A rent freeze has been approved for rent-stabilized apartments in New York City. On Wednesday night, the Rent Guidelines Board passed the proposal with a 6-3 vote. Rents will now be frozen on one-year leases and the first year of two-year leases. During the second year of two-year agreements, landlords can bump rent up 1%. This rent freeze is the third in six and a half years. The changes go into effect Oct. 1 and will last until September 2021. Mayor Bill de Blasio released the following statement in response to the vote: “Renters have never faced hardship like this. They desperately need relief and that’s why we fought for this rent freeze. Now, more renters than ever before will get help keeping a roof over their heads.

New York City is on track to open more businesses and could enter the second phase of reopening Monday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday. Cuomo, a Democrat, said the state Department of Health reported 17 coronavirus-related deaths in hospitals and nursing homes Tuesday. He also pointed to the gradual decline in rates of individuals testing positive: fewer than 1% of results for roughly 60,000 individuals tested Tuesday for COVID-19 were positive. “This is one of the best days for New York since we have started this long journey into a dark night,” Cuomo said. The official coronavirus death toll includes at least 24,600 statewide and at least an additional 2,600 deaths in New York City, though officials have said the actual death toll is likely much higher.

Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein today released a video calling into question Governor Cuomo’s re-opening plan of New York State. Assemblyman Eichenstein tells all those frustrated, “you’re 100% right. Governor Andrew Cuomo’s re-opening plan is completely inconsistent and makes no sense at all.” Eichenstein encourages all of his constituents to call Governor Cuomo at (518) 474 8390. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

New York’s governor signed an executive order Wednesday recognizing Juneteenth as a paid holiday for state employees to commemorate the emancipation of slaves in the U.S. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he will propose legislation next year making June 19 a permanent state holiday. Such a bill is already before the legislature. “It is a day we should all reflect upon. It is a day that is especially relevant in this moment in history,” Cuomo said. Several states already observe Juneteenth, which has its historical roots in Texas, the first state to make it a state holiday in 1980. President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was effective Jan. 1, 1863, but the news took time to travel.

Tuesday June 23rd is Primary Day across New York State. There will be primaries for Congressional, State Senate and Assembly seats as well as delegates to the presidential nominating conventions. Early voting period is from June 13th to June 21st. This year there will be a major change in how New Yorkers vote. Under an executive order, to help prevent the community spread of COVID-19, all registered, eligible voters may apply to vote by Absentee Ballot. With the coronavirus pandemic and absentee balloting, it is unclear how turnout will be this year. It is thus of crucial importance that our community vote in large numbers to ensure our votes have an impact. Now, more than ever, as we begin emerging from the pandemic, it is crucial that our voices be heard in big numbers.

A Lubavitcher Bochur was nearly a victim of a drive-by shooting in Brooklyn. According to CHI, the incident happened on Wednesday evening at around 7:30PM on Atlantic Avenue near Pennsylvania Avenue. The Bochur states he was driving when suddenly shots rang out, and two bullets struck his vehicle. One smashed the passenger-side window and a second stuck his tire. One person on the sidwalak was struck. His exact condition was unknown, and it is unknown if that man was in fact the target. The NYPD was investigating the incident. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

In 36 years of hosting “Jewish Moments in the Morning” (JM in the AM) I’ve had a general policy of not providing guests with questions in advance of our conversations. This policy safeguards the spontaneity, curiosity and enthusiasm of on-air discussions. In response to Governor Cuomo’s recent announcement regarding the closure of summer camps, I have extended an invitation to have him join me on the air, to no avail. As a result, in order to establish the respectful and straight forward intent of my invitation, I am providing Governor Cuomo with my questions in advance, in good faith and in hopes of him accepting my offer: 1. Throughout the pandemic, you have left many decisions and enforcement to local governments. Why did you decide to make this one on your own? 2.

Forging ahead on police reforms, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Wednesday that the city is launching an online database that will let New Yorkers track disciplinary cases against police officers accused of excessive force and other violations and view their administrative records. The New York Police Department will also adopt tighter deadlines to speed up the disciplinary process, the mayor said. The latest reforms are meant to bring more transparency to a system long criticized for being too secretive and plagued by lengthy delays in holding police officers accountable for misconduct. “We have to know that if something’s done right, it will be recognized and when something’s done wrong, it will be acted on,” de Blasio said.

NYC Mayor DeBlasio blasted the NYC Police Unions on Tuesday – even going so far as calling one of them “racist”. DeBlasio made the explosive comment in response one of New York City’s police unions said officers were “intentionally poisoned” and another warned cops couldn’t even have a meal without “coming under attack” after officers were sickened by a toxic substance in milkshakes from a Shake Shack – which later turned out to be no criminality involved. Mayor Bill de Blasio slammed the unions over what they’d said. “I would think the unions would trust the NYPD to find the truth, and I thank Chief Harrison for so rapidly getting the truth out. These union leaders don’t want the truth.

Apple will reopen 10 stores in New York City this week, the company said on Tuesday. It’s the first time Apple stores in the city have been open since they closed in March in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Ten stores in New York City will be open “by appointment,” meaning that customers can schedule a time to pick up previously purchased products or get service for their iPhone. The stores reopening this week in New York include locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. They include Apple’s glass cube on Fifth Avenue, which is one of the company’s most visible retail locations and a tourist attraction. Apple didn’t say which day this week the stores will open but specific hours and dates will be posted to the company’s website. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

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