State Sen, Liz Krueger

State Senator Liz Krueger Standing Up And Speaking Out New York State Senate – 28th District Community Bulletin – March 2016 Table of Contents Message from Liz Policy Spotlight         Fossil Fuel Divestment Community Update         Senator Krueger's Roundtable for Boomers & Seniors         Public Hearing on Overcrowding in Manhattan Public Schools         Senior Resource Day Offers Tech Assistance and Lifetime Planning         STAR Property Tax Credit Application Due March 15th         Up With Aging Brain Health Event         State Comptroller Survey of Noise Issues in New York City         District Attorney High School Internship Program         The Radical Age Movement Book Release Event         Community-Scale Compost Grants         Upcoming Pet Adoption Events         Free Tax Preparation Assistance         This Month’s Scam Alert         Legal Advocacy Clinics From Lenox Hill Neighborhood House         Monthly Housing Clinics and Workshops         VOLS Legal Clinics for Low-Income Residents Over Age 60         Affordable Housing Opportunities in Manhattan         Stuyvesant Town/Peter Cooper Village Waiting List Lottery         Metrocard Bus and Van Schedule         Heat Season Rules Message from Liz... In last month’s bulletin I focused on proposals in Governor Cuomo’s executive budget that would be particularly damaging to New York City.  This month I want to highlight a number of the positive policies in the executive budget that I will be working hard to ensure survive the budget negotiation process.   Good Government and Ethics Reform Given the series of scandals involving Albany officials, including the former legislative leaders Dean Skelos and Sheldon Silver, I am pleased that Governor Cuomo has included a number of reforms that I have long advocated for, including: • Amending the State Constitution to require Pension Forfeiture by public officials convicted of a crime; • Closing the “LLC  loophole” by defining limited liability companies as corporations    for the purposes of political donations; • Setting limits on outside income for members of the Legislature; • Implementing campaign finance reform and public financing of campaigns; • Implementing early voting and providing for automatic voter registration through the DMV. While some of these proposals are more limited than I would like, they all represent important steps in the right direction.  Unfortunately, the Senate Republican majority has indicated its opposition to many of these proposals.  I will be working to ensure the Governor and Assembly majority stay strong and keep these important reforms in the final budget, as they are critical to restoring confidence in state government. Economic Opportunity The governor’s budget also includes a number of proposals that would increase opportunities for New Yorker’s to meet their economic needs and participate fully in the workforce. Among these key proposals are: • Increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour; • Providing for a paid family leave program, though the Governor’s proposal could be improved by modeling it on legislation carried by Senator Addabbo (S.3004), which provides funding for the program through the state’s Temporary Disability Assistance Program; • Providing access to educational assistance for undocumented immigrants through the Dream Act. Additional Executive Budget Proposals A number of other budget proposals also deserve support, including: • Raising the age of criminal responsibility to treat non-violent 16- and 17- year olds as juveniles.  New York is one of only two states that still treat 16- and 17- year old offenders as adults. Changing this policy would protect youthful offenders and reduce recidivism;  • Providing $300 million to the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and creating a new climate change mitigation account; • Creating a $20 billion affordable and supportive housing program to create or preserve 100,000 affordable housing units and provide 6,000 supportive housing beds over the next five years. Unfortunately, the budget does not adequately outline the funding for this program, so additional details on funding MUST be included in the final budget. The final budget is due April 1st, and as negotiations proceed, I and my Senate Democratic colleagues will be working to ensure that these important proposals do not fall by the wayside. Policy Spotlight Fossil Fuel Divestment On February 29, I joined Assembly Assistant Speaker Félix W. Ortiz in hosting a forum on divesting the New York State Common