The Serrano Report, Vol. VII, #16
In the Bronx
Serrano Hails Bronx Electric Truck
On Monday, Congressman Serrano helped unveil the first fully electric medium-duty delivery truck in New York City. The vehicle, which was made in the United States and is owned and operated by Down East Seafood in Hunts Point, has been dubbed “Big Green” by Down East’s Owner, Ed Taylor. It is a battery-powered, zero-emissions refrigerated cargo truck is built for carrying fresh food and frozen products, like the shellfish and seafood that Down East hauls.
“Down East’s new truck gives us a glimpse of a clean energy future that is within our reach. It is appropriate that this technology will be introduced here in the South Bronx, a hot zone for childhood asthma and other respiratory diseases,” said Serrano. “I am confident that this technology will quickly prove its worth and cost-effectiveness to public and private fleet operators. EVs are clearly a wise investment for this country, but they are also a smart investment for small businesses and I believe that we will see many more follow Ed Taylor’s admirable lead. It is the way the nation must go if we are to clean our air and reinvigorate our manufacturing base.
“I am so proud that a diverse set of actors was able to come together to kick-start the switch to clean electric vehicles in our nation’s truck fleets. Another crucial step is to increase demand for electric trucks, which will drive down the cost of batteries, electric drivetrains, and other components, making them more affordable for small businesses. Passage of the American Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Act, which I introduced late last year, would help switch the US Postal Service to a plug-in electric fleet and help lower component costs for the industry and the consumer. There are many routes to this clean energy future, but today we have taken a concrete step in the right direction.”
The purchase of the truck was underwritten in part through federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality funding administered by The New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA). Additional financing was provided by the Bronx Empowerment Zone, a federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
|
|
|
Serrano speaking in front of the electric truck |
Serranos March in Puerto Rican Day Parade
On Sunday, Congressman José E. Serrano and State Senator José M. Serrano marched in the 53rd Annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade. "This is always such a wonderful event," said Congressman Serrano. "It is great to be out on Fifth Avenue celebrating Puerto Rican culture and Puerto Ricans' contributions to our city and country.
|
|
|
Congressman Serrano and State Senator Serrano marching at the parade |
On Capitol Hill
Serrano to Selig: Strike Two, Commissioner
On Thursday, Congressman Serrano sent a second letter to Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig asking that Major League Baseball move the 2011 All Star Game out of Arizona because of that state’s recent adoption of SB 1070, a stringent anti-immigrant law. Serrano sent a similar letter some weeks ago, but as of yet, Selig has not responded to it, nor to calls from various other groups to move the game. Serrano feels that a state which has taken such a harsh anti-immigrant stance should not be given the honor of hosting the All Star Game, especially in view of the fact that nearly 25% of active Major League players are foreign-born.
The full text of the letter is below:
June 17, 2010
Commissioner Allan H. "Bud" Selig
The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball
245 Park Avenue, 31st Floor
New York, NY 10167
Dear Commissioner Selig:
I am disappointed that you have not yet responded to repeated calls, from me and others, to move the location of the 2011 All-Star Game from Phoenix, Arizona. I write again to urge you to speak out against Arizona’s law, and make sure that Major League Baseball does not reward the state of Arizona for its conduct by holding the 2011 All-Star Game in Phoenix.
As you surely know by now, Arizona’s extremist anti-immigrant law has generated great outrage among many Americans. Many, including myself, believe that the law will allow law enforcement to racially profile, harass, and arrest individuals solely based on their national origin and ethnicity.
Numerous influential groups representing Latinos, including the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, have asked that Major League Baseball move the site of the 2011 All-Star Game. In addition, the Major League Baseball Players Association has condemned Arizona’s law, and several Major League players and managers have spoken out against the law.
On Opening Day 2010, more than 25% of major leaguers were born outside of the United States. In addition, more than 45% of minor leaguers playing today were born outside of the United States. Baseball today is a global game, and the All-Star Game is a wonderful exhibition of that. Major League Baseball is a standard bearer for diversity and tolerance— it should not tacitly support Arizona’s immigration policy by holding such a prestigious event there.
Some have said that we should not inject politics into sports. But this debate is about human dignity and respect for our Constitution. Any time an injustice occurs, we all have a responsibility to speak out against it. Major League Baseball should follow the example of the great Roberto Clemente, one of the game’s all-time greats. Clemente was never afraid to speak out in opposition to discrimination against Latino players, nor was he afraid to act to ensure that all people were treated humanely.
Given the legacy of Clemente, and the large numbers of Latinos who play the game today, Major League Baseball has an obligation to act and speak out against Arizona’s actions. Your silence is perceived as an insult to the millions of Latinos and other Americans who are passionate about our national pastime.
Sincerely,
José E. Serrano
Member of Congress
House Passes Small Business Bill
This week the House passed two bills designed to help small businesses and promote economic growth. On Tuesday, it passed H.R. 5486, the Small Business Jobs Tax Relief Act of 2010 and on Thursday it passed a companion bill, H.R. 5297, the Small Business Lending Fund Act. Congressman Serrano voted in favor of both bills.
The first bill would extend tax breaks to small businesses allowing them to deduct a greater amount of their start-up expenses and to exclude sales of some small business stock from taxation.The second bill would set up a new $30 billion lending fund for small and medium sized community banks that will in turn leverage up to an estimated $300 billion in lending. Because community banks continue to play an important role in providing the credit that is needed for small businesses to expand, passage of this bill is also designed to help small businesses and stimulate economic growth.
“I was pleased to support both of these bills designed to help our small businesses through lending and tax incentives," said Serrano. "Our economy benefits when our small businesses are able to expand and hire new employees.”
Grant Opportunities
Micro-enterprise Grant
Application Deadline: July 15, 2010
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently announced the availability of funding to provide training and capacity building for programs that specialize in micro-enterprise development. The Program for Investment in Micro-entrepreneurs (PRIME) provides various types of assistance, including technical, capacity building, and research to organizations that help low-income entrepreneurs gain access to capital to establish and expand their small businesses. 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations are encouraged to apply.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the SBA website.
For information on other government grants, please go to: www.grants.gov.