BENSONHURST'S PREMIER NEWS BLOG

Resorts World Casino at the Aquaduct, in Queens. (Source: NYCGO)

Opponents of a Coney Island casino can breathe a little easier today, knowing that Governor Andrew Cuomo has scaled back his support for casino gambling in New York, and is ruling it out entirely in New York City.

During his State of the State address yesterday, New York’s chief executive said the state should begin with only three full-scale casinos – not seven, as is currently being considered by the legislature – and that all three be established upstate.

“We propose a casino plan to boost upstate development,” Cuomo said. “I believe casinos in upstate New York could be a great magnet to bring the New York City traffic up. They now go to New Jersey, they go to Connecticut – why don’t we bring them to upstate New York?”

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Source: Spoonchen via Flickr

After Hurricane Sandy, many gas stations around the city were closed. For the ones that remained open, gas lines were so long that a rationing system had to be enacted on November 9. To keep more gas available for motorists after disaster strikes, Senator Marty Golden and Assemblymembers Nicole Malliotakis, Jim Tedisco and Pete Lopez want to enact a tax incentive for gas stations to purchase and pay for generators.

According to the Legislative Gazette:

The legislation would provide a tax credit of up to $15,000 to encourage gas stations and convenience stores across the state to install commercial generators to keep gas flowing when the power grid is down. A commercial-size generator costs between $5,000 and $30,000 to install and up to another $8,000 a year to maintain, according to the lawmakers.

On his Facebook page, Golden wrote:

Today, I joined Assembly members Nicole Malliotakis, Jim Tedisco and Pete Lopez in announcing that we are drafting new legislation to help prevent the long lines and long waits for gas that occurred following Superstorm Sandy. The legislation would provide a tax credit of up to $15,000 to encourage gas stations and convenience stores across the state to install commercial generators to keep gas flowing when the power grid is down.

As we begin a new legislative session, the people of New York City and State will look to see how New York’s government will address, and thus take measures to prevent, a gas crisis like we saw following Superstorm Sandy. This tax incentive will encourage gas stations to take the necessary steps to be ready for such instances. A common sense solution like this will prevent the long lines, the arguments and give people peace of mind, knowing they will be able to get gas and subsequently travel.

This plan is one of many that have been presented to Governor Andrew Cuomo regarding effective disaster planning for the future.

Source: assembly.state.ny.us

From the office of Assemblyman William Colton:

Assemblyman William Colton (D-Brooklyn) is announcing the creation of an enhanced New York State driver’s license for all veterans. Starting next year, all veterans will have the option to have a notation placed on their license or I.D. card indicating their veteran status. The piece of legislation creating this new option for veterans was co-sponsored by Assemblyman Colton and recently signed into law by Governor Cuomo. Veterans will not have to pay an extra fee for the notation. The new law will take effect next fall.

The purpose of this legislation is to assist veterans in easily providing proof of service when applying for employment opportunities and to receive certain benefits or discounts from businesses. Instead of the hassle of keeping track of numerous service paperwork or waiting years for lost documents/medals due to Hurricane Sandy to be re-issued, veterans will be able to rely on the new state card as a one-stop shop for proof. Once verified, the new card will clearly have stated on it “U.S. Veteran,” to provide some convenience to veterans that reside in New York.

The signing of this legislation also comes on the heels of Assemblyman Colton’s support for the creation of a Veterans’ Jobs Portal on the Division of Veterans’ Affairs website, which aims to help connect unemployed veterans to job opportunities in the state, and his “Veterans’ Appreciation Night”, which was held at the United Progressive Democratic Club and honored local heroes returning to the states from Iraq. The event was organized and emceed by Club President Mark Treyger.

“Each year I look forward to supporting additional veterans’ legislation which builds on the successes of the previous year. While this law is a relatively small gesture compared to the sacrifices made by our brave men and women, it will definitely help veterans to easily obtain benefits and discounts offered by local businesses,” Assemblyman Colton said.

“Whatever our government can do to make the lives of our heroes easier is worth fighting for and getting done. I applaud Assemblyman Colton and his colleagues for making this happen,” stated supporter of the new law and UPDC President Mark Treyger.

The extensive line to board the Atlantic Avenue shuttle bus well after rush hour.

