UPDATE - Senator Serrano's Roosevelt Island Funding Legislation Signed Into Law

(Albany, NY) - On Thursday, December 3rd, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed Senator Serrano's bill, S5813, into law.

"I'm happy to learn that Governor Cuomo has signed my Roosevelt Island bill (S5813) into law. This law will authorize the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) to continue providing much-needed grants to not-for-profit organizations that provide vital services to the Roosevelt Island community. It's a pleasure to have worked with my colleague Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright on this important legislation, and I'd like to thank her for her leadership. I'd also like to express my gratitude to Governor Cuomo for his support on this and many other critical issues" said Senator Serrano.  

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(Albany, NY) - On Monday, June 15th, the New York State Senate passed Senator José M. Serrano's bill, S5813, which authorizes the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) Board of Directors to continue to provide grants to not-for-profit organizations that provide services to the Roosevelt Island community.

Since 1989, The RIOC Board has distributed funds for capital improvements and other community needs through the Roosevelt Island Public Purpose Fund program. In January 2015, the Authorities Budget Office issued a broad policy guidance, which due to it's ambiguity, temporarily halted this longstanding practice and prohibited RIOC from distributing grants. Serrano's legislation would expressly clarify that the RIOC Board has the authority to distribute the public purpose funds, and continue to provide this much needed financial assistance to deserving local non-profits. 

"For over 25 years, The RIOC Board has been providing much needed funding of vital services for the Roosevelt Island community. I am pleased to have worked with my Roosevelt Island colleagues Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright and Council Member Ben Kallos on this important issue. I'm grateful that this bill has passed both houses of the legislature," said Senator Serrano.  

"I am pleased that my office was able to work closely with the Roosevelt Island Residents Association's Government Affairs Committee and Senators Serrano and Golden to draft a bill that will support local not-for-profits and government agencies that serve Roosevelt Islanders," said Assembly Member Seawright.  

With time running out until the end of session, getting this legislation through the Republican controlled Senate was no easy feat. Having passed both the Senate and Assembly, where it was sponsored by Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright, the bill now heads to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's desk to be signed into law. 

To view Senator Serrano's bill, CLICK HERE.