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** Dear Neighbors,
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As you are no doubt aware, the City Council passed New York City's FY21 budget late Tuesday night. Together with 16 other Council Members, I voted "no" on the budget. I strongly believe that this budget imposes sacrifices -- prompted by COVID and the economic downturn -- on people who can least afford it.

Many of you wrote or called our office, urging me to support $1 billion in cuts to the NYPD, and the re-direction of those funds toward mental health services, youth programming, and other critical needs. I agreed with you and am deeply moved by Black Lives Matter. While this budget reduces actual funding for the NYPD by several hundred million dollars, it does not meaningfully demilitarize our police force, nor reduce its true scale.

More centrally, this budget does not address our core fiscal problem -- a revenue shortfall. The cuts in the FY21 budget - and quite possibly in budgets to come - will hurt the very people most deeply impacted by this crisis, including essential workers. This, in turn, will impact our economic recovery and future revenue for City services.

The enormous shortfall in the FY21 City budget (caused by a 10% drop in revenue) has been addressed through two main ways -- drawing on $4 billion in reserves and cutting $4 billion in spending. As a member of the Council's Budget Negotiation Team, I fought tooth and nail to shift the impact of those cuts away from the most vulnerable, and we did have some key victories.

Services for seniors have remained largely intact, as have housing programs and domestic violence services. I was especially focused on saving critical programs for young New Yorkers-- such as the Summer Youth Employment Program and CUNY ASAP. As NY1's Errol Louis noted, every dollar spent on our young people will come back to the city many times over in the form of better jobs, higher salaries, and taxes paid.

New Yorkers camped outside City Hall for days to demand $1 billion in cuts to the NYPD, and a City budget that prioritizes the needs of residents. As I and my colleagues prepared to vote, our remarks were aired live.

Overall, my colleagues and I fought for and retained $700 million for programs and initiatives that had been cut by the Mayor ([link removed]) . These programs and initiatives provide support for our young people, schools, seniors, and low-income communities of color, to name a few.

I will be following up next week with much more detail about the budget, especially funding for programs in District 6. As I've said countless times, a better way to approach our revenue shortfall is through a combination of spending cuts, borrowing, and new sources of revenue. The Council Speaker, Mayor, and Public Advocate have all expressed support for borrowing, and borrowing authority was given to the City after 9/11.

At the same time, we can tap into other available revenue sources, such as temporarily halting the rebate of the Securities Transfer Tax. (This requires state authorization and I am introducing a City Council resolution calling for that.)
It’s only fair to ask those profiting from the financial markets, and government support for those markets, to repay a portion of the benefits they have received.

Our country's response to the Great Depression was to find every possible way to put people back to work and mitigate human suffering. Our approach should be the same now. I will keep fighting for more fair and sustainable public finance solutions, which give our residents, and our battered local economy, the support we need to recover.

School Will Re-Open This Fall!
Please join me to discuss re-opening plans at our Education Town Hall with NYC DOE Deputy Chancellor Adrienne Austin next Thursday, July 9th at 7pm.

You can watch or listen to the July 9th Town Hall by:
* Clicking here ([link removed]) (webinar ID: 990 5117 4311); or
* Calling 1-646-558-8656 (ID: 990 5117 4311#)
* Password: 1625

Summer in the City ([link removed]) offers over 75 classes for kids this summer - ages Pre-K to 2020 high school grads! Classes are FREE, and taught live in real-time, via Zoom. Summer in the City classes -- all new-- are from the Bronx River Arts Center, Staten Island Museum, Brooklyn Ballet, Clemente Center, Lewis Latimer House, Dwana Smallwood Performing Arts Center, Guggenheim Museum, and many other wonderful NYC institutions. Register on-line ([link removed]) .

2020 Census: NYC Needs You!
Just over half of New York City residents have responded to the 2020 Census. It is absolutely essential --for fair representation in government, equitable public funding, and much more-- that all New Yorkers participate. Every household has the option of responding online, by phone, or by mail. Learn more here ([link removed]) .

Help increase the Upper West Side's Census participation rate!
* Please forward this email to any neighbors that might be out of town-- urge them to complete the Census, using their NYC address.
* Click here ([link removed]) to learn about volunteer opportunities!
* Download this flyer ([link removed]) to post in your building.

Phase 3: Re-Opening
New York City is still on track to enter Phase 3 ([link removed]) this Monday July 6th, but the re-start of indoor dining has been delayed. The City will reopen recreational amenities and outdoor courts in local parks. This includes soccer fields and basketball, tennis, volleyball, bocce, and handball courts. The City will also reopen dog runs for public use.

Qualifying restaurants and bars continue to expand outdoor seating on sidewalks, curb lanes, backyards, patios, plazas, and Open Streets. Roadway seating will last through September 8th, and sidewalk seating will last through October 31st, 2020.

Learn more about the City's Open Restaurants program, see a siting diagram, read the updated guidelines, and learn how to self-certify here ([link removed]) . FAQs: here ([link removed]) .

