Public Advocate's Corner

The Budget and the Next Public Advocate

Uninformed sources have alleged that I did nothing to restrain spending in the wake of a devastating 40% budget cut to my office. This is demonstrably false. 

The day Speaker Quinn approved this cut, I laid out several ways in which we could perform our charter-mandated functions while saving as much money as possible for the next public advocate. It was obvious, to me and to everyone who protested the cut – advocates, elected officials, and good-government groups – that there would be little money left over unless I fired most of my staff. I refused to do that. 

However, I did decide not to replace departing staff members; we have lost almost 25% of staff through attrition. I have also decided to send my mandated annual report electronically, rather than in print. And I have funded all office initiatives, including my Guide to Public Benefits for Immigrants, with privately raised money.

Additionally, with the term ending, city rules require that we pay out $190,000 in unused annual leave to staff members, which has been accrued and carried over throughout their employment. This figure does not include money paid out to staff already departed.

It’s worth noting that $1.7 million is a meager, insufficient, and disproportionately small budget for a citywide office charged with overseeing city agencies and assisting New Yorkers in need. The budget should be increased, and not set at the whims of the Mayor and Speaker. However, in this difficult situation, my office has made significant sacrifices—-for the next public advocate and for the people of New York City.

Increasing Shortages at Food Pantries

“Food pantries across the city are seeing longer lines”, reported the NY Times earlier this month. A  dramatic increase in the number of people visiting food pantries has caused severe shortages in pantries across the city. At locations like the St. Francis of Assisi food pantry in Morris Heights, families and individuals facing hard times form long lines at the door. Ines Gonzalez, the pantry coordinator for St. Francis, explained that some parents feed their families by bouncing from pantry-to-pantry on a weekly basis.

Unfortunately, the food shortage is no news to me. Back in August, along with emergency food providers and anti-hunger advocates, I visited a Staten Island food pantry to survey current emergency food programming. We observed exactly how much pantries struggle to feed their communities on meager funding.

In my two terms as Public Advocate, I have urged the city to increase funding for emergency food programs and support policies – like an increase in food stamps access – to fight hunger in the city. Although the city has made it somewhat easier for eligible people to apply for food stamps, much more still needs to be done.

(On November 10th, I will be honored at the West Side Campaign Against Hunger's 30th Anniversary Gala, where I will speak about the progress we have made and the work that is left to be done.)

Kudos to Costco!

I was so pleased to have been informed that Costco, the big-box retailer, has decided to accept Food 
Stamps at all its stores nationwide, given its positive experience in New York City.

Earlier this year, I was among those who strongly urged Costco to accept Food Stamps at its new store in Manhattan, which is scheduled to open in November in East Harlem. After initial resistance, Costco agreed. It also announced that it would accept Food Stamps at its Brooklyn and Queens stores. Nothing was said about the Costco in Staten Island, so I personally wrote Costco's CEO and asked whether Costco also would accept Food Stamps in that borough as well. After my inquiry, Costco said that it would.

According to The Associated Press, Costco doubted that many New York customers would use Food Stamps. Instead, it saw a strong and favorable response. Costco, which operates more than 400 stores in the United States, expects to accept Food Stamps in about half its stores by Thanksgiving. Given these tough economic times, Costco's action is indeed commendable.

New Report Reveals True Cost of Barriers to Benefits

Today, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum released a new report which shows that the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) is frequently in error when it takes actions such as denying applications for public benefits or sanctioning low-income clients. The report charges that HRA may be too aggressive in taking such actions, at a great cost to the city.

In New York State, welfare recipients have the right to challenge the termination or denial of public benefits in a court proceeding, or 'fair hearing'--the cost of which is shared by the state and local district. Since 2000, HRA has been charged $58.6 million for these hearings, yet its actions have rarely been affirmed by judges.

Public Advocate Gotbaum said: "If HRA would address the many barries between eligible low-income New Yorkers and the public benefits they deserve, a significant number of these hearings could be avoided."

Read the Report

Read the Full Release

Today's New York Post Cover

Today’s cover makes it clear that the New York Post is eager to add gay-baiting to its tradition of tasteless, offensive humor. Surely the Post could have found a better, and more convincing, way to point out the Yankees’ superiority without suggesting that the Phillies are gay (“Only in the City of Brotherly Love…”) —and therefore, by their logic, bad at baseball.

The Yankees, who are on their way to a 27^th World Series title, represent the best in baseball, and one of the most diverse, tolerant cities in the world. The Post, in contrast, represents the lowest form of journalism and a New York that is sexist, homophobic and intolerant.

What You Should Know About The H1N1 Flu Virus

During the fall and winter seasons in particular, New Yorkers are at risk for the flu. In addition to the typical seasonal flu, this year the H1N1 virus – also known as swine flu – is causing illness in people.

(For the most current information on the spread of H1N1 influenza throughout the city and on the distribution of the H1N1 vaccine in the five boroughs, visit: www.nyc.gov/flu. For information on the safety of vaccines, visit: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/flu/downloads/pdf/flu_vaccine_safety_faq.pdf) 

Below is a helpful Q&A about the H1N1 influenza virus to better prepare New Yorkers for the 2009 flu season. 