Retirement Fund from fossil fuel holdings. Discussion centered around the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act (S.5873/A.8011-A), with financial and environmental experts speaking, including Bill McKibben, Co-Founder of 350.org and a leader of the global fossil fuel divestment movement. The era of fossil fuels is ending, and for the sake of our children and grandchildren we must make sure it ends sooner rather than later. To continue investing our pension funds in fossil fuel stocks while we desperately try to wean our society off of those same dirty fuels, is a losing proposition, not just for the environment, but also for our bottom line. Fossil fuel producers like ExxonMobil continue to spend billions of dollars each year recklessly uncovering new oil and gas reserves that can never be burned. Investment in fossil fuels is a sinking ship, and it's high time we headed for the lifeboats.  The Fossil Fuel Divestment Act (S.5873/A.8011-A) would require the State Comptroller to divest the New York State Common Retirement Fund from all holdings in the 200 largest publicly traded fossil fuel companies, as defined by carbon content in the companies’ proven oil, gas, and coal reserves (the CU 200). Divestment from coal companies would be completed within one year; divestment from all other fossil fuel companies would be completed by January 1, 2020. Speakers at the forum included financial and investment experts, union representatives, and environmental and community advocates. A representative from the American Petroleum Institute also offered comments, expressing oil and gas companies’ opposition to divestment. The State Comptroller’s office was unable to send a representative due to scheduling conflicts, but has agreed to coordinate on another forum to take place later in the year. Bill McKibben of 350.org, who helped to launch the global fossil fuel divestment movement in 2012, spoke to the forum via video link from his home in Vermont. "Around the world institutions of all kinds are realizing that the time has come to break with the ruinous industries of the past," he said. "The Empire State has always provided the world's financial leadership, and we hope this will be no exception." Earlier in the morning, Mr. McKibben joined Senator Krueger to discuss the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act on The Brian Lehrer Show. That segment can be heard online athttps://www.wnyc.org/radio/#/ondemand/579074. Speakers at the forum included: -Bill McKibben, Senior Advisor and Co-Founder, 350.org -Carole Liable, CEO, Domini Social Investments -Toby Heaps, CEO, Corporate Knights -Tom Francis, Director, Oil and Gas Research, Fossil Free Indexes -Karen Moreau, Executive Director, API NY -Anthony Gronowicz, Executive Committee, CUNY Professional Staff Congress -Carol Ann Lemon, RN-BS, New York State Nurses Association -Lisa DiCaprio, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter -Mark Dunlea, 350NYC -Ana Orozco, Climate Justice Policy and Programs Coordinator, UPROSE Copies of written testimony are available at http://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/articles/liz-krueger/read-statements-fossil-fuel-divestme nt-forum. Community Spotlight Senator Krueger's Roundtable for Boomers & Seniors: This 5-part program provides an opportunity for neighbors to come together to explore life issues that are relevant across the age span. At each session you will hear from and engage with professionals who are knowledgeable on topics that are of concern to the growing population of older adults in New York City. This year we have been looking at "Financial & Economic Issues" from various viewpoints. Sessions will be held on: Retirement Planning in the Modern Economy, Workplace Realities, Government's Impact on Finances, Defending Assets, and New Solutions for Workers & Families. The program meets one Thursday morning per month in November, December, March, April, and May. Sessions are from 8:30am to 10:30am at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, 331 East 70th St. Session 4 – Thursday, April 7th: Defending Assets and Financial Planning for Boomers and Seniors. This session will feature presentations by Catherine Christian, Assistant District Attorney in the Elder Abuse Unit, and John M. Bacon, Director of Planned Giving with the New York Public Library. Please RSVP by contacting my office at 212-490-9535, or via email at liz@lizkrueger.com. Public Hearing on Overcrowding in Manhattan Public Schools: Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer is hosting a public