Restaurants will appear in this Open Restaurants Map and dashboard ([link removed]) as soon as they self-certify. (Note: you may need to clear your browser history for the portal to load.)
* Business owners can call 1-888-SBS-4NYC with questions.
* Restaurants can work with their local BID and the Dept of Transportation to request additional seating in plazas by emailing [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

As we re-open, it is critical that any resident who is concerned about possible exposure to the coronavirus get tested. COVID-19 testing is available for all New Yorkers. To find a testing site near you, type your address here ([link removed]) , or call 311.

Emergency Food Relief
Please be advised that the City's meal delivery programs and Grab & Go meal pick-up sites are all operating during the July 4th holiday. For more information about how to obtain emergency food, please click here ([link removed]) .

Goddard Riverside COVID-19 Emergency Relief Program
Any resident who is currently registered in a Goddard Riverside program can apply for one-time financial assistance if they have lost their job, income, or experienced other pandemic-related issues. Applications are considered regardless of immigration status.

Examples of eligible expenses ($500 or less) include: emergency food; rent; personal care items; utility, internet or telephone bills; emergency services (e.g. delivery of prescriptions or transportation to a medical appointment); and technology needed to maintain education, such as headphones, tablet, or laptop. Aid requested should not be covered by a government program, unless the aid is a bridge until government assistance arrives.

To obtain an application form, please click here ([link removed]) or call the Goddard Riverside Resource Center at 212-234-3481. Applications and questions should be emailed to: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

Blood Donations Needed
The cancellation of blood drives during the pandemic has significantly impacted supply levels. Please consider donating blood. New Yorkers can make an appointment by visiting nybc.org ([link removed]) or calling 800-933-2566.

Resources for Upper West Siders

My office is working with seniors, the disabled, the recently un (or under) employed, the food insecure, people with housing issues, and all those suffering the many consequences of this pandemic, to help in any way we can.

Please call (212) 873-0282, leave a message and we will call you back as soon as possible; email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) ; or check our website, HelenRosenthal.com ([link removed]) . We update it on a daily basis with information about public benefits, non-profit resources, and health facts Upper West Siders need to get through this crisis.

Also, please visit the City's COVID-19 information portal: nyc.gov/coronavirus ([link removed]) .

Cooling Assistance
* New York City's Human Resources Administration is providing a “Cooling Assistance” benefit, which helps eligible households buy and install an air conditioner or fan up to a cost of $800. Learn more and apply here ([link removed]) .
* NYCHA seniors & other vulnerable residents can receive a free AC unit and have it installed. Eligibility: NYCHA residents age 60+, and/or with a mobility impairment, and/or that are on life sustaining equipment, and do not have an air conditioner. Eligible NYCHA residents are receiving robocalls. Anyone who missed the robocalls please call (718) 707-7771.
* In addition to safely opening fire hydrants, the City is adding hundreds of water features across the five boroughs to help New Yorkers stay cool. Learn more using the Cool It! NYC map ([link removed]) .

Resources for Small Businesses
* NYC Business Restart Hotline: 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692) for any small business who needs help or is seeking guidance on Phase 2 of the reopening.
* Small business and non-profit employer guides available here ([link removed]) .
* Additional resources & guidance from NYC Small Business Services: nyc.gov/covid19biz ([link removed]) + Reopening Guide ([link removed]) + informational palm card ([link removed]) .
* The City is providing 4 million face coverings for small businesses and their employees. Find a distribution site here ([link removed]) .
* The deadline for the federal Paycheck Protection Program has just been extended to August 8th. Click here to learn about the program ([link removed]) .
* The NY Forward Loan Fund is assisting businesses and organizations who have upfront safety expenses under the New York Forward Re-open Plan (e.g., inventory, marketing, refitting for new social distancing guidelines). Available for businesses with 20 or fewer full-time equivalent employees, nonprofits, and small landlords that have seen a loss of rental income. Learn more here ([link removed]) .

Resources for Working New Yorkers
Call 311 or (212) 436-0381 with questions about reopening, health and safety guidelines for the workplace, or to report an employer that is not following reopening requirements. You will be connected to the NYC Dept of Consumer & Worker Protection for immediate assistance. Information on worker rights and guidance is also available online: nyc.gov/coronavirus ([link removed]) .

Trained attorneys are available to answer questions about the various unemployment programs and how to approach denial of benefits through Volunteers of Legal Service's Unemployed Workers Project. Call VOLS' hotline at 347-521-5720 or fill out their interest form here ([link removed]) . Download their flyer about unemployment benefits here ([link removed]) .

As always, please stay home to every extent possible for the safety of everyone. You can review NYC Dept of Health guidelines here ([link removed]) .

Please stay well and share some kindness with yourself and the people around you.

Warmly,
P.S. Please forward this newsletter to anyone you think might be interested, or have them subscribe to my e-blasts here ([link removed]) . Also, follow my social media accounts on Twitter ([link removed]) , Facebook ([link removed]) , and/or Instagram ([link removed]) .

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