Dear Neighbor,

Below, please find information on upcoming events, legislative and community updates, and other resources that may be of use.



As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, please email or call my office at lkrueger@nysenate.gov or 212-490-9535.



Best,

Liz Krueger

State Senator

Last week, Governor Hochul signed several bills passed by the Legislature earlier this year that address the issue of lithium ion battery safety (including one that I carried), as well as unlicensed mopeds.

Micromobility devices are here to stay, and their use is continuing to expand, so we must act quickly to ensure they are used in a responsible way that doesn't put other people at risk. Unsafe batteries are contributing to a serious threat to the health and safety of New Yorkers in their homes and in their jobs, whether it's delivery workers trying to make a living, or residential tenants living next to a fly-by-night charging business. When a piece of equipment has the potential to cause so much damage, we simply cannot have a wild west approach without any oversight.

In recent years, many individuals have purchased mopeds in NYC without the required license and insurance, and an increasing number of mopeds are leaving businesses without valid license plates or registrations. Many buyers may not even know that they are supposed to register their mopeds, particularly if dealers are incorrectly describing them as e-bikes. That leaves the buyers vulnerable to having their mopeds impounded. At the same time, ensuring mopeds are registered and licensed when leaving the shop may provide some additional level of protection against the spate of crimes committed by people who use unregistered mopeds to quickly escape the scene.

I thank Governor Hochul for signing these important bills:

• S.154-F/A.4938-D: Prohibits Sale of Lithium-Ion Batteries That Are Not Up To Manufacturing Standards
• S.8743/A.9338: Directs State Agencies To Develop and Maintain Safety Resources
• S.8742/A.9337: Requires Training Materials for First Responders for Incidents Involving Lithium-Ion Batteries
• S.7503-B/A.1910-B: Requires Retailers To Provide Operating Manuals for Items with Lithium-Ion Batteries
• S.9419/A.7628-A: Requires Reports Following E-Bike or E-Scooter Accidents Resulting in Injury or Death
• S.7703-B/A.8450-B: Requires Mopeds To Be Registered by Dealers at Point of Sale
• S.7760-A/A.8102-A: Requires Micro-Mobility Devices To Have Red Tags on Charging Cords Stating To Unplug When Not in Use
• S.7744-D/A.8310-C: Requires Retailers To Include Notice on E-Bikes That States To Follow Traffic Laws and Yield to Pedestrians

On Election Day 2024, Tuesday, November 5th – there will be a ballot measure on the back of your ballot – Proposition Number One, also known as the Equal Rights Amendment, which adds certain protections to the State Constitution.

As per regulation, in advance of Election Day, the New York State Board of Elections (NYSBOE) has issued draft ballot text and is accepting public comments through Friday, July 26, 2024.

The draft ballot language is as follows:

Adds Certain Protections to the State Bill of Rights

Adds anti-discrimination provisions to State Constitution. Covers ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity and pregnancy. Also covers reproductive healthcare and autonomy.

A “YES” vote puts these protections against discrimination in the New York State Constitution.

A “NO” vote leaves these protections out of the State Constitution.

The purpose of providing a public comment period is to give New York residents an opportunity to give feedback on how a ballot measure is worded, and whether it is clear and understandable.

What sets this ballot proposal apart is that it is the first ballot measure to be voted on since the enactment of Election Law 4-108 in 2023 – the plain language law, which stipulates that ballot proposals shall be written in plain language – scoring no higher than an 8 on the Automated Readability Index (ARI) when possible.

As NYSBOE acknowledges, the draft ballot proposal has an ARI score of 14, which is above the statutory goal of 8.

Public comments may be submitted on the draft ballot proposal and abstract by email to comments@elections.ny.gov or by regular mail to:

New York State Board of Elections

40 North Pearl Street, Suite 5

Albany, NY 12207

I believe that the NYSBOE's draft language violates both the spirit and the letter of the plain language law, and needs to be rewritten so that voters can fully understand the practical impact of their decision. I recently wrote an op-ed on the issue with Assm. Rebecca Seawright, with whom I carried the legislation that placed the Equal Rights Amendment on the ballot.

Yesterday I was joined by 31 of my Senate colleagues in submitting comments to the Board urging them to adopt more easily comprehensible language. You can read our letter by clicking here.

NYS Master Plan on Aging (MPA)

Session III - Promoting Your Financial Security: The Power of Investing in Stocks and Bonds, and Managing Risk 

Tuesday, August 6th, 10am - 11:30am

The average older person usually has a limited amount of money to invest to support their retirement income. How can you be sure to maximize your assets and manage your investment risks? Hear from professional financial planners who will share information about the various kinds of basic investments you can make as well as what you have a right to expect from your financial planner. 

