News in New York – State of Emergency, Congestion Pricing, NYC Admin Appointment

Governor Hochul Declares State Disaster Emergency in Response to Monkeypox

Last Friday, Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State Disaster Emergency in response to a rise of monkeypox cases across the state. Hochul issues an Executive Order to make the declaration, which will allow the state to respond more swiftly to the outbreak and extends the pool of eligible individuals who can administer monkeypox vaccines. The Governor made the declaration as New York received an additional 1110,000 doses of the monkeypox vaccine from the federal government, resulting in 170,000 vaccines to date. Shortly after the Governor’s announcement, Mayor Eric Adams declared a public health emergency due to the monkeypox outbreak in NYC, calling the city the epicenter of the outbreak. The declaration will allow the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to DOHMH to issue emergency commissioner’s orders and amend provisions of the Health Code to slow the spread.

MTA Chair Lieber Announces Progress on Congestion Pricing

Last Wednesday, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber announced the appointment of five members of the Traffic Mobility Review Board, which will recommend price for tolls, as well as any discounts and exemptions, for the state’s congestion pricing plan. Carl Weisbrod will chair the board, which will also be comprised of Kathryn Wylde, Elizabeth Velez, Scott Rechler, and John Banks. A sixth member of the board will be recommended by NYC Mayor Eric Adams. Lieber also announced an anticipated timeframe for the release of the program’s Environmental Assessment of around August 10, which must be approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for the program to proceed. The MTA will hold six virtual hearings to listen to feedback from the public between August 25-31, and members of the public can also submit comments online.

Mayor Adams Appoints Curry as Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities

Last Tuesday, Mayor Eric Adams appointed Christina Curry as Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD). As Commissioner, Curry will advocate for the rights and concerns of nearly one million New Yorkers who self-identify as people who are living with a disability. Curry has served as Executive Director for the Harlem Independent Living Center (HILC) since 2001, where she provided disability/deafness sensitivity trainings to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, domestic violence agencies and shelters, local police precincts, community-based organizations, and schools. She has also served on has served on subcommittees attached to the National Council of Independent Living and the National Council of on Disability, and the Executive Board of the New York State Commission for the Blind and the Interagency Council for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind. Curry will report to Chief Counsel Brendan McGuire.

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