Camara Steps Down To Join Cuomo Administration
As first reported on Kings County Politics, Assemblyman Karin Camara will leave the assembly to head Gov. Cuomo’s new state agency, the Office of Faith-Based Community Development Services.
Camara, an ordained minister, will serve as Executive Director of the new office. The agency will partner with the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Office of Children and Family Services, Department of State, Housing and Community Renewal and the Governor’s new State Nonprofit Coordinating Unit to help communities deliver services to their neediest residents and combat the root causes of poverty.
To support the work of the State’s nonprofit partners, the Governor will create a one-time $50 million Nonprofit Infrastructure Capital Investment Program.
Adams Statement On MLK Day
Brooklyn Borough Presidents Eric Adams released the following statement on the observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day today:
“I hope everyone in Brooklyn and beyond has a meaningful observance of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose tireless fight for justice and equality lives on in our own pursuits for a better tomorrow. As the first African-American to have the honor to serve as Brooklyn Borough President, I stand on the shoulders of giants like Dr. King and the trailblazers of the civil rights movement.
“As we reflect on his legacy, as well as the future of our city, I encourage everyone to think about the following quote:
“‘Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?”‘
“Just as Dr. King called every one of us to service, I urge every Brooklynite, New Yorker and American to volunteer and get involved in civic life. Let us combat ignorance and injustice through our positive and productive deeds in our communities. That is how we can join Dr. King on that mountaintop he envisioned for us all.”
Parker Goes To Bat For Education
Flatbush Sen. Kevin Parker is leading the charge for the Alliance of Quality Education as the organization, which supports public schools and its unions versus charter schools, is releasing a letter tomorrow signed by a reported dozens of lawmakers to Gov. Cuomo with specific education-related recommendations for the Governor’s budget.
The letter’s public release comes a day before Gov. Cuomo’s State of the State speech and the release of his proposed 2015 budget.
The letter will be released at 2 p.m., tomorrow in Albany
Bichotte, Hamilton inauguration Ceremonies
The borough welcomed two new lawmakers yesterday with the public swearing in oath of office and inaugural address of Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte and Sen. Jesse Hamilton.
Bichotte, the first Haitian-American woman in the assembly, represents the 42nd Assembly District including the neighborhoods of Central and East Flatbush. Mayor de Blasio reportedly swore her in at Brooklyn College, while City Councilman Jumaane Williams served as master of ceremonies. U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer was the guest speaker.
Hamilton represents the 20th Senatorial District including the neighborhoods of Sunset Park, Crown Heights, Brownsville, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Park Slope, East Flatbush and Gowanus.
The theme for the Inauguration was DREAM, in honor of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and young victims of gun violence.
Among the officials reportedly at his swearing in event at the St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf Auditorium on Eastern Parkway were de Blasio, Schumer, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, NYS Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, NYS Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins, NYS Assemblymember Felix Ortiz, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, NYC Public Advocate Letitia James, NYC Councilman Brad Lander and Kings County Democratic Chairman Frank Seddio.
Both inaugurations featured live music, dance and refreshments.
