Bklyn Pols March On Albany
Assembly members William Colton and Nick Perry and Senators Martin Dilan, Jesse Hamilton and Kevin Parker were among 33 state lawmakers and 2,000 parents, teachers, students and community members that marched the streets of Albany yesterday to demand that the state fund New York public schools fairly and equitably and to oppose Governor Cuomo and the Senate Majority attacking public schools.
Cuomo’s education plan calls for an increase in state spending contingent on the strengthening of teacher evaluations, increasing the charter school cap and allow struggling schools to be taken over by private entities – measures that organizations linked with charter schools and more parental choice support.
The pro- teachers union Alliance for Quality Education (AQE) led the march. Meanwhile, City Councilman Brad Lander strongly supported the march through an e-newsletter blast urging parents to both join the march, and participate in today’s ‘Hands Around Our Public Schools’ event taking place at several borough schools.
Golden Celebrates Women’s History Month
Bay Ridge State Senator Marty Golden is celebrating Women’s History Month tonight at 7 p.m. at the Norwegian Home, 1250 67th Street.
The honorees include the Women’s Council of Realtors Brooklyn Chapter, the Knights of Columbus Columbiettes, Rev. Matthews Council #126, and the Healing Center New York Domestic Violence
Counseling Program. Golden will also recognize the women who lead and volunteer at the Norwegian Christian Home, the Guild for Exceptional Children, the Parents Association of PS 277, and the Coalition for Asian American Children.
“There are many great women who have achieved so much on behalf of our neighborhood and have made it such a great place to live, work and raise a family,” said Golden. “The honorees this year
represent key aspects of our community life and are examples of the best of the best. The success of these programs and organizations depends on the commitment of extraordinary women and I look forward to paying tribute to their dedication and all they have achieved.”
The event is open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
Treyger Bill Promoting Financial Literacy Passes Council
The City Council yesterday unanimously approved Southern Brooklyn City Councilman Mark Treyger’s legislation requiring the Department of Consumer Affairs to provide outreach and education to young adults on financial literacy and consumer protection issues through its website, the city’s public school system and CUNY.
Treyger proposed this bill after witnessing as a public school teacher how credit card companies and other financial institutions heavily target teenagers and young adults for their products.
The legislation comes as more than 50 million Americans carry student loans, including over 1.3 million city residents. The graduating class of 2014 is currently the most indebted class ever, as was the class before them, and they are expected to be surpassed by the next graduating class of 2015.
Meanwhile, many young adults are also pushed by auto dealerships to take car loans directly from the dealer, instead of exploring better options with a bank. Finally, banks and companies continue to market aggressively to young adults, with the percentage of college students with credit card debt increasing from 67 percent in 1998 to 84 percent in 2008. During the same time, the number of students who held more than four cards increased from 27 percent to 50 percent.
“While there is no silver bullet for this problem, we are taking an important step towards fighting back against predatory lending and other practices that trap young adults in a cycle of debt. This is the start of a very serious conversation as we work to attack this national issue on a local level,” said Treyger.
Williams Bills Strengthening Rent Laws Passes Council
The City Council yesterday unanimously passed Flatbush City Councilman Jumaane Williams‘ package of legislation to renew and strengthen the City’s rent laws.
“In order to ensure thousands of New Yorkers do not see their rent go up or their protection against arbitrary evictions lost, we must enact stronger tenant protections to further develop the Mayor’s Affordable Housing Plan, which intends to create and preserve 200,000 units over the next decade,” said Williams. “Strengthening our rent laws is the only option, because simply renewing them would be a major loss for all tenants. It’s my hope that with this legislation passed, our state legislators hear the Council’s recommendations loud and clear, and will further develop a plan that not only complements the Mayor’s Plan, but gives immediate relief to our poor and working class citizens who need it most.”
