Friday, December 30, 2011

Assemblyman Dinowitz Opposes Single Payment Fees by Verizon

 

Assemblyman Dinowitz Calls on Verizon to Reverse Increase

Consumer Affairs Committee Chair Calls $2 Fee “Outrageous”

Assembly Consumer Affairs and Protection Committee Chair Jeffrey Dinowitz announced his opposition to Verizon Wireless charging single payment fees to consumers who pay their bills online or over the phone each billing cycle as opposed to enrolling in automatic bill pay. Single payment fees generate numerous complaints and inquiries from customers because they unfairly target low-income consumers.  He called on Verizon to reverse the $2 fee Verizon intends to impose on some of its customers. 

“During these tough economic times, many consumers are struggling to pay their bills and must budget very carefully,” said Dinowitz. “Consumers who pay their bills at the last minute are often living paycheck to paycheck. These people should not be forced to bear the burden of an additional monthly charge. Businesses looking to increase regular and timely payments through automatic bill pay need to look at other ways to achieve this goal, such as incentive-based programs, that do not penalize low- and middle-income consumers.”

“In 2011 we prohibited companies from charging additional fees to customers who pay their bills by mail.  No company should charge some customers additional fees based on how they pay their bills.  It just amazes me that, at a time when Verizon has already been harshly criticized for its efforts to cut back on the benefits of its workers, it would take additional steps that negatively impact on middle class and poor people.  I hope Verizon takes back this bag-of-coal holiday present to its subscribers.  Their bad timing is truly amazing,” stated Assemblyman Dinowitz.

UPDATE:
Verizon has decided to drop this plan to add the $2.00 additional fee. 
We wonder if it was Assemblyman Dinowits'a strong letter, or the flack that Verizon was getting from its customers who said they would leave Verizon if the fee was instituted. 

 

Thursday, December 29, 2011

SENATOR REV. DIAZ SALUTES BLOOMBERG BOYCOTTERS

New York State Senator Reverend Diaz (D-Bronx) has released the following statement:

An editorial in today’s Daily News quotes part of a letter to Mayor Michael Bloomberg from Muslim religious leaders who will boycott the Mayor’s interfaith breakfast that will be held tomorrow:

“We believe with heartfelt conviction that during times when a community’s rights are being flagrantly violated, its leaders cannot in good conscience appear at a public gathering with the government official who is ultimately responsible and smile for the cameras as if all is well, when we know full well that is not.”

I salute them, and would like to add the following:

It has been well documented how Mayor Bloomberg used his fortune to buy votes in Albany to pass the State’s gay marriage law- knowing perfectly well that his law violates the core religious belief of every mayor religion in New York.

Mayor Bloomberg refused to allow ANY religious leaders to participate in New York official 911 Memorial Service- a deplorable act which insulted people of every faith throughout the City.

Mayor Bloomberg has banned religious groups from renting space in public schools for weekend worship services despite the City’s serious budget woes- another slap in the face to religious communities.

Mayor Bloomberg has mandated that an extremist sexual education program will be implemented for New York City public school children- with a complete disregard for the opposition by religious leaders.

Mayor Bloomberg signed a bill into law to oppose crisis pregnancy centers in New York City despite the staggering abortion rate of 41 percent and the outcry by religious leaders to permit pro-lifers to be guaranteed their First Amendment rights.  His consistent efforts to promote abortion are diametrically opposed to the guidance and care that most New York’s religious leaders provide.

Mayor Bloomberg continues to make a mockery of New York’s religious leaders as he invites them to join him at special events while he continues to pick apart the moral fabric of our society.

I urge of my brothers and sisters who serve as religious leaders in New York to pray for Mayor Bloomberg, and I also urge them to not attend tomorrow’s breakfast.

This is what you should know, and I am the Rev. Senator Rubén Díaz. 

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

 IDC FUNDRAISER 

 

Here is your opportunity to come celebrate the One Year Anniversary

Join IDC members Jeff Klein, Diane Savino, David Valsky, and David Carlucci as they celebrate their legislative accomplishments and toast  to an abundant and successful 2012.

Thursday, January 5, 2012 6:00 to 8:00 PM
The Griffin
50 Gansevoort StreetNew York, NY 10014
Wishing  you  a  spectacular  year  ahead,
 Senators Klein,  Savino,  Carlucci, and Valsky
$1,000 per ticket 

 

Community Services & Health Fair

  
The Bronx Borough President ‘s Veterans Advisory Council
and the
James J. Peters VA Medical Center

Invites You To The Community Services & Health Fair


Wednesday, January 11, 2012
12:00PM to 4:00PM
Bronx County Bldg
851 Grand Concourse ~ Bronx, NY 10451
Rotunda-First Floor


Our purpose is to give veterans the accessibility to community resources  as well as a health assessment all in one location.

Veterans will receive real time assistance with:

ü Employment Rights and Assistance
ü Service Claims information
ü GI Bill educational benefits and community educational programs
ü Housing information and referrals
ü Mental Health assistance
ü Legal Assistance
ü Women Veteran Assistance
ü On site Medical Assessments via New Mobile Van
ü Community assistance( HRA, Social Security, etc.)

**Veterans if you are not enrolled in VA health care kindly bring a copy of your DD214((

For more information please call: (718) 590-6001 or (718) 741-4488






OFFICE OF BRONX BOROUGH PRESIDENT
RUBEN DIAZ JR.

Tracy A. McDermott, MPA
Director of Community Services
851 Grand Concourse
                                                                                              Bronx, NY  10451

Shady Seabrook can hand out 350G 

According to Speaker Quinn

 

   This one comes from the The New York Post about  how Bronx Councilman Larry Seabrook will be allowed to distribute more than $350,000.00 in member items despite being still under federal indictment for misusing such monies. The Post says that City Council Speaker Christine Quinn (a mayoral candidate in 2013) will allow Seabrook to allocate the monies, because "there is now a strict system in place that would root out irregularities long beforeany government monies were misspent". 

   The story goes on to detail the process, and tell of what Councilman Seabrook is accused of doing, while saying that Seabrook gave out $362,000.00 in council  funding last year before he went to trial. Council officials claim that the local elected officials know their districts better than anyone else, and should be the ones to distribute any discretionary finding.
   Dick Dadey director of the Citizens Union recommends keeping Seabrook as far away from council monies, and praises the council for the new procedures of accountability. 

   Mayor Bloomberg says that Seabrooks fate rests with the court system.