Squadron Keeps Pressure On For Lunar New Year Holiday
Brooklyn Heights State Sen. Daniel Squadron yesterday led a group of 18 lawmakers across the city in urging Mayor de Blasio in a letter to add the Lunar New Year – celebrated by many Asian Americans – as a school holiday.
De Blasio announced last week that New York City public schools have added the Muslim holidays of Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr to the 2015-16 calendar as school holidays. Before his election and after taking office, the Mayor had publicly pledged that he would add Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr as well as Lunar New Year as holidays to the school calendar.
Muslim students make up about 10 percent of public school students. Asian Americans make up about 15 percent of public school students.
Cuomo Ramps Up Pressure to Raise Minimum Wage
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo yesterday detailed the projected impact from a minimum wage increase from the current $8.75 to proposed $10.50 statewide and $11.50 in New York City. In total, more than 1.35 million workers will experience an increase in wages statewide, with the majority of benefits going to adults and women. The direct economic value across the state as a result of these higher wages is approximately $3.4 billion.
The minimum wage should allow people who work full-time jobs to support themselves and their families – but that is just not possible today,” Governor Cuomo said. “Our proposal will help hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers better sustain themselves and live with dignity and respect. The State Legislature must pass our proposal this year, because the sweetest success is shared success and we won’t rest until we are all rising together.”
Cuomo said there are a total of 267,274 city workers in the city making the current minimum wage of $8.75, and if the legislature approves raising the minimum wage to $11.50 it would affect 571,800 workers citywide, which would add $1.9 billion to the local economy.
Golden Measure Stiffens Drug Dealing Penalties
Bay Ridge Sen. Marty Golden yesterday saw a bill he sponsored stiffening penalties for drug dealers that pedal illicit sell drugs in playgrounds and parks pass the senate.
“Parks and playgrounds should be about swings, slides and fields, not drugs. This legislation will better protect our children from drug dealers especially in places where they are supposed to be safe. Stricter laws are on the books to reduce the presence of drugs in school zones, and today, the Senate has approved this bill that would similarly guard parks and playgrounds. We must advance these laws, in the
wake of the prescription drug and heroin crisis throughout our city and state, to keep drugs away from our children,” said Golden.
This measure, which now moves to the assembly, expands upon current New York State law, which penalizes people who sell drugs on school grounds or day-care centers, to include parks and playgrounds that may not be attached to schools.
