March 31, 2023

March Recap Newsletter

Read newsletter as a PDF here. 

Dear neighbor, 

I hope you had a great March and Women’s History Month! It was a very busy month for our office, so here’s an update on everything we’ve been up to. 

I kicked off the month by sending a letter to the Department of Education with Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OH) and Rep. Frederica Wilson (FL-24), calling for the agency to address racial achievement gaps in higher education by collecting more data on college admissions. To hold colleges accountable, we have to understand how policies like legacy admissions and early decision impact diversity.

In legislative news, I reintroduced my More Teaching Less Testing Act, which aims to end over-testing and help students unlock their natural brilliance. Our already underfunded schools shouldn’t be forced to spend valuable time and resources teaching to the test. Kids deserve experiential learning opportunities, and the time and space to play, discover, and create. I also introduced the Home and Community Based Services Access Act with Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-06) and Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), to make sure that home care is covered by Medicaid without a waitlist. Everyone should have the right to age in place and thrive in their own home and community. This act would finally transform our patchwork home care system into something that meets the needs of all people, families, and workers.

To commemorate the pandemic, I introduced the COVID-19 Memorial Act with Reps. Adriano Espaillat and Ritchie Torres, which would create a national memorial for the tragedy. Out of respect for the sacrifices of essential workers and everyone who struggled through the pandemic, we have to preserve its memory. The memorial would honor the lives lost and celebrate our community heroes.

I held a town hall about the Inflation Reduction Act with the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund. Did you know that you might be able to qualify for eco-focused tax credits and rebates in the sweeping IRA legislation. These tax credits and rebates aren't pennies on the dollar either - we're talking about up to 30% of the cost in a lot of cases for home renovations, and up to $7,500 if you buy a new clean vehicle. If you missed it, you can watch the full town hall here. To learn about individual benefits and incentives from the act, check out our explainer page here.

We have some amazing youth opportunities coming up and stay tuned to not miss out! 

Our team held Mobile Constituent Services events throughout the district this month and helped our neighbors with tax preparation, passport assistance, immigration cases, and more. If you need assistance with any federal agency, you can find us at one of our upcoming Mobile Constituent Services or email us at Bowman.Casework@mail.house.gov or call our office.Year to date we have assisted 760 constituents and brought back $4.5 million in constituent savings! 

Constituent Corner: Women's History Month 

In honor of Women’s History Month, I want to highlight two exceptional women from NY-16. The first is Corine Lurry-Mabin, the VP and Chief Programs Officer at the Yonkers nonprofit Andrus. Every day she inspires her team with her passion for supporting families and ensuring that children are given the opportunity to feel safe and heal through interactions with caregivers. She’s a stellar role model for everyone at Andrus.

I also want to shout out Beth Radow, an environmentalist and chair of the Committee on Energy, Agriculture and the Environment for the League of Women Voters of NYS. Beth was a leader in the successful movement to ban fracking in New York State and a founding member of the Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative. She’s currently working on Mamaroneck’s Love Your Food campaign to reduce wasted food. I want to thank Beth for all of her work on environmental issues in our community.

Peace and love, 

Congressman Jamaal Bowman (NY-16)