Schumer Fights Illegal Flow Of Fentanyl
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) announced yesterday his support for a new, bipartisan plan that would help cutoff the flow of illicit fentanyl from China, Mexico, and other countries into New York City and across the United States.
Schumer also publicly decried a just-revealed White House plan to gut the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s (ONDCP) budget by 95 percent. In FY2017 the office received $388 million, under the Trump Administration’s proposal the office would receive only $24 million in FY2018.
“President Trump’s nonsensical proposal to gut the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is the most destructive contribution he’s made yet to the fight against the opioid and heroin epidemic, and another clear sign he has no intention of keeping the promises he’s made to the American people. While candidate Trump pledged to ‘take care’ of Americans struggling with addiction and spend the money to succeed, his proposal to eliminate funding for programs, such as High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) and Drug-Free Communities would effectively kick Americans seeking treatment to the curb and make our communities less safe,” said Schumer.
“Senate Democrats will never vote to defund these vital programs, and I know there are many colleagues across the aisle who feel likewise, so I urge the President and Republicans in Congress to reject this proposal immediately,” said Schumer.
Lander Announces Participatory Budget Winner
Council Member Brad Lander (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington) announced the winners of the 39th council district participatory budget yesterday, including a record PBNYC turnout of 7, 145 voters.
The top vote-getting project this year was a two-stall mobile shower trailer, proposed by the CHiPS soup kitchen, to allow their homeless guests a little dignity.
The mobile shower will give homeless individuals access to basic hygiene resources like a shower, sink and dressing area. The truck will be accessible year-round and is weather proof. As part of the program CHiPS will provide soap, shampoo, and towels, as well as clean socks and clothing when possible.
The unit will be parked in front of the CHiPS building during daytime operation. At night and when street removal is necessary, the van will be stored at St. Patrick Catholic Academy.
BP Adams Applauds Brooklyn’s Victory In Kentucky Derby
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams praised the recent win by the ‘Brooklyn Boyz’ stable and their horse Always Dreaming for winning the Kentucky Derby over the weekend.
Always Dreaming, a 3-year-old colt, was ridden by trainer Todd Pletcher, who previously won the Derby in 2010. Dreaming now has a chance of becoming a Triple Crown Winner, as he goes on to the Preakness in Baltimore and then the Belmont Stakes in Maryland. The last Triple Crown winner was American Pharoah who won back in 2015.
“The latest kings of the ‘sport of kings’ are a couple of guys from the county of Kings. I congratulate the ‘Brooklyn Boyz’ stable and their horse Always Dreaming for winning in the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby. This is the latest chapter written in our borough’s long and storied horse racing history, dating back to the days of the world-class tracks across southern Brooklyn at the turn of the 20th century,” said Adams.
“Today proves once and for all: Always bet on Brooklyn. We’re dreaming of big things for Always Dreaming in the remaining legs of the Triple Crown chase,” said Adams.
Malliotakis Slams Mayor For Shortchanging Veterans
Assemblywoman and Mayoral candidate Nicole Malliotakis (R-BayRidge, Staten Island) slammed Mayor Bill de Blasio for cuts in the City’s budget to the Department of Veterans Services while increasing the budget for immigrant families.
Malliotakis said the budget should be helping veterans rather than undocumented immigrants, some of which she claims have been convicted of felonies. The Mayor’s budget is allocating $3.9 million dollars for Veterans Services, while allocating $16.4 million to the New York Immigrant Family Unity Project to help illegal immigrants.
“It’s an absolute disgrace that this mayor and city council want to spend four times more money protecting illegal immigrants than they spend on our military veterans who have put their lives on the line to protect this country,” said Malliotakis.
Malliotakis is also asking for the state to set aside 6% of state contracts for veteran-owned businesses and for the city to implement a bill that would authorize the expansion of a property tax exemption for the city’s veterans.
