Page 2 - qt edition #49

PAGE 2 THE QUEENS TIMES THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2025

Despite Labor Force Gains, Disparities Remain For Workers
With Disabilities

(Continued from page 1) ployment outcomes for people Other state programs that help
with disabilities. The state’s overcome barriers to employment
than those without a disability. In “Employment First” initiative for people with disabilities include
2024, one in four New Yorkers requires state agencies to adopt enacted legislative changes in
with a disability lived below the plans to increase competitive 2022 to its Preferred Source Con-
poverty line compared to one in integrated employment (CIE) in tracting Program that were intend-
five nationally. the workforce and encourages ed to foster more inclusive jobs in
Increases to Labor Force Par- businesses to adopt inclusive hir- the nonprofit sector and increase
ticipation Rate ing practices. The initial goals of CIE. The state also runs special-
Nationally, the labor force Employment First in 2015 were ized hiring programs within the
participation rate for people with to increase the employment rate state workforce for people with
a disability age 16 and over rose of people with disabilities by 5% disabilities under Civil Service
by five percentage points from and reduce their poverty rate by Law 55-b and 55-c. In addition,
2019-2024, with the greatest gains 5% statewide. 2024 data show since 2015, businesses in New
between 2019 and 2021. Research employment gains over the past York that employ people with dis-
has noted post-Covid labor mar- ten years exceed this goal, though abilities have been authorized to
ket patterns differ from previous reductions in poverty have been claim either a personal income tax
recessions in which employment more modest. or corporate franchise tax credit.
recovery for people with disabili- State agencies are required to DiNapoli emphasized the im-
ties lagged the nondisabled popu- develop an annual plan that de- portance of leveraging existing
lation, largely due to expanded tails how they will improve the vocational programs, improving
A & F Auto Repairs, Inc. remote work options for those percentage of people with dis- transportation services for jobs
abilities they hire, and the Chief that cannot be done remotely,
who would have difficulty taking
General Auto Repairs an in-person job, and a tighter la- Disability Officer is required to and educating employers about
bor market that encouraged more
annually collect data from each the benefits of hiring people with
(Foreingn and Domestic) inclusive hiring. agency and report on and evaluate disabilities, measures that could
Accessories State Policy Efforts the state’s progress on improving significantly diminish barriers
• Tires • Batteries New York State has taken the employment rate of state em- to employment for people with
• Electronic Tune-ups several steps to improve em- ployees with disabilities. disabilities.
• Inspection Station
• Towing Council Member Francisco Moya Announces Lottery
ARIS & FRANK Opening For New Affordable Housing at Willets Point

43-05 111th Street • Corona Heights, NY (Continued from page 1) earning between ~$152,778 and ● The developer emphasises
Greek, Spanish and Italian Spoken ~$301,350. that no difference in quality or
(718) 592-7470 (718) 699-2499 portal. ● The buildings will be LEED finishes will exist between units
● The first phase will include Gold-certified, all-electric, have of different affordability levels.
880 affordable units, located in rooftop solar panels, bird- safe ● The building is scheduled
two buildings at the southwest glass, and include high-speed to open around April 2026 for
Read Our Paper Online Visit our corner of the site (Seaver Way WiFi, a 24/7 attended lobby, bike move-in.
website: www.queenstimes.com & Roosevelt Avenue). storage, and direct transit access How to Apply & Next Steps
or scan QR code ● Rent for the units starts at including the 7-train and LIRR. ● Applications will be accepted
via the Housing Connect portal,
approximately $486/month for ● On-site amenities: neigh-
single applicants earning be- borhood market, play area for where applicants must create a
tween about $20,469 and $34,020. children, co-working space, profile and provide required doc-
Subscribe to the The top cap is about $4,244/ fitness centre, yoga room, and umentation such as pay stubs, tax
returns, asset verification, etc.
month for 7-person households a landscaped interior courtyard.
Queens Times Assemblyman Braunstein Announces Annual Holiday

