ХУСИТЫ И ПУТИН – УДАРЫ ПО ТЕГЕРАНУ И СДЕЛКА ТРАМПА. В обозрении новостей Юрия Табах : Обновление конфликта в Украине с капитаном Гарри Таблом: анализ […]
Day: March 30, 2025
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand from New York led a charge on Sunday that called on President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) to forget about cutting Social Security for millions of seniors throughout the country.
Gillibrand, along with elected officials from NYC, rallied outside a Harlem Social Security Administration (SSA) office on March 30 urging Trump and Musk to halt changes within the federal program that provides financial support for Americans when they retire or if they have a disability that renders them unable to work.
The rally focused on the administration’s plans to cut 7,000 staff members and its ongoing actions to streamline the Social Security application process. The senator explained that cuts and changes such as these will “decimate the Social Security system,” leading to the denial of benefits for many program recipients funded through their tax dollars.
“Social Security is a promise, not a political bargaining chip. The Trump Administration’s reckless efforts to undermine this vital program will have devastating consequences for millions of New Yorkers,” Gillibrand said. “I urge the Trump Administration to safeguard this necessary lifeline and ensure Americans have access to services they rightfully deserve.”
Limited phone support, more visits in person
The senator also said that the newly created, Musk-led DOGE plans to limit phone support for seniors, which would then force them to file certain claims online. She added that many people have been left on hold for hours when they call the administration.
Many seniors would also have to visit an SSA office in person to complete their claims or applications. On March 18, the administration implemented stronger identity-proofing requirements, forcing many seniors and other applicants to visit a field office in person.
As of March 31, SSA will also start to enforce online digital identity and in-person identity proofing.
“But with fewer staff to process claims, skyrocketing wait times and systems in disarray, the Social Security Administration could effectively deny thousands of eligible beneficiaries the money that they’ve earned,” the senator said recently from Albany.
Meanwhile, the SSA administration denies many of the claims made against it. Although Gillibrand’s office said DOGE plans to shutter 47 SSA offices across the country, including two in New York, the administration claimed in a statement posted on its website that the report is false.
“SSA is committed to providing service where people need help and our local field offices are no exception,” said Lee Dudek, acting Commissioner of Social Security. “We have not permanently closed any local field offices this year.”
However, the statement went on to say that “underutilized office spaces” would close, including a hearing office in White Plains. Since most hearings are held virtually, the statement read, SSA no longer needs what it called underutilized rooms.
Not ‘on our watch’
In another move to revamp the system, SSA recently required nearly all agency employees, including frontline employees in all offices throughout the country, to work in the office five days a week. Administration officials said in a statement the effort is to help ensure “maximum staffing is available to support the stronger in-person identity proofing requirement.”
Manhattan Assembly Member Eddie Gibbs said at the Harlem rally that the policy changes are a “moral betrayal” and “steal dignity” from Americans.
“We won’t tolerate a system that sacrifices our elders and those with disabilities to pad bottom lines,” he said. “This isn’t about numbers, it’s about human lives, about families facing impossible choices. We’re drawing a line. This is our promise: We will defend every penny, every benefit, every person who relies on Social Security, with every ounce of our strength. They will not dismantle this lifeline on our watch.”
Губернатор Кэти Хочул не отступает от преступности, психического здоровья или бюджетных разборок. В пламенном интервью Politics Unusual она защищала свой план безопасности метро, отбиваясь от угроз федерального […]
amNewYork Metro, in conjunction with the MTA, present “Ask the MTA,” a column where MTA officials answer your questions about transit service in New York City. If you have a question for the MTA about subways, buses, commuter rails and more, email askthemta@amny.com.
Q: Are there any updates on the pilot for Automatic Passenger Counting on buses? Will this information eventually be available on the MTA app? – Fenton D, Eastchester
A: We’re in the process of revamping the MTA app and desktop BusTime feature to make both more user-friendly. Live data from Automatic Passenger Counters (APC) is one of the enhanced features customers can expect to find, along with a more intuitive and easier to read display for bus locations and other loading information. Look out for these upgrades in Q2 of this year.
– Sunil Nair, Vice President, Zero Emissions and Fleet Technologies, New York City Transit Department of Buses
Q: I recently dropped my AirPods onto the tracks at Union Square. What’s the best way to safely recover fallen items? – Jackson T., Ridgewood
A: First things first: Do not try to retrieve dropped items yourself under any circumstances. Live tracks are dangerous. Instead, tell a nearby employee what happened or use a station Help Point intercom to get assistance. No AirPod is worth jeopardizing your life! We’ll get your belongings back to you safely.
– Bill Amarosa, Senior Vice President of Subways, New York City Transit
Q: How do you go about choosing art in subway stations? I’m always curious when I see the flower mosaics at 28th St and the dogs in human clothes at 23rd St. – Jessica, Gramercy Park
A: MTA Arts & Design commissions site-specific permanent works of art for subway stations through a competitive process involving open calls for artists, selection panels and artist proposals. Our goal is always to install unique pieces that reflect the character of each location.
The flower mosaics you mentioned are the work of artist Nancy Blum. The mosaic ROAMING UNDERFOOT is based on her drawings of some of the gorgeous varieties found in the perennial collection of the nearby Madison Square Park Conservancy. The flowers also nod to the Tiffany Glass Company, which was located nearby when the station was built in 1904.
As for the dogs, artist William Wegman has staged his Weimaraners as the subject and muse of his photography for decades. His artwork Stationary Figures features Flo and Tepper dressed up to resemble the people who use the station every day.
You can learn more about both mosaics and the MTA Arts & Design collection of more than 400 permanent artworks at mta.info/art.
– Juliette Michaelson, Acting Director, MTA Arts and Design