• Limited service on the 7 train.
• The 4, 5 and F trains will may ready to go two hours after power is restored by Con Ed.
• 1 tube of the Holland Tunnel will be open for buses only.

Clean here for the rest of the MTA Service Map.

(via News12)

Click to enlarge. Source: MTA

The MTA is slowly opening subways for public use. Keep in mind there is no direct route from Brooklyn to Manhattan yet. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the MTA’s subway, bus and commuter rail services will be free today.

Here’s your transit schedule for November 1. As of rush hour tomorrow morning you can expect the following on your subway commute:

1 train between 242nd Street in the Bronx and Times Square-42nd Street.

2 train between 241st Street in the Bronx and Times Square-42nd Street.

2 train express service between 96th Street and Times Square.

4 trains will operate in two sections making all local stops:
Between Woodlawn (Bronx) and Grand Central-42nd Street.
Between Borough Hall and New Lots Avenue.

5 trains will operate express in Brooklyn between Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center and Flatbush Avenue.

6 trains will operate local between Pelham Bay Park and Grand Central-42nd Street.

42nd Street Shuttle S trains will operate between Times Square and Grand Central.

A trains will operate in two sections making all local stops:
Between 168th Street (Manhattan) and 34th Street-Penn Station.
Between Jay Street/MetroTech and Lefferts Blvd.

D trains operate in two sections:
Between 205th Street (Bronx) and 34th Street-Herald Square making all local stops.
In Brooklyn, between Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center and Bay Parkway making express stops between Pacific Street and 36th Street.

F trains operate in two sections making all local stops:

Between 179th Street (Queens) and 34th Street-Herald Square.
In Brooklyn, between Jay Street-MetroTech and Avenue X.

J trains operate between Jamaica Center and Hewes Street making all local stops.

L trains operate between Broadway Junction and rockaway Parkway making all local stops.

M trains operate between Myrtle Avenue-Broadway and Metropolitan Avenue.

N trains operate between Ditmars Blvd. (Queens) and 34th Street-Herald Square making all local stops.

R trains operate in Brooklyn between Jay Street-MetroTech and 95th Street making all local stops.

Both the Franklin Avenue and Rockaway Park S shuttles are suspended.

Shuttle Buses:
All shuttle buses will operate north on 3rd Avenue and south on Lexington Avenue.

Between Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center and 57th Street-Lexington Avenue via the Manhattan Bridge.

Between Jay Street-MetroTech and 57th Street-Lexington Avenue via the Manhattan Bridge.

Between Hewes Street and 57th Street-Lexington Avenue via the Williamsburg Bridge.

(via The Observer)

Image courtesy of NYSenate.gov

State Senator Marty Golden’s most recent gun bill has received early support from Mayor Bloomberg, as the issue takes center stage in the campaign to keep his seat.

Golden plans to stiffen penalties against people who plant “community guns” – weapons hidden in locations for use by gang members and other criminals.

“Today you have a person or a gang that will have one gun that all its members use and know where it is,” said Golden. “Gun sharing is the latest tactic used to get illegal firearms in the hands of criminals and this necessary legislation will hold accountable not just those people who commit the crimes, but those make the illegal guns available.”

The bill would bring felony charges against anyone who shares a gun that is later used in a violent crime. Prosecutors have difficulty bringing charges in such cases because they must prove the person knew the shared gun was going to be used for a crime.

Senate Republicans plan to support the bill when the Legislature begins session in January.

Democrats have been pushing their own gun-control bills, while State Senate Candidate Andrew Gounardes recently issued a press release criticizing Golden’s “complete failure to pass common sense gun laws.”

Gounardes points out that a 2010 bill on microstamping failed to come to a vote after Golden left the Senate room to take a phone call. Microstamping is a process which imprints bullet casings with the make, model, and serial number of the gun from which they were fired.

Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bloomberg have been pushing politicians, including both presidential campaigns, to address the issue of gun violence.

In March, Senator Golden sponsored two bills that were passed by the Senate. One bill increased the penalties for criminals who display a gun during a crime and the other bill lengthened the jail sentence for criminal sale or possession of a weapon at a residence of a child or in the presence of a child.

Source: eagle102.net via Wikimedia Commons

Legislation sponsored by Senator Martin Golden was signed into law today to help returning war veterans find employment.

The law, signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo, expands the employment section on the Division of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) website. The website will now include links to state and federal governmental programs that will assist veterans in finding employment, as well as resources from the federal and state labor departments.

