or [email protected]. For all NYC non-emergency services, including inquiries regarding NYCDOT construction, dial 311.

SCHE and DHE renewals due March 15

It’s time to renew property tax exemptions, including the Senior Citizen Homeowners’ Exemption (SCHE), the Disabled Homeowners’ Exemption (DHE), and the Clergy exemption. 

The deadline for homeowners to submit renewal applications is March 15, 2024. Property owners who must renew their benefits have received letters in the mail. If they do not renew, they could lose their benefits, and their property taxes could increase. Please review the eligibility requirements for SCHE, DHE, and other benefits. 

Our business centers stay open late to help customers with questions about applying for or renewing exemptions. Visit www.nyc.gov/nopv and click on “Get help applying for property tax exemptions” for more details.

Attention property owners in NYC! Join the Department of Finance to learn all about your annual notice of property value and get help with property tax benefit programs! Find an event near you at www.nyc.gov/nopv.

About Basic STAR and Enhanced STAR

The School Tax Relief (STAR) and Enhanced School Tax Relief (E-STAR) benefits offer eligible New York State homeowners property tax relief.

Who Can Apply

Homeowners not currently receiving the STAR exemption who meet the program's eligibility requirements may apply for the STAR tax credit with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. If you qualify for the credit, it will be issued to you in the form of a check. More information is available at www.tax.ny.gov/star or (518) 457-2036.

You may apply for the Basic STAR or Enhanced STAR tax exemption with the NYC Department of Finance if:

• Your owned property and received STAR in 2015-16 but later lost the benefit and would like to apply to restore it. Your income must be $250,000 or less to be eligible for Basic STAR.
• You currently receive Basic STAR and would like to apply for Enhanced STAR. You may be eligible for Enhanced STAR if you are 65 or older in the calendar year you apply. The total income of all owners, resident spouses, or registered domestic partners cannot exceed $98,700.

If you qualify for the exemption, it will be applied to your property tax bill. You will not be issued a check.

How to Apply

Suppose you meet the criteria above to apply for the Basic STAR or Enhanced STAR tax exemption with the NYC Department of Finance. You may submit your application online or download the application form (Click "How to apply for the STAR exemption" and download the paper application) at the Property Tax Benefits for Homeowners page.

You may also be eligible for other property tax exemptions.

Exemption or Credit?

If you currently receive STAR or E-STAR as a property tax exemption and earn $250,000 or less, you can register for the STAR credit to receive a check instead. You may receive a more significant benefit with the credit, as the amount of the STAR credit will increase in the future, but the value of the exemption will not. To learn more, visit www.tax.ny.gov/star or contact the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance at (518) 457-2036.

Each week, we provide new streets and their histories, all reprinted from John McNamara's "History in Asphalt," which gives in-depth origins of how current and former Bronx Streets got their name! I picked the two streets for this week from Norwood: Tryon Avenue and Wayne Avenue.

Tryon Avenue: This is an abbreviated street running from Gun Hill Road to Woodlawn Cemetry and was formerly part of the Revolutionary farm of the Valentine family. General William Tryon's career does coincide with those of Dekalb, Rochambeau, and Steuben, whose names are on adjoining avenues. Still, he was a Loyalist Governor of New York during the Revolution and quartered his troops in New York City during the British occupation. His headquarters were in Kings College (which became Columbia University), and the street next to Tryon Avenue is King's College Place.

Wayne Avenue: This was once the lower end of the Bussing farm and when first mapped, was called Fort Street. The avenue honors General Wayne who captured Stony Point on July 15th, 1779. He detested his nickname of "Mad Anthony."

NYCDOT, February 22nd, 2023 — NYC DOT Advocates for Renewal, Expansion of Red-Light Camera Program to Curb Deadly Uptick in Red-Light Running

Queens Daily Eagle, February 22nd, 2023 — Pols pitch bill to eliminate mandatory retirement age for some judges

Boro Park 24, February 22nd, 2023 — NYCDOT, February 22nd, 2023 — NYC DOT Advocates for Renewal, Expansion of Red-Light Camera Program to Curb Deadly Uptick in Red-Light Running

Israel, Hamas, and Qatar have cautioned against President Biden’s optimism that a ceasefire in Gaza could be reached by the end of this week. Biden said Monday that he hoped there would be a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict by “next Monday,” as the death toll in Gaza approaches 30,000. But an Israeli official told CNN that Israel was “surprised that he [Biden] used the word Monday and that he used the word ceasefire.” Basem Naim, a Hamas political bureau member, told CNN that the group was unaware of any ceasefire agreement that could be brokered by this upcoming Monday. “There is nothing,” Naim said. Qatar, which, along with the US, is a critical mediator in negotiations between Israel and Hamas, has also hinted at a different timeline.