1. What is the H1N1 influenza virus?

According to the New York City Health Department, “similar to seasonal influenza, H1N1 influenza is caused by a virus which infects the nose, throat and lungs. Although it is generally mild, the illness can be severe in some cases. Its symptoms are: cough or sore throat that can last a week or more, fever, headaches, body aches, chills, tiredness, and sometimes diarrhea and/or vomiting.”

2.  How can I catch the H1N1 influenza virus?
According to the City Health Department, “infected people can spread the virus when they cough or sneeze into the air. People can get infected by breathing in droplets released when the infected person coughs or sneezes, or by touching something with flu viruses on it, then touching their mouth or nose.”

3. How can I prevent myself and others from getting H1N1?
To best prevent yourself and others from spreading the virus, cough or sneeze into your sleeve or tissue, wash hands frequently with soap and water, and use hand sanitizer. If you experience flu-like symptoms – particularly fever and cough or sore throat – stay home from work or school.

4. How can the H1N1 influenza virus be diagnosed?
The City Health Department does not recommend testing for the H1N1 influenza virus because all flu viruses are treated the same way, regardless of type. Testing for the influenza virus should be reserved for people who are critically ill. Only go to the hospital if symptoms worsen. Some critical symptoms to watch for are divided into two groups, adults and children.

Adults: trouble breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or stomach, sudden dizziness, confusion, or severe vomiting that won’t stop.

Children: fast breathing or trouble breathing, bluish skin color, fever with a rash, refusing to drink fluids, vomiting or diarrhea that won’t stop, not waking up or not interacting, being too irritable to be held, or having flu symptoms return with fever and worse cough after starting to get better.

As a rule of thumb, consult your doctor about whether you or your child should be tested.

5. Is there Antiviral medication available to treat H1N1 virus?

Yes, the CDC recommends the use of Oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) or Zanamivir for the treatment of the H1N1 influenza virus. You can get a prescription from your health care provider. Before you fill the prescription, call the pharmacy to check its supply.

6. Who should get vaccinated?
The Center for Disease Control recommends that the following groups should receive the H1N1 vaccine first: pregnant women, people aged 6 months to 24 years old, medical and health care workers, people aged 25 to 65 years old with underlying health conditions, and people who care for or live with children younger than six months.

As part of its H1N1 city prevention plan, the City will provide free H1N1 vaccinations for public and non-public school children.  Because children are particularly susceptible to the virus, the Department of Health (DOH) does not want them to go without vaccination due to cost. Therefore, in late October, public school children will be sent home with H1N1 information packets containing permission forms. In November and December, elementary children will be vaccinated at their schools during the school day, while weekend vaccine clinics set up in each borough will provide vaccines for middle and high school children. 

For the Center for Disease Control’s most current information on the 2009 H1N1 flu season, visit: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu

For the New York State Department of Health 1009-2010 flu monitor, visit: http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicable/influenza/surveillance/2009-2010/

Or, call the H1N1 Influenza Hotline for the Public: 1-800-808-1987 - available 24/7

And, health care personnel with questions about influenza vaccination requirements please call: 1-800-808-1987

Senator Monserrate Must Be Removed from the Senate

Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum said, “Whether an abuser is convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony, domestic violence of any sort is intolerable. State Senator Hiram Monserrate assaulted his partner and allowing him to keep his Senate seat sends a disturbing message that he has not done anything wrong. He has, in fact, done something wrong. Something he should have resigned for immediately. Since he refuses to resign, the Senate should act swiftly to remove him from his seat. Anything short of that could indicate that the Senate condones violent behavior. Doing and saying nothing perpetuates the stigma and fear that victims of abuse face, and doing and saying nothing validates the behavior and actions of abusers. Instead, we need to speak out to prevent violence and work to ensure that abusers face adequate punishment for violent and damaging acts.”

National Mammography Day

Today, Friday, Oct. 16, is National Mammography Day, and St. Vincent’s Hospital is offering free mammography screenings until 4 p.m. at its comprehensive cancer center at 325 W. 15th, in Manhattan. The hospital invites uninsured and underinsured women 40 and older to participate, along with women 35 and older who have a family history of breast cancer. They must not have had a mammogram for at least 12 months. For an appointment, call 1-888-44-CANCER.

 

I'm a longtime advocate of improving New York women's access to health care, including free and low-cost mammograms. Among other things, I pushed for a new Staten Island mammogram clinic. My staff also conducted a study that found that women who seek free or low-cost mammography screenings offered by the city Health and Hospitals Corporation are subject to longer than targeted waiting periods.

 

Check it Out! Public Advocate Gotbaum on Brian Lehrer Live

On September 30th, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum appeared as the featured guest on "Brian Lehrer Live", where she spoke about the challenges and rewards of the public advocate's office; her advice for Bill de Blasio, and her accomplishments over the past eight years. Click below to launch a recording of the show.

Recognizing Disabled Workers

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and I want to express New York's deep appreciation for the contributions made by people with disabilities to America's workforce. 

For my entire life, I have fought for equal employment opportunities for women--and I will defend the same protections for people with disabilities. The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) deserves our full support as it seeks to create a more inclusive environment in the American workplace.

All Americans should have access to the support and services they need to succeed; and employers across the nation must work together to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities.