Issue Position: Responding to the Pandemic
Issue Position
The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted nearly every aspect of our daily lives. This is a time for decisive government action to help the millions of struggling New Yorkers trying to endure this crisis and we met this challenge
We passed legislation which will help families trying to make ends meet, stay in their homes, and have some stability during this extraordinary time. We have been responding to the urgent needs of our communities.
I co-sponsored and passed legislation which:
provides $100 million in short-term rental assistance to renters and landlords (Ch. 125 of 2020, A.10522)
prevents landlords from evicting tenants due to unpaid rent during the COVID-19
state of emergency (Ch. 127 of 2020, A.10290-B)
prevents utility companies from terminating services for New Yorkers who are unable to
work or have had their wages reduced due to a state of emergency (Ch. 108 and 126 of 2020,
A.10521 and A.10530)
requires mortgage lenders to provide a six-month forbearance period to homeowners
that have lost income (Ch. 112 of 2020, A.10351-B)
authorizes localities to defer tax payments or create installment payments (A.10252-A)
prohibits price gouging of medical supplies and services and any other essential goods and services needed for the health or welfare of the community (Ch. 90 of 2020, A.10270)
ensures schools that closed due to COVID-19 will not have state aid withheld (Ch. 107 of 2020, A.10189-A)
allows industrial development agencies (IDAs) to provide loans to small businesses and not-for-profit organizations, as well as offer these establishments grants to purchase
personal protective equipment (Ch. 109 of 2020, A.10294-A)
allows volunteer firefighters and emergency responders to earn points for service award programs during a state disaster emergency (Ch. 113 of 2020, A.10438-A)
extends library project deadlines by 12 months (Ch. 120 of 2020, A.10465)
We also passed two election law bills to deal with the pandemic. The first allows absentee ballot application to be submitted electronically during the pandemic emergency. The second allows "illness" to include the risk of contacting or spreading a disease that may cause illness to the voter or the public for purposes of applying for an absentee ballot.
Let's all keep wearing our masks and practice social distancing. Stay safe.
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