“Military veterans are highly trained, often in specialized skills that are in great demand in the public and private sectors,” Cuomo said. “It is essential that our returning service men and women have access to the many resources available on the state and federal level to help veterans find jobs in the civilian workforce.”

This legislation builds on other Cuomo-backed efforts to help military veterans find work. In November 2011, he launched the “Experience Counts” campaign. This is a statewide initiative that recognizes life skills gained while in the service as specialized training. For example, if a veteran applying for commercial driving licensing has military experience operating a similar vehicle, the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles will wave a road test.

“Our government must support these men and women as best as possible, for these soldiers have made sure that we remain a safe and free nation,” said Golden.

Source: MGA73bot2 via Wikimedia Commons

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to assist low-income New Yorkers whose health issues pose a medical emergency during the hot summer months has garnered applause from Councilman Vincent Gentile.

“Last winter I was proud to team up with Governor Cuomo and the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to make my Bay Ridge office an official HEAP Headquarters,” Councilman Gentile said. “We were able to provide assistance to many people – helping them pay their electricity, propane, natural gas, wood, oil, kerosene, coal, or any other heating fuel during the cold winter months. It only makes sense that we would team up again in the summer to keep these same low-income New Yorkers cool and safe.”

Governor Andrew Cuomo set aside $3 million in funding so that New Yorkers could receive air conditioners.

Eligibility for the program is determined by:

·         LIHEAP low-income guidelines. For a four-person household, the maximum gross annual income to qualify is approximately $49,500.

·         Having at least one household member who has been diagnosed with a chronic or acute medical condition which is aggravated by exposure to extreme heat situations.

·         A doctor providing written documentation (dated within the last six months) that air-conditioning assistance is critical to prevent a heat emergency.
Those who want to see if they qualify should visit www.mybenefits.ny.gov, call 1-800-342-3009, or contact Councilman Gentile’s office Monday through Thursday from 9:30 am until 5:30 pm at 718-748-5200.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has asked New Yorkers to add their own artistic touch to the state’s iconic “I Love New York” tourism campaign.

Cuomo put the creative call out for folks to submit artwork showcasing what they love about the state. He intends for the tourism board to use these sketches to replace the “heart” icon.

The $5 million advertising campaign will feature TV ads for NYC Taxi TV and ads on the Travel Channel, Food Network and other major stations.

“This campaign reinvents one of our state’s great assets, the ‘I Love NY’ icon, which is known the world over as one of the most successful advertising symbols ever,” Cuomo said in a release. “This campaign brings that icon to life in order to highlight all of the things people love about New York.”

Promotional ads ran yesterday for the first time depicting pizza slices and hot-air balloons.

Submissions can be sent by email at submit [at] followyourheartny [dot] com. There are no prizes, just a collective art show that will be posted online.

The above heart logo replacement is a cannoli (other similar looking foods will be accepted too) and it just may be the official submission from the Bean.

Source: Rotational via Wikimedia Commons

Medical marijuana is legal in 16 states. Is New York on track to become number 17?

That could be the case as New York lawmakers are getting ready for a legislative push in Albany, where similar bills have been stalled before.

Co-sponsor of the bill, local Democratic State Senator Diane Savino hopes so.

The bill states that patients would have to be certified by a doctor for “serious medical conditions” only. The issued licenses would expire after a year. Also, the medical marijuana could not be consumed or displayed in public.

Savino’s support of the bill stems from watching her parents and grandfather die of terminal cancer.

“This is not about getting high; this is about getting relief,” Savino told the Wall Street Journal. “It’s incredibly painful. You only have morphine. You get to the point where nothing works.”

In 2010, Quinnipiac University ran a poll that showed a 71 percent rate of support from New York’s registered voters for medically prescribed marijuana usage.

Governor Andrew Coumo’s legislative session ends in June, allowing for only a small window of time for the bill to pass.

When asked by Capital Tonight about the possibility of passing the bill by then, Governor Cuomo replied, “I understand the benefits, but there are also risks and I think the risks outweigh the benefits at this point. I understand there’s more research and there’s more evidence and it can always be re-evaluated. I don’t think there’s going to be time this legislative session to analyze that issue.”

Readers, what do you think? Is this the way forward for New York?