Advocacy Alert: City, State, and Federal Legislation Updates
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Advocacy Alert: City, State, and Federal Legislation Updates
Advocacy Alert: City, State, and Federal Legislation Updates
Dance/NYC is urging members of the New York City metropolitan dance community to call your representatives and advocate for dance, arts, and culture. Specifically:
CITY
• City Council budget hearing TOMORROW May 21st
- The only opportunity to provide public testimony on the FY21 budget is TOMORROW Thursday, May 21st at 12:00 p.m. Tune in at: https://council.nyc.gov/livestream/. You can submit written testimony by tomorrow, Thursday, May 21st by emailing it to testimony@council.nyc.gov. Please reference this testimony template courtesy of Nonprofit NY, related to discretionary funding advocacy.
• The NYC Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) has been working to provide updated, relevant guidance related to the evolving COVID-19 public health crisis. As employers respond to new issues arising from the crisis and begin the process of reopening, CCHR is requesting suggestions on questions and issues that we would like them to consider addressing through upcoming guidance. CCHR is asking employers to send the first round of suggestions by May 29, though they will consider input received after that date. Please email your recommendations to policy@cchr.nyc.gov.
• Blood Donations Needed. New Yorkers can help others during the COVID-19 crisis by donating blood. There is a shortage of blood and blood donations are desperately needed. Make an appointment with New York Blood Center to donate your blood at nybc.org/donate-blood or call 800-933-2566.
STATE
• The New York Senate will be back in session next Tuesday and Wednesday and will focus on COVID-19 bills.
- Business Interruption Bill: Call your Assemblymembers in the Insurance Committee and Cities Committee and tell them about your experiences with Business Interruption Insurance in support of A10226B/S8211.
• June 23rd Primary: New York will hold a Democratic Presidential Primary on June 23rd, in addition to State and Congressional Primaries. An appeals court upheld a decision yesterday to reinstate New York’s June 23 primary, the final word that it will proceed as planned.
As a reminder, all eligible voters may request an absentee ballot for this election by selecting the “temporary illness or disability” category. All registered voters should have been mailed an absentee ballot application by their county board of elections. Note, you must fill out the application and mail it back in order to receive a ballot.
FEDERAL
• Congress is debating the next federal relief package and they need to hear from you! Review the talking points below and send your letters to Congress today.
Additional Resources:
•Dance/NYC Coronavirus Preparedness Resources
•Join the movement: #ArtistsAreNecessaryWorkers
