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MARCH 2016 COMMUNITY REPORT
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1916 Park Ave, Suite 202
New York, NY 10037
Albany Office
406 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
Monday–Friday
9:00 am-5:00 pm
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Off-Site Constituent
Services Hours
Mondays: East Harlem/South Bronx
Wednesdays: Roosevelt Island
Thursdays: Upper West Side
If you can’t visit us at the District Office, you can find us at our off-site constituent hours. See the last page for details.
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Dear Neighbor,
Last month was a busy one in the 29th Senate District and I am proud to highlight some of our February accomplishments. In this report, you will see information about a few of the events that we participated in last month – like providing tax services to residents across the district, celebrating black history month, and continuing the fight for ethics reform in Albany. In addition to these events, I am providing some background information on the issues that I have been working on legislatively.
While we look back on all of last month’s accomplishments, I would also like to take this opportunity to highlight some of our important initiatives happening this month. During the month of March, our off-site constituent hours will focus on bringing FREE IMMIGRATION SERVICES to the communities of the 29th Senate District. On select days, the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, The Tenant Support Unit of HRA and The New York County District Attorney’s Office will share information and provide services for our immigrant communities.
Representatives from these offices will assist those who need free legal support through the Mayor’s ActionNYC initiative and help individuals sign up for their free IDNYC municipal identification cards. These organizations will also raise awareness about how immigrants communities can protect themselves from fraudulent schemes that target them, and provide information about the many services and resources available to those experiencing tenant harassment or are at risk of becoming displaced.
This Friday (3/4), we will also be holding an additional FREE TAX PREPARATION DAY in our District Office. For assistance setting up your free appointment, or more information on what documentation is needed please call 212-828-5829. Yours in Service,
 José M. Serrano
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SENATOR SERRANO HOSTS ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION
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Senator Jose M. Serrano and Congressman Jose E. Serrano hosted their annual Black History Month Celebration at Hostos Community College. The celebration was a lively affair, with over 200 people in attendance. Attendants enjoyed an afternoon of live music, delicious food, and awards that honored those who paved the way for equality throughout their professional and personal lives. This year the esteemed honorees were Congressman Charlie Rangel, Civil Rights Hero Claudette Colvin, and community leaders Etta Ritter and Pastor Frederick Crawford.
“During this month’s black history celebration, it was my privilege to honor some truly extraordinary individuals for their contributions to society. This event is always a wonderful opportunity to express our gratitude to all the African American pioneers and trailblazers who have worked so hard to make our nation great! Their contributions are felt on a daily basis and should not be limited to being celebrated and acknowledged just once a year. My sincere thanks to all our honorees, colleagues and community residents who joined us yesterday and a special thanks to Hostos Community College for hosting us!”
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SENATOR SERRANO APPLAUDS BRONX BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ’S
STATE OF THE BOROUGH ADDRESS
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Senator Serrano attended Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.’s annual “State of the Borough” address at Cardinal Hayes High School. Serrano, other elected officials and community leaders listened to Borough President Diaz discuss the progress The Bronx has made, while also outlining new programs and upcoming initiatives on a wide variety of topics, including education, economic development and housing.
“I was excited to join Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. for his State of the Borough event at my High School Alma Mater Cardinal Hayes. I was so happy to hear him discuss his ongoing commitment to ending the Health Disparities in the Bronx and his plan to promote the Bronx as a tourist destination with arts & culture as important components. I applaud Borough President Diaz for his leadership and steadfast commitment to the Bronx.”
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SENATOR SERRANO PROVIDES TAX ASSISTANCE
DURING HIS FEBRUARY CONSTITUENT SERVICES MONTH |
Senator Serrano was joined by Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson, and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance in sharing information about the free tax services available to seniors in the South Bronx. Senator Serrano, Council Member Gibson and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance provided a free tax presentation, answered questions about city and state matters, and educated the audience on the kinds of tax exemptions and free tax services they qualify for.
“Navigating the tax season can be a difficult task for most New Yorkers, but sometimes it is especially hard for some of our most vulnerable communities, like our Senior population. Special thanks to my friend and colleague, Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance for helping New Yorkers receive the refunds that they deserve.”
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SENATOR SERRANO CO-HOSTS IMPORTANT ARTS
WORKSHOP DURING CAUCUS WEEKEND |
Senator Serrano co-hosted an important workshop with Assemblymember Michael Blake during the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic And Asian Legislative Caucus weekend entitled, “The Power of Movement: Social Justice, Arts and Culture.” This fascinating workshop discussed the nexus between the arts, culture, politics and the struggle for social justice. The workshop explored how to use the arts and culture as an even greater motivating factor to foster civic engagement, fairness and social justice and how to further align our artist community with the ongoing push for community empowerment in our neighborhoods.
