November 13, 2021 – Urban CNY

Alongside Local Elected Officials & Infrastructure Stakeholders, Rep. Katko Touts Key Wins for CNY In Bipartisan Physical Infrastructure Bill

by Urban CNY News
November 13, 2021

Syracuse, NY – Standing at Syracuse Hancock International Airport alongside local elected officials and infrastructure stakeholders, U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24) today touted key wins for Central New York included in the bipartisan, bicameral Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, which passed the House last week with his support. Rep. Katko was joined by Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon, Executive Director of OCWA Jeff Brown, CEO of CENTRO Brian Schultz, President & CEO of CenterState Rob Simpson, President of the Manufacturers Association of CNY Randy Wolken, President of the Central-Northern New York Building & Constructions Trades Council Greg Lancette, President of the AFL-CIO Local 150 Anne Marie Taliercio. Rep. Katko was also joined by Oswego County Administrator Phil Church, Director of Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council Jim D’Agostino, Director of Cayuga County Sewer & Water Authority Jeanine Wilson, and Executive Director of Wayne County Sewer & Water Authority Martin Aman. As Co-Chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus Infrastructure Working Group, Rep. Katko authored framework that became the basis for the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act. The bill includes investments exclusively for physical infrastructure, contains responsible measures to pay for its spending, and according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is projected to have a 33% return on investment. Importantly for Central New York, the bill will deliver investments for local roads and bridges, ports and waterways, clean water systems, broadband networks, electrical grid, and airports. “When I first ran for public office, I pledged I would create economic opportunity and strengthen our community for generations to come,” said Rep. John Katko. “Recognizing the dire state of our local infrastructure, a key part of that promise was delivering infrastructure investment. As a member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and Co-Chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus’s Infrastructure Working Group, I helped develop the framework for this bipartisan physical infrastructure bill. By passing this bill, I’m proud to have kept my promise to Central New Yorkers and deliver long overdue investments for upgrades to our local roads and bridges, electrical grids, airports, water systems, ports and waterways, and broadband networks.” Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said, “Investing in our infrastructure has been a top priority of my administration. Whether its our roads, bridges or sewer pipes, Onondaga County has a strong track record of making the necessary investments to maintain our infrastcture.” McMahon continued, “Now thanks to the leadership and parternship of our federal delegation, specifiaclly Congressman Katko, we will be able to make even greater progress in modernizing our wastewater infrastructure, bringing broadband to our underserved communities and proactively maintain our roads and bridges. Thank you to Congressman Katko for his efforts in making this legislation a reality.” “We’re demonstrating in the City of Syracuse how local government can turn federal funding into better roads and updated infrastructure. The bipartisan infrastructure bill will help us take this progress to the next level. We will have resources to move forward with bus rapid transit; increase broadband access; strengthen water infrastructure; improve air service and repair more roads and bridges,” said Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh. “I thank Congressman Katko for his critical work on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Problem Solvers Caucus and deeply appreciate the leadership of Senator Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. The bipartisan infrastructure bill shows what we can accomplish when we work together.” “I am very grateful that members from both parties, in both Houses of Congress came together to pass much-needed infrastructure legislation,” said Jason Terreri, Executive Director of the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority. “This legislation was a historic bipartisan compromise, and although some in Congress opposed it, we are grateful for the support from Rep. John Katko who recognized the needs of our community. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation for the leadership of Sen. Chuck Schumer, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, in passing this landmark legislation. This bill will provide vital funding for a range of important infrastructure projects, including at Syracuse Hancock International Airport, which will prove enormously beneficial to Central New York. Airport funding has been lagging well behind what is needed to cover present and future infrastructure needs at our nation’s airports. This investment will help address this funding gap, and help SRAA meet the growing commercial passenger and cargo transportation needs of the region.” “OCWA—Central New York’s Water Authority—is pleased to join with Representative Katko and other community leaders in enthusiastically welcoming passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA),” said OCWA Executive Director Jeff Brown. “The IIJA provides $54 billion in critical funding for such important water infrastructure needs as lead service line replacements and addressing emerging contaminants like PFAS. In addition, it will provide $11.7 billion to the Drinking Water State Revolving funds which are used by OCWA and other local water utilities to replace aging water mains, improve water treatment facilities and generally improve water quality for our customers. We applaud Representative Katko for his leadership in supporting this important piece of legislation for Central New York.” “By any measure, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is good for Central New York workers and will greatly benefit the entire region,” said Greg Lancette, President of the Central-Northern New York Building & Construction Trades Council. “This bill directly supports local physical infrastructure projects that will be built by Central New York construction workers. Our labor community applauds Congressman Katko for his role in developing and passing this historic pro-job infrastructure bill and for continuing to support the creation of good-paying, local jobs.” Specifically for Central New York, the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act includes: $24 billion for roads & bridges in New York State $27 million for Syracuse Hancock International Airport $74 million for CENTRO $8 billion for the Department of Transpiration’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program, which benefits Bus Rapid Transit in Syracuse. $23 billion for Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF), which supports water infrastructure in Central New York. $42 billion for Broadband Deployment Grants to expand rural broadband and improve internet connectivity. Funding

