Menchaca Pushes Back Against Immigration Court Deadlock
City Council Member Carlos Menchaca (Sunset Park, Red Hook) along with City Council Member Stephen T. Levin (Downtown Brooklyn Boerum Hill) today will hold a press conference with a coalition of resettlement agencies, service providers, advocates, and members of displaced communities to reject the anti-immigrant sentiment pervasive in national conversations.
The event comes on the heels of the last week’s U.S. Supreme Court deadlocked decision striking down President Obama’s executive order that would have shielded as many as five million undocumented immigrants from deportation and allow them to legally work in the United States.
Following the press conference, the Committee on Immigration will hold a hearing focusing on Resolutions1105 and 1103:
- Resolution 1105 calls upon the President and the State Department to resettle at least 10,000 Syrian refugees in the U.S. by the end of fiscal year 2016 and to increase such number to 65,000 by the end of fiscal year 2017.
- Resolution 1103 calls upon the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to designate Ecuador for Temporary Protected Status to provide temporary immigration relief to eligible Ecuadorian nationals in the wake of a devastating earthquake.
The press conference is slated for 12:30 p.m., today on the steps of City Hall in Lower Manhattan. The Committee on Immigration hearing will take place at 1 PM in City Hall Council Chambers.
Schumer Pushes FCC To Implement Test-To-911 Services
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer yesterday publicly pushed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to lead the charge to implement Text-To-911 services throughout New York State, including in New York City and Long Island.
Text-to-911 is the ability to reach 911 emergency call centers, also known as Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), through a text message. Schumer said that the recent terror attack in Orlando further proves how crucial this service would be to New Yorkers.
Schumer urged the federal government, specifically the FCC, to huddle with phone carriers and New York City as soon as possible to make texting 911 a reality.
“Some of the first facts we learned about Orlando were generated via a text message to a loved one. These texts did what the voice could not in that instance—communicate,” said Schumer.
“When there’s an emergency, we should be using text messaging to save lives by informing 911 dispatchers of critical details that can guide first responders. Whether it’s a person hiding in a closet during a burglary, or a person with a disability or someone in the midst of something far more sinister, like a mass shooting, a single text could be a godsend that gives law enforcement the upper hand. Furthermore, this is New York City. We build skyscrapers. We innovate better than anyone and we have some of the smartest collection of minds all in one place. We should—without a doubt—be able to make texting 911 a reality sooner rather than later.”
Treyger, Mealy Praise Increase For Teacher’s Choice Funding
City Council Members Mark Treyger (Bensonhurst, Gravesend, Coney Island) and Diane Mealy (Bed-Stuy, Brownsville), co-chairs of the City Council’s Brooklyn Delegation, Friday, praised the City Council for increasing funding for Teacher’s Choice, a program created by the United Federation of Teachers to reimburse educators for the purchase of school supplies and classroom educational materials.
The City Council increased funding for the program by 27.5 percent in the recently passed 2016-17 fiscal year budget. The new budget allotment for Teacher’s Choice is $12.3 million, up from $9.65 million a year ago. This is the second consecutive funding increase for the program. The budget allotment two years ago was $6.1 million.
The average teacher spends more than $500 a year on his or her students, and many have expenditures that top $1,000. Teachers spend their own money on items ranging from classroom pens and pencils, or chalk and crayons, to personal items such as coats and shoes and technology-related resources such as flash drives or software. This year, teacher’s received $122 in Teacher’s Choice funds. Next year’s per-educator amount will be determined by the D.O.E. when final statistics on total number of eligible educators will be available.
“Increasing funding for Teacher’s Choice was a major priority for the Brooklyn Delegation because we understand that sometimes, teachers need to reach into their own wallets to provide their students with the best possible learning opportunities in the classroom,” said Treyger.
“As a former high school civics teacher, I know quite well that sometimes our students do not have all of the tools they need to succeed. Teachers take it upon themselves to do what they can to rectify these problems, because we care about our students. Increasing funding for Teacher’s Choice shows that we as a city care about our teachers, as well,” he added.
Mealy said this sorely needed infusion in funding will cover basic school supplies which are imperative in enhancing City scholars’ success during the coming school year.
“I am pleased to be part of a government body that prioritizes the learning tools of our children and recognizes the need for this funding to come from our budget vs the salary of the teachers who work tirelessly in devoting their days and nights to educating our next generation,” she said.
Parker, Williams Hosts 9th Annual Job Fair
State Senator Kevin Parker (Flatbush, Midwood) in partnership with Councilman Jumaane D. Williams (Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) tomorrow will host their 9thAnnual Job Fair as a resource to New York City residents currently seeking employment opportunities, training and development.
Job seekers ranging in education from high school, undergraduate, and graduate level programs will be introduced to various job opportunities from federal, state, city, private and non-profit agencies.
Among the participating possible employers include Opportunity For A Better Tomorrow, MetroPlus, Manhattan School Of Technology, National Guard, Avon, Carver Bank, Primerica, Office of Workforce Diversity/New York State Unified Court System, NYC Department of Corrections, The Hope Program, Camba, Housing & Family Services of Greater New York, Camp BedStuy, Green City Force, Northern Manhattan Improvement, FDNY Explorers, Non-Traditional Employment for Women, New York Department of Labor, SUNY BEOC, New York Public Library, Catholic Charities Fatherhood Program, ConEd. More prospective employers are coming on board every day.
The Job Fair is slated for between 10 a.m.-3 p.m., tomorrow, June 28 at the Brooklyn College Student Union Building, East 27th Street and Campus Road.
Richardson Holds Her State of The District Address
Assembly Member Diana Richardson (Crown Heights, Lefferts Gardens) on Thursday will hold her State of the District Address and Civic Minded event merger this week.
“It is my intent to combine these two events to give community members, leaders, merchants, legislators, block associations and institutions the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of key initiatives to encourage growth in our community and receive important neighborhood updates,” said Richardson.
