Williams Joins Orange Is The New Black Author To Push Legislation
East Flatbush City Council Member Jumaane Williams will join Orange is the New Black author Piper Kerman, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, additional elected officials and criminal justice reform advocates, tomorrow at 11 a.m. on the steps of City Hall before the Council votes on the New York City Fair Chance Act, a bill that ensures all New Yorkers, even those with a criminal record, have an equal opportunity to compete for a job.
Williams is the lead City Council sponsor of the legislation, at the request of Brewer, who previously introduced the bill during her council tenure.
Momentum for such policies is growing nationwide, as access to employment is viewed as crucial to effective criminal justice reform. Currently, 17 states and more than 100 cities and counties have already adopted similar policies. The vote coincides with a National Day of Action urging President Obama to adopt a fair chance hiring policy for federal contractors.
Though New York City already prohibits agencies and human service contractors from asking whether a job applicant has been convicted of a crime, this bill will extend that policy to all employers, both public and private.
The Fair Chance Act allows people with a conviction history to be evaluated on their merits without compromising safety and security on the job. Under the act, employers must make a conditional job offer before inquiring into the criminal history of an applicant or conducting any criminal history search.
Cymbrowitz Bill To Save Mute Swans Flies Through Assembly
A bill re-introduced by Sheepshead Bay Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz to save the State’s mute swans from a state-mandated death sentence was yesterday passed by the Assembly.
The legislation (A.3675) would establish a moratorium on the Department of Environmental Conservation’s plan to declare Sheepshead Bay’s iconic bird a “prohibited invasive species” and eliminate the state’s entire population by 2025. Tony Avella is the Senate sponsor.
The bill also requires DEC to hold at least two public hearings and respond to all public comments before finalizing any management plan for mute swans. In addition, DEC would be required to prioritize non-lethal management techniques and include scientific evidence of projected and current environmental damage caused by the mute swan population.
Last year the bill passed both the Assembly and Senate but was vetoed by Governor Cuomo.
Earlier this year, Assemblyman Cymbrowitz had sharp criticism for DEC’s revised swan management plan, saying that it continues to call for eliminating most of the mute swan population and shifts fiscal responsibility for non-lethal swan management methods to overburdened localities.
“Today’s passage of the bill shows that we’re not giving up the fight to save the mute swans,” Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz. “Once they’re gone, so is a species that is loved by people in my community and throughout New York State. We can’t let that happen.”
Once the bill is delivered to Governor Cuomo, he has 10 business days to act on it.
Adams Recognizes Gun Violence Awareness Month
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams will join local elected officials, anti-violence advocates, and concerned New Yorkers this evening for a gathering to recognize Gun Violence Awareness Month, observed in June throughout the State of New York.
The event will include a name reading ceremony of local victims lost to gun violence and a moment of silence. Additionally, Brooklyn Borough Hall will be lit orange to spread the messages of anti-violence and peace. Adams will speak about the impact that gun violence has had on Brooklyn and beyond, as well as the urgent need for a holistic legislative and community response.
The event is slated for 7:30 p.m., tonight Wednesday, June 10 at Borough Hall, 109 Joralemon Street.
Golden Extremely Active In Final Days of Legislative Session
Bay Ridge Sen. Marty Golden has seen the senate pass several measures he sponsored or co-sponsored this week including a bill creating a new crime for the aggravated assault of a police or peace officer when a person is aided by two or more persons at a protest.
This amendment to the penal law would ensure further protection for officers tasked with monitoring demonstrations and would punish those who use a means of peaceful protest as an opportunity to assault police or peace officers. (A. 6249, Weprin).
“Recent incidents throughout New York and the United States of America highlight the need for government to adopt legislation that better protects our men and women in blue. As a former officer of the NYPD, I can attest to the danger that our officers face each and every day, and that is why I have championed this bill to further keep
our officers safe in the line of duty,” said Golden.
In a related bill that Golden sponsored that passed criminal penalties would also be increased when emergency medical service paramedics and technicians are injured from pedestrian assault while performing their assigned duties.
Another measure (S1473), sponsored by Martin Golden would allow firefighters employed by the New York City Fire Department to attend two tuition-free courses at the City University of New York.
Currently, New York City Police Department officers who are enrolled in a program leading to a baccalaureate or higher degree receive this benefit, but firefighters do not. By extending the tuition waiver to firefighters, this legislation would enable them to pursue an education early in their careers.
First Lady McCray Visits School in Crown Heights
New York City First Lady Chirlane McCray will participate in and deliver remarks this morning at a parent engagement forum at P.S. 335/M.S. 584, 130 Rochester Avenue in Crown Heights. She will be joined by Deputy Mayor Richard Buery.
The event is one of 45 Community School Kick-Off forums and fairs the Department of Education is hosting to gain feedback and engage with parents regarding what programs and services parents would like schools to provide in order to best serve all students.
The event is scheduled this morning for 9:15 a.m.
Felder: Zero Tolerance for Passing Stopped School Bus
Boro Park Sen. Simcha Felder, yesterday joined Senator John Bonacic (R,C,I – Mt. Hope) to pass legislation to protect school children by increasing the penalties for motorists that pass a stopped school bus.
“Passing a stopped school bus can, G-d forbid, kill or seriously injure children who may be getting on or off that bus,” said Felder. “We must do everything in our power to ensure the safety of our children.”
Felder questioned how can it be that current law provides that an individual convicted two or more times of speeding in a construction zone is subject to sixty days suspension of his or her driver’s license, but passing a stopped school bus two or more times does not carry the same penalty?
“This legislation guarantees that people who put school children at such grave risk will be punished for their selfish actions. It not only creates a safer environment for our children, but also gives their parents piece of mind,” he added.
