Page 9 - qt edition #49

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2022 THE QUEENS TIMES PAGE 9

Attorney General James Reaches Multistate Agreement With Rep. Hakeem Jeffries Statement on His
CarMax to Protect Drivers’ Safety Election as Democratic Leader

CarMax Failed to Tell Consum- torney General, I will continue to Safety Administration’s vehicle Following his election to House resents another important crack in
ers about Safety Recalls on Their ensure that companies that bypass identification number tool to pro- Democratic Leader for the 118th the glass ceiling, a trailblazer in
Vehicles the law are held to account and vide important safety information, Congress, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries the tradition of Speaker Pelosi. She
that New Yorkers are protected.” including open recalls, to consum- (D-NY) released the following makes all of us feel seen and heard
New Industry Standard Will Re- A multistate investigation ers. To check for any open recalls statement: and will work tirelessly to support
quire Used Car Dealers to Inform found that CarMax, a nationwide on their vehicle, consumers can use our Democratic Caucus. I have
Drivers of Open Safety Recalls used car dealer, misled consum- this online tool. “For the past five terms, it has watched how Pete brings people
Prior to Selling Used Vehicles ers by failing to disclose needed Joining Attorney General James been my great honor to serve in together to get things done, roll-
repairs on vehicles with open in today’s agreement are the attor- the Congress working alongside ing up his sleeves as only a former
New York Attorney General Le- safety recalls. CarMax classified neys general of Alabama, Arizona, colleagues from all across this Mayor can do. Katherine, Pete and
titia James and a multistate coali- those vehicles as “safe” despite Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, country. I will work closely together fight-
tion of 35 attorneys general today there being open recalls for parts, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Ha- Today, with immense pride, ing hard for everyday Americans.
secured $1 million from CarMax including airbags and other critical waii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Ken- I stood in front of the House Over the last few years, House
for failing to disclose open safety safety features. tucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Democratic Caucus as a candidate Democrats have delivered extraor-
recalls on their used vehicles to This agreement requires CarMax Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, for Democratic Leader, and I am dinary results for the American
consumers before sales. CarMax to stop these improper practices Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, eternally grateful for the trust my People. We are going to continue
did not provide consumers with and changes overall industry stan- New Mexico, North Carolina, colleagues placed in me with their to put People Over Politics and
information about safety recalls dards in the used car market to Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, votes. It is a solemn responsibility fight for all our values. House
on critical vehicle parts, such as protect consumers. Customers of Rhode Island, South Carolina, that myself, Katherine Clark and Democrats will lift up working
brakes and fuel pumps, before used car dealerships will now be Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Pete Aguilar are inheriting, and families, the middle class and
selling vehicles. Today’s agree- able to access information about Washington, West Virginia, and we will lean in hard and do the those who aspire to be part of it,
ment will set a new industry any open safety recalls for any ve- Wisconsin. work with the seriousness and young people and senior citizens,
standard for used car dealers to hicles available for purchase. Under This agreement was led by solemnity the moment requires. veterans, the poor, the sick and the
disclose open safety recalls to the agreement, CarMax is required Deputy Assistant Attorney Gen- We stand on the shoulders of his- afflicted and the least, the lost and
customers before they make a to provide digital links for vehicles eral in Charge of the Rochester toric individuals, including our the left behind.
purchase. New York will receive advertised online and QR codes Regional Office Benjamin Bruce iconic Speaker Nancy Pelosi, our We will look for common
an estimated $53,772.49 of the for vehicles available on their lots and Consumer Frauds Bureau resolute Leader Steny Hoyer and ground with Republicans when-
total settlement funds. which will allow consumers to ac- Chief Jane Azia. The Rochester our historic Majority Whip James ever and wherever possible, but
“When someone buys a car, cess this information as they shop. Regional Office is a part of the Di- E. Clyburn. oppose extremism on the other
they need to know that it will keep In addition, CarMax will present vision of Regional Affairs, which I am particularly humbled to be side of the aisle whenever neces-
them safe,” said Attorney General customers with documentation on is led by Deputy Attorney General accepting this honor alongside my sary.
