Fall 2019 Assemblyman CYMBROWITZ Reports to the Community

1800 Sheepshead Bay Road • , NY 11235 • 718-743-4078 [email protected]

Dear Friend, Legislative Accomplishments Another legislative session is behind us, and I’m pleased to report that we’ve achieved Chapter numbers are shown for legislation signed into law by many important successes for our community, the Governor, and bill numbers are shown for bills awaiting the city and state. As Chair of the Assembly’s Governor’s signature. Housing Committee, I was instrumental in ■ Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 crafting the landmark Housing Stability and (Chapter 36) Tenant Protection Act, the strongest rent FOR RENT REGULATED TENANTS: • Makes rent protections regulation legislation ever passed in New permanent • Ends 20% vacancy bonus and longevity increases which York State, which will better protect millions previously discouraged landlords from keeping long term tenants • of tenants from unfair practices by some Repeals high-rent and high-income decontrol • Extends window to landlords while safeguarding affordable file for rent overcharges to at least six years • Sets maximum increase housing across the state. for rent control apartments to the average of the last five years of RGB increases or 7.5%, whichever is less. After so many years of passing bills in the Assembly only to watch them die in the State PREFERENTIAL RENT: Preferential rents are the base rent for duration Senate, it was a tremendous relief to finally of a tenancy and can be raised only by the annual increases set by have a partnership with the Senate and to the Rent Guidelines Board. be able to deliver legislation that we long MAJOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT (MCI) REFORM: • Limits championed. There is certainly more work to approvals for work to essential building functions and other be done, but I am energized and optimistic improvements (such as heat, plumbing, windows, roofing) and excludes as we work together to accomplish even maintenance • Limits spending to HCR schedule of reasonable more in 2020. costs for improvements • Prohibits MCI approval where landlord has hazardous violations on building • Caps MCI increase at 2% annually Please take a few minutes to read this (down from 6%) • Adjusts MCI increase caps retroactively for seven newsletter, which contains important years for existing tenants • MCI calculations are changed to be more information on new laws, as well as events affordable for tenants. • MCI will be a separate rent surcharge instead and things I’ve been doing in our community. and will cease after 30 years. INDIVIDUAL APARTMENT IMPROVEMENT (IAI) REFORM: In the years I’ve been in the Assembly I’ve • Limits rent increases to $15,000 total, and up to 3 times in any 15 year been privileged to represent people who period • IAI calculations are changed to be more affordable for tenants. do not hesitate to let me know what they • IAI will be a separate rent surcharge and will cease after 30 years. think about our community, especially when FOR ALL TENANTS: • Bans tenant blacklists and prohibits landlord it comes to quality-of-life issues. I encourage retaliation • Prohibits application fees except for up to $20 for you to keep your thoughts and ideas coming. background or credit checks • Limits late fees to the lesser of $50 or When we work on solving problems together, 5% of monthly rent • Allows tenants to pay full rent arrears before an it unites us in our mission to improve the eviction hearing to avoid eviction • Guarantees tenants facing eviction community we all share. at least one adjournment of at least 14 days • Allows a judge to stay My district office is located at 1800 an eviction for up to one year when the tenant cannot find suitable housing in the same neighborhood or in cases of extreme hardship Sheepshead Bay Road and my staff • Limits security deposits to one month’s rent and requires return of and I are here to serve you. We’re open the deposit within 14 days of the end of occupancy with an itemized Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. statement for any portion of the deposit withheld • Requires notice You can reach me at (718) 743-4078 of rent increase or non-renewal of at least 30 days (occupied for less or email [email protected]. If than one year), 60 days (occupied between one and two years), and you’re on social media, please “like” and 90 days (more than two years). follow my page on Facebook at facebook. com/AssemblymanStevenCymbrowitz, on ■ Voting Reform Twitter at @SteveCym, and on Instagram at (Chapter 2) • Allows 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote. @stevencymbrowitz. (Chapter 3) • Automatically transfers voter registration between Thanks for your support and I look forward counties in New York State when somebody moves. to hearing from you. (Chapter 5) • Combines all primaries (except for President) to the 4th Tuesday in June. Sincerely, (Chapter 6) • Establishes 10 early voting days for all elections. ■ Education (Chapter 27) • Eliminates mandatory use of state-created or “Like” Us On administered tests in teacher and principal evaluations. Steven H. Cymbrowitz Member of Assembly continued inside... Legislative Accomplishments ... continued

