Golden Blasts Cuomo For Veterans Equality Act Veto
Bay Ridge State Senator Martin J. Golden yesterday denounced Governor Andrew Cuomo’s recent veto of the Veterans Equality Act as unpatriotic.
The bipartisan bill would allow all who military veterans who served honorably to buy back up to three years of pension credit.
“This legislative session, my colleagues in the Senate and the Assembly passed the Veterans Equality Act because it was the right thing to do for our veterans,” said Golden. “Allowing veterans to apply their honorable military service toward their New York State pension should be without question a law in New York. Our State can never repay our veterans for their sacrifice and denying those who served the opportunity
to retire with a equitable pension is outright insulting. I join with New Yorkers across the State in my extreme disappointment with Governor’s Cuomo action that adversely impacts the pensions of those who served.”
Golden said the number of veterans employed in New York State and in New York City civil service positions would result in a minimal financial impact to the State budget.
Jeffries Statement On Third Anniversary of Superstorm Sandy
Central Brooklyn Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, whose district includes some of Brooklyn’s Atlantic Ocean’s waterfront communities from Canarsie to Coney Island, yesterday released the following statement in connection with the forthcoming third anniversary of Superstorm Sandy.
“Three years ago, Superstorm Sandy devastated many of the neighborhoods I represent in Southern Brooklyn and Queens, including Coney Island, Sea Gate, Canarsie and Howard Beach. New Yorkers are a strong and resilient people and we have made significant progress in rebuilding the homes, worship centers and neighborhood businesses damaged in the storm.
In Washington, the congressional delegation has worked hard to bring home billions of dollars in federal funding for our recovery efforts. But there is much more to be done.
We will not rest until every storm victim who was knocked down is back on their feet.”
Donovan Praises New House Speaker, Budget Agreement
Republican Southwest Brooklyn Congressman Dan Donovan yesterday praised Wisconsin GOP Congressman Paul Ryan as an excellent choice as the new Speaker of the House.
“Paul Ryan is tremendously well-respected on both sides of the aisle, and I think he has the skills to make an effective speaker. As I’ve said all along, the folks outside of the Washington bubble care less about who is leading them than about whether Congress can deliver results,” said Donovan.
“We just passed a responsible two-year budget that keeps spending down and doesn’t raise taxes; my first bill, the Securing the Cities Act, passed the House last week: work is getting done in Washington, and I Iook forward to working with the new speaker to build on what we’ve accomplished here recently.”
Donovan said the budget deal will enable the federal government to pay its debts, allow for responsible spending caps, seniors will not see outrageous increases in their Medicare premiums, and a major provision of Obamacare will be repealed.”
“A quirk in regulations governing Medicare would have resulted in dramatic premium increases for tens of thousands of local seniors next year. This deal solves the problem by finding savings elsewhere in the budget. Further, the agreement protects the Social Security Disability Insurance program by avoiding 20 percent across-the-board cuts to beneficiaries next year.
“The agreement also eliminates Obamacare’s “auto-enrollment mandate,” which forces employees to automatically enroll in employer health care plans regardless of whether they want or need the coverage,” the lawmaker added.
Clark’s Statement On Fed Budget Agreement
Flatbush Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke yesterday said the bipartisan budget agreement Congress passed two days ago will create jobs, protect people who depend on Social Security and Medicare, and affirm the full faith and credit of the United States.
The agreement includes a provision Clarke proposed requiring the auction of 30 megahertz of wireless spectrum currently controlled by federal agencies that will provide for the expanding usage of wireless devices such as smartphones and tablet computers.
“We must continue to prepare for the economy of the future, an economy in which many of our business transactions and personal communications will involve wireless devices such as smartphones and tablet computers. We must have a sufficient capacity of wireless spectrum for these transactions and communication. By auctioning 30 megahertz of wireless spectrum that are currently unused by the Department of Defense, the Department of Transportation, and other federal agencies, the Federal Communications Commission will provide the additional capacity required, as well as raise a substantial amount (more than $50 billion has been estimated) to fund critical programs such as Head Start and Pell Grants, “ said Clarke.
“In addition, the full budget agreement will prevent a default on our national debt, reverse substantial increases in premiums for Medicare Part B and a twenty percent reduction in Social Security Disability benefits, and allow for investments in critical sectors such as education and research and development, ultimately creating 340,000 jobs.”
Greenfield Celebrates Libraries Sunday Hours
Midwood/Boro Park City Councilman David Greenfield yesterday hailed this weekends inaugural opening of four local branches of the Brooklyn Public Library on Sunday.
“Today is a day that took five years in the making which makes it all the more sweet,” Greenfield said last Sunday about his years-long efforts to open libraries on Sunday. “This was one of the most requested quality of life changes by my constituents. I am thrilled that we were able to finally add more money in the budget to get it done.”
All the libraries are in neighborhoods of Brooklyn’s growing Orthodox Jewish population that can’t utilize a library on Saturday due to their celebration of the Jewish day of rest known as Shabbos.
The new Sunday service went into effect at the Midwood (Avenue J and East 16th), Borough Park (13th Ave and 43rd), Mapleton (18th Avenue and 60th) and Ryder (23rd Avenue and 59th Street) Brooklyn Public Library branches this pst Sunday. The Sunday hours at all these libraries are from 1-5 p.m.
Additionally, Greenfield secured funding to create a brand-new $250,000 outdoor plaza, sitting area and book drop-off outside the Midwood Public Library branch that is in middle of construction and $10,000 for more Jewish children’s book in the library.
Richardson Partners With Big Brothers & Big Sisters Of New York
Crown Heights/Prospect Lefferts Gardens Assemblywoman Diana Richardson is seeking constituents looking to volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City.
“Engaging the young members of our community, and offering mentorship and guidance is vitally important, and it has tremendous benefits for young people traversing the precarious path into adulthood. Making sure the future of our district is built upon a foundation of young leaders emerging from our communities is crucial, and a top priority for my office. That is why I am excited to announce a new partnership with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of New York City,” said Richardson.
“We will be hosting an informational session for local residents interested in volunteering their time to help local youths in need of guidance and support. Come out to support local youth, and help improve the future of our district!”
The information session is slated for 7 p.m., Wednesday, November 18, at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, 331 Hawthorne Street.
