Mayor Releases Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2022 of $92.28 billion

Mayor's Coming to the Bronx, and He's Bringing City Hall With Him

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio presented the City’s preliminary budget for fiscal year 2022 (FY22), on Thursday, Jan. 14. The preliminary budget is $92.28 billion and the mayor said after the one of the most painful years in the City’s history, it charts a path to recovery while making responsible choices in light of steep revenue losses due to COVID-19. “President-elect Biden will help our recovery by increasing FEMA reimbursement,” the mayor said. “And new Democratic majorities in Congress must move us forward with a federal COVID relief package that includes direct local aid.” Officials from

By DAVID GREENE

New York Congressman, Adriano Espaillat, who represents parts of the Bronx and Manhattan, announced on Twitter that he has tested positive for the coronavirus and is now under quarantine. In the first of three tweets, Espaillat posted at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 14, writing, “I am following the guidance from my physician and quarantining at home after having tested positive for COVID-19.” As reported by Norwood News, the congressman was first vaccinated with the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at the United States Capitol on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. On Jan. 14, Espaillat added to his first tweet, writing, “I

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, will re-open the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan portal to PPP-eligible lenders with $1 billion or less in assets for first and second draw applications on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021 at 9 a.m. EST. The portal will later fully open to all participating PPP lenders on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021 to submit first and second draw loan applications to the SBA. Earlier this week, the SBA granted dedicated PPP access to community financial institutions (CFIs) which included community development financial institutions (CDFIs), minority depository institutions (MDIs),

By SÍLE MOLONEY

House New York Inc., the educational philanthropic arm of the New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH) recently launched a PILOT program to repurpose underutilized community and common spaces in two Bronx affordable residences for educational use. Under the program, these two spaces are being used as safe and staffed learning environments for students who might not otherwise have access to reliable WiFi during this era of hybrid learning. As the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has forced many students to learn remotely on either a full or part-time basis, the digital divide has been significantly exacerbated, disproportionately impacting low-income children

Bronx Projects Take Center Stage in State of the City

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx Borough President, Ruben Díaz Jr., announced on Wednesday, Jan. 13, his endorsement of Eric Dinowitz, male district leader of the 81st assembly district and son of Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, in his bid to win the 11th City Council District race for which a special election will be held on March 23. “I have seen the great work Eric has done as Democratic district leader and chair of the aging committee on Community Board 8,” said the borough president. “He has a true record of accomplishments for the district. Whether that is changing lives through his work as a

Crime File: Another Heroin Death in the Bronx

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced on Wednesday, Jan. 13, that some MTA services will operate on special schedules in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 18. For those traveling during the holiday, service details are outlined below. New York City Subway, Buses and Staten Island Railway On Monday, Jan. 18, the New York City Subway and Staten Island Railway will operate on regular weekday schedules. Customers are advised to use the MYmta app or MTA.info to plan their trips. New York City buses will operate on a modified weekday schedule. Local, express, Limited,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Wednesday, Jan. 13, former New York State Attorney General [the 61st], former Bronx City Councilman, and former State Assemblyman, Oliver Koppell, announced his endorsement of Jessica Haller, City Council candidate in the 11th District race for which a special election will be held on March 23. “Jessica Haller has the independence, experience, and commitment to policies that will improve our local communities and the whole city,” said Koppell. “She shares my commitment to open government, progressive public policies, protecting and improving the environment, and vigorously supporting public education. She is a grassroots community activist and a welcome change from

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx Borough President, Ruben Díaz Jr., is once again inviting Bronx residents to make a difference in their community by applying to join their local Community Board. The Office of The Bronx Borough President will be accepting applications for all 12 Bronx Community Boards from city residents who reside, work or have professional or other significant interests in the borough. “Participation on local Community Boards can provide Bronx residents with a forum to share with their community their expertise and talents,” said Díaz. “There are great things happening in The Bronx that involve the participation of community boards. It

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) will hold a public comment hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 13, on its new rules which were proposed last year and which if put in place would restart investigations by the agency into allegations of sexual misconduct by NYPD officers. The new rules would also allow the CCRB to investigate allegations of false official statements made by NYPD officers against civilians in official proceedings, or on official police paperwork. The proposed new rules can be found here. CCRB officials said all New Yorkers are welcome to attend and submit public comment

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Archive

Congressman Adriano Espaillat Tests Positive for COVID-19

Paycheck Protection Program Reopens to Small Lenders Jan. 15, and to All Lenders Jan. 19

“Community Classrooms” Provide Bronx Students with Internet Access to Help with Remote Learning

Bronx BP Endorses Eric Dinowitz in 11th City Council Race

MTA Announces Service Options for Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Former NYS AG Oliver Koppell Endorses Jessica Haller in 11th City Council Race

Bronx BP Diaz Urges Bronx Residents To Apply To Local Community Boards, Deadline Feb. 5

CCRB Public Hearing Jan. 13 on Expanding Agency’s Remit to Investigate Alleged NYPD Sexual Misconduct