“Historically, writers, poets, musicians, dancers, actors and all those within the cultural community have been at the forefront – alongside leaders and advocates – fighting for progressive causes and social justice. There is a direct correlation between the arts and social justice movements and I am happy to have been able to explore that connection further during The New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic And Asian Legislative Caucus Weekend. “
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SENATOR SERRANO CO-HOSTS COUNCIL MEMBER
VANESSA GIBSON’S BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION |
Senator Serrano joined Council Member Vanessa Gibson and Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner in co-hosting a Celebration of Black History Month at the Bronx Museum of the Arts. The well-attended event celebrated the legacy and spirit of the African American community and honored local community leaders. Assembly Speaker Carl. E. Heastie and Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark joined in the festivities as guest speakers. This year’s honorees were Gregory Delts, Joann Daughtry, Arlene Hall, Colbert Nembhard, Donald A. Somerville, Diana Washington and Andre Trenier.
“It was a pleasure joining Council Member Vanessa Gibson and Assembly Member Latoya Joyner for an important celebration of African American culture and heritage. I was proud to help honor these exemplary individuals for their remarkable contributions to society in honor of Black History Month. Their success serves as an inspiration to not only the African American community, but to all New Yorkers.”
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SENATOR SERRANO SUPPORTS CUNY FUNDING
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Senator Serrano continues to advocate for CUNY funding in the state budget. He recently wrote a letter advocating for an increase in funding for CUNY schools. CUNY currently has the largest enrollment in history, 275,000 degree seeking students and an equal number of adult and continuation students. CUNY has 45,000 employees who have been without a contract for 5 or 6 years. In order to keep educating the future generations of graduates, Senator Serrano is fighting to ensure we invest in the talent that teaches and supports an institution that serves so many New Yorkers.
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| SENATOR SERRANO AND SENATE DEMOCRATS UNVEIL INITIATIVES TO HELP FAMILIES DURING CRITICAL EARLY CHILDHOOD PERIOD |
The Senate Democratic Conference recently unveiled a set of policy initiatives spearheaded by the Senate Democratic Policy Group to help New York families during the critical early childhood period. The Senate Democratic Policy Group is headed by Senator Daniel Squadron and is made up of Senator Serrano, Senator Latimer, and Senator Montgomery. The group’s newest initiatives include a strong paid family leave program, increased access to childcare, assistance for New York’s working parents and caregivers, and support for the growth and development of all New York children.
“As a member of the New York State Senate Democratic Conference Policy Group, I’m very proud of our Early Childhood Initiatives. When New Yorkers grow up healthy, productive and successful, New York thrives. That is why the Senate Democratic Policy Group has put forth initiatives that would improve health and child care and reduce the financial burden a family faces during the first few critical years of their child’s life. Analysis of these initiatives shows a significant return on investment and yearly savings and financial benefits for New York State. Bottom line, implementing these initiatives is the right thing to do for the state and for New York’s families.”
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SENATOR SERRANO JOINS ASSEMBLYMEMBER GALEF
IN FIGHTING FOR ETHICS REFORM IN ALBANY |
Senator Serrano joined Assemblywoman Sandy Galef in Albany to unveil a comprehensive slate of legislative proposals to overhaul New York’s ethics rules and laws. The series of bills specifically target issues relating to inequitable power distribution, ethics and the need for greater transparency in state government.
Senator Serrano’s member item reform legislation ( S. 957A) is one of the bills included in the comprehensive package. This bill would promote fairness and transparency by including a vetting process to guarantee member items and legislative grants are used for legitimate purposes. The bill states that member items will not be distributed when a conflict of interest exists between the legislator designating the member item and the potential recipient. This legislation would require each legislator to sign a conflict of interest form under perjury of law, therefore increasing the individual legislator’s accountability when distributing member items. “I was proud to join my good friend and colleague Assembly Member Sandy Galef at a press conference outlining a package of legislative reform proposals designed to increase transparency and inspire confidence in our state government. My bill on member item reform would help eliminate potential conflicts of interest, while creating a fairer system of providing funding to our community. These common sense reforms are supported by a bipartisan group of legislators and activists, including my friend Senator John J. Bonacic, the New York Public Interest Research Group, & the League of Women Voters of NYS.”
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MARCH 2016 OFF-SITE CONSTITUENT SERVICES CALENDAR
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In addition to constituent services provided at our district office (Monday–Friday, 9AM-5PM), we will continue to be out in the community every day (except Friday) at a local library, senior center, or government office near you. We are at locations in the Bronx, Roosevelt Island, the Upper West Side and East Harlem/Yorkville.
See below for our March 2016 Constituent Services Hours schedule.
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Author: Annie Boller
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