Brooklyn Lawmakers On The Move Aug. 22, 2016

Cuomo Signs Felder Bill Into Law

State Sen. Simcha Felder (Boro Park, Flatbush, Midwood) last week saw Gov. Andrew Cuomo sign his unclaimed bodies bill into law.

Under the measure it is no longer legal for unclaimed bodies to be released to medical schools without the consent of the deceased’s spouse or next of kin. Felder and Queens Assemblyman Mike Simanowitz sponsored the measure in their respective legislative chambers after noting that many bodies transient people who died would have their bodies donated to medical schools with very little time to find the person’s next of kin.

“After numerous cases of unclaimed bodies being delivered to medical schools for uses that may have been in stark contrast with the religious or personal wishes of next of kin, this law now makes it illegal to show such disrespect to the deceased,” said Felder. “My colleague Assemblyman Simanowitz and I were both aware of heart-breaking cases that pained families and we feared that these scenarios would repeat. Now, these worries come to an end. I am grateful to Governor Cuomo for signing our bill into law.”

Felder recognized Dr. Barbara Sampson, the Chief Medical Examiner, New York City, as well as Simcha Eichenstein from Mayor de Blasio’s Office of State Legislative Affairs, for their efforts on behalf of the bill.

City Council Member Jumaane Williams (Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) and the Ernest Skinner Political Association tonight will host a forum tonight for candidates running in the upcoming Sept. 13 Primary election.

Among the candidates confirmed to appear and discuss the issues of their district include Brownsville Assemblywoman Latrice Walker, Crown Heights/Lefferts Gardens Assemblywoman Diana Richardson, Flatbush/Ditmas Park Democratic District Leader Josue Pierre, Flatbush/Ditmas Park Assembly Candidate Victor Jordan, and East Flatbush Democratic District Leader Cory Provost.

Other candidates have also been invited to appear and some are expected.

The forum is slated for 7 p.m., tonight at Clarendon Road Church, 3304 Clarendon Road at the corner of Clarendon Road and New York Avenue). For more information, contact skinnerpoliticalassociation@gmail.com.

Cuomo Signs Legislation Further Protecting Workers Prone To Assault

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo last week signed legislation that will strengthen protections for employees who are prone to assault.

The measure elevates assaults on utility workers, station and terminal cleaners, and process servers from a misdemeanor to a D felony.

“These workers perform tasks that are vital to the operation of New York institutions and have increasingly become the targets of aggression and assaults,” Cuomo said. “Signing these measures into law will help better protect these employees from harm and I thank the sponsors for their work to get them passed.”

“I enthusiastically applaud Governor Cuomo for signing my legislation, Senate Bill S. 8104-A, into law as the passage of this bill increases the penalty for assaulting our MTA station and terminal workers to a class D felony,” said Flatbush State Sen. Kevin Parker. “Although laws were enacted in 2002 to protect and deter assaults on transit employees while performing their duties, the law did not include station and terminal workers.”

“I thank Governor Cuomo for his leadership in protecting the rights of our hardworking brothers and sisters in New York State,” said Crown Heights/Lefferts Gardens Assemblywoman Diana Richardson. “No employee should have to work facing the threat of assault and this legislation will help ensure a hardworking and dedicated part of our workforce is properly protected under the law.”

I am proud to stand with the Governor on this issue and thank him for signing this important piece of legislation.”

State Senator Daniel Squadron led a bevy of Downtown Brooklyn elected officials last week in urging the city to keep the Brooklyn Bridge Park pop-up pool open until there are concrete plans for a permanent pool.

Currently, the pop-up pool is planned to be eliminated after this summer, however the report shows broad support for the continued existence of a pool in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Squadron also released 879 petition signatures, and a report titled Making A Splash The Pop-Up Pool in Brooklyn Bridge Park last week on the issue, which showed the pool is well used not just by local residents, but borough wide.

“The results are in — the pool’s made a splash in Brooklyn Bridge Park, and shouldn’t dry up after this summer,” said Squadron. “I’ll continue urging the City to keep a pool in Brooklyn Bridge Park, along with colleagues and the community.”

“In just a few years, the pool at Brooklyn Bridge Park has made an enormous splash, allowing swimmers to cool down with a refreshing dip and a beautiful view of the East River,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams. “As the crown jewel of a revitalized Brooklyn waterfront, Brooklyn Bridge Park offers amenities for the whole family, prominently including the pop-up pool. We should listen to the many park visitors from neighborhoods across Brooklyn who love the pool and want to continue to experience its many benefits until a permanent replacement has been created.”

“The Brooklyn Bridge Park provides a valuable recreational service to members of our community and this survey further underscores that point. We must work together to plan a permanent pool for Brooklyn families,” said Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY).

“The pop-up pool has made one thing quite clear: the public uses the pop-up pool and wants a pool long-term at Brooklyn Bridge Park. It’s not hard to see why. It’s been a hot summer and pools refresh us so. Time to dive in and start organizing for a larger, permanent pool. Floating pool, anyone?” said Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon.

“Everyone is supportive of a permanent pool – but until that idea becomes a reality the pop-up pool needs to stay open. Access to public amenities, especially those utilized by children and their families, should only increase as time goes on,” said City Councilmember Stephen T. Levin.

Bichotte Announces Brooklyn College’s Haitian Studies Institute

Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte (Flatbush, Ditmas Park) along with State Senator Kevin Parker, City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams and Brooklyn College’s new President Michelle Anderson Wednesday will announce the establishment of the Haitian Studies Institute at Brooklyn College.

The group will  also present the new Founding Director of the Haitian Studies Institute, Dr. Jean Eddy St. Paul.

The Haitian Studies Institute joins other academic and cultural research Institutes within the City University of New York (CUNY) system such as the Jaime Lucero Mexican Studies Institute, the Latino Institute, theDominican Institute, the Institute for the Research on the African Diaspora in the Americas and the Caribbean, and the Asian American and Asian Research Institute.