December 24, 2022 – Urban CNY

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Rep. Katko Delivers Over $20 Million In Federal Funding for Transformational Projects Across Central New York

by Urban CNY News
December 24, 2022

Katko Closes Out Career in Congress By Securing Landmark Investment in Local Priorities Washington – U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24) on December 23rd, announced over $20 million in federal funding for transformational projects across New York’s 24th Congressional District. The funding comes as the House today passed an omnibus government funding measure for Fiscal Year 2023. Rep. Katko successfully advocated for the inclusion of over $20 million in federal funding for fifteen projects across New York’s 24th Congressional District in the omnibus funding measure. These projects will improve public transportation, bolster the local healthcare system, protect Lake Ontario’s southern shoreline, combat food insecurity, expand access to clean drinking water, and support victims of child abuse. Specifically, Rep. Katko announced: $3,000,000 for the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority to implement a new Bus Rapid Transit line and make improvements to transit services in the City of Syracuse. $2,500,000 for the Syracuse Hancock International Airport to establish a centralized communications system within the airport. $2,500,000 for the Town of Owasco to upgrade its sewer systems. $2,400,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out the Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency Study. $2,000,000 for the Foodbank of Central New York to expand its distribution center and build on efforts to combat food insecurity and child poverty in Central New York. $2,000,000 for Auburn Community Hospital to purchase a PET-CT scanner and make necessary updates to its new Cancer Treatment Center. $1,010,000 for Crouse Hospital to improve its Rapid Evaluation Unit within the Emergency Department. $1,000,000 for the Rescue Mission Alliance of Central New York to develop a new multi-use building that will support their local emergency shelter. $1,000,000 for Cayuga County to purchase updated 911 emergency radio equipment. $1,000,000 for the City of Syracuse to make essential repairs, correct code violations, and address hazards at properties throughout Syracuse. $900,000 for SUNY Upstate to establish a new Multidisciplinary Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Treatment Center. $560,000 for the Cayuga County Water and Sewer Authority to install a new water line and meter in the Town of Sennett. $248,000 for InterFaith Works of Central New York to convert an existing property into a welcoming home for refugees upon their arrival in Syracuse through the federal refugee resettlement program. $135,000 for Contact Community Services to upgrade its crisis call center and add additional systems. $125,000 for McMahon Ryan to expand their abuse prevention and education programming. Notably, the omnibus funding measure includes additional funding for veterans’ healthcare, a pay raise for the nations’ servicemembers, and a $76 billion increase in defense spending that will help keep the nation safe and support manufacturing jobs in Central New York. The bill also includes legislation authored by Rep. Katko to improve services provided through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, to increase the availability of mental health care for seniors, and protect pregnant workers from workplace discrimination. Additionally, the omnibus funding measure will make commonsense reforms to the Electoral Count Act and clarify Congress’s role in certifying the results of future presidential elections. “I strongly advocated for and delivered over $20 million in federal funding for projects across Central New York,” said Rep. Katko. “These projects will have a transformational effect on our community by improving public transportation, bolstering our local healthcare system, protecting Lake Ontario’s southern shoreline, combating food insecurity, expanding access to clean drinking water, and supporting victims of child abuse. Additionally, I am pleased to have passed bipartisan measures I authored to bolster the new 9-8-8 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and expand mental health treatment for seniors. Throughout my eight years in Congress, I have focused on delivering results for Central New York. As I close out my term, I am proud to once again deliver meaningful results for our community.” These initiatives were passed by both the House of Representatives and the US Senate. Both Republican and Democratic members of the New York Delegation voted for these initiatives.