hearing on overcrowding in Manhattan Public Schools on Tuesday, March 8th from 6:00 - 9:00 pm at P.S.125, 425 West 123rd Street. The event is being organized with the Alliance for Quality Education to provide an opportunity to hear from educators, principals, students, and advocates to learn where the needs are in their schools—and specifically where Campaign for Fiscal Equity dollars need to be spent. To attend, please register at bit.ly/OvercrowdedSchoolsNYC. If you would like to testify, also be sure to submit your testimony via email to info@manhattanbp.nyc.gov with the subject line "School Overcrowding Comment." Senior Resource Day Offers Tech Assistance and Lifetime Planning: The Church of the Incarnation at 209 Madison Avenue (between 35th and 36th Streets) is hosting a Senior Resource Day on Sunday, March 13, 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM. Friendly and experienced volunteers will be available to provide free one-on-one tech assistance to help you navigate the internet and email, video chat, Facebook, smartphones, and tablets (such as iPads). All levels are welcome! Computers will be provided, but feel free to bring your own if you wish. In addition, there will be a presentation on Life-Time Planning Documents such as wills, powers of attorney, etc. Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to 347-866-6532 for this free event. STAR Property Tax Credit Application Due March 15th: The deadline for homeowners to file an application for the New York State Tax Relief Program (STAR) is Tuesday, March 15th. The deadline applies to both Basic and Enhanced STAR (seniors aged 65 or older). Please note that applications must be postmarked by the 15th to ensure the property tax exemption takes effect on July 1st of this year. More information on eligibility and how to apply and a link to the application can be found athttp://www1.nyc.gov/site/finance/benefits/landlords-star.page.  You can also call my office at 212-490-9535 to request an application. Up With Aging Brain Health Event: On Sunday March 20th Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and the Dana Foundation are hosting “Up With Aging” a Brain Health event at the CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue at 34th Street.  Doors open at 12:30 p.m. and there will be a panel discussion entitled “Successful Aging and Your Brain” at 1:30 p.m. with leading neuroscientists on the aging brain, memory, and brain health issues.  The panel will be followed at 3 p.m. by a Brain Health Expo with over 20 exhibitors. The event is free but please RSVP online at www.UpWithAging.eventbrite.com or by phone at (212) 669-4564. State Comptroller Survey of Noise Issues in New York City: The New York State Comptroller's Office is conducting a survey on noise in New York City neighborhoods and would like you to take the survey. You can access the survey at:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5PLYBPK. The Comptroller’s Office  would like to learn about your experience of noise in your community and solicit your ideas for reducing noise. Toward that end, they are asking all community residents take the survey by March 15, 2016.  If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Aida Solomon or Cheryl Pahaham at 212-417-5200 or sgappdu@osc.state.ny.us. District Attorney High School Internship Program: The New York County District Attorney's Office is now accepting applications for its 2016 High School Summer Internship Program. If accepted, students will participate in a six week, paid opportunity that will expose them to many aspects of the criminal justice system.  Additional information and the online application can be found here: http://www.manhattanda.org/high-school-internship. The deadline is Friday, March 25th. The Radical Age Movement Book Release Event: On Tuesday March 15th, The Radical Age Movement & Senior Planet invites you to celebrate the release of The Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Agism by Ashton Applewhite.  Members of The Radical Age Movement’s steering committee will be reading with commentary by Ashton. The event will take place from 6:30 p.m.– 9:00 p.m. at the NY Ethical Culture Society, 2 West 64th Street at Central Park West.  RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/this-chair-rocks-a-manifesto-against-ageism-tickets-225018476 32. Community-Scale Compost Grants: The Citizens Committee for NYC, in collaboration with the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board and Borough President Gale Brewer, is awarding grants of up to $750 to start or expand compost projects in NYC. Groups such as community gardens, schools, tenant associations, and community organizations in all 5 boroughs are eligible for the grant. Grant funds can be used to build compost bins, purchase other compost materials or tools, do outreach and education, and more. Learn more about the grant at http://www.citizensnyc.org/grants/composting-grant. Applications are due March 25, 2016. Questions? Contact Sabine: sbernards@citizensnyc.org or 212-822-9578 Upcoming Pet Adoption Events: Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) is sponsoring several Pet Adoption events around the district in December. Upcoming dates and locations are: Sunday, March 13, 12-4pm: ACC’s Mobile Adoption Center at Petco, Union Square, 860 Broadway. Saturday, March 19, 11am-3pm: Dog Adoptions at Biscuits & Bath, Sutton Place, 1064 First Ave. Saturday, March 26, 12-4pm: Manhattan Veterinary Group, 240 East 80th Street Upcoming events are also listed at http://nycacc.org/Events.htm. Free Tax Preparation Assistance:  IRS-trained volunteers are available to provide free tax preparation assistance throughout New York City. I encourage you to take advantage of these services, which can save you money and ensure you avoid getting caught in “Refund Anticipation Loan” scams that many for-profit tax preparers engage in. AARP is sponsoring a number of locations on the East Side, and there are no age or income restrictions to receive this assistance. Here are some sites in the 28th Senate District where you can get free assistance with your taxes: 58th Street Library, 127 East 58th Street Telephone: 212-759-7358 Site Hours: Wednesday 11:00am to 3:00pm and Saturday, 10:00am-2:00pm  67th Street Library, 328 East 67th Street Telephone: 212-734-1717 Site Hours: Friday, 10:00am-2:00pm Community Church of New York, 40 East 35th Street Telephone: 212-683-4988 Site Hours: Thursday, 10:00am-2:00pm Epiphany Library, 228 East 23rd Street Telephone: 212-679-2645 Site Hours: Thursday, 10:00am-2:00pm Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, 331 East 70th Street Telephone: 212-744-5022 Site Hours: Wednesday, 10:00am-2:00pm Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL), 188 Madison Ave @ 34th Street Telephone: 917-275-6975 Site Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday, 10:00am-2:00pm.  Stanley Isaacs Neighborhood Center, 415 East 93rd Street Telephone: 212-360-7620 Site Hours: Friday, 9:30am-2:00pm  Webster Branch Library, 1465 York Avenue Telephone: 212-288-5049 Site Hours: Monday, 11:00am-3:00pm except 2/15 A full list of free tax preparation sites is available at http://www1.nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/file-your-taxes.page. This Month’s SCAM ALERT: Con Edison is warning customers not to fall for scams in which a caller threatens a service turnoff unless the customer purchases a pre-paid card or arranges for a transfer via MoneyGram to pay a bill. These callers are not from Con Edison and Con Edison does not accept payments of electric or gas bills by pre-paid debit cards, or by MoneyGram or similar transfers. The company has recently seen a spike in reports from customers who were contacted by the scammers. Con Edison believes the scammers are calling customers randomly, not targeting just those who owe back payments. The company has received complaints from residential and business customers. Be alert if anyone asks you by telephone to arrange for pre-paid debit cards or a MoneyGram transfer as payment for your bill, or to send money to an out-of-state address. Never arrange payment or divulge account or personal information, including debit or credit card information, over the telephone, unless you are certain you are speaking to a Con Edison representative. Anyone who feels they may have been a target of an imposter or a payment scam should call their local police department. They may also call Con Edison at 1-800-75CONED. Legal Advocacy Clinics At Lenox Hill Neighborhood House: The Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Legal Advocacy Center Offers assistance on a number of different issues. Here is a list of their ongoing programs and clinics: ● SNAP (formerly Food Stamps) Clinics: Wednesdays from 10am to 1pm at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, 331 East 70th Street. First come, first served. Bring proof of identity, income information, utility bill, proof of housing costs, information on any dependents and if you are 60 or over or on SSI/SSD, information on medical costs.  