Nadler Bill Aimed At Preventing Sex Offenders Access To Guns
Congressman Jerrold Nadler (Borough Park, Kensington, and parts of Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, Red Hook, Sunset Park and Midwood) this week introduced legislation to prevent guns from getting into the hands of sex offenders who prey on children.
Current federal law prohibits persons convicted of a felony from buying, selling, or possessing guns or ammunition, yet it is perfectly legal for someone convicted a misdemeanor sex crime against a minor to acquire a firearm. The Keep Kids Safe Act of 2016 would close this safety gap, making it illegal under federal law for someone convicted of a misdemeanor sex crime against a child to transfer, acquire or possess firearms or ammunition.
“Guns in the possession of those who are unstable or unfit to use them can have devastating consequences, which is why it is so important for us to be proactive in ensuring that people who may do others harm do not have access to firearms,” said Nadler. “Keeping guns out of the hands of those convicted of sex crimes against a child should be the easiest place to start. The Keep Kids Safe Act ensures that predators who have been convicted of offenses against children are not able to buy firearms. Allowing sex offenders who already have shown a propensity to target children access to guns is too great a risk. It is irresponsible to simply wait until the next tragedy happens before we act.”
The Keep Kids Safe Act covers misdemeanor sex offenders against children and is modeled after the firearms ban that applies to those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes. In addition to making it illegal under federal law for someone convicted of a misdemeanor sex crime against a minor to transfer, receive, or possess firearms or ammunition, it would also be a crime for anyone to provide such an offender with firearms or ammunition. The legislation is supported by Everytown for Gun Safety, the Violence Policy Center, and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence united with the Million Mom March.
Bed-Stuy Pols, James Endorse Wright
Bed-Stuy lawmakers Assembly Member Annette M. Robinson, State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, and City Councilman Robert E. Cornegy, Jr. along with Public Advocate Letitia James and the Vanguard Independent Democratic Association (VIDA), will come out to publicly to endorse current Brooklyn Community Board #3 Chairperson Tremaine Wright for New York State Assembly Candidate (56th AD) on Saturday.
Robinson currently holds the seat and is retiring. Wright is expected to face a tough challenge from community activist Karen Cherry.
The endorsements are slated for 10 a.m., this Saturday April 16 at Restoration Plaza, 1360 Fulton Street, West Plaza in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
Dilan Praises State Increase in Housing, Tenant Funding
Senator Martin Malavé Dilan (Bushwick, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Cypress Hills, City-Line, East New York, Bedford-Stuyvesant, and Brownsville) yesterday praised the efforts of Senate Colleagues and housing advocates for partnering in the effort to increase funding to the Tenant Protection Unit as part of the recently adopted State Budget.
This year the budget provides more than $88 million in support of the critical work of the state Department of Homes & Community Renewal (HCR). Out of this funding comes the Tenant Protection Unit. Created in 2011, the TPU is the teeth of New York’s fight to preserve affordable housing throughout the state.
“Housing has always been a contentious issue in Albany. When it comes to the budget, no amount seems to be enough. That’s why it’s of critical importance to empower the agencies, organizations and authorities we entrust to preserve affordable housing, protect New York’s tenants and pursue those who undermine the right to live in the communities of their choosing,” said Dilan.
Additional Housing Funding, Actions as Part of 2016-17 Budget:
· This year’s budget includes funding for two organizations that have been among the loudest of advocates for Brooklyn tenants; Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A ($250,000) and Make the Road New York ($150,000).
· Extends the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) and Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) another four years. Both programs are extremely important to residents on limited or fixed incomes.
· Increases funding to the Neighborhood Preservation Programs ($12.7 million), Supportive Housing Program ($600,000), as well as Solutions to End Homelessness Program, and support for AIDs Housing.
Eugene Goes To Bat For Summer Camp Programming
Flatbush City Council Member Mathieu Eugene yesterday joined together with Campaign for Children, youth advocates, and hundreds of young people who previously attended summer camp programs, in an effort to save summer camp programming for more than 31,000 students throughout New York City.
City funding for summer programs has not been included in the Mayor’s preliminary budget, and Eugene is actively lobbying the Mayor’s Administration to restore this funding. Summer programs are crucial because they offer children a safe space to spend the day and learn while their parents are at work, he said.
“We must invest in our youth. Summer programs should be a priority in our city’s budget,” said Eugene, Chairman of the Youth Services Committee. “Our children shouldn’t stop learning just because it’s summer. We have to make sure that regardless of what season we’re in, our youth are provided with the educational and recreational services they need.
“We need funding for summer camp programs—and we need it now so providers, parents, and children can prepare for the upcoming months,” he added.
Golden Distributes Rain Barrels
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on Saturday and Sunday joined Bay Ridge State Senator Martin Golden to distribute rain barrels to approximately 320 homeowners in the Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Marine Park, Gravesend, Gerritsen Beach and Bensonhurst neighborhoods.
The 60-gallon rain barrels are easy to install and connect directly to a property owner’s downspout to capture and store the stormwater that falls on the rooftop. The water collected in the rain barrel can then be used to water lawns and gardens, or for other outdoor chores. Rain barrels can help reduce a homeowner’s water bill as watering lawns and gardens can account for up to 40 percent of an average household’s water use during the summer months. They also help to reduce the amount of stormwater that enters theCity’s sewer system, which helps to protect the health of local waterways including Coney Island Creek, Sheepshead Bay and Jamaica Bay.
“I would like to commend the Department of Environmental Protection for partnering with me to offer the Rain Barrel Giveaway Program in southwest Brooklyn,” said Golden. “The most valuable natural
resource is water and this program is leading efforts in helping to preserve and conserve our water supply. New York City continues to be a leader in green initiatives and we are a shining example of an
environmentally friendly city.”
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Colton, Tong Support Stuyvesant High School
Assemblyman William Colton (Bensonhurst, Bath Beach) and District Leader Nancy Tong attended the annual Stuyvesant H.S. Spring Feast Gala. Senator Chuck Schumer and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer were also in attendance for the festivities.
Colton, who was welcomed to the stage by a roaring applause from the crowd, is a continued advocate of empowering schools and providing them with the necessary funding. Colton, a former teacher and longtime supporter of maintaining high standards for specialized high schools such as Stuyvesant, announced wonderful news to the over 950 guests in the crowded Jin Fong Restaurant.
He told them that this year’s state budget has good news for NYC schools by exceeding last year’s aid by over $1.4 billion statewide, and $550 million of that going towards NYC. Nearly $2 million dollars would be provided to help the school districts with low admission rates to the Specialized High Schools, as opposed to eliminating the Specialized High Schools Admission Test as the criteria for accepting students.
Colton reiterated his strong support for continuing the SHSAT as the best way to accept students without lowering the high standards of the specialized high schools.
Richardson Stands With Striking Verizon Workers
Assemblywoman Diana C. Richardson (Crown Heights, Lefferts Gardens) yesterday stood shoulder to shoulder with Communications Workers of America (CWA) members, contracted workers, and working class families, in solidarity of the near 40,000 Verizon workers who went on strike in efforts to fight Verizon’s proposal to slash benefits, freeze pensions and outsource work.