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County Executive McMahon Appoints Esteban Gonzalez as Deputy Director of Strategic Initiatives

by Urban CNY News
December 24, 2022

Gonzalez tasked with public safety & emergency services coordination of strategic initiatives Syracuse, N.Y. – Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon on Friday, December 23rd, announced that Esteban Gonzalez has accepted the position of Deputy Director of Strategic Initiatives for Onondaga County. Gonzalez will serve as point person for all necessary public safety and emergency service coordination relating to the many important strategic initiatives being advanced. This includes, but is not limited to, the recently announced historic investment by Micron Technologies at the White Pine Business Park. County Executive McMahon said, “Our community is experiencing a comeback like never before. Building off the strong foundation provided by our many successful small businesses, we have seen unprecedented investments from companies like Amazon in Liverpool to JMA on the Southside and then the historic investment from Micron. As a growing community I am confident we will continue to see even more investments in the months and years ahead.” McMahon continued, “A critical component of any potential investment is the coordination of public safety and emergency service’s needs. Whether it be for a future company looking to relocate to Onondaga County or the expansion of an existing business. I can think of no one more qualified and ready to step into this vital role on day one than Esteban.” Gonzalez brings wide breadth of public safety and law enforcement experience to the role having most recently served as Chief Deputy of the Custody Department. He has numerous professional certifications, associations, affiliations and awards including the Onondaga County Chapter of the Chiefs of Police and the Central New York Association of Chiefs of Police. Gonzalez will start on January 3rd, 2023.

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Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Nearly $11 Million for Syracuse in Federal Bipartisan Funding Package; Includes $2.5m to Bolster SYR Airport Security Operations, Funds to Fight Food Insecurity and Boost Health Care Across CNY

by Urban CNY News
December 24, 2022

Washington, D.C. — On Friday December 23rd, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand are announcing that several of their priorities for Syracuse, including $2,500,000 in federal funding for security enhancements at Syracuse Hancock International Airport, were successfully passed in the final omnibus funding package for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. Together, the senators secured $10.76 million for projects that will directly impact the Syracuse community. Notably, the senators secured $1.1 million to support suicide prevention efforts and $900K to center research, diagnostic expertise, clinical specialists, and medical education resources for Lyme and tick-borne disease at SUNY Upstate Medical University. “From increasing public safety to expanding SUNY Upstate’s mental health services to boosting the Food Bank of Central New York, these projects will address some of the most critical infrastructure, public health, and community needs across the greater Syracuse area,” said Senator Schumer. “This funding means good-paying jobs, better healthcare, clean drinking water, revitalizing our neighborhoods, and so much more. I am proud to deliver this major investment of nearly $11 million in Central New York’s future.” “I’m proud that I was able to secure nearly $11 million in this year’s funding package to invest in the future of Syracuse,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I will remain vigilant in the Senate fighting for the resources that will help make transportation seamless, improve public safety and health, and create new jobs in Central New York. It is more important now than ever that we invest in the infrastructure that Syracuse needs to ensure that the city continues to be a fixture for economic growth in Upstate New York.” Project Award Syracuse Police Cadet Program: The Cadet Program is intended to work with inner city young adults who have recently graduated high school, completed the Junior Cadet Program, and are still not eligible to become Police Officers. The program will offer fitness and academic training to prepare young adults to enter the Police Academy with a high probability for success. $500,000 City of Syracuse Public