Page 1 - qt edition #49

TI MES

QUEENS

Published for the Borough of Queens

VOLUME 29, NO. 49 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2024 25 CENTS

Suozzi Honors the Memory of Omer
Mayor Eric Adams Community
Op-Ed: Making New York City Neutra, His Constituent, With Moving
Affordable for Working New Yorkers Speech on House Floor

Working-class New Yorkers are the backbone of our city; they
keep our city safe, healthy, clean, and help us continue to take the
greatest city in the world to new heights. These dedicated work-
ers deserve the chance to build a better future for themselves,
their children, and their families. This includes securing good-
paying jobs, affordable homes, and a world-class education for
their children. That is why, from day one of our administration,
we have focused on making New York City more affordable for
working-class New Yorkers.
We have done this by helping to save New Yorkers more than
$30 billion through programs that help them get ahead, like
the “Earned Income Tax Credit,” which enables families and
working-class people to have more money to pay for groceries,
bills, and rent. We have helped New Yorkers in public housing
access free high-speed internet and basic TV through Big Apple
Connect, and we are on the path to eliminate medical debt for
500,000 New Yorkers — saving them an estimated $1.8 billion.
We have created homes that working people, families, im-
migrants, and young people need with back-to-back record
years of building affordable housing; this includes a combined
nearly 29,000 affordable and public housing units just this year.
We signed two historic agreements with our partners in labor
that allow us to build more and build faster, all while creating
good-paying career pathways and apprenticeship opportunities
for New Yorkers living in New York City Housing Authority
Congressman Tom Suozzi honoring Omer Neutra on the floor of the U.S. House of
(Continued on page 2) Representatives, December 3, 2024. See story on page 2.

Governor Hochul Announces Pay Assemblyman Braunstein Announces
Increases For Engineers Annual Holiday Toy Drive for Queens

Governor Kathy Hochul has an-
nounced substantial pay increases Children in Need
for engineers and related licensed
positions across New York State Assemblyman Edward C.
agencies, marking a strategic move Braunstein (D-Bayside) is proud
to bolster recruitment and retention to announce the return of his of-
efforts for public sector roles critical fice’s annual Holiday Toy Drive
to infrastructure development and for needy and hospitalized chil-
maintenance. dren in Queens.
The pay hikes, ranging from “As we embrace the giving
$7,000 to $13,500, will benefit spirit of the holidays, please
approximately 2,600 employees consider bringing joy to a local
across 18 state agencies and the family in need by donating a new
New York State Thruway Author- and unwrapped toy to my office’s
ity. The adjustments, effective infrastructure, improve economic annual Holiday Toy Drive,” said
December 5, aim to attract top resilience, and prepare for climate Assemblyman Braunstein. “I
talent in professional fields such as challenges. Key agencies expected thank you in advance for your
engineering, architecture, and land to see the greatest impact include generosity and wish you and
surveying, addressing challenges in the Department of Transportation, your family a healthy and happy
a competitive job market. the Department of Environmental holiday season.”
“Engineering and the licensed Conservation, and the Office of All new and unwrapped gifts
positions that support it are some Parks, Recreation, and Historic should be delivered to Assembly-
of the most competitive jobs in Preservation. man Braunstein’s office at 213-33 Assemblyman Braunstein visits students at P.S. 98
the world,” Governor Hochul said. In addition to the pay increases, 39th Avenue, Suite 238, Bayside, to pick up their collected toy donations in 2023.
“This investment in geographic pay the New York State Thruway 11361, by Wednesday, Decem-
differentials is a smart investment Authority approved a new pay dif- ber 11, 2024. Gifts can also be The toys will be donated to need.
in the future of the Empire State.” ferential to enhance recruitment dropped off to the Queens Com- numerous organizations, institu- If you are interested in partici-
The increases come amid ongo- and retention. The initiative, set to munity Board 11 office at 46-21 tions and charitable programs pating and have any questions,
ing efforts by the Hochul admin- Little Neck Parkway, Little Neck, operating in Queens that serve please call Assemblyman Braun-
istration to rebuild and modernize (Continued on page 3) 11362, prior to the deadline. local children and families in stein’s office at (718) 357-3588.
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