Page 10 - qt edition #45

PAGE 10 THE QUEENS TIMES THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2025

Gillibrand Slams Rfk Jr. For Purging Staff On Front Statement From NYC Council on
Lines Of Opioid Crisis General Election Results on Mayor Ad-

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand this dangerous decision and fight from overdoses between April ams’ Misleading Ballot Proposals
(D-NY) is slamming the Trump to ensure that every person can 2024 to April 2025. The senators’ 2, 3, and 4
administration for needlessly fir- access the mental health and letter further warned that these
ing federal employees who work substance use disorder resources terminations will likely lead to In response to election results checks and balances of democ-
on the front lines of America’s that they need.” more opioid-related deaths and for Ballot Proposals 2, 3, and racy to protect New Yorkers and
opioid crisis. Gillibrand joined Senators illicit drugs flowing into com- 4 advanced by Mayor Adams’ ensure outcomes that prioritize
The Department of Health Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Ron munities across the United States. Charter Revision Commission, them, not simply profits.
and Human Services (HHS) has Wyden (D-OR) and 12 other This letter is part of Gilli- the New York City Council re- “Tonight’s results are not
now terminated more than 100 Democratic colleagues in calling brand’s ongoing effort to address leased the following statement surprising given the misleading
Substance Abuse and Mental on HHS Secretary Robert F. Ken- the opioid crisis in New York and from spokesperson Benjamin language placed on the ballot
Health Services Administration nedy, Jr. to immediately reverse across the country, and hold the Fang-Estrada. to describe these proposals that
(SAMHSA) employees since the these terminations and support Trump administration account- “New Yorkers desperately need intentionally sought to deceive
start of the Trump administration, federal employees’ work to keep able in fulfilling its promise more housing that is affordable voters by hiding what they do.
reducing its staff to less than 50 Americans safe and healthy. to address it. Earlier this year, to them, but the solution isn’t to The fact that there is no account-
percent capacity. SAMHSA pro- “SAMHSA is a critical first Gillibrand sounded the alarm take away communities’ power ability or scrutiny for ballot
vides key addiction and mental responder on the front lines of about the Trump administration’s to secure more affordability language and abuses of mayoral
health treatment services, with a our nation’s ongoing substance decision to terminate a program and essential public goods from charter revisions exposes a con-
focus on rural and underserved use and mental health crises,” that helps prevent fatal opioid developers and the City. These tinued threat to our democracy
areas, and is responsible for the senators wrote in their letter overdoses, expressing concern misleading ballot proposals per- that the State must address. Gov-
programs like the 988 Suicide to Kennedy. “The firing of key about the administration’s re- manently change the City’s con- ernor Hochul must sign into law
& Crisis Lifeline. The layoffs, staff at this agency threatens to ported decision to terminate a $56 stitution to weaken democracy, A.3665A/S.590A, passed by both
part of another government-wide undermine years of hard-won million annual grant program that lasting beyond the next mayor houses of the State Legislature to
reduction in force carried out progress on the opioid crisis, and distributes and provides training when we inevitably have a mayor prevent mayors, like Eric Adams,
earlier this month by the Trump could not come at a worse time. to administer the opioid overdose who is bad on housing, equity, from misusing the charter revi-
administration, will likely lead Right now, communities across reversal medication naloxone. and justice for communities. This sion process to block ballot access
to more Americans falling into the country – in both red and blue Following Gillibrand’s advocacy, will leave our city without the and weaken democracy.”
addiction because they will be states – continue to face record the Trump administration recon-
unable to access SAMHSA’s overdose deaths and escalating sidered its decision and renewed
critical addiction prevention and rates of mental health conditions the program. Riders Congratulate NYC Mayor-elect
treatment services. and substance use disorder.” In addition to Gillibrand, Zohran Mamdani
“The Trump administration is Kennedy’s decision to purge Padilla, and Wyden, the letter to
needlessly slashing staff for criti- public health professionals not HHS was signed by Senators An- Riders Alliance Executive Di-
cal mental health and substance only derails progress made by gela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Richard rector Betsy Plum said: of New Yorkers, Mayor-elect
Mamdani is heading to City Hall.
use disorder programs that mil- a workforce with irreplaceable Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker
lions of Americans rely on,” said experience, but it also contradicts (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D- “When riders organize, we We know he’ll bring the same
urgency, creativity, and com-
Senator Gillibrand. “These cuts the administration’s pledge to IL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Amy win transformative change. For
are deeply harmful to New York- tackle the fentanyl crisis, expand Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray years, New York’s public transit mitment to action that defined
his leadership in Albany and his
ers, and our communities will mental health services, and end Luján (D-NM), Edward Markey riders have worked alongside
bear the cost of this recklessness the opioid epidemic. (D-MA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tina Zohran Mamdani in Albany to mayoral campaign.