Neighborhoods News Urban CNY Money

Governor Hochul Announces New York State Requests Additional Federal Funding for Emergency Rental Assistance

by Urban CNY News
November 13, 2021

New York State Has Requested $996 Million in Additional Federal Funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury Program Has Either Obligated or Paid More Than $2 Billion in Rental Assistance, Covering Roughly 165,000 Applications to the Program, Including Over 81,000 Direct Payments to Landlords 17 Members of New York State’s Congressional Delegation Have Submitted a Letter to the U.S. Treasury in Support of the Application; Read Their Letter Here Governor Kathy Hochul announced yesterday that New York State has requested $996 million in additional federal funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program to help fulfill an unmet need among struggling tenants and landlords. Governor Hochul directed the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance – the agency administering New York’s program – to apply for federal funding from reallocated sources sometime this fall. “From the start of my administration, I pledged to get federal rental relief money to New Yorkers still recovering from the pandemic. While New York accelerated getting rent relief out the door and moved from the back of the pack to the front amongst other states, there are still many individuals in need of assistance,” Governor Hochul said. “I thank Congresswoman Kathleen Rice and the entire Congressional Delegation for their support. New York has demonstrated both a need for this funding and an ability to distribute it, which is why we believe New York is well positioned to receive any additional assistance that may come available through the Treasury’s forthcoming reallocation.” Less than six months after first taking applications, New York State’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program now nearly fully obligated its $2.4 billion in funding. The program began accepting applications on June 1 and has since received more than 280,000 applications. After OTDA issued the first direct payments to landlords in mid-July, payments accelerated under Governor Hochul. In total, the program has either obligated or paid more than $2 billion in rental assistance, covering roughly 165,000 applications to the program, including over 81,000 direct payments to landlords. Last month, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance warned that the program’s federal funding was almost entirely committed, except in limited areas where allocations have not yet been exhausted. Absent additional federal assistance, the program will be unable to fulfill many pending funding requests. Recognizing this as a looming concern, Governor Hochul first contacted the U.S. Treasury to request additional funding in late September, indicating the need and the state’s intention formally apply for more funding. Led by Congresswoman Rice, 17 members of the New York State Congressional delegation have submitted a letter to the U.S. Treasury in support of this application. OTDA Executive Deputy Commissioner Barbara Guinn said, “Clearly the demand for rental assistance across New York State is far outstripping the amount of funding we have available. I applaud Governor Hochul for recognizing this early on, making this program a priority of her administration, and taking swift action to ensure New York State is in a position to receive any funds reallocated by the federal government.” Senator Chuck Schumer said, “New York tenants suffer from a double whammy: they were hit hardest by COVID and they pay some of the highest rents. That is why I championed and delivered billions in aid that went directly to tenants and building owners to prevent mass evictions, and homelessness, and overwhelming debt. But the scale of New York’s tenant needs means that without additional rental assistance funds reallocated by the Treasury Department, New York will almost certainly see additional evictions that could be prevented. So, I am strongly urging the administration to redirect additional aid to New York, as Congress intended, from the unused funds we have already appropriated.” Followed by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand who said, “Even as we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of New Yorkers and millions nationwide are still struggling to pay their rent and keep a roof over their heads. I urge all eligible New Yorkers to apply for rental assistance through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program and I will continue fighting for federal relief to protect renters, ease the ongoing housing crisis and ensure that every New Yorker has a place to call home.” New York State is among the leaders in payments made or obligated, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, which tracks the state-by-state implementation of ERAP.

