Bklyn Lawmakers On The Move Feb. 20

Treyger Gets Two Laws Through City Council

Southern Brooklyn City Councilman Mark Treyger last week saw two of his common sense proposals regarding storm management approved by the city council.

The first measure would require that pamphlets and other materials distributed by the Office of Emergency Management are tailored to vulnerable communities and include specific details on local organizations, evacuation zones and centers and other information that residents need during a storm or emergency. These materials would be translated into the ten most commonly spoken languages within each of the targeted communities so that as many residents as possible have access to this vital information.

The second measure would create a task force to review the role that houses of worship and charitable organizations played in the aftermath of Sandy and examine ways for government to reimburse these groups for expenses incurred while helping residents recover. Additionally, the legislation would formalize the role that houses of worship and charitable groups play in the recovery from the next major storm so that they can immediately provide aid to residents.“As we continue the recovery from Sandy, it is imperative that we do not forget about the many charitable organizations and houses of worship that open their doors to storm victims and played a vital role in the hours, days and weeks after the storm hit our city. It is also vital that we learn from this experience and find ways to better connect residents in vulnerable communities with information and resources that is specific to their neighborhood. These two pieces of legislation will help accomplish these goals and better prepare us for the next major storm or emergency,” said Treyger.

Simon Hosts Move NY Plan Public Forum

Assemblymembers Jo Anne Simon and James Brennan and City Councilman Stephen Levin were among the lawmakers on hand last night at the 3rd Avenue YWCA, 30 3rd Avenue at State Street for a forum on a recently released plan that would put tolls each way on the Manhattan, Brooklyn and Williamsburg Bridges.

The plan, dubbed Move NY plan, would see a $5.54 on the aforementioned bridges with drivers that have an E-Z Pass and an $8 toll for drivers that do not. Advocates for the plan say the tolls will generate $1.5 billion annually that will be used for MTA capital improvements.

Generally speaking, Brooklyn residents in Brownstone Brooklyn and who live closer to the city have long been in favor of the plan as motorists that work in Manhattan often clog the downtown streets getting to work.

On the other hand, tolling the East River Bridges is a harder sell to Brooklyn residents living in neighborhoods where public transportation is lacking such as Bay Ridge, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, East Flatbush and Canarsie.

Jeffries Introduces Bill To Aid Families of Slain Cops

Democrat Congressman Hakeem Jeffries and Long Island Republican Rep. Peter King introduced a bipartisan bill that would extend the tax deadline for individuals making charitable donations for the families of assassinated NYPD Detectives Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos. The legislation would be effective retroactively from January 1, 2015.

Liu and Ramos were gunned down while sitting in their patrol car in Bedford-Stuyvesant in December.

“Detectives Ramos and Liu were American heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in their commitment to keep us safe. The pain of losing a loved one is more than enough to bear; their families should not have to worry about how they will put food on the table in the aftermath of such an unspeakable tragedy,” said Jeffries.

Congress enacted similar measures in 2014 and 2010 to encourage donations to the Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda and to Haiti after they suffered from a major earthquake.