Water Intake No. 2 Extension: This project will extend the City of Syracuse #2 public drinking water intake pipe in Skaneateles Lake to deeper water. The investment will help prevent the need to construct water treatment facilities for the City and the villages of Skaneateles, Jordan, and Elbridge at the cost of several hundred million dollars to state and local governments. Without the extension, the water supply is susceptible to intake closures due to turbidity and Harmful Algae Bloom (HAB) events. $1,500,000 SUNY Upstate Medical Center – Suicide Prevention Center: With $1.1 million in federal support, along with SUNY Upstate Medical Centers own funding commitments and pursuit of state funds, it is anticipated that the Upstate Suicide Prevention Center will be able to serve at least 600 youth and young adults annually over the next five years in outpatient settings and in 50 school districts across Central New York. The funding will help support innovative evidence-based treatments, expanded telehealth counseling, and care collaborations with community agencies, medical providers, and school counseling centers. $1,100,000 Crouse Health- Emergency Services: Access to Care: This funding will be used to enhance the rapid evaluation unit of Crouse Health’s emergency department, enabling it to reconfigure the current space and build out into an adjacent area. The emergency department benefits the community by serving as a resource for ill and injured patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and expanding the space will help staff continue attending to patients’ urgent medical needs. $1,010,000 SUNY Upstate Medical Center – Multidisciplinary Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Treatment Center: A growing number or Lyme and other tick-borne diseases are increasingly endemic in the US, particularly in places like Upstate New York, yet many cases go long-undiagnosed and under-treated due to a lack of health care infrastructure specifically devoted to these illnesses. Under one roof, the SUNY Upstate Multidisciplinary Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Treatment Center will combine the research, diagnostic expertise, clinical specialists, and medical education resources that sufferers of these insidious diseases need, when they need it most. $900,000 City of Syracuse Resurgent Neighborhoods Initiative (RNI) Blight Remediation and Emergency Abatement Project: This project will provide funds to address emergency unsafe housing conditions in occupied rental properties. It will also support substantial blight remediation and/or removal of structures in order to make those sites ready for redevelopment to support Mayor Walsh’s Resurgent Neighborhoods Initiative. $1,000,000 Food Bank of Central New York Capacity Expansion Project: This project, which is slated to begin by 2023, will consist of a 32,740 square foot expansion of the organization’s current structure. The expansion will allow for increased storage for nonperishable foods, several staff offices, and a dedicated space for volunteers to sort and pack donated foods for distribution, enhancing the food bank’s ability to meet the needs of families in its service area. Serving approximately 25% of the state, The Food Bank of Central New York’s hunger relief efforts are supported by the many partnerships they have developed since the founding of organization. Through these partnerships, they are working to serve an estimated 200,000 individuals per month through one or more food distribution points within their network. $2,000,000 Syracuse Airport (SYR) Consolidated Airport Operations Command Center Project: Syracuse Airport will relocate security and communications space into a single, hardened facility. Centralizing the physical location of the communications center will enhance the interaction and coordination between all staff including law enforcement officers, Security, Terminal, Airfield Maintenance and Airfield Operations. Structural improvements with space layout and wiring will provide the foundation for a fully capable Security and Operations facility and provide the ability to communicate effectively in daily operations, the event of a weather advisory, terrorist event, industrial accident, or other crisis. $2,500,000 InterFaith Works of Central New York – Transition Home for New Americans: The requested funds will be used to renovate a vacant and dilapidated land bank property in Syracuse and convert it into a welcoming home for refugees upon their arrival to the United States through the federal

