Brooklyn Lawmakers Praise Domestic Violence Task Force Report
Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-Brooklyn, LES, Queens), Assemblywoman Jaime Williams (D-Canarsie, Georgetown, Mill Basin, Marine Park and Gerritsen Beach) and acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez lauded the Domestic Violence Task Force’s recommendations for reducing domestic abuse across the city yesterday.
The Domestic Violence Task Force released a report identifying major issues in effectively combating domestic violence across the city and the necessary recommendations needed to keep New Yorkers safe.
The recommendations include investing nearly $7 million to better apprehend abusers as well as ensure support for survivors, expanding the Child Trauma Response Teams, investing in enhanced evidence gathering, expanding the Early Victim Engagement Program and providing immigrant legal services.
“All of us must stand against domestic violence and work together to protect those who have suffered this abuse. These are tangible steps that will help better leverage city resource in reducing domestic violence and channeling important services to survivors. I applaud the Mayor for rolling out this effort, ” said Velazquez.
“Combatting domestic violence requires a comprehensive approach so I applaud the NYC Domestic Violence Task Force for coming up with a wide range of innovative strategies to reduce familial abuse. Improved evidence gathering technologies and early intervention in particular will help prosecutors build stronger cases,” said Gonzalez.
Domestic violence crime is rising in New York City: the number of intimate partner homicides rose from 26 in 2015 to 37 in 2016, and the number of domestic violence incident reports rose from 74,684 in 2015 to 91,617 in 2016.
Clarke Demands Trump Administration Continue To Protect Haitians
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-Crown Heights, Flatbush, East Flatbush, Brownsville, Sheepshead Bay) along with immigration advocates and Former USCIS Director Leon Rodriguez are demanding that the Trump Administration continue to protect Haitian immigrants at a press conference today.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), under the direction of President Trump, is considering ending temporary protections for approximately 50,000 Haitians in the United States by January 2018.
Since the 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti, the US government granted ten of thousands of Haitians Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which allows an individual to live and work in the United States.
The Congressional Black Caucus is sending a letter to President Donald Trump, today, that calls for the extension of TPS as well as the re-designation of TPS to permit more Haitians living in the United States to receive protections while the fragile nation struggles to recover fully.
The event is slated for 10:30 a.m. today, April 2. To RSVP and receive dial-in information for this press call, please contact Tanya Arditi at tarditi1@
Nadler Urges Administration To Dismiss Sebastian Gorka
Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-Brooklyn/Manhattan), senior Member of the House Judiciary Committee, called reports that Sebastian Gorka—a top national security advisor to President Trump— will be removed from his role at the White House “the correct response,” but that he be completely dismissed from the Administration.
Nadler demanded a response from the Administration to his March 16, 2017 letter requesting clarification concerning Mr. Gorka’s ties to far-right, racist and anti-Semitic groups in Hungary, and insisted that the Administration show “zero tolerance” for anyone associated with organizations sharing such views.
“Regardless of Mr. Gorka’s citizenship application status or his relationship with the Vitézi Rend, his documented ties to far-right political and paramilitary groups in Hungary warrant his immediate dismissal. Employing Mr. Gorka in any role—much less one with national security responsibilities—raises serious questions as to the judgement of President Trump and his Administration,” said Nadler.
“There should be zero tolerance for anyone working anywhere in the Administration who shares the offensive views propagated by the organizations to which Mr. Gorka has been associated,” said Nadler.
IDC’s New Legislation Protects the Right to Join a Union
New York State Senators Diane Savino (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn) and Jesse Hamilton (D-Central Brooklyn) and the rest of the Senate’s Independent Democratic Conference passed legislation yesterday that will protect collective bargaining and worker’s rights to join a union.
Right-to-work, a misnomer, strips unions of their collective bargaining power, which is the law in 28 states so far as the Trump Administration pushes to include New York State in that list. Right-to-work laws could lead to the erosion of the right to organize for better wages, benefits and workplace environment.
