Lawmakers React To Obama State of the Union Address
The borough’s lawmakers last night gave President Obama a thumbs up on ‘s State of the Union Address.
Congressman Hakeem Jeffries said Obama advanced a bold set of proposals to strengthen the middle class and empower those who aspire to be part of it.
“In the face of unprecedented GOP obstruction, President Obama has led a successful rescue of the American economy. The President took office at the outset of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Today, our country is experiencing a sustained period of economic growth and job creation, the unemployment rate has drastically declined and the stock market is way up,” said Jeffries.
“It’s time for Congressional Republicans to get on board so we can keep this country’s economic locomotive moving forward,” he added.
Borough President Eric Adams said he shared the view with Obama on the growing strength of the country.
“He (Obama) has proposed a bold agenda in the coming year that will help to make the seemingly distant dream of the middle class into a reachable reality, ideas that can grow our economy, advance equality, spur entrepreneurship and heal our environment. These proposals can make Brooklyn a better place to live, work and raise a family.
“It is my hope that common sense will defeat cynicism in this Congress, and that bipartisan leadership can restore America’s faith in government while reinvigorating our nation’s ability to tackle its greatest and most persistent challenges,” he added.
Adams also said there are many issues where, in the absence of political will on the federal level, the state and city can accept the call to action.
“We can act on free community college, a proposition I have asked the Independent Budget Office of New York City to study. We can act on increasing the minimum wage, a concept that can and must move forward in New York this year. We can act on criminal justice reform, in the wake of local and national strife, as we have begun to do in our communities by turning our pain into purpose,” Adams said.
Boardwalk Protest Draws Bevy of Elected Officials
More than 100 residents and community activists braved the freezing rain on Sunday to join City Council Members Mark Treyger and Chaim Deutsch and citywide elected officials in urging the de Blasio administration to halt the ongoing work of turning Coney Island and Brighton Beach’s historic Riegelmann Boardwalk from wood planks to concrete.
Among the other elected officials calling for the iconic boardwalk to remain wood were Public Advocate Letitia James, City Comptroller Scott Stringer, Borough President Eric Adams, Assembly Member William Colton and City Council Member Vincent Gentile.
“The Riegelmann Boardwalk is a globally recognized iconic structure that draws millions of visitors each year. Our boardwalk has been neglected by the city for far too long, and all we are asking is for our history to be respected. The way the city has conducted this process has been completely unacceptable, and we will not stand for it,” said Treyger.
“Our history matters and there are few structures in our city as historical or beloved as Coney Island and Brighton Beach’s boardwalk. I am reiterating my request that the administration take the necessary time to fully review and reconsider this project before it is too late,” he added.
