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June 12, 2024

The New York State Assembly passed my Climate Change Superfund Act (A.3351-B), requiring major greenhouse gas emitters to contribute $3 billion annually for 25 years toward climate adaptation infrastructure in New York State. This aligns with the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which targets significant emissions reductions by 2030 and 2050. The bill now awaits Governor Hochul's signature.

Big Oil is the most significant contributor to climate change. This legislation ensures they pay $75 billion over 25 years, relieving taxpayers from having to shoulder the entire burden.

Projected climate change costs include $100 billion for NYC's sewer system, $75-$100 billion for Long Island, and $52 billion for NY Harbor. In 2023, Governor Hochul allocated $2.7 billion for climate impacts, and over a decade, 55% of non-NYC municipal spending will address climate change. 

While $75 billion seems substantial, companies like Saudi Aramco and ExxonMobil can afford it. I thank State Senator Liz Krueger for her partnership on this crucial legislation.

I joined Governor Kathy Hochul, Assemblyman George Alvarez, and the owners of Food Universe in Van Cortlandt Village to support a new law tackling organized retail theft. This law boosts law enforcement, increases penalties for worker assaults, and offers $5M in tax credits for enhanced security.

BRONX, NY — Governor Hochul “Pauses” the Start of Congestion Pricing

Congestion pricing, a controversial program to raise large sums of money for the MTA capital program and diminish traffic congestion in Manhattan, was supposed to take effect on July 1. During most times of the day, cars would be charged a $15 toll if they crossed below 60th Street, and trucks a higher amount. Over half a billion dollars was spent on the infrastructure for congestion pricing.

Since the Governor delayed the implementation of congestion pricing, I’ve received many emails from constituents. The Governor made this announcement last week, two days before the end of the 2024 legislative session.

I have said that I am no fan of congestion pricing. Nonetheless, I voted in favor of the 2019 budget deal, which included congestion pricing. I looked forward to the funds the program would generate for essential capital projects, such as elevators to improve accessibility to subway and railroad stations, track improvements, new buses and trains, the 2nd Avenue subway extension, and much more. It was also meant to reduce traffic congestion in Manhattan. I never believed it would make that much difference, but I was hopeful. In fact, Mayor Bloomberg admitted to me then that the real goal was to generate revenue, not so much to address traffic issues and air pollution.

I am very committed to seeing that the MTA capital program is fully funded. I don’t think pausing the program just weeks before the scheduled start was the best time, especially when it could have happened so long ago. I believe most people support the Governor’s action. Although unscientific, this week’s poll below shows overwhelming support for her decision. You can decide whether it was the right decision or not.

Some people ranked the traffic/air pollution part of the plan as the most important, while I believe the capital plan was the most important. Some of you demand that the Governor reverse her decision. Many have even questioned whether she can unilaterally stop congestion pricing. My biggest concern is capital funding for the MTA. The Legislature and the Governor will attempt to devise a plan for this. The alternative would be indefinitely delaying many of these capital projects; we must keep that from happening.

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I had a fantastic time at the Riverdale Pride Day Celebration at the Riverdale Neighborhood House.

Since 2022, Riverdale Pride has been dedicated to raising awareness about LGBTQ+ issues in the Riverdale area. Their mission is to create a lively community event that promotes inclusiveness and celebrates diversity.

Riverdale Pride is more than just an event; it is a movement toward unity, acceptance, and love. They launched this initiative to provide a welcoming space where everyone can come together and feel embraced regardless of their background. Their journey is driven by the belief that a robust and inclusive community is the cornerstone of positive change.

Picture (from left to right): Community activist Ben Jackson, Community Leader Virginia Krompinger, KRVC Founder and Director of 4Bronx Project Laura Levine-Pinedo, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, and Owner and Director at Flexis Media LLC Mike Gabert.

I co-sponsored a successful event with Council Member Eric Dinowitz at Spuyten Duyvil Playground! We gave away free rain barrels and bicycle helmets, promoting sustainability and safety in our community. Thanks to everyone who came out, and thank you to DOT and DEP for providing the rain barrels and bike helmets for the event.