Toy Drive For Queens Children in Need
Your Local Newspaper-One Edition for All Of Queens
(Continued from page 1) board games, art supplies, and generosity during this season of
Just $57.00 per year... and have the paper sporting equipment are popular giving and I wish you and your
delivered to your door by US Mail Assemblyman Edward C. donated items. Recipients range family a healthy and happy holi-
Braunstein (D-Bayside) is proud in age from newborn to young day season.”
Please Enter my Subscription For One Year to announce the return of his of- adult. The toys will be donated to
fice’s annual Holiday Toy Drive “As we welcome the holiday numerous organizations, institu-
Name .............................................................................. for needy and hospitalized chil- season and plan to spend quality tions and charitable programs
dren in Queens. time with our loved ones, please operating in Queens that serve
Address .......................................................................... All new and unwrapped gifts consider bringing joy to a local local children and families in
should be delivered to Assem- family in need by donating a need.
City..................................................Zip........................... blyman Braunstein’s office at new and unwrapped toy to my If you are interested in partici-
Please make check payable to: Queens Times and mail to: 213-33 39th Avenue, Suite 238, office’s annual Toy Drive,” said pating and have any questions,
11-20 154th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357 Bayside, 11361, by Friday, De- Assemblyman Braunstein. “I please call Assemblyman Braun-
cember 12, 2025. Action figures, thank you in advance for your stein’s office at (718) 357-3588.
Board Approves 3 NYC Casinos, 2 in Queens And 1 in
The Bronx

(Continued from page 1) of jobs. It is critical that they keep Steve Cohen and Hard Rock Inter-
those promises. I look forward to national that will be built on the
The two in Queens are: the the Gaming Commission’s review parking lots west of Citi Field in
Published every week by CT Publishing Corp. Metropolitan Park at Willets Point of the Board’s recommendations Corona. The plan includes a Hard
Executive Office: 102-54 Nicolls Avenue, Corona Heights, NY 11368 and Resorts World New York in the weeks ahead.”
Rock hotel, a live entertainment
Operations: 11-20 154th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357 City at the Aqueduct Racetrack; Queens Borough President venue, restaurants, a convention
Phone (718) 592-2196 • FAX (718) 357-3682 and, the third is Bally’s Bronx in Donovan Richards Jr. applauded center and retail space.
Web Site: www.queenstimes.com the Throggs Neck section of the the board’s approval and said in The Resorts World gaming
email: editor@queenstimes.com Bronx. a statement, “The most diverse complex on the site of Aqueduct
Gov Kathy Hochul said in a county in the United States is Racetrack in South Ozone Park
James C. Lisa .........................Publisher/Editor statement, “From the moment that quickly becoming its most eco- has proposed on the 72 acres of
Lew Scala .............................. Associate Publisher/Webmaster three downstate casino licenses nomically innovative and trans- the 172-acre, which is also home
Lou Duro ...............................International Correspondent were authorized in the 2022 State formative, connecting tens of to the racetrack and the head-
Nicole Rescigno.....................Office Manager Budget, I have been clear: any thousands of Queens families to quarters of the New York Racing
Joseph V. Dorsa ...................Photo Journalist approved project must provide good-paying union jobs and mil- Association. Resorts World, pres-
Joseph Natalle .......................Photojournalist real benefits to its community lions of residents and tourists alike ently houses the Nassau Regional
The Queens Times, USPS # P127 AIC060 is published weekly by CT Publishing Corp. and have sustainable economic to World Class Entertainment”. Off-Track Betting’s 1,000 video
for an annual subscription charge of $57.00, mail subscription request to Queens Times, plans; and, went on to say, “The The Metropolitan Park proposal slot machines, and has proposed to
11-20 154th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357, Periodicals Postage at Flushing, NY. three projects approved promise to includes a Hard Rock Hotel near create a 500,000-square-foot gam-
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Queens Times at 11-20 154th Street, unlock billions in funding for the Citi Field and has proposed a $8
Whitestone, NY 11357 MTA and create tens of thousands billion project by NY Mets owner (Continued on page 3)