Donovan Introduces Bill To Strengthen Transit Security
Congressman Dan Donovan (Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island) yesterday introduced legislation to improve the ability of transit agencies to prevent and respond to terror attacks by making the Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) more flexible.
Dubbed the Transit Security Grant Program Flexibility Act, the bill is a direct response to feedback his subcommittee received from transit agencies at a recent Congressional hearing. Recent attacks in Europe show that terrorists are targeting mass transit systems.
“Our local and national transportation systems remain a top terror target, so it’s vital that transit agencies have the resources they need to prevent and prepare for emergency situations. This bill will help secure subway, bus and commuter rail systems for the millions of Americans who rely on them,” said Donovan.
The bill will expand the scope of how TSGP funds can be used, which will help transit organizations use their security grants more fully and effectively. More specifically, the legislation will allow TSGP grant funds to cover additional security training costs and will also extend the deadline for using the security grants from two to three years. These changes will ensure that transit agencies can use their grant funds in the most effective way possible without having to worry about unrealistic deadlines.
The TSGP provides eligible transit agencies with funding for capital and operational projects, including tunnel protection systems, evacuation improvements, canine patrols, security training and exercises, and public awareness campaigns.
Donovan said the measure could pass out of the Homeland Security Committee as early as next week.
Golden 15th Annual Sept. 11 Memorial Events
State Senator Martin J. Golden (Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend) yesterday announcing plans to host his 15th Annual September 11th Memorial events.
Among the events lined up will include prayers, reflections, musical selections and a candle lighting ceremony. Representatives from the military and local clergy and religious leaders will be participating in
the event program.
The events will be held this Sunday, Sept. 11 in two locations. The first is at 6 p.m., in Marine Park (3000 Fillmore Avenue, by the Flagpole), and the second is at 7:30 p.m. on the American Veterans’s Memorial Pier (Shore Road and Bay Ridge Avenue).
Cumbo Hosts Community Jamboree
City Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo (Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights) tomorrow will host a Community JAMboree in Fort Greene Park.
The event is in collaboration with several community partners, and during it, families will enjoy a day of fitness, health, wellness, fun, and free giveaways. Activities include yoga, cooking demos, meditation, dance, and more.
Additionally, there will be a participatory budgeting meeting to discuss the allocation of $1 million towards resources within the district.
Cymbrowitz Lauds $74 Million To Support Seniors
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach) announced this week that senior citizens in Brooklyn and across New York State will benefit from more than $74 million in state and federal funding to support programs that improve older adults’ access to nutritional and disease prevention services.
The broad range of nutrition services supported by this program will help provide healthy dining options for 175,000 older adults annually at more than 700 community congregate meal sites; nutritious home-delivered meals for 62,000 older individuals each year; nutrition counseling, education, and health promotion services for more than 300,000 older adults; and assistance with applying for other benefits, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
“As we age, it becomes increasingly important to monitor nutritional needs and engage in preventive health care,” said Cymbrowitz, chair of the Assembly’s Aging Committee. “I commend Gov. Cuomo and New York’s Congressional delegation for making available this essential funding that will help to keep our older adults healthier and to remain active and vital in our communities.”
The broad range of nutrition services supported by this program will help provide healthy dining options for 175,000 older adults annually at more than 700 community congregate meal sites; nutritious home-delivered meals for 62,000 older individuals each year; nutrition counseling, education, and health promotion services for more than 300,000 older adults; and assistance with applying for other benefits, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
New York City will receive more than $33 million of this funding.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, poor diet and physical inactivity are among the leading causes of disability among Americans and cause one-third of all premature deaths. Malnutrition affects one out of four seniors and is a factor in half of all hospital admissions and readmissions of older people.
Cuomo Signs Golden, Abbate Bill Helping Firefighters
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo yesterday signed legislation to provide enhanced disability retirement benefits for New York City firefighters.
Once the law takes effect, all City firefighters who become disabled while in the line of duty are eligible for disability equal to three-quarters of their pension. State Senator Marty Golden (Bay Ridge) and Assemblyman Peter Abbate (Bensonhurst, Sunset Park) sponsored the measure in their respective chambers.
“Firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep New Yorkers safe, and we must do everything we can to support them and their families,” Cuomo said. “By restoring the three-quarter pension retirement plan, we are providing our heroes with the financial stability that they need and deserve. This legislation corrects an inequality against New York City’s Bravest that has gone on for far too long, and I am proud to sign it into law today.”
Currently, the vast majority of municipal fire departments in New York State provide disability benefits equal to three-quarters of the individual’s pension to firefighters who become disabled from line of duty injuries. New York City firefighters were among those with benefits equal to 75 percent of the pension until 2009 when a state law was not renewed, and thus the eligibility for new hires was reduced to 50 percent of the pension.
The legislation restores three-quarters pension benefits for New York City firefighters who become disabled from line of duty injuries. It affects firefighters hired since 2009 as well as new hires – both groups who would otherwise only be eligible for 50 percent.