 No Trash, Compost, or Recycling Collection on Juneteenth, June 19, 2024;

Collection for all Wednesday Material Begins Thursday

The New York City Department of Sanitation announced that trash, curbside compost, and recycling will not be collected on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.

• Residents who typically receive Wednesday trash, curbside compost, or recycling collection should place their material at the curb Wednesday evening for collection beginning Thursday, June 20.

Residents may experience collection delays, as is typical after holidays.

I successfully implemented the Henry Hudson Bridge Toll Rebate Program for Bronxites on February 3rd, 2024, after negotiating its inclusion in the state budget 2019.

• Bronx residents with Bronx-registered cars and funded E-ZPass accounts will receive instant rebates for Henry Hudson Bridge crossings, addressing historical toll grievances.
• This initiative aims to alleviate congestion and pollution caused by alternative routes into Manhattan.

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 Riverdale: Lake View Place and Old Albany Post Road.

Lake View Place: This Place, on the slope of "Upper Cortlandt" in Revolutionary times, has a view of Van Cortlandt Lake.

Old Albany Post Road: This was the former name of Bailey Avenue on a map of 1886.

Law 360, June 6th, 2024 — Harvey Weinstein Bill Won't Become NY Law This Year

The Jewish Link, June 6th, 2024 — SAR Academy and High School at Israel Day Parade in Manhattan

Norwood News, June 6th, 2024 — Kingsbridge Heights Community Center Celebrates 50 Years of Service to the Bronx Community.

The Gothamist, June 7th, 2024 — More red light cameras coming to NYC intersections under newly passed legislation

CBS News, June 8th, 2024 — Advocates call on Gov. Hochul to sign Climate Change Superfund Act Legislation

The New York Times, June 8th, 2024 — In Final Analysis, NY Legislative Session is Defined by its Omissions

Politico, June 11th, 2024 — New York lawmakers pass ‘Climate Superfund’ bill

The Biden administration has put forward a proposal to remove medical debt from credit reports. According to a fact sheet from Vice President Kamala Harris's office, this initiative is expected to boost the credit scores of over 15 million Americans by an average of 20 points and approve approximately 22,000 additional mortgages each year. Furthermore, the proposed rule would prohibit lenders from using medical devices, such as wheelchairs or prosthetic limbs, as collateral for loans and prevent the repossession of these devices if patients fail to repay their loans. The rule could be finalized as early as next year. In 2020, about 46 million people recorded medical debt on their credit reports, as noted in the fact sheet.

Last week, I asked, "Are you happy with Governor Hochul's Decision to Suspend Congestion Pricing Indefinitely?"

Yes — 62%

No — 32%

Other / No Opinion — 6%

» MTA Mobile Sales Van Bus Schedule — Monthly

Need to refill your Metro card? The Metro Card Bus is coming near you! Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month, the MTA will bring the Metro Card Bus to the following locations to assist you in refilling your card *Schedules are subject to change*. Note: Mobile Sales are Cash Only. You can still buy a MetroCard using cash or transfer value from a Reduced-Fare MetroCard.

1st Wednesday

• Riverdale at 235th Street and Johnson Avenue
• 9 AM – 11 AM

3rd Wednesday

• Riverdale at Skyview Shopping Center (Riverdale Ave between 256 St & 259 St)
• 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

3rd Wednesday

• Kingsbridge at 231 St and Broadway
• 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM

2nd & 4th Friday

• Knolls Crescent Mall (11-21 Knolls Crescent)
• 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

1st Wednesday

• Woodlawn Heights at Woodlawn Heights Library
• 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

• Get help with a Reduced-Fare Application

• Transfer MetroCard balances (Full fare and Reduced-Fare)

• Exchange a damaged Reduced-Fare MetroCard for a temporary replacement

• Report a lost/stolen Reduced-Fare MetroCard

• Ask about any MetroCard-related issues

• Sign up for OMNY

» Van Cortlandt Park Alliance — Events in June 2024

Forest Restoration Fridays

Fridays, June 14, 21, and 28 - Meet at 9 am

Gear up for some hands-on conservation work, including tree planting, all while learning about the forest’s ecosystem in the Northwest Woods.