Speakers:

Edward Hadad, CFP 

Board Member

Financial Planning Association of Metro New York

Erin Slocum, CFP 

President

Financial Planning Association of Metro New York

You will have the option of joining the event online through Zoom.

You will also have the option to view the event online through Facebook. Please note that you do not need a Facebook account or profile to view the event through Facebook.

Finally, you will have the option of calling in to access the audio-only portion of the event.

The event will feature a question and answer session with the presenters. If you have questions about the types of investments you should make in older age, how to manage your investment risk, or what to expect from your financial manager, please sign up for the Roundtable on August 6th. Attendees will be able to submit questions through Zoom and Facebook during the event but are *strongly* encouraged to submit them in advance.

A *confirmation* email will be sent to you before the event.

Below you will find the dates for the two (2) remaining MPA sessions. Mark your calendar for future Roundtable Sessions. We will send out separate RSVP forms for each subsequent session a few weeks before they are scheduled. 

Session IV

Thursday, September 12th from 10 am – 11:30 am

New Technology Designed for Older People 

Session V

Thursday, September 26th from 10 am – 11:30 am

Advocacy

It has been a while since my last COVID-19 update, but as you may already be aware, we are currently experiencing a Coronavirus wave in the United States, including in New York. As during previous summer waves, this is due in part to people gathering indoors to stay out of the heat. Dr. Katelyn Jetelina points out in her July 18th blog, Your Local Epidemiologist, that the current wave is also due to the Coronavirus continuing to mutate rapidly and waning immunity.

Please see Dr. Jetelina’s blog for a summary of the current wave status, advice on whether older adults should get an updated COVID-19 vaccine at this time, air travel considerations, and other helpful information.

Based on most recent CDC wastewater sampling data, the Wastewater Viral Activity Level for the State of New York is “low” and the CDC estimates that COVID-19 infections in New York are likely growing. As we have learned from previous waves of COVID-19, we can all help to manage community transmission by doing the following:

• Consider wearing a high-quality mask (N95, KN95, or KF94) if you will spend time inside where there is a large group of people, especially if you live or visit with people who are at risk for severe health outcomes from the Coronavirus;
• When inside, open windows if possible to increase air ventilation;
• If you experience symptoms (cough, muscle aches, fever, etc.), get tested for COVID-19 right away in case you need treatment. Paxlovid should be taken within 5 days of symptom onset to be effective;
• According to CDC guidance, if you contract COVID-19, stay home and rest until 24 hours have passed without having a fever or until your symptoms have shown improvement. For the next 5 days, wear a high-quality mask when you are in the community or around people who are at-risk for severe health outcomes from the Coronavirus.

If possible, it is even better to stay home until you test negative for the Coronavirus.

COVID-19 Testing

My office has received calls from constituents asking where they can find free COVID-19 at-home rapid tests, as these tests are expensive to purchase. We have inquired about the possibility of receiving another shipment of tests, but supplies are not available at this time.

If you experience symptoms, or have been exposed to someone who has the Coronavirus, there are several options for getting tested:

• Go to your primary care physician to get tested (confirm what your insurance will cover before getting tested);
• Get tested at an Urgent Care Center (confirm what your insurance will cover before getting tested);
• Purchase a COVID-19 at-home rapid test from a retail pharmacy (make sure to check the expiration date);
• Go to the NYC Health Department Crown Heights COVID-19 Express Testing clinic in Brooklyn for free PCR testing. Testing is by appointment only. The address is 1218 Prospect Place, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn NY 11213.

If you are experiencing symptoms and you need to purchase a test or get tested in the community, it is advisable to take extra precautions by wearing a high-quality mask to help prevent possible spread of the Coronavirus.

Last week and this week I was pleased to present certificates to four businesses located in the 28th Senate District that are being added to the New York State Historic Business Preservation Registry. The Registry, which is administered by the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, recognizes businesses that have been in operation for at least 50 years and have contributed to their community’s history. Businesses are listed on an interactive online map and receive a certificate and a window decal announcing their inclusion into the Historic Business Preservation Registry.

The businesses being added to the registry are:

The Algonquin Hotel

59 W 44th Street

Butterfield Market

1114 Lexington Avenue

Mary Arnold Toys

1178 Lexington Avenue (Between 80th & 81st Streets)

The Mansion Restaurant

1634 York Ave

If you know of a business in the district that should be recognized through the Historic Business Preservation Registry, let me know by emailing me at liz@lizkrueger.com.

