CORONAVIRUS & MONKEYPOX
1. HERE’S THE NY SCOOP
THE STATS:
GOOD NEWS
| Remote Work May Be Coming to City Employees– DC 37, NY’s largest public employee union is in negotiations with Mayor Adams to include remote work…something he vehemently was against in order to keep NY’s economy booming. Could this be a sign of change? |
BAD NEWS
| Three Eyed Fish, Here We Come! The Hudson River may become the new dumping ground for over 1 MILLION gallons of nuclear waste due to the now-defunct Indian Point Nuclear Facility located just 23 miles outside of NYC. Critics argue that this is wholly unsafe, while others say it is the standard removal process. What do you think? $224 Million in PPE Auctioned Off for $500K – The Dept of Citywide Administrative Services has tried to auction off equipment that is no longer needed that they purchased during the height of COVID-19. So far, the city has only recouped $500,000 so far. According to the CityNY, “A junk dealer from Long Island picked up the entire $12 million, 500,000-pound kit and kaboodle — for only $24,600”. What the heck?! |
GIVE US THE SCOOP
2. TO BET, OR NOT TO BET?
| Welcome to our latest deep dive (which is written entirely without the help of ChatGPT, but the random musings of yours truly). Today, we’re focusing on the toxic yet symbiotic relationship between New York State, Kathy Hochul and the volatile affair that makes, breaks and ends relationships…sports betting. SPORTS BETTING…IT’S WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY? In January of 2022, online sports betting was legalized in New York State by Governor Hochul. Since then, NY has generated over $709.2 MILLION in taxes from said bets which go on to fund NYS’s education programs. New York has now become the biggest legal sports betting state in the entire country. IS YOUR UNCLE’S GAMBLING ADDICTION PAYING FOR OUR SCHOOLS? Between January 8, 2022 and January 8,2023, gambling totaled $16,595,732,482 and generated a total net revenue to education of $709,247,358. The breakdown for funds is as follows: |
- $5 million to fund sports programs for underserved youths
- $6 million to fund problem gambling education and treatment
- The remaining majority to fund education aid
Politicians statewide celebrated the influx of funds for the state, which shattered revenue expectations within 10 Months. For context, the highest monthly mobile sports tax generated outside of NY was Pennsylvania in November 2021 at $19 million.
COLLEGE SPORTS BETTING IS LEGAL NOW While tax funds may be incredible for NYS’s budget now (which was in deficit due to the Pandemic), other challenges have been set forth including an increase in 25% in calls to gambling addiction hotlines and even worse, teenage gambling. The increase in funds has even inspired universities to legalize online sports betting within campuses, including marketing directly on grounds and even sponsoring their sports teams. While gambling has helped to fund education and sports programs at exorbitant amounts across the nation, it seems there is a longterm price to pay, especially in terms of breeding the next generation of young gamblers. This begs to ask the question…shouldn’t there be a better way to pay for education programs in the first place? What do you think?
OH HEY, HELLO, ciaooo!
3. HIP HOP, A HIP HOP PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW?
| Celebrate Black History Month with the brand new exhibition at Fotografiska, the photography museum in the Flatiron District, also the famed building that Anna Delvey tried to purchase as part of her malignant scheme to launch the Anna Delvey foundation. The exhibit features 200 powerful photos by 57 photographers. “Hip-Hop: Conscious, Unconscious,” presents images ranging from iconic staples of visual culture to rare and intimate portraits of hip-hop’s biggest stars from legendary pioneers including Nas, Tupac, Notorious B.I.G, and Mary J. Blige to modern icons such as Nicki Minaj, Megan Thee Stallion, and Cardi B. Get your tickets here: Fotografiska 281 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10010 Runs from now through May 21 |
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