For more information, call 212-218-0431. ● SCRIE Clinics: call 212-218-0503 ext. 6 for assistance in applying or recertifying for the Senior Citizens Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program. The SCRIE clinic is open to tenants city-wide. Please note that due to the volume of calls, it sometimes takes up to two weeks for staff to respond to messages. ● Eviction Prevention: Walk-in clinic, every 2nd and 4th  Monday of the month, from 10am to 1pm at 331 East 70th Street, for tenants who live, work, or go to school on Manhattan’s East Side above 59th Street and on Roosevelt Island. ● End-of-Life Planning/Advance Directives: volunteer attorneys may be able to assist you with one-on-one counseling and individualized drafting of Advance Directives including Health Care Proxies, Living Wills, Powers of Attorney, and simple, low-asset Wills. If you are interested in being screened for a possible appointment,  call the intake hotline at 212-218-0503 ext 4. ● Health Care Access/Medicare/Medicaid: call 212-218-0503 ext 3. Find out about Medicare Savings Programs, Medicaid home care, Medicare Part D, Medicaid Spend-down, EPIC and if you are eligible for Medicaid. ● Health Insurance Enrollment: call 212-218-0432.  Assistance with finding and enrolling in an affordable health insurance plan. And, just across the Park on the Westside: Monthly Housing Clinics and Workshops: Council Member Helen Rosenthal, Goddard Riverside’s SRO Law Project, and the Urban Justice Center co-sponsor monthly housing clinics and workshops at the Goddard Riverside Community Center, 593 Columbus Avenue (between 88th and 89th Streets). On the first Wednesday of each month, from 6pm – 8pm, the clinic offers a presentation on a variety of topics, followed by a question and answer session. Each evening, at least one staff attorney will meet with individuals who are seeking specific legal advice. For questions, contact the Office of Council Member Rosenthal at (212) 873-0282 ext. 206 or Helen@helenrosenthal.com. Sign-up sheet starting at 6pm each evening. April 6, 2016: Housing Court 101 May 4, 2016: SCRIE and DRIE June 1, 2016: Succession Rights VOLS Legal Clinics for Low-Income Residents Over Age 60:  The Volunteers of Legal Services (VOLS) Elderly Project provides pro-bono legal services to low-income people over age 60 who live in Manhattan. VOLS conducts legal clinics each month at senior centers where seniors can discuss their legal concerns in confidence, receive legal advice and, where appropriate, obtain referrals to a volunteer lawyer for representation. Areas of legal assistance include wills, medical directives, powers of attorney, housing, consumer matters and Medicaid. Over 150 lawyers serve on their Elderly Project volunteer attorney roster.  Upcoming Clinic dates and locations are below: Burden Center for the Aging, 1484 First Avenue (between 77th & 78th Streets) — 2 pm — second Friday of each month (March 11th, April 8th). Call Velda Murad at 212-879-7400 for information. Stanley Isaacs Senior Center, 415 East 93rd Street (east of 1st Avenue) — 10 am — third Friday of each month (March 18th, April 15th). Call Amy Loewenberg at 212-360-7620 ext, 112 for information. Encore Community Services Senior Center, St. Malachy’s Church - 239 West 49th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue) — 10 am — fourth Monday of Each Month (March 28th, April 25th). Call Elvira Yanes at 212-581-2910, ext 123 for information. Affordable Housing Opportunities in Manhattan: THE RESIDENCES AT PS 186 is now accepting applications for 78 affordable studio and 1- and 2-bedroom apartments newly constructed at 526 West 146th Street in the Hamilton Heights neighborhood in Manhattan. Rents for these apartments range from $508 to $2,783 depending on income and unit size. To be eligible, applicants must have incomes between $18,789 and $142,400, depending on unit and family size. Preference will be given to Community Board 9 residents for 50% of units, mobility-impaired persons for 5% of units, visual- and/or hearing-impaired persons for 2% of units, and City of New York municipal employees for 5% of units. A full description of the building and application process is available at https://a806-housingconnect.nyc.gov/nyclottery/AdvertisementPdf/223.pdf. Households may elect to submit an application by one of two methods: EITHER online OR by mail. To submit your application online now, please visit NYC Housing Connect at www.nyc.gov/housingconnectand select “Apply for Housing.” To request an  application by mail, mail a self-addressed envelope to: Lemle & Wolff, Inc, 5925 Broadway, Bronx, NY 