Ortiz Says Time For Hoverboard Regulation
Amid recent reports of fires and serious safety problems with the new rechargeable mechanized scooter known as the “hoverboard,” Sunset Park Assemblyman and Assistant Assembly Speaker Felix W. Ortiz is introducing legislation to require safer riding conditions, age restrictions, and expansion of existing state agency authority to regulate hoverboards.
Owners of the boards in New York City are already prohibited from using them on sidewalks and in airports. The federal Public Safety Commission has begun an investigation of explosions of overcharged boards.
“With the holiday season upon us and many parents having already purchased and wrapped these hoverboards, I want to make sure that families are prepared to ensure the safety of their children if they give these boards as a gift. Until these motorized boards are engineered more safely, I will advance my legislation as a tool for improving public safety. We cannot afford to risk injury from riding a device like this which is already so popular,” said Ortiz.
Clarke Co-Sponsors Bill Banning Assault Weapons
Flatbush Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement on the Assault Weapons Ban of 2015, which was introduced yesterday with Clarke as an original co-sponsor.
The ban would prohibit the sale, transfer, and production of military-style weapons and high-capacity magazines. It would also prohibit semi-automatic rifles and handguns with a military-style feature that could accept a detachable magazine, semi-automatic rifles and handguns with a fixed magazine that could hold more than ten rounds, semi-automatic shotguns with a military-style feature, any ammunition supplying device that could hold more than ten rounds, and one-hundred specifically-listed firearms.
“An assault weapon has been used in more than half of mass shooters that killed four or more people. We will never forget the individuals who were killed at the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charlestown, South Carolina, Umpqua Community College in Oregon, Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, and now San Bernardino, California,” said Clarke.
“With the Assault Weapons Ban of 2015, we will finally limit access to weapons that are intended to harm as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. When assault weapons or a high-capacity magazines are used in a shooting, the number of victims who are killed increases by sixty-three percent. In addition, this bill improves background check procedures that prevent individuals who are not authorized from purchasing a gun. We have the opportunity to prevent mass shootings and save lives.”
Donovan Votes To Combat Terrorist Use of Social Media
Southern Brooklyn Congressman Dan Donovan yesterday joined his colleagues in passing the Combat Terrorist Use of Social Media Act.
The measure utilizes the oversight role of Congress to require the President and security agencies to make recommendations for improving the federal government’s efforts to disrupt and counter the use of social media by terrorists. The legislation further requires the Administration to report on how terror organizations utilize social media, and the role social media plays in radicalization in the United States and abroad.
“ISIS has a relatively small and unsophisticated army by conventional standards – they don’t have fighter jets or cruise missiles. But with access to social media, ISIS and other terrorist groups can infect people thousands of miles away with their hateful, disgusting ideology,” said Donovan.
“YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook – these are ISIS’s strongest weapons. To fully eradicate the threat, we must destroy their organization, cut off their financing, and take back their territory. In the meantime, we have to take every step to minimize the risk of radicalization here at home.”
Velázquez Assails Congressional GOP Over Forgetting Puerto Rico
Northern and Southwest Brooklyn Congresswoman Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez yesterday assailed the GOP controlled House for not including vital bankruptcy protection for Puerto Rico as it faces an unprecedented debt crisis.
“It is unconscionable that Congressional Republicans refused to include in the year-end spending bill meaningful provisions to allow Puerto Rico to restructure its debt. This would not have cost the taxpayer a dime, but could have helped solve what is rapidly disintegrating into a humanitarian crisis.
“Absent swift action, I fear Puerto Rico may reach a point of no return. I will continue pushing for legislation going forward. However, given the gravity of the situation, we must pursue other options. Now that Republicans have clearly demonstrated their inability to act, I expect them not to resist, criticize or interfere should the Administration and the U.S. Treasury Department move to stem this crisis and prevent further humanitarian and economic damage. Congressional Republicans have forfeited that right,” said Velazquez.
“Puerto Rico has already done its part to reduce expenditures and raise revenues. The island spends $2,000 less per student than the average spent on the mainland. The government has already closed nearly 100 schools this year, in addition to 60 closures last year. The local sales and use tax was increased from 7.0 percent to 11.5 percent, now the highest in the nation. The government has laid off 21 percent of its employees since 2008 and the 2016 budget makes further cuts. Yet, hedge funds continue demanding further, unreasonable austerity measures, rather than accepting a lower rate of return on their investments.
“By failing to act, the Republican Leadership has chosen to side with Wall Street hedge funds over 3.5 million American citizens who live in Puerto Rico. While history will view this episode as a stain on our nation’s conscience, I will not give up and will continue seeking solutions.”
Adams Hails $1.8M Allocation For Brooklyn Greenway
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams yesterday celebrated more than $1.8 million in State funding through the New York City Regional Economic Development Council (REDC), which his office and the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative (BGI) acquired to advance three resiliency and open space projects along the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway.
The Greenway, an in-development 14-mile landscaped route for pedestrians, runners, and cyclists, will connect neighborhood parks and open spaces from Greenpoint to Bay Ridge. The capital allocation will go toward the creation of Columbia Waterfront Park as well as integrated flood protection for Red Hook and industrial areas in Sunset Park.
“Brooklyn’s waterfront is beginning to receive the attention and investment it has long deserved, as we lay the foundation for what will be a dynamic, healthy, and resilient coastline that attracts millions to live, work, and play,” said Adams.
“I am proud to partner with BGI on growing the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway, one plant at a time, into a sustainable space that connects residents like never before while addressing long-standing environmental concerns such as air quality and localized flooding. The Greenway will produce countless quality-of-life benefits for our borough while making our waterfront an even more attractive place to invest and create high-quality local jobs.”
Adams, Eugene Give Toys To Underserved Youth
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and Flatbush City Councilman Mathieu are doing their part in distributing toys to underserved youth.
Today at 11 a.m., Adams will will deliver more than one thousand toys to local organizations caring for underserved youth this holiday season. The distribution, taking place beside the Christmas tree in the rotunda of Brooklyn Borough Hall, was made possible by donations from Brooklynites at over 30 toy drives held at businesses, cultural institutions, and schools across the borough.
Also at 11 a.m., Eugene will partner with Dollar Tree, and Kings County Hospital Center at a toy giveaway for children in the outpatient clinic at Kings County Hospital Center.
WFP Hails Sanders’ Stand On A Fair CUNY Contract
Working Families Party New York State Director Bill Lipton made the following comments today in reaction to Senator Bernie Sanders’ letter urging Gov. Cuomo to provide a fair contract for 25,000 CUNY faculty and professional staff who have been working without a contract since 2010:
“We’re proud to stand with Bernie Sanders in calling on Gov. Cuomo to invest in a fair contract for CUNY faculty and staff,” said Lipton.
“New York’s working families have long relied on the educational opportunities that CUNY provides. Low- and middle-income New Yorkers are counting on Gov. Cuomo to make sure they continue to have those opportunities.”
