Mosley Hails Passage Of GENDA Legislation
Assemblyman Walter T. Mosley (Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights) yesterday hailed the assembly’s passage of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA).
The measure protects transgender New Yorkers from being discriminated against in many areas of everyday life including employment, education, consumer credit, public accommodation and housing (A.4558-A, Gottfried).
“Across the country, transgender individuals are facing an assault on their basic human rights. That’s why we must stand up to discrimination and protect the rights of every New Yorker,” said Mosley.
“Sadly, transgender individuals often experience housing and employment discrimination, are refused service or face physical violence because of their gender identity. While the state protects against discrimination based on sex, race, age, creed, nationality, disability, military status, marital status and sexual orientation, it has not yet extended this important protection to transgender people.
“New Yorkers should feel safe and wanted, and be comfortable living the lives they want to live. It’s time for the Senate to join us in extending protections to all citizens of this great state.”
Cymbrowitz Thanks Sheepshead Bay Party Boat Owners
With the unofficial start of summer just weeks away, Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach) called a meeting to thank Sheepshead Bay’s party boat owners for working with the community to successfully resolve noise and other quality-of-life issues.
Joining the lawmaker at a meeting on the Atlantis, docked at Pier 9 on Emmons Avenue, were other Southern Brooklyn lawmakers including Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein, State Senator Diane Savino and a representative from State Senator Marty Golden’s office.
Others at the meeting included 61st Police Precinct Captain Winston Faison, boat owners Fred Ardolino, Joe Lind and Captain Pete; Community Board 15 Chair Theresa Scavo and District Manager Laura Singer, and representatives of the NYPD Harbor Unit, the Parks Department and the Manhattan Beach Community Group.
“We didn’t get one complaint about the boats last summer, which shows just how far we’ve come,” said Cymbrowitz. “The lines of communication are open and everybody is working together to address any concerns raised by both the community and boat owners.”
Issues in the past included loud music that disturbed some residents especially on the Manhattan Beach side of the bay and passengers loitering after disembarking from late-night cruises, leaving behind litter and sometimes using private property as a bathroom.
“I am extremely pleased with the changes that occurred following last year’s meeting,” said Weinstein. “The boat owners are a vital partner in sustaining a vibrant waterfront commercial district and, with their cooperation, will hopefully continue to attract tourists and visitors to Sheepshead Bay without decreasing quality of life for homeowners in the area.”
“We’ve made great progress since last summer to alleviate some of the various problems and will only further make the community better and help the businesses thrive with continued partnerships,” said Savino.
Harris Juvenile Protection Measure Sails Through Committee
Assembly Member Pamela Harris (Coney Island, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights) announced yesterday that her bill requiring police to record custodial interrogations of juveniles passed the Assembly’s Children and Families Committee (A.9770).
“This legislation helps protect young people from making false confessions that can land them in serious trouble,” said Harris. “Additionally, this bill would improve the criminal justice system as a whole, helping to increase transparency and enhance public trust.”
An Innocence Project study of 340 exonerations between 1989 and 2003 found that 42 percent of juvenile defendants had falsely confessed. In New York, about 40 counties have already instituted recordings of interrogations.
“In addition to aiding both parties – the defense and the prosecution – electronically recording interrogations is the only way to provide a clear record as to what was said and done,” said Harris.” “This movement has been advancing nationally, and now it’s time for New York to follow suit.”
Jaime Williams Casts First Vote
Newly-Elected Assembly Member Jaime Williams (Canarsie, Georgetown, Mill Basin, Marine Park, Gerristen Beach) recently cast her first vote in favoring a legislative package that will strengthen protections for domestic violence survivors.
“I am proud to cast my first-ever vote as an Assembly Member, and am even more proud that my first-ever vote was in favor of a bill package that will make New York a safer, more hospitable and more welcoming state for victims of domestic violence,” said Williams.
The vote came less than 24 hours after Assembly Member Williams was sworn-in during a brief ceremony in the Speaker’s Office in the state Capitol. The swearing-in, officiated by Majority Leader Joseph R. Morelle, was held amongst a small group of friends, family and legislative colleagues.
“My constituents voted me into office with the confidence that I would do everything in my power to protect them and advocate on their behalf,” said Assembly Member Williams. “With my ‘aye’ votes today, I have taken the first step in a long journey to uphold their trust in me and truly be the best advocate I can be.”
