Schumer Chosen As Senate’s Minority Leader
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer was chosen yesterday by his Democratic Senate collegues as the Senate’s minority leader in the upcoming 115th Congress.
Schumer is a born and raised Brooklynite, graduate of Madison High School and formerly represented the borough in both Congress and the assembly.
“I am humbled and honored by the trust and confidence my colleagues have placed in me and proud to introduce this leadership team,” said Schumer. “I am going to wake up every single day focused on how Senate Democrats can effectively fight for America’s middle class, and those struggling to make it. This team is ideologically and geographically diverse, it mixes the wisdom of experience with the vigor of youth, at least in Senate years, but from the top to bottom, each of these Senators has devoted their lives to fighting for the middle class and those struggling to get there.
“As Democrats determine our way forward, I can tell the American people this: We are ready to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Republicans – working with soon-to-be President Trump on issues where we agree — but we will go toe-to-toe against the President-elect whenever our values or the progress we’ve made is under assault.”
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams offered Schumer a full-hearted congratulations as a colleague, friend, and neighbor, who has made history as the first New Yorker to serve as a party leader in the United States Senate.
“Senator Schumer brings Brooklyn values to this most important role, including his compassion, ingenuity, and tenacity. He carries an incredible responsibility in the coming Congress, and our borough will count on him to continue his role as a champion of the issues facing urban America,” said Adams.
Cornegy Battles Rise Of Deed Theft
City Council Member Robert E. Cornegy Jr. (Bedford-Stuyvesant, Northern Crown Heights) along with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, and other local officials today will hold a press conference to announce their renewed commitment to combat deed theft.
Since 2015, the New York City Department of Finance has been investigating hundreds of cases of deed theft. Deed thieves are intensifying their efforts in the gentrifying neighborhoods of Bushwick, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Crown Heights, and Prospect Lefferts Gardens in part because their spiking real estate values make it easy to flip stolen properties at great profits.
The press conference will highlight the pervasiveness of deed fraud in Brooklyn and to put individuals and corporations engaged in this process on notice that deed theft will not be tolerated by authorities and/or members of the community.
The press conference is slated for 9 a.m. today, Nov. 17 at 1424 Fulton Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
Schumer, Gillibrand Get Fed Money For Pratt Institute
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand yesterday announced that Pratt Institute’s Brooklyn Fashion and Design Accelerator: Fashion Technology Program will receive $486,680 in federal funds.
The funding was allocated through the federal Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) i6 Challenge program. Specifically, the Pratt Institute will use these federal funds to assist and mentor design entrepreneurs, creative technologists, industry professionals, and students in New York City. The lawmakers said that these resources will help transform ideas into commercialized products in the region.
“The fashion and design industry is an essential part of New York City’s economy and programs like the Pratt Institute’s Brooklyn Fashion and Design Accelerator will help power the City’s economy growth in the 21stcentury,” said Schumer. “This federal funding will enable the Pratt Institute to provide local entrepreneurs in the fashion industry with the resources they need to succeed and create jobs in the region.”
“New York City has one of the most diverse and talented workforces in the entire country, along with an unparalleled entrepreneurial spirit that makes us perfectly positioned for a manufacturing boom, particularly in legacy industries like apparel and textile manufacturing,” said Gillibrand. “Providing entrepreneurs, designers, and students with these resources will continue to help boost the local economy, revitalize our communities, and jumpstart new companies and jobs allowing for long-term economic growth.”
Malliotakis Calls On Albany To Hold Line On MTA Debt Limit
In light of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) announcement yesterday that the agency will soon consider increasing tolls on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, along with raising bus and subway fares, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (Bay Ridge, Staten Island) is reiterating her call for the state legislature to hold the line on the MTA’s debt limit.
The enacted 2016 New York State Budget authorized the MTA to increase its debt limit from $37.2 billion to an unsustainable $55 billion. Malliotakis warned that such reckless action would make the MTA a runaway train and would certainly lead to even more unaffordable toll and fare hikes and service cuts in the future. Most alarming was the fact that this increase allows a single state authority to issue more debt than the entire State of New York (the state’s debt cap is an estimated $47 billion).
“As long as the Governor and State Legislature keep giving the MTA a blank check to issue debt, we will see proposals to increase tolls and fares. Eventually the debt comes due, and the MTA looks to hardworking commuters to foot the bill time and again. Back in April I warned against the unconscionable action of allowing this mismanaged agency to issue more bonds, take on more debt, and kick the can so far down the road that it can never be brought back. We warned that this would lead to more toll and fare increases, and here we are just a few months later,” said Malliotakis.
Hamilton Hosts Workshop To Increase Diversity in Specialized High Schools
Central Brooklyn State Sen. Jesse Hamilton tonight will host a workshop aimed to increase the diversity of New York City’s specialized high schools.
The workshop is in partnership with alumni groups, education advocates, and educators, and it will cover the areas of admissions and prep work. Representatives from the Brooklyn Technical Alumni Foundation, the Stuyvesant Alumni Association, Inside Schools, Admission Squad, The Princeton Review, Khan’s Tutorial and A Plus Academy will be on hand.
“This workshop is part of an effort to step up outreach, familiarize neighbors with the process, and further inform families considering applying to specialized high schools. Thanks to all the alumni, educators, and community partners making this event possible,” said Hamilton.
The workshop is slated for 5:30 p.m., tonight, Nov. 17 at the East Flatbush Community Research School, 905 Winthrop Street (between East 52nd and East 53rd Street) in East Flatbush.
Colton, Malliotakis Kick Off Christmas Toy Drive
Assemblyman William Colton (Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Gravesend) and community leaders Nancy Tong and Charles Ragusa will be working with multiple community groups to distribute hundreds of toys to neighborhood children.
Colton’s office is now collecting toys, in partnership with the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. Every year, Colton collects hundreds of toys for distribution during the holiday season. This helps to make the holidays even happier for needy children in our community, including families in military service.
Collection of new toys recently began at Colton’s office, 155 Kings Highway, between West 12th and 13th Street. This event will last until December 23 and he would like to encourage everyone to donate a toy.
Additionally, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (Bay Ridge, Staten Island) will once again be hosting her holiday toy drive to benefit local children. Toys collected will be donated to various local organizations across the 64th Assembly District.
Donors are encouraged to drop off unwrapped toys until Friday, December 16th at the following Bay Ridge locations:
- Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, 8401 Ridge Boulevard
- Salam Arabic Lutheran Church, 414 80th Street
- Dimitrios & Georgia Kaloidis (DGK) Parochial School, 8502 Ridge Boulevard
Independent Neighborhood Democrats Meeting Tonight
The Independent Neighborhood Democrats will hold their regular monthly meeting tonight.
Included on the agenda, Mr. Brandon West of the Kings New Democrats will discuss reform proposals for the Kings County Democratic County committee ( https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B15q4TC2wvXFQmtWdzhFZkdCbjQ/view)
Additionally City Council members Stephen Levin (33rd District) & Brad Lander (39th District) will discuss the 2017 Councilmanic races.
RSVP ON FACEBOOK HERE- https://www.facebook.
The meeting is slated for 7 p.m., tonight, Nov. 17 at Saint Francis College, 182 Remsen Street in Brooklyn Heights.