Neighborhoods News Urban CNY Money

Governor Hochul Announces $25 Million To Provide Free Legal Assistance for Struggling Tenants

by Urban CNY News
November 13, 2021

Federal Funding to Provide Legal Assistance to Low-Income Renters Facing Eviction in Areas Where Free Legal Services are Limited Expands Access to Publicly Funded, Free Legal Services for Tenants in 57 Counties Outside NYC New Applications for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program Will Be Suspended Sunday Night in Most Areas of the State Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday Nov. 12th announced that $25 million in federal funding will be used to provide free legal assistance to low-income renters facing eviction in areas of the state outside of New York City where access to free legal aid is not available to meet the need of these renters. The legal assistance is aimed at helping both tenants and landlords resolve rent-related disputes and maintaining tenants’ housing stability. The awardees of this funding will be announced on Monday. “The pandemic has shown us that every New Yorker deserves the stability of a home,” Governor Hochul said. “This critical funding will help struggling tenants access free legal assistance they can rely on to reach a resolution with their landlord and avoid the potential for eviction proceedings. We will continue to push for additional federal funding for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program to provide relief to renters.” Earlier, Governor Hochul announced that New York State has officially requested $996 million in additional federal funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The request for these funds would cover projected need over the next four months, based on already-submitted applications, as well as a portion of projected need for tenants living in publicly subsidized housing. New York State recently surpassed $1 billion in direct payments to landlords and has now fully obligated its $2.4 billion in funding – less than six months after first taking applications. Applications will continue to be accepted through Sunday, Nov. 14, until 10 p.m. The program will suspend accepting new applications at that time, except in the following areas, where allocations have not yet been exhausted, and where tenants are encouraged to apply: Dutchess County, Nassau County (not including the towns of Hempstead or Oyster Bay), Niagara County, Oneida County, Saratoga County, Suffolk County (not including the towns of Brookhaven or Islip), Westchester County (not including the city of Yonkers). As part of the law, $25 million in federal funding was set aside to provide legal services to tenants facing eviction proceedings and to help them maintain housing stability in areas of the state where access to free legal assistance for such services is not readily available. Residents of New York City already have access to free legal representation in housing court to help avoid eviction. Barbara C. Guinn, Executive Deputy Commissioner of the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, which is administering the legal assistance grants, said, “Expanding the availability of legal assistance for tenants is essential to helping New York avoid a housing crisis as residents throughout the State continue to struggle to pay rental arrears that accumulated during the pandemic. This assistance will help individuals and families to work with their landlords to help them maintain stable housing. I applaud Governor Hochul for taking action to help renters and landlords resolve disputes and avoid evictions.” Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said, “Both landlords and tenants will be benefit from these additional federal resources being deployed by Governor Hochul for areas outside of New York City. Free legal assistance to eligible renters who are at risk of eviction will help head off potential crises. When the end of the eviction moratorium comes, we will need every tool available to bolster the work of our community partners in assisting property owners and tenants.” New York State is among the leaders in payments made or obligated, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, which tracks the state-by-state implementation of ERAP.

Health

Governor Hochul Provides November 12, 2021 Update to New Yorkers on State’s Progress Combating COVID-19