“While Mark-Viverito and de Blasio are spending taxpayer dollars on lawyers to protect criminals who are facing deportation, 34,000 veterans residing in New York City who are suffering from PTSD and substance abuse are forced to fend for themselves. New York City needs a mayor who will make veterans her priority.” said Malliotakis.
Carroll Welcomes High School Students To Albany For Young Voter Act
Assembly Member Robert Carroll (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington) will welcome over 30 high school students in Albany today to help lobby on behalf of the Young Voter Act (A. 6839/S.5656).
Carroll introduced bills A.6839 and A.6840 earlier this year, which would lower the legal voting age to 17 for state and local elections. Aside from lowering the voting age by a year, the bills would mandate New York high schools distribute two forms to all students turning 17 that calendar year.
The first form is a standard voter registration form. The second form is a “Voter Registration Opt-Out.” Each student has the choice of which form to complete. The forms are then collected by school administrators. The Young Voter Act also requires that all pupils in the ninth grade or higher receive at least eight full class periods of civics education.
The event is slated for 2 p.m., today, May 9, in the LCA Press Room 130-LOB, in Albany, NY.
Senator Golden Cracks Down on Gang Violence
Senator Martin Golden (D-R-C-I, Brooklyn) announced today the passage of bill s2410 in the State Senate, creating the “Criminal Street Gang Enforcement and Prevention Act” to better prosecute gang violence and stop gang recruitment through proactive community outreach.
The new legislation will work to to fight the deadly criminal behavior of gangs throughout New York.
“As a former New York City Police Officer, I know firsthand that the presence of gangs on the streets of New York have, and continue to, destroy communities, destroy schools, and destroy families. It is time that we create stricter penalties, along with educational programs, to reduce gang violence across New York State. We must not only work to prevent the formation of gangs, but we should penalize them, track them, and educate them so the dangers they cause on our streets can be eliminated,” said Golden.
Gang violence in urban and suburban areas throughout New York has increased, and the rise of MS-13 – who have claimed at least 11 lives in less than a year. The bill will also strengthen the legal options available to prosecute street gangs, including addressing many root causes of gang recruitment and growth.For the first time ever, the legislation legally defines criminal street gangs in New York’s penal statutes, giving prosecutors more options when charging offenders. Classifying and identifying this type of criminal activity will also help law enforcement better track gangs. Penalties are increased and new felonies are created for individuals who benefit from gang activity, participate in gang activity, and recruit youth or adults to participate in gang activities.
The bill will go on to the Assembly for passage, where it is sponsored by Codes Committee Chair Joseph R. Lentol (D, North Brooklyn).
Gentile Denounces NYCHA Rejection of Funding Boost to IG
Council Member Vincent Gentile (D-Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, Bath Beach) is denouncing the actions of NYCHA (NYC Housing Authority) in refusing to provide additional funding to the office of the city inspector general who uncovered corruption, fraud and inefficiency within the struggling city agency.
NYCHA, unlike other city agencies, is an authority that is funded by federal dollars. A long-standing agreement with the city requires NYCHA to fund the Inspector General’s salary, who is under the independent city Department of Investigation.
NYCHA Inspector General Ralph Iannuzzi, who’s current annual salary is $150,000, earlier this year asked for an additional $199,000 for his office that would increase the IG total budget from $3.3 million to $3.5 million. However, NYCHA Chairwoman Shola Olatoye notified DOI Commissioner Mark Peters last month that she would not be granting the request.
“It is indefensible to find that NYCHA which houses over 400,000 residents would break with precedent and refuse to fund their own Inspector General under the Department of Investigation. An independent body, such as the DOI-IG, with investigatory and oversight duties strives to weed out corruption, inefficiency, and helps right institutional wrongs. It is crucial that an independent watchdog oversees its functions which directly affect low and moderate income New Yorkers.his role is essential to safeguarding residents, maximizing the taxpayers’ return on investment, and enhancing governmental performance,” said Gentile.
