PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Gene Binder, Former NYC Public School Teacher, on Infrastructure Needs in the Bronx
0:23:30
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149 sec
Gene Binder, a Bronx resident and former NYC public school teacher, testifies in support of the National Infrastructure Bank, highlighting various infrastructure needs in the Bronx. He emphasizes how the bank could address issues such as aging water mains, sewage backups, air pollution, and affordable housing shortages.
- Cites a recent 120-year-old water main break in the Bronx as an example of outdated infrastructure
- Mentions the Bronx's high asthma hospitalization rates due to air pollution
- Discusses the severe homelessness problem in the South Bronx and the need for more affordable housing
Gene Binder
0:23:30
Sorry.
0:23:31
I had a little trouble unmuting myself.
0:23:34
My name is Gene Binder Binder, and I am a resident of the Bronx.
0:23:40
I was a New York City public school teacher for 38 years.
0:23:44
And for most of those years, I was the UFT chapter leader at my school.
0:23:51
Don't want this to be too long, but just wanna give a few examples of infrastructure needs, in the Bronx.
0:24:01
Just this week, we had a tremendous water main break.
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It was a 120 year old pipe that went and caused a lot of destruction in that neighborhood.
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There are several areas of the Bronx that I know about where sewage will back up into people's houses if there is a rainstorm.
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And these are examples of deferred, maintenance.
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And if the infrastructure bank was a a re a reality, These kind of needs could be addressed.
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The Bronx has the highest hospitalization rate for asthma in New York City, and air pollution is one of the main causes.
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The infrastructure bank would be a source of funds to remedy, the pollution in the Bronx if it was a reality.
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And homelessness is a tremendous problem for the Bronx as well as many other parts of the city.
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The South Bronx, as, the the one of the highest rates, in the city, and 1 in 3, Bronx residents there live are below the poverty level.
0:25:32
Building the amount of housing that we need will require more funds than any level of the government, right now is willing or able to provide, but the National Infrastructure Bank would be a source of those funds.
0:25:47
If it was a reality, I urge the committee to support the resolution, to make the National Infrastructure Bank a reality.
0:25:58
Thank you.