News

Setting the Record Straight on New York’s Unemployment Insurance System

by Urban CNY News
December 24, 2022

By Commissioner Roberta Reardon, New York State Department of Labor As previously printed in the Times Union. New Yorkers right now are concerned about the state of New York’s unemployment insurance (UI) system. In recent weeks, press coverage, political rhetoric, and an audit by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli have assailed the system, sowing mistrust in one of our most vital social systems. But I want to set the record straight: the New York State Department of Labor has been taking steps to make the system more efficient, easier to use, and safer than ever. In 2020, as the pandemic brought record unemployment, New York’s UI system became a lifeline to nearly five million New Yorkers. An unprecedented influx of unemployment claims and brand-new federal pandemic programs, in addition to limited staffing, new remote work challenges, chronic federal underfunding, and other factors, placed a heavy burden on the system. These challenges paved the way for delayed payments, operational breakdowns, and fraud – all of which were identified by the Department and later addressed in the Comptroller’s audit. Despite these factors, the Department of Labor distributed more than $105 billion – the equivalent of 50 years’ worth of benefits – in the two years since the start of the pandemic. These vital benefits helped keep New Yorkers afloat during this unprecedented time, supported millions of families, and kept New Yorkers safe. However, the Comptroller’s audit alleged that $11 billion of those benefits were sent to fraudsters. That estimate – based on an extrapolation from a sample size of .01 percent of claims using an outdated and flawed model – greatly exaggerates the problem. The Department projects that, of the $105 billion in federal and state unemployment benefits paid out from January 2020 through March 2022, there was a potential of about $4 billion lost to fraud – $388 million of which would have been related to fraudulent state UI benefits. To be clear, every dollar lost to fraud is unacceptable to me, the Department, and this administration. And since the start of the pandemic, my agency has taken steps to not only address fraud, but to improve the system overall. The Department has taken a multifaceted and aggressive approach to cracking down on UI fraud. We have stepped up our fraud investigations and we are currently on pace to uncover $110 million in fraudulently obtained benefits this year from claimants working while collecting during the pandemic. We have implemented new technologies, including the ID.me identity verification system and multi-factor authentication, to help us detect and combat fraud as early in the process as possible. The Department also launched a public education campaign to empower New Yorkers to help identify and stop UI fraud. And every effort is underway to claw back stolen funds; we have already recovered a half billion dollars in fraudulent payments in the past two years. We are also working to restore trust in the system by simplifying the UI process and improving the customer experience overall. Currently, we are halfway through a four-year, department-wide modernization process that includes streamlining the application process, launching the Perkins chatbot to quickly answer claimant questions, upgrading our phone system to improve the intake process, and making data on the UI system publicly available. The Department is using every tool available to ensure that the UI system meets New Yorkers’ needs while complying with — and often exceeding — federal requirements. But to further strengthen the program, every state needs more federal investment. Congress must prioritize and secure sufficient resources for the Department to fully modernize and safeguard the UI system. At the New York State Department of Labor, our top priority continues to be safeguarding the UI system so New Yorkers who need these benefits get them swiftly and securely. The pandemic proved that we can support each other through the darkest times. That same perseverance will help us ensure this social safety net remains transparent, honest, and equitable as we emerge from the pandemic and move New York State forward.

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Consumer Alert: Attorney General James Warns Against Price Gouging During Winter Storm Elliott

by Urban CNY News
December 24, 2022

New York – New York Attorney General Letitia James on Friday December 23rd, issued an alert reminding consumers and businesses across the state against price gouging during and in the aftermath of Winter Storm Elliott. The powerful storm has already brought heavy wind, ice, snow, and freezing rain to Western New York and other regions throughout the state, and is expected to continue. New York’s price gouging statute prevents businesses from taking advantage of consumers by selling essential goods or services at an excessively higher price during market disruptions or a declared state of emergency. “New Yorkers should be on the lookout for fraudsters who may use this winter storm to take advantage of consumers,” said Attorney General James. “Charging excessive prices for essential products during emergencies is wrong, and it is illegal. This dangerous winter storm will impact communities throughout New York state, and I encourage everyone to stay warm, safe, and vigilant against price gouging. If any New Yorker believes they are a victim of price gouging, I encourage them to contact my office immediately.” New York law prohibits businesses from taking unfair advantage of consumers by selling goods or services that are vital to their health, safety, or welfare for an unconscionably excessive price during times of emergencies. The price gouging statute covers New York state vendors, retailers, and suppliers, and includes essential goods and services that are necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of consumers or the general public. These goods and services include food, water, gasoline, generators, batteries, flashlights, hotel lodging, and transportation options. Contract services for storm-related damage, both during and after a natural disaster, are also covered by the state’s price gouging statute. Consumers should protect themselves when hiring contractors to perform storm-related services by considering the following tips: Shop around – Get at least three estimates from reputable contractors that include specific information about the materials and services to be provided for the job. Get it in writing – Insist on a written contract that includes the price and description of the work needed. Don’t pay unreasonable advance sums – Negotiate a payment schedule tied to the completion of specific stages of the job. Never pay the full price up front. Get references – Check with the Better Business Bureau, banks, suppliers, and neighbors. Always contact references provided to you. Know your rights – You have three days to cancel after signing a contract for home improvements. All cancellations must be in writing. When reporting price gouging to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), consumers should: Report the specific increased prices, dates, and places that they saw the increased prices, and the types of formula being sold; and, Provide copies of their sales receipts and photos of the advertised prices, if available. New Yorkers should report potential concerns about price gouging to OAG by filing a complaint online or calling 800-771-7755. photo California Consumer Affairs

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