Taking on Unemployment in the Bronx
As a State Senator, Gustavo Rivera has held several job fairs, which have resulted in dozens of individuals being hired. More than 14% of Bronxites are unemployed and many more are struggling to make ends meet working part-time or low-wage jobs. That is why Gustavo believes it is important to connect local businesses that are hiring, with Bronxites looking for work. He has committed to hosting an annual job fair every November and provides resume help and job placement help from his State Senate office.
Providing opportunities for Bronx Youth
In December of 2011, Gustavo Rivera voted to pass the New York Youth Works program that has created tax incentives for businesses to hire at-risk youth and will help place youth from the Bronx and other urban areas in the state in job training programs as well as jobs with participating businesses. Young people in the Bronx can apply to be part of the New York Youth Works program here.
Supporting local small business owners
Gustavo Rivera believes that successful small businesses are critical to a thriving community. He has made it a priority to meet with local business owners and promote local BIDs and Merchant Associations. Gustavo also believes that as an elected official, he has a duty to help local small businesses, especially minority and women-owned businesses (MWBs) in the 33rd Senate District identify opportunities to contract with the state.
Kingsbridge Armory and Economic Development in the Bronx
Having lived in Kingsbridge Heights for over a decade, Gustavo is reminded daily of the incredible opportunities for economic development at the Kingsbridge Armory. Gustavo joined other community leaders such as Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Council Member Fernando Cabrera in opposing the development of the armory into a mall that would only create low-wage jobs for the Bronx.
Gustavo Rivera believes that the Kingsbridge Armory can be an important economic engine for the 33rd Senate District and the Bronx as a whole. He is committed to supporting responsible development of the Kingsbridge Armory that does not only take into account the profit of developers, but instead, focuses on ensuring that the development of the armory has a positive impact on the surrounding community. Gustavo will support development that adds good jobs to the Bronx and does not takeaway from successful commercial areas on Fordham and Kingsbridge Road.
Increasing the Minimum Wage
While he has been in Albany, Gustavo has been passionately speaking about the need to raise the minimum wage and make sure that New Yorkers and Bronxites are able to stay in New York City despite rising costs. Speaking on the floor of the Senate, Gustavo has fought Republican attacks that say raising the minimum wage kills jobs. He has talked about the need to put more money in hands of working families because they will spend it, putting the money right back into our economy and creating jobs here in New York.