■ Criminal Justice (Chapter 131) • Reduces the penalty for unlawful possession of marijuana to a violation punishable by a fine and removing criminal penalties for possession of any amount of marijuana under two ounces; creates a process for individuals with certain marijuana convictions to have their records expunged both retroactively and for future convictions. (Chapter 11) • Begins statute of limitations for sex crimes against minors at age 23, instead of 18; increases statute of limitations for civil actions for sex crimes against minors until age 55. ■ Supporting Workers (A.584) • Prohibits employers from discriminating against employees based on their personal reproductive health decisions; provides recourse for such violations. ■ Public Health (Chapter 35) • Repeals all non-medical exemptions to school vaccine requirements in New York State (public and private schools). (Chapter 25) • Requires health insurance providers to cover FDA-approved contraceptive drugs. (Chapter 1) • Codifies Roe v. Wade in New York State. ■ Transportation Congestion Pricing • Authorizes the establishment of a central business district tolling program in (60th Street (Chapter 59) and below, not including the highways); revenue will be lock-boxed for improvements to mass transit; details to be implemented by Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority upon recommendation of a Traffic Mobility Review Board with recommendations due between November 15, 2020 and December 31, 2020. Speed Cameras • Authorizes the City of New York to implement speed cameras in 750 school zones. (Chapter 30) ■ Climate Protection (Chapter 58) • Prohibits plastic carry-out bags and authorizes localities to impose 5-cent surcharge on paper bags (exempting SNAP/WIC recipients) • Dedicates 40% of revenue to reusable bag distribution in low- and fixed-income communities, with the rest going to the Environmental Protection Fund Ban Off-Shore Drilling. (Chapter 29) • Prohibits leasing of state-owned underwater coastal lands for oil and natural gas drilling; restricts corporations from developing pipelines in the North Atlantic Planning Area.

Slow Down: Assemblyman Cymbrowitz Announces New Speed Camera for Manhattan Beach

Action by Assemblyman Cymbrowitz has brought a second mobile speed camera to speeding-prone Manhattan Beach. As per the expanded school zone speed camera law, which Assemblyman Cymbrowitz multi-sponsored in the Assembly, the cameras operate year-round on weekdays between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., including summer and school vacations. Three years ago, at the community’s request, Assemblyman Cymbrowitz helped Manhattan Beach secure a mobile speed camera, which was successful in slowing down area drivers. DOT subsequently installed a permanent camera on Shore Boulevard. When fully implemented, the new speed camera law will expand the maximum number of school speed zones from 140 to 750 and will cover a quarter-mile radius from every school. Since the program’s launch in 2014, speeding at locations with cameras has decreased by more than 60 percent.

Honoring Brighton Beach’s Legendary Barber

Jack’s Barber Shop was a staple of the Brighton Beach community for more than 50 years. When Assemblyman Cymbrowitz heard that owner Jack Skolnick was planning to close his shop to spend more time with his family, he decided to present Jack with an Assembly Proclamation in appreciation of his decades of dedicated service to thousands of community residents (the Assemblyman included). “I know I speak for all of Jack’s customers in wishing him many more years of good health and enjoyment as he embarks on his retirement,” Assemblyman Cymbrowitz said. Sheepshead Bay Hosts Summer Stroll & Health Fair

Sheepshead Bay Road was filled with activities galore at the annual Sheepshead Bay Summer Stroll & Health Fair, hosted by Assemblyman Cymbrowitz, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Kingsborough Community College and the Sheepshead Bay Merchants Association. Highlights included a “Man. vs. Hero” sandwich-eating contest sponsored by Jimmy’s Famous Heros, free health screenings and activities for kids. Many thanks to the sponsors who helped make the day a memorable success.