10463. Completed applications must be submitted online or returned by regular mail only to the post office box that will be listed on the application. Applications must be submitted online or postmarked by April 8, 2016. Applicants who submit more than one application may be disqualified. EOS is now accepting applications for 75 affordable studio and 1- and 2-bedroom apartments newly constructed at 855 Avenue of the Americas in the Midtown South neighborhood in Manhattan. Rents for these apartments range from $566 to $930 depending on income and unit size. To be eligible, applicants must have incomes between $20,743 and $43,150, depending on unit and family size. Preference will be given to Community Board 5 residents for 50% of units, mobility-impaired persons for 5% of units, visual- and/or hearing-impaired persons for 2% of units, and City of New York municipal employees for 5% of units. A full description of the building and application process is available at https://a806-housingconnect.nyc.gov/nyclottery/AdvertisementPdf/224.pdf. Households may elect to submit an application by one of two methods: EITHER online OR by mail. To submit your application online now, please visit NYC Housing Connect at www.nyc.gov/housingconnectand select “Apply for Housing.” To request an  application by mail, mail a self-addressed envelope to: EOS c/o Breaking Ground, PO Box 3620937 New York, NY 10129. Completed applications must be submitted online or returned by regular mail only to the post office box that will be listed on the application. Applications must be submitted online or postmarked by April 11, 2016. Applicants who submit more than one application may be disqualified. West 153 Owner LLC is now accepting applications for 34 affordable studio and 1- and 2-bedroom apartments newly constructed at 260 West 153rd Street in the Central Harlem neighborhood in Manhattan. Rents for these apartments range from $641 to $836 depending on unit size. To be eligible, applicants must have incomes between $23,349 and $43,150, depending on unit and family size. Preference will be given to Community Board 10 residents for 50% of units, mobility-impaired persons for 5% of units, visual- and/or hearing-impaired persons for 2% of units, and City of New York municipal employees for 5% of units. A full description of the building and application process is available at https://a806-housingconnect.nyc.gov/nyclottery/AdvertisementPdf/226.pdf. Households may elect to submit an application by one of two methods: EITHER online OR by mail. To submit your application online now, please visit NYC Housing Connect at www.nyc.gov/housingconnectand select “Apply for Housing.” To request an  application by mail, mail a self-addressed envelope to: West 153 Owner LLC, Hellgate Station, PO Box 125, New York, NY 10029. Completed applications must be submitted online or returned by regular mail only to the post office box that will be listed on the application. Applications must be submitted online or postmarked by April 12, 2016. Applicants who submit more than one application may be disqualified. Enclave at the Cathedral is now accepting applications for 87 affordable studio and 1- and 2-bedroom apartments newly constructed at 400 West 113th Street in the Morningside Heights neighborhood in Manhattan. Rents for these apartments range from $887 to $1,123 depending on unit size. To be eligible, applicants must have incomes between $29,726 and $51,780, depending on unit and family size. Preference will be given to Community Board 9 residents for 50% of units, mobility-impaired persons for 5% of units, visual- and/or hearing-impaired persons for 2% of units, and City of New York municipal employees for 5% of units. A full description of the building and application process is available at https://a806-housingconnect.nyc.gov/nyclottery/AdvertisementPdf/229.pdf. Households may elect to submit an application by one of two methods: EITHER online OR by mail. To submit your application online now, please visit NYC Housing Connect at www.nyc.gov/housingconnectand select “Apply for Housing.” To request an  application by mail, mail a self-addressed envelope to: ENCLAVE AT THE CATHEDRAL c/o Urban Associates, LLC., P.O. Box 4089, NEW YORK, NY 10023. Completed applications must be submitted online or returned by regular mail only to the post office box that will be listed on the application. Applications must be submitted online or postmarked by April 12, 2016. Applicants who submit more than one application may be disqualified. Stuyvesant Town/Peter Cooper Village Waiting