– in lives lost, families broken, According to the Centers for Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hol- turn frustration into power and
and public trust further eroded. Disease Control and Prevention, len (D-MD), and Mark Warner deliver tangible improvements “Across every borough, riders
are ready to turn this victory
I’ll keep pushing back against more than 73,000 people died (D-VA). for millions of New Yorkers. into lasting transformation. We
Reps. Bacon, Suozzi, Hurd, Gottheimer Release Bipartisan Together, we’ve won billions for are excited to keep building our
public transit and more frequent
power, winning fast and afford-
Principles to Temporarily Extend And Reform Affordable subways and bus service. able transit, and making New
“After a bold, visionary cam-
Care Act Enhanced Premium Tax Credits paign that captured the hearts York a city that truly moves for
everyone.”
Representatives Don Bacon to lowering health care costs. sion of APTCs
(R-NE), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Jeff We may not agree on every ideal • Income Cap: An income cap Red Cross Responds to Support 123
Hurd (R-CO) and Josh Gottheimer outcome, but we’ve identified a phased out between $200,000 and People in New York City Last Week
(D-NJ) released a statement of fair, reasonable path forward on the $400,000.
principles for lowering health care future of the Affordable Care Act’s • Reform: Guardrails to prevent
costs and temporarily extending Enhanced Premium Tax Credits. improper payments of APTCs The American Red Cross in The Red Cross responded
and reforming the Affordable Care Compromise isn’t rocket science, Prevent “Ghost Benefi- Greater New York is helping 123 to help 19 people affected by 4
Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax and it shouldn’t be treated like a ciaries”: Requirements that ACA people after 16 emergencies in emergencies in Manhattan:
credits (APTCs). The principles weakness. marketplaces confirm recipient the five boroughs between Oc- • One household (one in-
focus on a temporary extension Our hope is that this shared eligibility with the Death Master tober 27 and November 2, 2025. dividual) after a fire on Sherman
with reasonable income caps and statement of principles will inspire File Avenue (10/27/25)
reform. bipartisan collaboration across Crack Down on Fraud: The Red Cross responded • Two households (nine in-
Bacon, Suozzi, Hurd and Got- Washington and help get Congress Establish a “preponderance of to help 34 people affected by 4 dividuals) after a fire on Avenue
theimer released the following back to work for the American evidence” standard of proof to emergencies in the Bronx: D (10/29/25)
quote: people.” determine when an agent or bro- • Two households (11 in- • One household (three
“Congress is gridlocked, and Below, find the statement of ker should be allowed to continue dividuals) after a fire on Marion individuals) after a fire on 10th
too many Americans have lost principles: operating in the ACA marketplaces Avenue (10/27/25) Avenue (11/1/25)
faith that we can work together. Principles to Temporarily • Enhance Delivery Clarity: • Two households (five • Two households (six
But here’s the truth: Democrats and Extend and Reform Affordable Requirements that marketplaces individuals) after a fire on East individuals) after a fire on West
Republicans can sit down, listen Care Act Enhanced Premium Tax better notify recipients the value 187th Street (10/28/25) 169th Street (11/1/25)
to one another, and find common Credits of APTCs they are receiving from • Four households (eight The Red Cross responded to
ground, especially when it comes • Temporary: A two-year exten- the federal government individuals) after a fire on Miles help 4 people affected by 2 emer-
Avenue (10/30/25) gencies in Queens:
Gillibrand Statement Congratulating Mayor-Elect Mamdani • Four households (10 in- • One household (three
dividuals) after a fire on Pugsley individuals) after a fire on Hoyt
On His Election Victory Avenue (10/31/25) Avenue South (10/28/25)
The Red Cross responded • One household (one
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand working with the mayor-elect to ready to defend New York against to help 58 people affected by 5 individual) after flooding on
released the following statement address the affordability crisis any and all of the retaliation from emergencies in Brooklyn: Springfield Boulevard (10/31/25)
on the New York City mayoral and lower costs, ensure New York the Trump administration. • Two households (eight The Red Cross responded to
election results: is safe for all, and protect our fun- I would urge President Trump individuals) after a fire on East- help 8 people affected by 1 emer-
damental rights. to focus on the constituents we all ern Parkway (10/28/25) gency on Staten Island:
“Earlier tonight, I called to New York voters have fairly and serve and prioritize making their • One household (five • Two households (eight
congratulate Mayor-Elect Mam- freely chosen their next mayor, and lives better, not his personal po- individuals) after a fire on East individuals) after a fire on Brigh-
dani on his victory. Right now, too the results of this election should litical vendettas. Our work should 43rd Street (10/29/25) ton Avenue (10/27/25)
many New Yorkers are struggling not draw the ire of the president be about the people we serve, not • Five households (21 in- In each instance, the Red
just to get by. I am committed to or the federal government. I stand partisan politics.” dividuals) after a fire on Lincoln Cross Greater New York Di-
Avenue (10/30/25) saster Action Team provided
Read Our Paper Online Visit Our Website • Seven households (16 emergency assistance to meet
individuals) after flooding on the families’ immediate needs.
www.QueensTimes.com Kingston Avenue (10/30/25) The Red Cross typically provides
•
Two households (eight information packets regarding
individuals) after a fire on Troy
Avenue (11/1/25) (Continued on page 11)