Last week, I asked, "Do you agree with Alabama's State Supreme Court Ruling regarding frozen embryos?"

Yes — 9%

No — 89%

Other / No opinion — 2%

Spring Internships!

Green Scholars: Spring Session 1

VCPA is partnering with Manhattan College for this session focused on Daylighting, Advocacy, and Water Quality. Open to teens in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.

Thursdays from 4:15 pm to 5:30pm: 3/21, 4/4, 4/11, 4/18, 4/25

Saturdays from 10am to 1pm: 3/16, 3/23

You’ll receive a certificate of completion and a $100 stipend.

Applications close on March 1, 2024.

Spring Garden Internship

Afterschool • Tuesdays & Thursdays • April to June 

Spring Garden Interns get our garden off to a great start at the beginning of each growing season. Each year, interns research different growing techniques to create a planting chart, sift and turn our compost bins, and practice their leadership skills by showing volunteers how to plant seedlings.

Applications close on March 8, 2024.

Summer Internships!

Urban Ecology Teens (UET) Internship

UET Crew Leaders

Part-Time • Seasonal

Crew Leaders (2) will work alongside VCPA staff in leading the summer Urban Ecology Teen Internship program (Eco-Teens). Through special projects and enrichment activities, Crew Leaders will teach basic plant identification and lead basic forest, aquatic, and trail restoration work.

Apply Now!

UET Interns

Part-Time • July 1 to August 16, 2024

Urban Ecology Teen Internship (Urban Eco-Teens) is a paid internship for high school students that prepares them for college, stewardship, and natural resource management professions. Interns learn about local flora and fauna, go on nature-focused field trips, and explore green career opportunities with natural resource professionals.

Applications close on April 19, 2024.

Garden 2 Market (G2M) Internship

G2M Crew Leader

Part-Time • Seasonal

The Crew Leader (1) will work alongside VCPA staff in leading the summer Garden 2 Market Internship. The Crew Leader will be responsible for supporting 6 high school G2M interns as they learn how to maintain a garden, run a farm stand, and explore issues of the local food system.

Apply Now!

G2M Interns

Part-Time • July 1 to August 21, 2024

Garden 2 Market (G2M) is a paid internship for high school students where they spend their summer exploring the local food system and building community at VCPA’s garden and market. When we understand where our food comes from and where it goes, we can make better decisions about what we buy and eat!

Applications close on April 12, 2024.

» NYC Parks — Hiring for the Summer!

• Help keep the Bronx's green spaces beautiful and safe!

• If you have a driver's license, we are looking for City Park Workers at a salary of $20.89 an hour. We also have City Seasonal Aide positions available for non-drivers at $18.00 an hour.

• For quick application to these positions, scan the code on the flyer or to the right or visit bit.ly/parks24bx

» GROWNYC — Stop 'N' Swap

• Saturday, March 2nd from 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM (Donations accepted:11:00AM - 2:00 PM at the Amalgamated Housing & Park Reservoir Housing Co-op Vladeck Hall (74 Van Cortlandt South, Van Cortlandt Village, The Bronx, enter on Hillman Ave near Van Cortlandt Park South).

• It's free! Our Community Reuse events invite the public to take home something new to you or add items to the swap for others! You don't have to bring something to take something.

• What to bring: Clean, reusable, portable items such as clothing, housewares, electronics, books, and toys.

• What not to bring: Furniture, oversized items, expired or open food, unsealed personal care products, child car seats, strollers, medicine, dirty or ripped clothing, fabric scraps, incomplete toys and games, encyclopedias, textbooks, non-working electronics, tube TVs, magazines, or sharp objects.