List Lottery: Stuyvesant Town/Peter Cooper Village is now accepting applications for its waiting list for affordable studio and 1- through 5-bedroom apartments between 14th and 23rd Streets, 1st Avenue to Avenue C. Rents for these apartments range from $1210 to $4,560 depending on income and unit size. To be eligible, applicants must have incomes between $36,300 and $210,870, depending on unit and family size. Preference will be given to New York City residents. A full description of the building and application process is available athttps://www.pcvstlottery.com/PDFs/Final%20Stuyvesant%20Town%20Peter%20Cooper%20Village%20A d.pdf. Councilmember Dan Garodnick has also put together a detailed FAQ on the lottery, which is available online at http://www.garodnick.com/sites/default/files/PCVST Affordable Housing Lottery FAQ.pdf Households may elect to submit an application by one of two methods: EITHER online OR by mail. To submit your application online now, please visit ww.pcvstlottery.com. To request an application by mail, mail a self-addressed envelope to: Stuyvesant Town/ Peter Cooper Village, 243 5th Avenue, Box 425, New York, NY 10016. Completed applications must be submitted online or returned by regular mail only to the post office box that will be listed on the application. Applications must be submitted online or postmarked by March 31, 2016. Applicants who submit more than one application may be disqualified. Metrocard Bus and Van Schedule: The MTA offers MetroCard-related services throughout New York City through mobile buses and vans. Buses provide a full range of services, including applying for or refilling a Reduced-Fare MetroCard, buying or refilling a regular MetroCard, or getting answers to a MetroCard-related question. Vans sell Unlimited Ride MetroCards and Pay-Per-Ride MetroCards, and they refill MetroCards and Reduced-Fare MetroCards. Buses and vans will be in my district on the following dates and locations: March 8, 9 - 10:30 am, 92 Street & Lexington Avenue – Bus March 8, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm., 86 Street & Lexington Avenue – Bus March 8, 1:30 - 2:30 pm, 68 Street & Lexington Avenue – Bus March 16, 9 - 10:30 am, 79 Street & 3 Avenue – Bus March 16, 11 am - 1 pm, 79 Street & York Avenue – Bus March 16, 1:30 - 2:30 pm, 72 Street & York Avenue – Bus March 17, 8:30 - 10:30 am, 47 Street & 2 Avenue – Van March 17, 1:30 - 3:30 pm, 28 Street & 2 Avenue – Van March 22, 9 - 10:30 am, 92 Street & Lexington Avenue – Bus March 22, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm., 86 Street & Lexington Avenue – Bus March 22, 1:30 - 2:30 pm, 68 Street & Lexington Avenue – Bus April 1, 9 - 10 am, 57 Street and 1 Avenue – Van April 1, 10:30 - 11:30 am, 57 Street and 3 Avenue – Van April 1, 12:30 - 2:30 pm, 68 Street and 1 Avenue – Van April 6, 9 - 10:30 am, 79 Street & 3 Avenue – Bus April 6, 11 am - 1 pm, 79 Street & York Avenue – Bus April 6, 1:30 - 2:30 pm, 72 Street & York Avenue – Bus April 7, 7 – 9 am, 90 Street and York Avenue - Van April 7, 8:30 - 10:30 am, 47 Street & 2 Avenue – Van April 7, 1:30 - 3:30 pm, 28 Street & 2 Avenue – Van The full mobile MetroCard schedule is available at http://mta.info/metrocard/mms.htm. Please note that MetroCard buses and vans do not take credit cards. Heat Season Rules:  The City Housing Maintenance Code and State Multiple Dwelling Law require building owners to provide heat and hot water to all tenants. Building owners are required to provide hot water 365 days a year at a constant minimum temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit.  Between October 1st and May 31st, a period designated as “Heat Season,” building owners are also required to provide tenants with heat under the following conditions: ● Between the hours of 6AM and 10PM, if the outside temperature falls below 55 degrees, the inside temperature is required to be at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit. ● Between the hours of 10PM and 6AM, if the temperature outside falls below 40 degrees, the inside temperature is required to be at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Tenants who are cold in their apartments should first attempt to notify the building owner, managing agent or superintendent. If heat is not restored, the tenant should call the City’s Citizen Service Center at 311. For the hearing-impaired, the TTY number is (212) 504-4115. The Center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Complaints can also be submitted online at http://www1.nyc.gov/nyc-resources/service/1813/heat-or-hot-water-complaint.