Celebrating ‘Woody Guthrie Way’ Assemblyman Cymbrowitz presented an Assembly Resolution celebrating the dedication of Woody Guthrie Way in honor of the legendary folk singer and activist who raised his family in Coney Island. Thanks to Councilman Mark Treyger for sponsoring the co-naming in the City Council and to Rabbi Andy Bachman – a social activist in his own right – for first approaching Assemblyman Cymbrowitz with the idea. Shown here are (l. to r.) Councilman Mark Treyger, Rabbi Andy Bachman, Councilman Brad Lander, Assemblyman Cymbrowitz, and Woody Guthrie’s children, folk singer Arlo Guthrie and Nora Guthrie.

Welcoming The 61st Precinct’s New C.O. Assemblyman Cymbrowitz welcomed Capt. Gaby Celiba, the new Commanding Officer of the 61st Precinct, into his office to discuss community issues including speeding and traffic in Manhattan Beach, maintaining the ban on party boats loading and unloading on Emmons Avenue, and maintaining and enhancing the safety of the people in our community. “I’m proud of the relationship and trust that our community has in the law enforcement personnel who serve and protect them, and I look forward to working with Capt. Celiba to address our community’s ongoing needs,” Assemblyman Cymbrowitz said.

Assemblyman Cymbrowitz’s Office to the Rescue

When Dora T., 94, came into our office one day for help After reaching out to the NYS Office of Temporary and with an unrelated issue, Assemblyman Cymbrowitz’s staff Disability Assistance, our office corrected the information happened to notice that she wasn’t receiving her full that the state had for Dora T. Not only was Dora’s benefit entitlement benefit for very low-income New Yorkers. made whole, but she received retroactive benefits going Concerned that Dora might be getting shortchanged on back to 2017. In all, Dora received more than $2,000. money she needed for daily expenses, we called the New York State Supplement Program (SSP) for clarification. It Do you have an issue that you believe we can resolve? Call turned out that instead of receiving $87 each month, Dora Assemblyman Cymbrowitz’s office at (718) 743-4078 or was getting only $23. email us at [email protected]. Enhancing Safety on The Ocean Avenue Footbridge

The landmark Ocean Avenue Footbridge serves as a connector from Manhattan Beach to Sheepshead Bay. When Assemblyman Cymbrowitz learned that the bridge had broken wooden planks and missing hand rails, he called the Department of Transportation (DOT) and asked for an immediate inspection. The boards were fixed in less than a week. Additionally, due to unclear signage, many people were fishing off the footbridge, potentially endangering pedestrians. After many complaints from the community Assemblyman Cymbrowitz’s office reached out to DOT and asked them to update the signs to explicitly state that fishing on the bridge is not allowed. Fishing is still permitted along the bulkheads of the Bay and Assemblyman Cymbrowitz invites the community to make use of our waterfront as well as enjoy the fishing trips provided by the Bay’s fishing fleets.

Assemblyman Cymbrowitz Discusses Sheepshead Bay Subway Accessibility with NYC Transit President During a recent meet-and-greet with commuters at the Sheepshead Bay B/Q station, Assemblyman Cymbrowitz spoke with NYC Transit President Andy Byford about the urgent need to make this station fully accessible. The Sheepshead Bay station is used by thousands of commuters each day, many of them seniors, people living with disabilities and parents/ caregivers with baby carriages, and the lack of accessibility poses safety risks and hinders their ability to use mass transit. During his conversation with the NYC Transit President, Assemblyman Cymbrowitz reiterated his offer of $1.3 million to be used toward making the Sheepshead Bay station fully accessible. President Byford said that the next list of stations to be made accessible will be announced in the next two months.

1800 Sheepshead Bay Road, Brooklyn, NY 11235 PRSRT STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Albany, New York Assemblyman Permit No. 75 STEVEN CYMBROWITZ Fall 2019 Reports to the Community

Continuing a long tradition of helping residents to be proactive about their health, Assemblyman Assemblyman Cymbrowitz will once again provide free flu shots for the community Cymbrowitz to Host in partnership with Mt. Sinai Brooklyn and Maimonides Medical Center. The flu shots will be administered at his district office, Free Flu Shots for 1800 Sheepshead Bay Road, on four dates: the Community With Mt. Sinai Brooklyn: Friday, October 18 • 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 13 • 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. With Maimonides: Wednesday, October 16 • 3:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 29 • 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Please note that appointments are required. To schedule an appointment, call Assemblyman Cymbrowitz’s office at (718) 743-4078.