RSVP Now

Meet at VCPA Garden & Compost Site.

Birding with NYC Audubon

Saturday, June 15 - Meet at 9 am

Explore Van Cortlandt Park’s ecologically diverse grounds and celebrate its long birding tradition. A New York City Audubon guide will lead each walk.

RSVP Now

Meet at the Nature Center.

Woodlawn Beautification Day

Saturday, June 15 - 10 am to 12 pm

Join VCPA, Women of Woodlawn, and Woodlawn Taxpayers Association as we continue to beautify the area around Woodlawn Playground. 

RSVP Now

Meet in front of Woodlawn Playground.

Juneteenth Celebration

Wednesday, June 19 - 6 pm to 7:30 pm

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance and Bronx Arts Ensemble invite you to an evening celebration of Juneteenth.

The program will begin on the Van Cortlandt House Museum lawn with performances, including music and spoken word. Then, join us for a procession with drums to the Enslaved African Burial Ground for a libation ceremony honoring the memory of the enslaved people.

RSVP Suggested.

Van Cortlandt House Museum Lawn.

KRVC: Music in the Park

Sunday, June 23 - 5 pm to 7 pm

Kingsbridge Riverdale Van Cortlandt Development Corporation presents:

FREE Music in the Park with Morrisania Band Project

For more information, visit the KRVC website.

Van Cortlandt House Museum Lawn.

» Emblem Health — A Healthier Future in New York, Saturday, June 15th

• Saturday, June 15th from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at 31-58 Albany Cresent, Bronx, NY.

• Emblem Health invites you to celebrate an afternoon of information, community resources, and surprises for the whole family.

• Mobile Clinic: Our mobile health clinic is open to everybody and provides urgent care, preventative care, and free blood pressure checks. All health insurance plans are accepted.

• Community Resources: Resources and health screenings available for the whole community.

• Health: Emblem Health will share health insurance information and health talks for the whole family.

» Woodlawn Conservancy — Woodlawn Pride Trolley Tour, June 22nd

• Saturday, June 22nd at 12:00 PM.

• The Woodlawn Cemetery and the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project celebrate Pride Month with a special trolley tour illuminating the LGBT permanent residents who have impacted American culture. Join us as we share stories of love, loss, and legacy on our annual LGBT History Tour. We’ll visit the final resting places of Harlem Renaissance poet Countee Cullen, master illustrator Joseph Leyendecker, pioneering theatrical agent Elisabeth Marbury, modern sculptor Malvina Hoffman, and influential photographer George Platt Lynes. Patricia Cronin’s renowned sculpture, “Memorial to a Marriage" (2002), the world's first marriage equality monument, is a major stop on this tour. The tour will be led by Jay Shockley, co-founder of the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project; Amanda Davis, manager of the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project; and Susan Olsen, Woodlawn's Director of Historical Services.

• For tickets to the 12:00 PM tour, please click here.

» Christ Church Riverdale — Free Family Concert, Saturday, June 22nd

• Saturday, June 22nd at 2:00 PM at 5040 Henry Hudson Parkway East, Bronx, NY 10471.

• Introduce those you love to the power and pleasure of live music! The Sinfonietta presents a unique 1-hour program for children of all ages (esp. 4 - 12) and their parents, grandparents, and anyone who is a child at heart. Hosted by conductor Mark Mandarano, who will provide entertaining, interactive, and educational insights, the concert will feature the fine musicians of Sinfonietta performing various music by Ravel, Debussy, Beethoven, and more!

» KRVC — Community Karaoke at KRVC, June 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 LindaKRVC@gmail.com or visit KRVC

» 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.

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Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz

3107 Kingsbridge Avenue

Bronx, New York 10463

Phone: 718-796-5345 | E-Mail: dinowitzj@nyassembly.gov