Donovan, Hamilton React To Trump Supreme Court Pick
Congressman Dan Donovan (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) yesterday lauded President Donald Trump’s nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court with the following statement:
“I congratulate Judge Neil Gorsuch on his nomination to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, and President Trump for a superb choice. Judge Gorsuch’s impressive body of legal opinions is reminiscent of the brilliant originalist legal philosophy of the late Justice Antonin Scalia. I’m confident he will prove a valuable and effective Justice, and I hope my colleagues in the Senate move the confirmation process forward expeditiously.”
Meanwhile, State Sen. Jesse Hamilton (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Gowanus, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, South Slope, Sunset Park) said the Supreme Court does not need a staunch conservative cast from the mold of the late Justice Antonin Scalia.
“President Trump’s nomination of Neil Gorsuch, a conservative thinker and originalist, is yet another troubling development from this administration. I implore the Senate to resist this nomination. Gorsuch has sided with the Hobby Lobby over women, allowing a company to block women from accessing contraception. This is simply not the type of jurist we need at time when immigrants are being banned from our country and held in our airports,” said Hamilton.
Golden Hails PBA Contract Inclusion Of Three-Quarter Salary Clause
State Sen. Martin J. Golden (R-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend), a former New York City Police Officer and Chairman of the New York State Senate Civil Service and Pensions Committee, yesterday lauded the contract agreement between Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association representing rank-and-file police officers.
“Tonight, the rank and file men and women of the New York City Police Department are learning the details of a contract agreement reached between the City of New York and the NYC Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association. Those who have dedicated their lives to protecting our streets, for whom a new contract is long overdue, tonight can see the deal on the horizon and their sacrifice recognized,” said Golden.
“It was critical that the final contract included the provision, to be supported by State legislation, that allows for three-quarters salary to be paid in instances when an officer is disabled in performance of his duties. It was as late as yesterday that I continued to stress to Mayor Bill de Blasio the importance for this to be part of any final agreement. Those who work to keep us and our families safe deserve to know their families will undoubtedly have an income if they are injured in the line of duty. That was the right thing to do, that was the dutiful thing to do, and I am proud to say that was accomplished with this settlement.
Espinal Gets Perfect Score On Support of Environmental Legilsation
City Council Member Rafael Espinal Jr. (D-East New York, Cypress Hills, Brownsville, Bushwick) yesterday received a perfect score by the New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) for supporting significant environmental legislation.
In addition to supporting environmentally friendly legislation during this past legislative session, Espinal has prioritized proactive environmental strategies as a key component of his policy agenda. Given recent national events, especially the disavowal of climate change by the White House, it is essential that local municipalities act independently to safeguard our environment. Espinal has vowed to heed the moment and act aggressively in the face of national regression toward environment progress. Upcoming initiatives include:
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Working with Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams on legislation to create regulation that will help promote urban agriculture in our city as an opportunity to inspire local self-sufficiency and a reduced reliance on processed foods.
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Pushing legislation that will require green or solar roofs on new construction developments in the city to further green our city’s infrastructure.
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Crafting legislation that will facilitate the creation of microgrids around the city to allow for home and building owners to create and sell their own local solar to bolster the local economy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels from major utility companies.
“Climate change is real and environmental sustainability must be our top priority. In the past few years we have seen record high temperatures and increased burning of fossil fuels. As a NYC elected official– but also, as a concerned member of our society– it is my obligation to think creatively about ways we can protect our environment and secure a healthy future for our children,” said Espinal.
“This is particularly crucial in low-income neighborhoods, where unhealthy brownfields have been left abandoned for decades because of disinvestments by our government and corporations. I look forward to enacting legislation and spearheading proactive programs that will use local solutions to enable long-term environmental and economic sustainability for our communities.”
Malliotakis Named State Director Of National Foundation For Women Legislators
Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-Bay Ridge, Staten Island) yesterday was named New York State Director of the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL).
The NFWL aims to empower and inspire elected women to become thought leaders who shape America’s future by providing strategic resources to elected women for leadership development, an exchange of diverse legislative ideas, and effective governance through conferences, state outreach, educational materials, professional and personal relationships and networking. As a State Director, Malliotakis will serve as a point of contact for elected women in New York, and work to bring more elected women the opportunities and resources that NFWL has to offer.
“I want to thank NFWL for selecting me to coordinate their efforts in the State of New York. I am honored to serve my colleagues as State Director and will do my best to grow this remarkable organization that has empowered many women to step in to elected positions across the country. I look forward to helping one our nation’s oldest non-partisan organization and identifying and addressing the needs of elected women at all levels of government,” said Malliotakis.
Mosley Supports State Government Ethics Reforms
Assemblymember Walter T. Mosley (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights) yesterday announced that he voted to make government more accountable through voting in favor of two ethics-related bills.
One piece of legislation – which passed for the second time and will appear on the ballot this year as a referendum to amend the state constitution – strips taxpayer-funded pensions from public officers convicted of corruption (A.1749). Additionally, a joint resolution was passed requiring legislators in both houses to submit information about their outside income to the independent Legislative Ethics Commission (LEC), which will then issue an advisory opinion on whether a conflict of interest exists (B.404/C.25).
“It’s important that we continue finding ways to make state government more accountable to the hardworking New Yorkers we represent,” said Mosley. “These measures will help us build back the public trust and show that no one is above the law.”
The pension forfeiture bill received strong bipartisan support during the last legislative session (A.10739-A of 2016). Second passage by the Legislature is required so it can be placed on the ballot in November. If voters approve the measure, it will become a new constitutional requirement.
As for the joint resolution, both houses approved it this week and it takes effect immediately. Legislators earning more than $5,000 per year in outside income must seek a ruling from the LEC; current legislators are required to submit information within their first 30 days if they plan to continue earning outside income.
“New Yorkers should have the utmost confidence that their leaders aren’t burdened by conflicts of interest. With the passage of this rules resolution, we’ve taken a big step toward implementing higher ethical standards,” said Mosley.
