Good Morning, Brooklyn: Tuesday, November 16, 2021

November 16, 2021 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

Share this:

IPS NEWS: PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNS INFRASTRUCTURE BILL — The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, considered the largest long-term investment in the United States’ physical plant and competitiveness in nearly a century, became law with President Biden’s signature on Monday. The Act enables the repair and rebuilding of roads and bridges with a focus on climate change mitigation, and safety for all users, including cyclists and pedestrians. Other components at the state level include the funding of $175 million over five years to support the expansion of an EV charging network; a minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across New York State providing access to New Yorkers who currently lack it; $685 million for infrastructure development for airports over five years, and the delivery of clean drinking water to every New Yorker.

The Affordability Connectivity Benefit, designed to help low-income families afford internet access, will make about 5,375,000 or 28 percent, of people in New York eligible for this assistance.

✰✰✰

IPS NEWS: REP. CLARKE’S STATEMENT ON INFRASTRUCTURE ACT SIGNING: “The official signing of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is ushering in an era that will have generational impacts on all Americans, especially New Yorkers who have been hardest hit by COVID-19, said Rep. Yvette Clark (D-9^th District). “The BIF is reaching back and pulling up all those historically left behind in the pursuit of the American Dream, and I’m grateful for this progress.

Focusing on Congress’ next big national restoration project, Clarke added, “I look forward to continuing this progress with the eventual passage of the Build Back Better Act.”

✰✰✰

IPS NEWS: JEFFRIES OPTIMISTIC ON NEW ACT: Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-8th District and chairman of the Democratic Caucus) also spoke about the newly-signed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, saying, in part, “it delivers real and transformational change to New York. This bill will provide the largest single federal investment in infrastructure in the history of the Republic. It will fix our crumbling bridges, roads, tunnels, airports and mass transit systems. It will tackle the climate crisis with the fierce urgency of now through green, sustainable and resilient investments.”

Rep. Jeffries added that the law “will help ensure that all New Yorkers have access to affordable high-speed internet.”

✰✰✰

IPS NEWS: FIGHTING ‘FOREVER CHEMICALS’ IN DRINKING WATER: Public health protections against highly-toxic chemicals must be taken, says New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is leading a coalition of 19 attorneys general from around the nation to urge the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) to take action on this. These chemicals — a class of highly toxic chemical compounds known as poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — have been found widespread, persistent contaminants in the environment, including in drinking water. According to the New York State Department of Health, as of September, PFAS have been detected in almost 40 percent of public drinking water supplies in the state, including 60 percent of supplies serving more than 10,000 people.

Almost 120 violations of New York state’s health-based drinking water standards have been found in these public supplies.

✰✰✰

STEM SUMMIT ON DIVERSITY: Students at NYU-Tandon School of Engineering are participating this week in the 7th annual Diversity in STEM Summit. The university’s Office of Student Affairs and Office of Inclusive Excellence partnered for the Summit, which explores the theme, “Envisioning an Equitable Tomorrow,” and includes signature programs with scientists, both in NYU and beyond, discussing the innovations they are bringing to their field and their own journeys.

The scientists are also sharing their beliefs as to why a diverse workforce is essential to STEM during the summit, which runs through November 18.

✰✰✰

IPS NEWS: FIGHTING FOR EQUITY FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS— State Sen. Andrew Gounardes will hold a rally today, Nov. 16, to end what he and other advocates say is the urgent funding inequity facing schools serving New York’s most vulnerable students. Joining him at the rally, being held at the HeartShare School in Bath Beach/Bensonhurst, will be special education providers and members of the InterAgency Council of Developmental Disabilities Agencies to denounce the critical special education teacher shortage for students with disabilities.

Parents, providers, and advocates are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign the tuition parity bill for special education (S.6516-A/A.8013), that unanimously passed the State Senate and Assembly earlier this year, and that would prohibit further discrimination in funding special education programs.

