Dear Friends and Neighbors, 

High among the improvements we are seeking in the state budget is the adoption of an 8.5% COLA for direct support agencies and their workers. The New York State budget negotiations continue as the April 1 deadline has passed. In this report, we included coverage by AMNY of the workforce crisis facing people with disabilities. The Assembly and Senate passed a second extender bill this week to ensure there will be no disruption to state operations and essential services. We will keep you updated on the final budget when it is adopted.  

We joined "City Pickle" last weekend as they cut the ribbon on their pop-up courts at Wollman Rink in Central Park. Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the nation for all ages. "City Pickle" was founded as the first Pickleball Club in New York City and gives back to the New York City community with partnerships for senior citizens and people with disabilities.

Do join us for upcoming events our office sponsors:

No-Cost Community Paper Shredding- Saturday, April 15 from 10am-2pm in front of Chase Bank (79/York). No books, bindings or x-rays are permitted. 

2023 Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony- Wednesday, May 10 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Zuckerman Auditorium, 417 East 68 Street (York/First Ave.).

Please don't hesitate to reach out if we can be of assistance.

 Phone: 212.288.4607

Email: SeawrightR@NYAssembly.gov

Sincerely,

REBECCA A. SEAWRIGHT 

Manhattan Borough Parks Commissioner Anthony Perez, Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright, City Pickle Co-Founders Erica Desai and Mary Cannon.  

The proclamation Seawright presented was jointly authored by Assembly Members Rebecca Seawright and Alex Bores.

Our office is facilitating no-cost clinics and partnerships with veterans, senior citizen non-profits, Health Advocates for Older People, the Boys' Club, and the Adaptive Sports programs for people with disabilities. City Pickle is inclusive and supports the underserved communities in New York City. The Challenged Athletes Foundation will have weekly, two-hour sessions this spring, including a CityPickle coach to help facilitate play among athletes in wheelchairs or with other physical challenges

Co-founders of City Pickle Erica Desai and Mary Cannon have been friends for over a decade and first became partners on the tennis court. They independently fell in love with pickleball but together knew they wanted to share their passion for the sport with New York City.

Madison Thomas, Seawright's Special Assistant presented an Assembly Citation to each Friends of the Upper East Side Honoree. She presented a citation to Ryan's Daughter owners and their family, the recipients of the Good Neighbor Award.

The Roosevelt Island Lighthouse received the Rehabilitation Award. Madison presented an Assembly Citation to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) team for receiving this honor.

Former Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney received the Distinguished Leadership Award. She is pictured here receiving a citation from Madison on behalf of Assembly Member Seawright.

Congratulations to all of the 2023 Award Recipients!

REHABILITATION AWARD

Roosevelt Island Lighthouse

GOOD NEIGHBOR AWARD

Ryan's Daughter

RENAISSANCE AWARD

Hermès Maison Madison

PUBLICATION AWARD

Duke House and the Making of Modern New York

DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP AWARD

Honorable Carolyn B. Maloney

Statement from the NYS Bipartisan Pro-Choice Legislative Caucus In Response to the Initial Ruling on AHM v. FDA

Over 20 years ago, Mifepristone underwent stringent testing requirements before the FDA approved the medication for distribution on the marketplace. Since then Mifepristone has been used safely and effectively, along with Misoprostol, for medication abortion. It is less invasive than procedural abortion, and studies conducted around the world have found Mifepristone to be safe - and it can be lifesaving for those whose health would be greatly compromised by undergoing pregnancy. 

On Friday, April 7, a U.S. District Judge in Texas issued a sweeping decision on Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA to suspend FDA approval of Mifepristone, which flies in the face of more than 20 years of robust testing and real-world data. This ruling is an unprecedented and egregious use of judicial activism that, if upheld, would put women in peril across the country. The FDA has been in charge of determining whether pharmaceuticals are safe since 1938, using evidence-based protocols. It is deeply concerning that one extreme right-wing activist judge seeks to challenge the FDA's 85-year record of expertise and authority in this area. 

Medication abortion is a reproductive healthcare option that affords individuals the ability to have an abortion in the privacy of their own home and with the support of friends or loved ones if they choose. It increases accessibility of care for individuals who have lower incomes and who live in areas with fewer healthcare providers. Over 50% of abortions are done using medication. Women should not have their reproductive healthcare options restricted based on their zip code. 

The New York State Bipartisan Pro-Choice Legislative Caucus (BPCLC) works to protect reproductive rights and access to reproductive healthcare services across the state. During this unfounded onslaught of attacks on reproductive rights, we have fought to protect abortion providers, those who provide support, and those who seek abortion care, as well as strengthen resources and healthcare infrastructure across New York.

Barbara Mandel is a longtime Upper East Sider and attorney volunteering as a Notary Public at the District Office.

Pawsitively perfect constituents. Prince Mickey and his brother Walter White visited the district office for a treat! 

There will be a crane lift in operation on Sunday, April 16, 2023 at the Memorial Sloan Kettering 425 East 67th Street entrance which requires a partial street closure and sidewalk restrictions as explained in detail below:

• The partial street closure is scheduled for 6:00 am to approximately 5:00 pm.
• 67th Street will be closed to thru traffic, access will be granted to the Icon Parking garage located at 400 East 67th Street.
• ‘No Parking’ will be strictly enforced around the crane location, cars will be moved if in the way of crane setup operations.
• Pedestrian traffic will be restricted on the North side of the street.
• Signs will be posted accordingly.

Please contact us at communityaffairs@mskcc.org if you have any questions or concerns.