James. “CarMax put New York- any open safety recalls and obtain Jill Faber. The Consumer Frauds friends and partners in leadership, Democrats, at our best, fight For
ers at risk by allowing drivers to their signature to confirm proper Bureau is a part of the Division incoming Democratic Whip Kath- The People. That’s not a slogan,
get on the road without warning disclosure before presenting the of Economic Justice and is led by erine Clark and incoming Caucus that’s a way of life, and we are just
them that their newly purchased with any sales paperwork. The Chief Deputy Attorney General Chair Pete Aguilar. Katherine rep- getting started. Onward.”
vehicles had open safety recalls. company will pay $1 million in Chris D’Angelo. The Division of
This agreement will protect New penalties, of which an estimated Regional Affairs and the Division MTA Proposes Fare Hike,
Yorkers and ensure that consum- $53,772.49 will go to New York. of Economic Justice are overseen
ers are aware of any safety recall CarMax will continue to use the by First Deputy Attorney General TSTC Demands Ending NY’s must invest in mass transit rather
before they start driving. As At- National Highway Traffic and Jennifer Levy. Gas Tax Holiday than making it cheaper and easier
to drive a private vehicle.
Gillibrand Pushes to Close $3.6 Billion Funding Gap in 9/11 At a recent monthly board “TSTC has long advocated
World Trade Center Health Program in meeting, the MTA announced it for dedicated transit funding,
will be conducting hearings on which would prevent these kinds
End-Of-Year Spending Bill a proposal to increase subway, of crises from happening. This is
bus, and commuter rail fares by not a problem that can be resolved
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand with my colleagues to get this crash site, children who were in 5.5 percent. The fare increase, in overnight, but Governor Hochul
sent a letter to leadership push- legislation included in any end- schools in downtown Manhattan addition to next year’s $2.6 billion and state leaders have failed to
ing Congress to pass the 9/11 of-year spending bill.” on 9/11 and during clean-up, and deficit, will be included in the enact any meaningful solutions.
Responder and Survivor Health “On behalf of Citizens for those who have since experienced, budget that is being prepared in In fact, the state has actually made
Funding Correction Act in or- the Extension of the James Zad- or are expected to experience, ad- December. things worse by suspending its
der to deliver $3.624 billion in roga Act, I want to thank Senator verse health effects that are linked Earlier this year, Governor Kathy gas tax; according to an analysis
supplemental funding to close Gillibrand for her continuing ef- to the attacks in the coming years. Hochul suspended the collection by the Institute on Taxation and
the impending funding gap in forts on behalf of 9/11 responders The program was reauthorized in of roughly 17 cents per gallon in Economic Policy (NY Focus),
the World Trade Center Health and survivors suffering from the 2015 and extended through 2090 gas taxes until January 2023. The nearly a third of the benefits — up
Program (WTCHP). The funding impact of the toxins at Ground with bipartisan support. Today, recent increase in gas prices now to $183 million — are retained by
shortfall will begin affecting the Zero even today over 21 years seven years since Congress reau- has a bipartisan group of legisla- fossil fuel companies.