✰✰✰

MARINE CORPS CREATIVITY AWARDS: The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation has revived, after a one-year hiatus, its annual program granting a series of awards for creative works preserving or advancing this military branch’s history, traditions, culture or service. Nominations and the free application process are now open, with a deadline of Jan. 15, for Marines and civilians eligible for 17 categories, including journalism, documentary, literature, screenplay, photography and poetry.

Winners will attend the April 30, 2022 ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, and will receive a gold medallion award, commemorative brick in Semper Fidelis Memorial Park, and a $2,000 cash prize if applicable.

✰✰✰

IN PUBLIC SERVICE: REP. MALONEY’S STATEMENT ON SIGNING OF INFRASTRUCTURE ACT — Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-12), part of whose district includes Greenpoint and parts of Williamsburg, said, “Today, President Biden made a once-in-a-generation investment to rebuild our nation’s roads and bridges, create millions of good-paying jobs, and make our communities more resilient. I know that there are few better ways to improve our communities and create good-paying jobs than infrastructure investments, which is why I proudly voted for this bill.”

“America’s crumbling and outdated infrastructure weakens our economy, hurts families, and causes added costs and delays for American businesses bringing their goods to market. By signing this bill today, we ensured $550 billion in new federal funding for these imperative needs,” said Maloney, who also heralded the need for Congress to pass the Build Back Better Act.

✰✰✰

IPS NEWS: STREET MEET AGAINST VIOLENCE The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with the NYPD & Cooper Park Residents Council, Inc. are sponsoring STREET MEET AGAINST VIOLENCE this Thursday, Nov. 18. “We are tired of our youth getting shot. It is time to put down the guns, and make a difference — join us for an in-depth conversation on how to make effective change,” they declare, setting the mission for this event.

The STREET MEET runs from 3 to 6 p.m. at Jackson Street & Debevoise Ave. in Williamsburg.

✰✰✰

FARMSTAND ON NOSTRAND AVE.: Brooklynites looking for healthy produce and farm products can purchase fresh, locally-grown vegetables, fruit, honey, bread, eggs and more at the Crown Heights Farmstand on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Farmstand, at Nostrand Avenue and Sullivan Place, is made possible through Grow NYC, and is funded through the office of Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, who worked to mitigate the loss of the Associated Supermarket at that location. SNAP/EBT and Health Bucks and cash are among the payments accepted.

“Brooklyn Community Board 9 is happy to welcome the farmstand as one way to help mitigate the loss of the supermarket by bringing fresh produce directly into the community while also promoting healthier eating,” said Brooklyn CB 9 District Manager Dante B. Arnwine at the opening last month

✰✰✰

IPS NEWS: IMPROVING ELECTION SYSTEM IN NEW YORK — State Senator Zellnor Y. Myrie, chair of the Senate Elections Committee, has released a comprehensive report on improving New York’s system of election administration and protecting the rights of voters. The report includes a historical overview of how New York’s elections have developed over time, along with recent issues impacting voters, a review of the Committee’s statewide hearings, and recommendations to improve election administration and strengthen democracy in New York. Among the primary reforms recommended are restructuring the New York City Board of Elections, reforming the local Boards of Elections outside of NYC, and changing the relationship between the State Board of Elections and local Boards of Elections

This report was conducted in the wake of a highly-publicized tabulation error during the June primaries by the New York City Board of Elections, prompting Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins to call for hearings on election reform and legislative action to improve elections and protect voting rights.

✰✰✰

THANKSGIVING MEAL OUTREACH: The North Brooklyn Angels, building on the success of last year’s Thanksgiving celebration at the Brooklyn Expo Center, are expanding their outreach this holiday season, and are seeking sponsorships. The Angels have reignited “Neighbors Giving Thanks,” a project orchestrated by their Board of Directors and local volunteers that will include the distribution of almost 1,000 frozen turkeys to local families in need, the preparation and distribution of over 1,000 delicious holiday meals at their regular community outposts on the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

November 25, Thanksgiving Day, the Angels will serve over 400 safe, socially-distanced sit-down Thanksgiving Day meals at the Brooklyn Expo Center to local neighbors (with grab n’ go and delivery options available of freshly packaged meals).