New York State Senate Labor Chairwoman Marisol Alcantara’s legislation simplifies the process for an individual to join a public employee union and helps the union have the resources to provide services to that member.
“As a proud former labor leader, we must continue to fight for workers’ rights that are being threatened on a national level. Unions provide good-paying jobs, benefits and excellent workplaces for New Yorkers and we will not allow anyone to take that away. Our labor leaders go to the bargaining table to make sure that their employees have these rights and this legislation prevents any attempt to chip away at collective bargaining,” said Senator Diane Savino (D-SI/Brooklyn).
“Labor unions won victories in workplace safety and fair wages that protect and provide prosperity for countless New York families. I am especially proud, having been a member of DC37 for twenty-eight years, to stand alongside my colleagues in support of ensuring unions continue to play a vital role in building safe workplaces and thriving communities. This May Day, we reaffirm our commitment to the storied legacy of the labor movement, speak out in support of measures that will give unions the tools needed to protect workers, and acknowledge the leadership labor has shown in securing human dignity for workers here in New York and around the world,” said Senator Jesse Hamilton (D-Brooklyn).
Donovan Helps To Secure NYC Reimbursement Funds
Congressman Dan Donovan (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) has secured funding from Congress in a proposed budget to reimburse local jurisdictions, including NYC, for the cost of protecting Trump and his family after the controversial election last fall.
Donovan spoke with House leadership and testified before the House Appropriations Committee earlier this year for reimbursement funds. The budget agreement released yesterday will fund the federal government through September. It includes $68 million to reimburse local jurisdictions for the costs of protecting President Trump and his family after Election Day. Most of the funding will likely go to New York City and Florida, where President Trump spends time at Mar-a-Lago. Jurisdictions must formally apply for reimbursement.
“Protecting the President and his family is a national priority, and New York deserved reimbursement for the extraordinary cost of protecting our country’s leader. I thank House appropriators and leadership for doing right by the City. As New York City’s only Republican representative, I feel an obligation to work with my colleagues in the majority to advance the City’s interests, and I’m glad I was successful,” said Donovan.
According to City estimates, it costs approximately $127,000 per day to protect the First Family and approximately $300,000 per day when the President is in town.
Malliotakis Calls For Ponte Dismissal
Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-Bay Ridge, Staten Island) is asking for the immediate removal of Department of Corrections Commissioner (NYCDOCCS) Joseph Ponte.
In an investigation report by the NYCDOCCS, Ponte was reprimanded for using his government vehicle to travel back and forth to Maine where he spent 90 days while violence erupted at Rikers Island causing the death of a correction officer and an inmate.
Malliotakis was outraged by the recent comment made by Mayor Bill de Blasio who stated he “has faith” in Ponte as he continues as head of the department.
“It is apparent that Mayor de Blasio believes that neither he nor his commissioners need to follow the rules and regulations guiding this city. Instead of removing Commissioner Ponte for misusing government property and abandoning his post at a time when the safety of inmates and officers on Rikers Island was at risk, Mayor de Blasio is making lame excuses for Ponte’s illegal actions, while at the same time informing the public that he will close the facility and replace it with jails in each of the boroughs. Once again this Mayor is demonstrating that for him and his staff, rules are just suggestions. Ponte must go. Mayor de Blasio should exhibit leadership, fire Commissioner Ponte and replace him with someone who will implement the necessary reforms at Rikers Island.”
Cumbo Announces Pregnancy, Congrats To The First Time Mom
New York City Council Member Laurie Cumbo (D-Crown Heights, Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, Prospect Heights, Bedford-Stuyvesant) announced her pregnancy on social media last night.
In a post on her Facebook page, the Councilwoman let all of constituents and fellow lawmakers know of her big news.
“If Janet can have a baby at 50, Serena can win the Australian Open at two months pregnant and Beyonce can perform live at the Grammy’s, pregnant with twins… I know that I can accomplish anything with the love, support and prayers of the village,” said Cumbo.
KCP congratulates Cumbo on her announcement and wishes her health and happiness on her journey to motherhood.
The Amsterdam News was the first to break the story.