by Urban CNY News
November 13, 2021

Visit our new website for parents and guardians for new information, frequently asked questions and answers, and resources specifically designed for parents and guardians of this age group. 96,655 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours 30 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Thursday Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state’s progress combating COVID-19. “Thank you to all the New Yorkers who are keeping their children, themselves and their other loved ones safe and healthy ahead of the holidays by getting the vaccine,” Governor Hochul said. “Whether you are five or 50, getting vaccinated is quick, easy, and the most important thing you can do to protect your family from COVID-19 as we approach the holiday season.” Today’s data is summarized briefly below: Test Results Reported – 199,602 Total Positive – 6,151 Percent Positive – 3.08% 7-Day Average Percent Positive – 3.00% Patient Hospitalization – 1,854 (+18) Patients Newly Admitted – 263 Patients in ICU – 376 (+2) Patients in ICU with Intubation – 210 (-2) Total Discharges – 210,926 (+226) New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS – 30 Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS – 45,960 The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only. Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC – 58,479 This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings. Total vaccine doses administered – 28,178,889 Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours – 96,655 Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days – 636,779 Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose – 85.1% Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series – 77.4% Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) – 88.7% Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) – 79.5% Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose – 72.3% Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series – 65.5% Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) – 75.3% Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) – 67.3% Each region’s 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows: REGION Tuesday, November 9, 2021 Wednesday, November 10, 2021 Thursday, November 11, 2021 Capital Region 4.89% 5.20% 5.22% Central New York 4.87% 5.02% 5.39% Finger Lakes 6.93% 7.29% 7.72% Long Island 2.62% 2.73% 2.88% Mid-Hudson 2.04% 2.19% 2.27% Mohawk Valley 5.69% 6.14% 6.33% New York City 1.20% 1.24% 1.26% North Country 5.77% 5.99% 6.29% Southern Tier 3.84% 4.11% 4.24% Western New York 6.64% 7.06% 7.41% Statewide 2.78% 2.90% 3.00% Each New York City borough’s 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows: BOROUGH Tuesday, November 9, 2021 Wednesday, November 10, 2021 Thursday, November 11, 2021 Bronx 0.97% 1.00% 1.06% Kings 1.36% 1.37% 1.41% New York 1.02% 1.06% 1.07% Queens 1.26% 1.28% 1.28% Richmond 1.50% 1.62% 1.63% Yesterday, 6,151 New Yorkers tested positive for COVID-19 in New York State, bringing the total to 2,591,345. A geographic breakdown is as follows: County Total Positive New Positive Albany 32,606 90 Allegany 5,382 45 Broome 26,395 97 Cattaraugus 8,828 68 Cayuga 9,177 31 Chautauqua 13,457 69 Chemung 11,875 59 Chenango 5,075 33 Clinton 7,447 46 Columbia 5,263 15 Cortland 5,776 24 Delaware 3,939 22 Dutchess 36,702 89 Erie 114,223 624 Essex 2,723 26 Franklin 4,779 47 Fulton 7,114 39 Genesee 7,784 46 Greene 4,639 10 Hamilton 481 2 Herkimer 7,543 39 Jefferson 10,144 83 Lewis 3,876 15 Livingston 6,383 52 Madison 6,780 40 Monroe 90,394 500 Montgomery 6,578 45 Nassau 219,038 341 Niagara 25,964 176 NYC 1,109,657 1,142 Oneida 30,680 141 Onondaga 55,714 202 Ontario 10,416 74 Orange 59,617 147 Orleans 4,954 43 Oswego 12,898 92 Otsego 4,944 25 Putnam 12,780 16 Rensselaer 16,073 70 Rockland 54,317 68 Saratoga 22,093 133 Schenectady 17,950 60 Schoharie 2,475 8 Schuyler 1,712 4 Seneca 2,914 14 St. Lawrence 11,757 63 Steuben 11,262 79 Suffolk 246,191 468 Sullivan 8,942 48 Tioga 5,769 43 Tompkins 6,893 22 Ulster 18,016 88 Warren 6,268 41 Washington 5,477 46 Wayne 9,163 60 Westchester 145,471 151 Wyoming 4,763 21 Yates 1,814 9 Yesterday, 30 New Yorkers died due to COVID-19, bringing the total compiled through HERDS to 45,960. A geographic breakdown is as follows, by county of residence: County New Deaths Broome 1 Cattaraugus 1 Chautauqua 1 Erie 2 Essex 1 Genesee 1 Herkimer 1 Jefferson 1 Kings 3 Manhattan 1 Monroe 1 Montgomery 1 Nassau 1 Niagara 1 Oneida 1 Onondaga 1 Oswego 3 Queens 1 Rensselaer 1 Saratoga 1 Schenectady 1 St. Lawrence 1 Suffolk 3 All New York State mass vaccination sites are open to eligible New Yorkers aged 12 years and older for walk-in vaccination on a first-come, first-serve basis. People who would prefer to schedule an appointment at a state-run mass vaccination site can do so on the Am I Eligible App or by calling 1-833-NYS-4-VAX. People may also contact their local health department, pharmacy, doctor or hospital to schedule appointments where vaccines are available, or visit vaccines.gov to find information on vaccine appointments near them. New Yorkers looking to schedule vaccine appointments for 5-11-year-old children are encouraged to contact their child’s pediatrician, family physician, county health departments, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), rural health centers, or pharmacies that may be administering the vaccine for this age group. Parents and guardians can visit vaccines.gov, text their ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find nearby locations. Make sure that the provider offers the Pfizer-BioNTechCOVID-19 vaccine, as the other COVID-19 vaccines are not yet authorized for this age group. Visit our new website for parents and guardians for new information, frequently asked questions and answers, and resources specifically designed for parents and guardians of this age group. Yesterday, 19,476 New Yorkers received their first vaccine dose, and 13,550 completed their vaccine series. A geographic breakdown of New Yorkers who have been vaccinated by region is as follows: People with at least one vaccine dose People with complete vaccine series Region Cumulative Total Increase over past

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