Page 9 - qt edition #3 January 16, 2025

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2025 THE QUEENS TIMES PAGE 9

AG James Releases Statement on AG James Reminds New Yorkers to be Cautious in

2025 State of the State Address Charitable Giving For Los Angeles Wildfire Relief

New York Attorney General dress throughout the years. These AG James Urges New Yorkers to Fraudulent organizations site’s FAQs and Terms and Con-
Letitia James today released the measures will help ease the bur- Beware of Sham Charities and can try to take advantage of ditions to see what fees will be
following statement in response den for struggling families and Make Sure They Are Giving to New Yorkers’ good intentions, charged. Also, don’t assume that
to Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2025 help students and teachers thrive Trustworthy Organizations especially following natural charities recommended on social
State of the State: in schools. Additionally, I am disasters. Given the significant media sites, blogs, or other web-
“I am pleased with key legislative pleased that addressing mental ill- New York Attorney General impact of wildfires, it is essential sites have already been vetted.
proposals outlined in Governor ness is a key priority, and ensuring Letitia James today provided for New Yorkers to be informed Research the charity yourself to
Hochul’s State of the State that more available beds and services guidance to New Yorkers looking as they seek to help. The OAG of- confirm that the charity is aware
will help New York families must be a key component of that to support relief efforts as wild- fers the following tips to ensure of the campaign and has given
throughout our state. Expanding effort. I look forward to working fires continue to burn across the donations are safe and effective: its approved permission for the
free school lunches, protecting with my colleagues in state gov- greater Los Angeles area. The • Solicited by Email? Find Out use of its name or logo. If avail-
children’s mental health, and ernment to advance these issues Office of the Attorney General Who Is Soliciting. If you receive able, sign up for updates from
securing affordable housing are and ensure New Yorkers receive (OAG) warns that New Yorkers a solicitation by email, find out the campaign organizer to keep
essential issues that I have long the quality services and protec- should be wary of sham charities who is behind that email address. abreast of how contributions to
advocated for and worked to ad- tions they deserve.” attempting to take advantage of Contact the charity whose name the campaign are being spent.
their concern and encourages is in the email or visit its website • Check Before Giving. Donate
Statement From Speaker Adams on everyone to take steps to ensure to find out if the email is really to charities you are familiar with
they are giving to legitimate from the charity. Do not give and carefully review informa-
Governor Hochul’s 2025 State of charitable organizations. personal information or your tion about the charity before
The State Address “In the midst of terrible natu- credit card number in response you give. Check a website like
ral disasters such as the wildfires to an email solicitation unless https://disasterphilanthropy.org/
“Meeting the full breadth of New entering high-demand fields. To impacting the greater Los An- you have checked out the charity. to find out which charities are at
Yorkers’ needs requires consistent truly confront New York’s genera- geles area, scammers often take • Be Careful When Giving the aid forefront. Most charities
investments into comprehensive tional affordability crisis, we must advantage of generous acts in Through Social Media or Other are required to register and file
solutions from our city and state continue to build on our holistic exchange for personal gain,” said Fundraising Sites. Before giving financial reports with OAG’s
leaders. Governor Hochul’s State approach that advances housing Attorney General James. “While through social media or fundrais- Charities Bureau if they solicit
of the State address presented im- solutions, affordable childcare, it is inspiring to see so many New ing sites, research the identity contributions from New Yorkers.
portant proposals that can support and opportunity for everyone Yorkers eager to help, I encour- of the organizer of the fundrais- Check OAG’s website for finan-
working families, expand access who calls our city home. New age them to be cautious of sham ing efforts and ask the same cial reports of charities or ask the
to affordable homeownership, and York City requires strong support charities that prey on people’s questions you would of a char- charity directly for its reports.
advance educational opportunities from the state, and I look forward generosity and ensure that they ity. Online platforms that host • Ask How Your Donation
for New Yorkers. I’m encouraged to our continued partnership are giving to trustworthy orga- groups and individuals soliciting Will Be Used. Find out how the
by the Governor’s commitment with Governor Hochul, Majority nizations and groups. We will for causes may not thoroughly charity plans to use your dona-
to providing free school meals, Leader Stewart-Cousins, Speaker continue to do everything we can vet those who use their service. tion, including the services and
working towards universal child Heastie, and all our state partners to support victims of this terrible Donors should only give to individuals your donation will
care, and making community col- to meet our shared goals for New tragedy and I urge anyone who campaigns conducted by people support. Find out more than
lege free for working-age students York.” experiences any issues when whom they know. Donors also
Déjà Food! Queens Taste 2025 donating to contact my office.” should take a close look at the (Continued on page 10)
Is On May 13 Suozzi Elected Chair of The Bipartisan Problem
The Borough’s Biggest Bash there. (Some do both!) Plus, the Solvers Caucus
Returns to the New York Hall atmosphere is always festive, cre-
of Science with Exquisite Food, ating an ideal scene for meeting, Suozzi to use his chairmanship that the bipartisan relationship is in Congress.
Inspiring Beverages, and Top- greeting, and exchanging contact to foster bipartisan collabora- recalibrated to be an all-in, 50-50 • During the height of the CO-