Welcome to the New York State Senate's 2024 Summer Reading Program! Parents and guardians from across New York State are invited to enter their children's summer reading activity.

By filling in the information form, including three books read by your child this summer, he/she will receive a Certificate of Achievement from their NYS Senator. The deadline for submissions is September 1, 2024.

On August 1st, join the NYC Accelerator for an insightful webinar, Decarbonizing NYC: Property Management Firms Getting LL97 Done.

This event will focus on strategies and experiences related to Local Law 97 (LL97) compliance, aimed at significantly reducing carbon emissions from buildings across New York City. 

Following a panel discussion, there will be a Q&A session where attendees can engage with the speakers and get their questions answered. 

Whether you're a building owner, property manager, or industry professional, this event offers valuable insights and resources to help you navigate LL97 compliance and contribute to a more sustainable New York City. 

Speakers: 

• Jane Cohen, Dermot Company 
• Valerie Corbett, NYC Accelerator 
• Lisa Grayson Zygmunt, NYC Accelerator 
• Peter Lampen, Douglas Elliman Property Management 
• Laura Piraino, NYC Accelerator 
• Gerald Rivera, Halstead 
• Katherine Willis, NYC Accelerator 

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from experts and take actionable steps towards decarbonizing the buildings in your portfolio. 

Register now to secure your spot! 

The State Office of Environmental Justice is accepting applications for community impact grants between $50,000 - $100,000, with a deadline of August 7, 2024 at 3 p.m.

These grants provide community-based, not-for-profit organizations with funding for projects that address various environmental and public health concerns. The program focuses on low income and minority communities historically burdened by environmental problems such as: contaminated sites; noise, air and water pollution; health problems, lack of green space, and waterfront access.

Previously funded projects include community gardens and urban farming/agriculture, traditional food and medicine projects, monitoring populations and contaminate impacts to native plants and animals, organic waste/composting, habitat restoration, tree plantings, capacity building, and air, soil, and water testing/monitoring. Find eligibility and application details in the fact sheet and direct any questions to justice@dec.ny.gov or (518) 402-8556.

To remove the mountains of black bags on New York City streets, reclaim public space, and improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers, the Department of Sanitation has announced a plan to containerize all residential trash beginning fall 2024.

Residential Buildings with 1-9 Units

Beginning November 12, 2024, all properties with 1-9 residential units will be required to use bins, 55 gallons or less, with secure lids for trash set out.

If you already use a bin with a secure lid that is 55 gallons or less for trash set out, you may continue to use it until June 2026. After that, you will need to switch to the official NYC Bin.

Learn more about NYC Bin requirements.

Official NYC Bins

The NYC Bin is the next step in New York City's plan to get black bags of garbage off the streets and make our city cleaner and safer for all New Yorkers.

On July 8, 2024, the City unveiled the NYC Bin, the official trash bin for properties with 1-9 residential units. Separate NYC Bins are also available for purchase for recycling and composting, though they are not required.

The NYC Bin is now available for purchase at a significantly lower price than similar bins at retail stores, at www.bins.nyc or by calling 1-855-NYC-BINS.

NYC Bins are exclusively available for NYC property owners and building managers and will only be delivered to addresses within the five boroughs.

The NYC Bin was selected following the City's release of an RFP in October 2023 to contract a vendor to produce official NYC Bins. In the RFP, DSNY mandated that the vendor produce bins according to specifications including, but not limited to:

• Cost no more than $50 for the most common size
• Available in multiple sizes to accommodate different types of buildings.
• Rat resistant, easy to use by sanitation workers, and compatible with mechanized collection trucks.

DSNY will retrofit or replace hundreds of collection trucks, adding mechanical tippers compatible with the new bins. This upgrade will speed up collection and minimize the possibility of spills that occur with manual collection. Two sanitation workers will be needed to operate the mechanism, and this change will not affect DSNY workforce numbers.

Residential Buildings with 10+ Units

NYC is also advancing a plan to containerize trash in larger residential buildings.

Buildings with 31 or more residential units will be required to use stationary, on-street containers for their trash, serviced by DSNY's new automated side-loading garbage trucks. On-street containers will be assigned to a specific building, solely for residents of that building.

Buildings with 10 to 30 units will be able to choose between stationary on-street containers and smaller wheelie bins.

The first district with these containers will be Manhattan Community Board 9, beginning Spring 2025, with further expansion pending environmental review.