Adams Applauds Senate Passage of Infrastructure Safety Act
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams yesterday lauded the Senate’s passage of a measure toughening criminal liabilities for dare devils who recklessly decide to trespass on bridges and other vital structures, putting others at risk and necessitating the deployment of emergency responders.
Dubbed the Critical Infrastructure Safety Act, State Senator Daniel Squadron (northern Brooklyn) and Assembly Member Joe Lentol (Williamsburg, Greenpoint) introduced the measure at Adams’ request.
“I am pleased that the New York State Senate has overwhelmingly passed S.2190, legislation that would make it a class A misdemeanor when an individual trespasses on infrastructure so vital to the state that its disruption, incapacitation, or destruction could jeopardize the health, safety, welfare, or security of the state, its residents, or its economy,” said Adams.
“I thank State Senator Squadron, State Senate Majority Leader Flanagan, and the rest of my former colleagues in the New York State Senate for asserting, through the passage of S.4602, that safety is a priority in our city and our state. I urge the New York State Assembly to pass the companion measure A.6972 before the end of this legislative session, and for Governor Cuomo to sign it into law.”
Malliotakis Calls For Accountability On State Spending
Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-Bay Ridge, Staten Island) this week joined with her Republican colleagues in the Minority Conference to call for dramatic changes that would increase transparency, accountability and oversight of the state’s economic development programs.
“Too many hard-earned tax dollars are being wasted on frivolous initiatives without any one person or state entity being held fully accountable,” said Malliotakis. “It’s a disservice to all areas of our state if local economic decisions continue to be driven by political interests and closed-door meetings. In 2014, two years after Hurricane Sandy hit, Staten Island businesses and homeowners were seeking relief, the state misguidedly redirected $36.5 million of storm recovery funds to a television ad campaign promoting tourism in the state.
“Over the past couple of years we have seen nothing but setbacks and subpoenas for initiatives such as the Buffalo Billion and START-UP NY. The Buffalo Billion, as stated in its name, is projected to invest $1 billion of tax payer dollars into the Buffalo area economy, however the initiative is currently under federal investigation because of how the funds and contracts were distributed. Meanwhile, START-UP NY will cost an estimated $323 million, but has only created 76 jobs as of last year. It’s unacceptable that an enormous amount of tax payer dollars continue to be funneled into the governor’s initiatives without progress or effectiveness.”
The proposals introduced by the Assembly Minority include stronger oversight of taxpayer-funded programs, penalties for missing report deadlines, independent review of economic-development programs and tax code, and prohibiting political contributions to appointing authorities.
Mosley Protects & Strengthens Women’s Reproductive Rights
Assemblyman Walter T. Mosley (Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights) this week announced that he helped pass two key bills to protect and strengthen women’s reproductive rights.
The measures prohibit discrimination against employees based on reproductive choices and other health care decisions and codify a woman’s right to an abortion in New York State (A.1142-A, A.6221).
“Women can never be truly equal until they have complete control over their bodies and their health care decisions without the government or their boss stomping on their constitutional rights,” Mosley said. “The Assembly Majority will always stand up for women and their reproductive rights. We will never back down.”
Under one piece of legislation that was passed, employers would be prohibited from interfering with their workers’ birth control choices (A.1142-A). Additionally, employers would be barred from accessing private medical information about their employees without the employee’s written consent.
A second bill passed by the Assembly codifies the federal protections of Roe v. Wade into New York State law (A.6221).
“The United States Supreme Court made it clear in 1973 that women have the constitutional right to choose whether or not to continue a pregnancy,” Mosley said. “While anti-choice zealots have tried to enact onerous restrictions on abortion services in many states, we will not let that happen in New York. The Assembly’s legislation brings New York State law in line with the constitutional protection that ensures a woman’s right to choose remains just that – her choice.”
Harris’ NORC Bill Passes Assembly
Assemblymember Pamela Harris (Coney Island, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights) yesterday announced the Assembly passage of legislation she authored benefitting Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) by making it easier for them to qualify for state funding (A.10201).
“NORCs allow seniors to remain in their homes and communities by providing vital support services including health monitoring and case management, as well as social activities to foster engagement,” said Harris. “This legislation will make it easier for us to give back to those who have given so much to make our community better.”
Currently, projects need to raise an amount equal to the state funding allocated in their contract. Under Harris’ bill, they would need to raise only 25 percent of that amount. While the recent state budget included crucial funding to support NORCs and make much-needed upgrades, provisions lowering the threshold for match requirements were not included.
“I’ll keep working to strengthen and protect NORCs so that senior citizens can thrive and have the quality of life they deserve,” said Harris. “I now call on the Senate to pass this important legislation – we have a responsibility to stand up for the New Yorkers who have worked so hard to build our neighborhoods.”
Cumbo Leads Father’s Day Pledge Against Violence
City Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo (Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights) today will host the 7th Annual New York City Father’s Day Pledge to oppose all forms of Violence.
Joining Cumbo will be other elected officials, community leaders, clergy, city activists and youth, who will celebrate the vital roles men and boys play in ending violence in homes, schools and communities, and in building safe families and peaceful communities. The Father’s Day Pledge is a national item that is replicated in over 50 U.S. cities.
The pledge is slated for 12 noon today on the steps of City Hall in Lower Manhattan.
Adams Kicks Off Brooklyn Day
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams today will kick off the 116th Brooklyn Day at McCarren Park in Williamsburg.
The State Legislature first created Brooklyn Day in 1902, and was originally connected to Rally Day parades held by Sunday Schools in Brooklyn dating back to 1829. The holiday is now celebrated citywide as Chancellor’s Day with the closure of all New York City public schools, making the event a prime opportunity to provide free outdoor activities on the students’ day off.
Hundreds of local youth are expected to attend his event featuring a wide variety of sports activities, including baseball, basketball, hockey, and rock climbing, which promote his agenda of advancing physical fitness and healthy play.
Adams is holding his celebration of Brooklyn Day in partnership with Council Members Stephen Levin and Antonio Reynoso, and a host of public, private and nonprofit entities.
The kickoff is slated for 1:15 p.m., today at McCarren Park in Williamsburg. The park entrance is at the corner of North 12th Street and Driggs Avenue.
