Bichotte Endorses De Blasio
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte (D-Flatbush, Ditmas Park) yesterday became the first assembly member in the state to endorse Mayor Bill de Blasio for re-election of the City.
“Mayor Bill de Blasio has stood strong on a lot of key issues facing New Yorkers and has delivered on many of the things that he assured us that he would address when he first took office,” said Bichotte. “The Mayor has been strong on housing by keeping it affordable through his smart housing plan, which includes supportive housing, and 0% rent increases. He has followed through on promises that previous Mayor’s have not such as Universal Pre-K for All, and has placed a great focus on M/WBEs and small businesses by creating more access and opportunities.”
Bichotte also said de Blasio has addressed poverty by prioritizing a living wage, and by delivering on great contracts for public sector unions who have been operating without a contract for years. Crime is at an all time low and he is working with the NYPD to create a community-policing model throughout the city, she said.
“He has also been a friend to the immigrant community, including the Haitian community, through the implementation of IDNYC, and by making Haitian-Creole one of the official languages used by the city in it materials,” Bichotte said.
De Blasio reciprocated, calling Bichotte, “one of the hardest working legislators our City is lucky to have. She has been tireless advocate for her community and for all New Yorkers, standing up for our schools, affordable housing, and seniors. I am proud to have her support and I look forward to continuing to work together to make our city stronger and fairer.”
Golden, Lentol Reintroduce Anti-Gang Measure
State Sen. Martin J. Golden (R-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Marine Park, Gerretsen Beach) and Assemblyman Joe Lentol (D-Williamsburg, Greenpoint) tomorrow will announce that they are again
sponsoring legislation, S.2410/A.5477, known as the New York State Criminal Street Gang Act.
The lawmakers noted that had the measure passed in previous legislative sessions, it would have prevented the recent tragic murder of EMS worker Yadira Arroyo by gang member Jose Gonzalez, who stole her EMS vehicle and then ran her over with it.
The anti-gang bill would have provided for extended criminal penalties for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal gang organization and could have kept Jose Gonzalez off the streets. It is in the public interest to establish a comprehensive approach to the protection of public order and individual safety from criminal street gangs and gang-related violence.
This bill establishes such a comprehensive approach by increasing penalties for gang-related violence, creating anti-crime programs that focus on patterns of criminal gang activity and organization, expanding education and intervention to prevent the growth of criminal street gangs, and establishing an ongoing system of tracking criminal gang activity.
Golden and Lentol will hold a press conference before reintroducing the measure at 10:45 a.m., Tuesday, March 28 in the LCA Room of the State Capital Building in Albany.
Schumer, Gillibrand Lobby For Haitian Nationals Getting TPS Status
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand on Fiday wrote a joint letter to the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security urging Secretaries Rex Tillerson and John Kelly to extend the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haitian nationals currently residing in the United States.
The TPS designation is a temporary benefit aimed at providing relief to foreign nationals in the United States and countries devastated by natural disasters. It would allow Haitian nationals, now in the country, to stay in the U.S. for a set period of time while their home nation recovers. Last year, Schumer and Gillibrand secured the original designation because of Hurricane Matthew in 2016, and are fighting to lengthen the TPS because of continued devastation and ongoing cholera epidemic in the area. The TPS for Haitian nationals is set to expire on July 22, 2017.
“Hurricane Matthew caused widespread devastation that affected more than two million people, damaged tens of thousands of homes, schools, and other buildings, destroyed agricultural crops and public water systems, and increased communities’ vulnerability to waterborne diseases, like cholera,” the Senators wrote in their letter. “Temporary Protected Status was created for precisely this reason – to offer temporary, humane protection to foreign nationals living in the U.S. when extraordinary conditions make it impossible for them to return home. We urge you to swiftly consider extending it past the current deadline.”
The TPS designation is implemented through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and is a temporary benefit aimed at providing relief to immigrants residing in the United States who are unable to safely return to their home country. TPS can be granted in the event of an ongoing armed conflict, an environmental disaster as well as other extraordinary and temporary conditions.
Once granted TPS, individuals may not be deported, can obtain an employment authorization document and may be granted travel authorization. In addition, individuals cannot be detained by DHS on the basis of their immigration status.
Hamilton Offers Free Legal Services To Young People 24 And Under
State Sen. Jesse Hamilton (D-Central Brooklyn) and non-profit legal services, Youth Represent, will start offering regular monthly legal services to young people, aged 24 and under at his district office.
The initiative comes as Hamilton continues to fight for Raise the Age legislation in Albany. Currently, 16 and 17 year-olds accused of a crime are tried, held and if found guilty incarcerated as adults – one of only two states nationwide to do this to youthful offenders under 18.
“Young people need guidance when facing a system that can intimidate and overwhelm. Youth Represent will provide one-on-one counsel and help ensure our community’s youth can exercise their rights,” said Hamilton in his newsletter.
The free and confidential legal services kicks off from 1-5 p.m., today, March 27 at 1669 Bedford Avenue, 2nd Floor. The next three legal services offering are scheduled for April 24, May 22 and June 26. For appointments call 718-284-4700.
Persaud Introduces Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act
State Sen. Roxanne Persaud (D-Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Bergen Beach, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay) recently introduced the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act, which would allow judges to sentence survivors to alternative sentences of imprisonment and, in some cases, community-based alternative-to incarceration program.
The measure will also provide survivors currently in prison the opportunity to apply for resentencing.
“New York can save substantial costs by sentencing domestic violence Survivors to lower sentences and alternative programs. It costs approximately $43,000 per year to incarcerate a person in a New York State prison, while the annual cost per participant of an alternative,” said Persaud.
“To incarceration program in New York City is only $11,000. Alternative programs save taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars per person each year while helping to build healthy and safe individuals and communities.”
City Council Participatory Budgeting Begins
The City Council’s participatory budgeting allowing constituents say in what get city funding per council district begins this week.
Constituents wanting to vote can do so at www.pbnyc.org/vote starting now until 11:59 p.m., April 2.
Directions are simple:
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Visit www.pbnyc.org/vote and click on your council member.
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Select your preferred language. Fill out the digital voter affidavit to confirm you can vote in PBNYC.
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Select your Council District or type in your address to look it up.
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Enter your cell phone number and receive a text message with a verification code (standard messaging rates apply).
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Enter your verification code when prompted.
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Vote for up to 5 projects! You’ll then have the chance to fill out an optional survey.
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You’re done!
