Richardson Fights Against CUNY Budget Cuts
Assemblywoman Diana C. Richardson (Crown Heights, Lefferts Gardens) rallied with numerous elected officials yesterday to fight against the prospective $485 million dollar cut to the City University of New York (CUNY), which has been presented in Governor Cuomo’s Executive Budget.
Having served as a direct product of the CUNY system, Richardson expressed her ability to relate to the thousands of students who would be affected by this budget cut. She shared some of her own journey stating that, “As a proud graduate of Medgar Evers and Baruch College, I know first-hand the importance of sustaining unique institutions like the City University of New York. A draconian cut of $485 million dollars will cripple the entire CUNY system.”
Furthermore, this cut will affect the pockets of nearly a half-million students from low-income, working families, immigrants and people of color who rely on CUNY for education to obtain increased mobility and stability. “CUNY is one of the largest university systems in the country, and is also one of the only affordable conduits to opportunity for the city’s underprivileged population. Minority students make up nearly 75 percent of the student body and one third of its student body reported making less than $20,000,” she added.
“The state legislature should restore full funding of CUNY to ensure continued access and affordability for all students in the State of New York. Moving forward, we must protect this vital educational system and help facility the rapid growth of CUNY and its programs.”
Williams Website Translation Measure Signed Into Law
Mayor Bill de Blasio, yesterday, signed into law City Council Member Jumaane Williams (Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) measure Intro 673-A, requiring all city websites to include a feature to translate text into languages other than English, whenever practicable.
The ‘translate’ button will be featured in seven of the most commonly spoken languages. The Department of City Planning will be charged with determining the top seven languages, and city agencies are allowed to rotate the translate feature.
“It’s simply wrong that many New Yorkers can’t currently access critical city services and information because of language barriers,” said Williams. “Not speaking English shouldn’t prevent you from making a 311 report or learning about tenants’ rights, emergency food assistance, job opportunities or health care benefits. “
Williams noted that the City is one of the most – if not the most – diverse communities in the world with more than 3 million immigrants from over 200 countries. According to WNYC, 49% of New Yorkers speak languages other than English at home. Additionally, survey’s show that nearly a quarter all of New Yorkers, about 1.8 million people, do not speak English well or at all, he said.
Malliotakis Critical Of Dem Assembly Majority Budget
Republican Assembly Member Nicole Malliotakis (Bay Ridge, Staten Island) yesterday was highly critical of the recently passed Democratic-controlled Assembly budget, calling it too expensive and favoring the poor over the middle-class.
“The misguided budget proposal put forth by Assembly Democrats recklessly spends more than $2 billion over what Gov. Cuomo has proposed and does not stay within the 2 percent annual spending cap. Despite the increased spending, there is no middle-class tax relief like in the Senate’s proposal, which would provide a $3.5 billion tax cut for those earning less than $150,000 and a property tax cap for New York City,” said Malliotakis.
“Additionally, the Assembly once again makes illegal immigrants a priority by including $10 million for additional health care benefits and $27 million in tuition assistance. The Senate, on the other hand, wants to use the funds to increase the household income eligibility threshold for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to $100,000, which I have been advocating for, so more middle-class citizens can qualify.
“The Assembly Democrats also make modifications to significantly increase welfare entitlements with fewer work requirements and even exempting retirement and college savings accounts when calculating benefits. As budget negotiations continue, I hope we will work toward a more fiscally sound and responsible budget that respects the hard-working taxpayers of our state.”
Deutsch Announces Spring Street Repavings
City Councilman Chaim Deutsch (Sheepshead Bay, Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, Homecrest) announced yesterday the first list of the street repavings, which are scheduled to begin this spring within parts of the southern section of his 48th Council District.
“I am very pleased that the NYC Department of Transportation has listened to my concerns about many of the streets in our district, and approved my requests to have them resurfaced. It is important for the safety of both drivers and pedestrians that our streets are repaved,” said Deutsch.
The following streets will be repaved in the 48th Council District this spring (dates are subject to change):
- Knapp Street, between Voorhies Avenue & Emmons Avenue: March 21 – April 1
- Shore Parkway service road (northbound), between Voorhies Avenue & Nostrand Avenue: March 21 – April 1
- Sheepshead Bay Road, between Avenue Z and Jerome Avenue: March 21 – April 1
- Neptune Avenue, between Ocean Parkway and Sheepshead Bay Road: March 21 – April 1
- Seabreeze Avenue, between Ocean Parkway and West 5th Street: date to be determined
- West 1st Street, between Seabreeze Avenue and West Brighton Avenue: date to be determined
- West 2nd Street, between Seabreeze Avenue and West Brighton Avenue: date to be determined
- West Brighton Avenue, between Ocean Parkway and West 5th Street: date to be determined
- West Avenue, between Ocean Parkway and Shore Parkway: May 16 – May 27
- Brighton 6th Street, between Shore Parkway and Neptune Avenue: May 16 – May 27
A summer and fall schedule will follow in the next few weeks, and will include locations in Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Midwood, and Homecrest.
Donovan Brings De Blasio To Washington
Mayor Bill de Blasio today will travel to Washinton DC to testify before Southern Brooklyn Congressman Dan Donovan‘s Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications Subcommittee on President Obama’s cuts to Homeland Security Grants in his recent Fiscal Year 2017 Federal Budget.
De Blasio and representatives from emergency management, law enforcement, the fire service, and fusion centers from around the country will testify about the impact of these cuts on their ability to prevent, prepare for, protect against, and respond to terrorist attacks at a time when the threat to the United States is the highest since 9/11.
Cymbrowitz Launches 2016 Holocaust Memorial Creative Arts Contest
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach) yesterday invited students in grades three through 12 that either live or go to school in his 46th Assembly District to enter his 2016 Holocaust Memorial Creative Arts Contest.
The annual contest gives students the opportunity to reflect on the Holocaust, examine how its lessons continue to impact our lives, and express their feelings using their creative talents. Students are encouraged to submit essays, poetry, artworks and DVDs of dramatic music or dance performances. While class/group projects are strongly encouraged, individual entries are also welcome.
Assemblyman Cymbrowitz sponsors the contest with the Manhattan Beach Jewish Center, Holocaust Memorial Committee, the Lena Cymbrowitz Foundation and Project Witness to honor the six million who perished and also to teach students that anti-Semitism and bias-motivated violence remain painfully relevant issues.
“We unfortunately live in a world where extremism and hatred directed at Jews are both on the rise,” said Cymbrowitz, the son of Holocaust survivors. “These are not easy concepts for children to understand — but by giving them a sense of what it felt like to live during the Nazis’ reign, we can instill in them a sense of compassion toward those who are oppressed and, at the same time, outrage toward those who continue to disseminate hate.”
For more information on the contest call Cymbrowitz’ office at (718) 743-4078.