Notch Networking information. tion between Republicans and two-way proposition, and that VID-19 pandemic, the Problem
Finally, Queens Taste 2025 Democrats. pragmatism and balance prevail Solvers were able to negotiate a
Queens Economic Development supports a good cause. Proceeds over extremism and ideological bipartisan framework to provide
Corporation and Queens Tour- go to QEDC’s ongoing efforts to Congressman Tom Suozzi purity. There is nothing more emergency relief for students,
ism Council proudly announce attract, create, and maintain jobs (D - Long Island, Queens) has important to the preservation of families, small businesses, and
that Queens Taste 2025 is set for in the borough. Tickets cost $125 been selected as Co-Chair of the democracy, and to the success of healthcare providers.
the New York Hall of Science in each (two for $200), but as QEDC bipartisan Congressional Problem our nation, than genuine biparti- • In 2021, the Problem Solvers
Flushing Meadows Corona Park is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, they’re Solvers Caucus by his caucus col- san leadership. We will embrace played a crucial role in negotiat-
on Tuesday, May 13, from 6 pm partially tax deductible as permit- leagues. this challenge once again, and ing the Infrastructure Investment
to 9 pm. ted by law. The Problem Solvers Caucus we will succeed, because I love and Jobs Act. This landmark
In other words, get ready Restaurant recruitment has is a bipartisan group of 49 Mem- the United States of America, the legislation paved the way for
for everything from crunchy to just begun, but here are some bers of Congress, evenly divided greatest country on earth.” generational infrastructure im-
creamy, delectable to delightful, entities that have participated in between Republicans and Demo- “The American people we serve provements across the nation and
enticing to exquisite, fiery to previous Queens Tastes: Althea’s crats, committed to advancing are demanding this Congress work added hundreds of thousands of
flaky, pleasing to piquant, and Tropical Delights; Arepalicious; common-sense solutions to key together, across party lines, to get good-paying jobs to our economy.
sweet to savory. Bevo’s Kitchen; Bocaito Café; issues facing our nation. Prob- things done,” said Suozzi. • In 2022, the Caucus pushed ef-
More than 50 restaurants, bev- Culiraw; F. Ottomanelli Burgers lem Solvers Caucus members sit Suozzi has a long history on forts to pass the PACT Act, which
erage purveyors, and dessert mak- & Belgian Fries; Culiraw; Fogo de down together weekly to debate, the Problem Solvers Caucus. Just provided entitlements to health-
ers are expected to offer samples Châo; Little Chef Kitchen; Mansi; exchange ideas, and find common days after first being sworn into care and disability compensation
of cuisine. Plus, clients of the Mayahuel Astoria; MumsKitchens ground on the most pressing issues Congress in 2017, he joined the for Veterans who were exposed to
Entrepreneur Space, a food-and- NYC; Muncan Food Corp; Neir’s to the American people. Caucus as a founding member. toxic substances during military
business incubator that QEDC Tavern; Queens Curry Kitchen, “The election results signal a Suozzi was soon named Vice- service.
operates in Long Island City, will Rincon Salvadoreño, Rudy’s mandate for common-sense solu- Chair, a position he held for the • Also in 2022, the Caucus
provide their artisanal specialties. Bakery & Café; Santa Chiara; tions to longstanding challenges 115th, 116th, and 117th Congress- was instrumental in passing the
And to wash it all down, brewers, Schmidt’s Candy; SingleCut Beer- like border security, immigration es. He remained a leader in the CHIPS and Science Act, which
wine makers, and mixologists will smiths; Sydney’s Sweets; Taste of reform, and economic recovery,” Caucus through several landmark made historic investments into
be on tap. (Teetotalers will be able Surabaya; and Tipsy Scoop. said Suozzi. “Achieving progress negotiations. U.S. workers, manufacturers,
to quench their thirst with tropical Past sponsors include Kaufman on these fronts demands biparti- • At the end of 2018, the Problem communities, and businesses
fruit juices and bubble tea.) Astoria Studios, Resorts World san cooperation.” Solvers helped negotiate “Break while bolstering strategic compe-
Queens Taste 2025 is a celebra- New York City, Port Authority of The Problem Solvers Caucus, the Gridlock” rules to encourage tition with China.
tion of the World’s Most Delicious NY + NJ, Plaxall Inc., Silvercup in the spirit of bipartisan coopera- bipartisanship, transparency, and “This Congress is so narrowly
Borough, but it’s also a great Studios, USTA, The Driscoll tion, elects two Co-Chairs—one compromise. This was the first divided. The Republicans only
place to network. Almost all the Group D&F Development We- Democrat and one Republican. rules package passed with bipar- have a two-seat majority to work
anticipated 400 attendees either bline Media Group, and The Shops Congressman Suozzi will serve tisan support in 20 years. with, and they will need Demo-
live in Queens or do business at Skyview. as the Democratic Co-Chair • In 2018, the Problem Solvers cratic support to get things done,”
alongside Congressman Brian led the efforts to pass the First said Suozzi. “We have to be able
Fitzpatrick (R-PA), who will hold Step Act, a bipartisan package to work together and find com-
the Republican seat. that improved criminal justice promise, and the Problem Solvers
“I thank my colleagues for outcomes and reduced the federal know how to do that.”
once again placing their trust and prison population. Suozzi will lead a Caucus that
confidence in me to continue to • In June of 2019, the Problem continues to gain influence; in this
lead the bipartisan Problem Solv- Solvers voted as a bloc to deliver time of intense partisan division,
ers Caucus,” said Congressman aid to children and families at the Problem Solvers’ membership
Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). “As we the U.S.-Mexico border—aid continues to grow, and its leaders
move forward, we will ensure that which may have otherwise been
two-party solutions are advanced, delayed due to partisan division (Continued on page 11)