Savino Sheds Spotlight On Rising Childcare Costs
Coney Island/Staten Island State Sen. Diane Savino along with the Senate’s Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeff Klein on Friday released a rep[ort Friday titled,“New York 2020: Reducing Childcare Costs for Parents Statewide,” which paints a bleak picture for the rising cost of childcare throughout the state.
According to the report, married couples spend a whopping 12.6 percent of their income on child care, while single parents spend an astronomical 45.1 percent. With ever-rising costs of living such as skyrocketing housing costs, New York was ranked as the least-affordable state in the nation for child care..
The two lawmakers, along with Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Stores Union, and Macy’s employees, retail workers, and working family advocates, gathered in front of the iconic Macy’s Herald Square on Friday calling for increased funding to child care subsidies.
In New York where residents pay the highest percentage of their annual wages on child care, Macy’s associates and retail workers from the 34th Street Commercial Corridor were helped by a $500,000 allocation secured by the Independent Democratic Conference for the Facilitated Enrollment program. This critical subsidy helps working moms and dads afford day care and provides parenting education. Since its inception, the Facilitated Enrollment pilot program has helped over 6,400 children and 3,900 families.
“The reality is that many single mothers are footing a $11,700 bill on an under-$26,000 salary. While costs of living are rising, we have 40,000 families on the waiting list for child care subsidies. These are families that need relief from the child care cost burden, so that no mom has to sacrifice her career because it’s more economical for her to stay home. We want the best for our children and for our families, and that is just what these proposals do. With these subsidy expansions and tax credit enhancements, we can ensure that every child has access to the safe, quality care that they need, and that every parent can afford it,” said Savino.
Ortiz Lauds City Requiring Salt Warnings
Sunset Park Assembly Member and Assembly Assistant Speaker Felix W. Ortiz this weekend lauded the City becoming the first city in the country to require sodium warnings to be posted at chain restaurants.
Ortiz’s statement comes following the New York State Supreme Court ruling last week to uphold the sodium warning label rule and require that chain restaurants post salt icons next to items with 2,300 milligrams or more of sodium – the total recommended daily limit.
The sodium warning rule was passed unanimously in September of 2015 by the New York City Board of Health and was enacted to warn New Yorkers about foods with excessively high levels of sodium. Under the sodium warning rule, chains with 15 or more locations nationwide have until March 1 to comply with the new requirement without facing fines for non-compliance. This requirement was challenged by the National Restaurant Association, which had previously asked the court for a preliminary injunction to prevent the rule from going into effect.
“The courts have spoken and New York City will now set the standard for high sodium labeling on restaurant menus,” said Ortiz. “I applaud the Mayor’s efforts and will do my part to see that this new rule will be applied statewide as the sponsor of legislation in the Assembly (A8266). We cannot wait for the federal government to create new sodium guidelines. New Yorkers deserve to know what is in the food they order to make better choices for themselves and their children.”
Assistant Speaker Ortiz recognized the danger sodium posed back in 2009, with the introduction of a series of legislation that promoted healthy lifestyles. One of his most notable pieces of legislation dealt with the prohibition of the use of salt in preparation and cooking of restaurant foods. His proposal allowed salt to only be added to restaurant food by the diner at their table. His belief was that, by putting the control of the sodium intake amount into the customer’s hands, it would give them an option to exercise a healthier diet and healthier lifestyle.
Levin Hails Compliance of Open Data Laws
City Council Member Stephen Levin (Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Boerum Hill, Vinegar Hill, Downtown Brooklyn, and Bedford–Stuyvesant.) hailed the City’s decision last week to make City film permitting data will soon be available on the open data portal.
Associate commissioner Connie Ress’ statement to allow making the data public came a day after WNYC published an article and map of TV shoots across the city from November 2011 to July 2015 using data from the administration in response to a FOIL request.
The announcement also comes after Levin’ introduced a bill last January that would would require monthly and annual reports on film and television production permits approved by the City, including the filming locations, filming durations, if on-street parking was removed, identity of company producing the film or television shoot, and economic data. The bill now has 19 co-sponsors.
“I am grateful that the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment is recognizing the need for greater transparency and moving toward compliance with our open data laws. Publishing data on where and when filming takes place in our city will help residents better understand the impacts, and benefits, this growing industry brings to our neighborhoods,” said Levin.
“The decision to disclose permitting data is an encouraging step and I look forward to talking with community and industry advocates and Commissioner Menin about continuing this progress toward transparency and accountability.”
Donovan, Golden Call Want Quick Muscular Dystrophy Drug Approval
Southern Brooklyn Congressman Dan Donovan and Bay Ridge State Senator Martin J. Golden Friday called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite its review of treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
The 100 percent fatal genetic disease progressively breaks down the muscles, usually resulting in death before age 25. No cure exists. Donovan and Golden have worked closely with two local families in advocating for awareness and treatment options for DMD.
“The children afflicted with Duchenne muscular dystrophy are looking for any hope of leading normal lives. Congress granted the FDA the flexibility to expedite treatment reviews for life-threatening illnesses – the FDA should do so for DMD,” said Donovan.
“I have and remain focused on working with families who have young boys with Duchenne Muscular
Dystrophy, in an effort to advance awareness and find a cure. DMD is a serious disease that progresses rapidly in young men,” said Golden. “I join with Congressman Dan Donovan in urging the United States Federal Drug Administration to make ending DMD a priority on behalf of the more than
40,000 people living with this disease in our Nation.”
Donovan and other Congress members wrote the FDA earlier this month urging the agency to fully utilize its authorities and the tools Congress included in the Food and Drug Administration Safety and
Innovation Act (FDASIA) to provide for new therapies intended to treat persons with life-threatening and severely-debilitating illnesses, as is the case in Duchenne.
Adams, Williams Hold Mitchell Lama Housing Hearing
City Council Member Jumaane Williams (Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood), Chair of the Committee on Housing and Buildings, along with Borough President Eric Adams today will hold an oversight hearing on the Mitchell Lama Housing Program.
Mitchell Lama was one of the most effective affordable housing programs ever implemented in New York City. Currently, however, the program is in crisis and affordable units are rapidly disappearing through buyouts, tenant harassment and opt-outs. Yet, the city has not held a hearing to review the status of the Mitchell Lama program since 2009.
The hearing is slated for 11 a.m., at Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street.
Williams Relaunches Dem Club
City Council Member Jumaane Williams (Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) to night will relaunch his political club, P2O, and is expected to make a major announcement concerning the club.
The relaunch is slated for 6:30 p.m. at D’Savannah Bar & Lounge, 1460 Flatbush Avenue.