• For more information, email [email protected], call (212) 788-7900 ext 291, visit grownyc.org/swap or scan the QR code above

» Woodlawn Conservancy — Women who built Woodlawn Tour, March 3rd

• Sunday, March 3rd at 2:00 PM

• As we head into Women's History Month, Woodlawn is celebrating our fantastic females with our Women Who Built Woodlawn Tour. From sculptures to stained glass and landscape designs, Woodlawn is the home of funerary art and monumentation created by visionary women. Join us for a Trolley Tour led by Woodlawn's Director of Historical Services Susan Olsen, artist Patricia Cronin, and Stained Glass Research Associate Sophia Kamps as we visit the final resting places of suffragists, artists, and entrepreneurs and showcase the incredible influence and work of women at Woodlawn. 

• To purchase tickets, please click here. 

» KRVC — GALLERY 505 Presents "Daylight Tibbetts En Plein Air," A Solo Exhibit By Noel Hefele, January 4th - March 29th

• Art Exhibit located at Gallery 505 (505 W 236th St, Bronx, NY).

• Gallery Hours are Friday from 2:00 PM-4:00 PM, viewings by appointment

• For more information, contact [email protected] or visit KRVC

» 9/11 Memorial & Museum — Spring 2024 Field Trips, FREE for New York City Schools, Started January 16th

• Reservations are now open for Spring 2024 field trips at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Beginning January 16, we'll offer interactive on-site and virtual programs that help students understand what happened on 9/11 and its ongoing relevance today.

•Thanks to public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, both on-site and virtual field trips are FREE for New York City schools. Proof of eligibility will be determined using a school’s zip code and subsequently confirmed by Museum staff.  

•Fill out a booking request form to plan your on-site student field trip to the Museum. To schedule a virtual field trip, visit our Virtual Field Trips page. Space is limited for all programs, and requests will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Programs are appropriate for students in grades 3 through 12. We look forward to welcoming you!

» KRVC — Community Karaoke at KRVC, February 2024

• Fridays from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Gallery 505 (505 W 236th St, Bronx, NY).

• All ages and all languages are welcome. Bring your snacks and support your local food spots.

• For more information, contact [email protected] or visit KRVC

» NYC Parks — The BE BOLD Afterschool Dance Program, February 12th - May 1st, 2024

• Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM at the Willliamsbridge Oval Recreation Center (3225 Reservoir Oval East, Bronx, NY).

• NYC Parks, in partnership with the Misty Copeland Foundation, invites children ages 6 - 13 years to enroll in the BE BOLD afterschool Dance program, which is a fun introductory ballet class with live music. The BE BOLD program offers a new approach to afterschool dance education, and our core values are Leadership, Curiosity, Kindness, Knowledge, Persistence, and an Appreciation of Dance and Music. Please register with [email protected] or call (718) 543-8672.

• Participants must have an NYC Parks Recreation Center Membership. Membership is free for youth and young adults 24 years and under.

• For more information, call (718) 543-8672, [email protected], or visit nyc.gov/parks. Contact [email protected] or (212) 360-1430 for more information regarding accessibility.

» Van Cortlandt Park Alliance — Springtime Shingdig! May 16th

Save the Date: Springtime Shindig is on Thursday, May 16!

Join us!

Cocktails • Lite Bites • Dessert

Music • Picturesque Setting • Raffle

HONOREES

Betty Campbell-Adams Park Angel Award:

Nina Habib Spencer

Carol J. Samol

Cultivating the Bronx Award:

Daylighting Tibbetts Brook Team

NYC Parks, Natural Resources Group

Department of Environmental Protection

Hazen and Sawyer

Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects & Planners

Bronx Council for Environmental Quality 

Tickets: $300

Sponsorship from $1,000

Journal ads from $250

Proceeds from the Springtime Shindig support Van Cortlandt Park Alliance’s Education programs for Bronx kids and teens, ecological restoration and research, and community stewardship programs in Van Cortlandt Park.

The painting above is part of the “Daylighting Tibbetts en Plein Air” by Noel Hefele.

» E-ZPass NY — 24/7 E-ZPass NY Account Access!

• Preparing for a trip or already on the road? Forget to add that new license plate before your vacation? Want to check your balance? Is your account balance low? No worries! Use our Tolls NY Mobile App.

• Real-time payments and account updates are made without speaking to a representative.

• Scan the QR code or click the link below to easily download the app from the App Store or Google Play today!

Please visit our YouTube channel to learn more by clicking here.

Stay updated through X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube!

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz

3107 Kingsbridge Avenue

Bronx, New York 10463

Phone: 718-796-5345 | E-Mail: [email protected]