program and its ability to provide later. By working to ensure that thorized the program, it is esti- tors calling on the governor to “For every dollar New York
services starting in FY2025. the World Trade Center Health mated that the funding formula in extend the gas tax holiday. loses in gas tax revenue because of
Senator Gillibrand is pushing to Program has the funds it needs, the statute will not be able to keep Statement from Renae Reyn- the suspension, less than 50 cents
include the bill in any upcoming before the impending shortfall. pace with the anticipated costs of olds, Executive Director of TSTC: go back into state residents’ pock-
legislative vehicle, including the This means that we will not have providing the program’s services “The continued underfunding ets, the analysis found. Only 42
omnibus spending bill or any to ask responders and survivors for 9/11 heroes, who span all fifty of the MTA has put the agency in percent of the benefits are going to
end-of-year funding package. to come to Washington again and states and 434 of the 435 congres- a dire fiscal crisis. Without new New Yorkers who were intended
Gillibrand was joined during her walk the halls of Congress seek- sional districts. Soon, the WTCHP revenue sources, fares will have as primary beneficiaries, while 22
video press conference by Ben ing action. Thank you, Senator will not have the funds needed to increase, services will be cut, percent go to out-of-state residents
Chevat, Executive Director of Gillibrand.” - Benjamin Chevat, to provide care for all those still and workers will be laid off. While and 6 percent go to New York’s
Citizens for the Extension of the Executive Director for Citizens suffering the physical and mental these measures will temporarily richest 5 percent of households.
James Zadroga Act, and Tom Hart, for the Extension of the James impacts of 9/11 and for those who help close the MTA’s budget gap, “Transit has long relied on gas
a 9/11 responder and president of Zadroga Act have yet to be diagnosed with new they will also make it harder for tax revenue, but in recent decades
IUOE Local 94. Tom also sits on “Thank you, Senator Gillibrand, 9/11-associated conditions caused working families and seniors to those funds have been drying up
the Board of Directors of Citizens for truly Never Forgetting 9/11 and by their toxic exposures. get around — and make our region significantly. There is a reluctance
for the Extension of the James for getting this done.” -Tom Hart, The original 9/11 Responder less competitive economically. among politicians to raise the gas
Zadroga Act. 9/11 responder, President of IUOE and Survivor Health Funding Cor- “Governor Hochul must act tax, and millions of Americans
“In 2011, we established the Local 94, Board of Directors of rection Act was cosponsored in the now to protect transit riders and are switching to electric vehicles
World Trade Center Health Pro- Citizens for the Extension of the Senate by Senators Schumer (D- essential workers from a fare hike. (EVs) — avoiding the tax entirely
gram to provide first responders, James Zadroga Act NY), Menendez (D-NJ), Booker We’re calling on the governor and further diminishing the pool
survivors and their families with After years of efforts and calls (D-NJ), Murphy (D-CT), Blu- and state lawmakers to immedi- of available funds. We are there-
health care benefits in order to on the federal government, Con- menthal (D-CT), Brown (D-OH), ately end the gas tax holiday and fore urging Governor Hochul to
treat 9/11-related health condi- gress established the WTCHP on Kaine (D-VA), Baldwin (D-WI), implement new dedicated funding end the gas tax holiday and pro-
tions,” said Senator Gillibrand. a bipartisan basis in 2011 with a Casey (D-PA), Reed (D-RI), Mar- sources for the MTA. To combat vide sustainable funding for public
“Unfortunately, funding for the five-year authorization to provide key (D-MA), and Sanders (I-VT). the region’s crises — including transportation. The MTA needs a
WTCHP will run short soon and medical treatment and monitoring The bill is led in the House of road violence, traffic congestion, long-term funding solution — and
force benefit cutbacks unless for over 120,000 9/11 responders Representatives by Representative and carbon emissions — the state it needs one as soon as possible.”
Congress takes action. The 9/11 and survivors suffering from the Carolyn Maloney and has over 120
Responder and Survivor Health effects of the toxins at Ground additional cosponsors.
Funding Correction Act will close Zero. The program covers the Senator Gillibrand has been a QueensTimes.com
this $3.6 billion funding gap and lifespans of all exposed, including forefront advocate for 9/11 first re-
ensure the program has the re- responders and survivors of the sponders and led the effort to pass Read Our Paper Online and Play Sudoku
sources it needs now and into the attack on the World Trade Center, and crossword puzzles online
future. I am going to work closely the Pentagon, the Shanksville (Continued on page 10)