Brooklyn Fed Lawmakers React To Appointment Of Special Counsel In Russia Investigation
Brooklyn Congress members Hakeem Jeffries (D-Central Brooklyn, Coney Island) and Dan Donovan (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) showed bipartisan support in yesterday’s appointment of former FBI Director Robert Mueller as Special Counsel to investigate possible collusion between Russia and the White House in the last presidential election.
The Justice Department appointed Mueller last night after a series of continued developments including the abrupt firing of FBI Director James Comey and reports that President Donald Trump asked Comey, while he was still the director, to drop the investigation into national security advisor Michael T. Flynn.
“The appointment of the special prosecutor to oversee the criminal investigation into the Trump campaign’s possible illegal collusion with Russia is an important step in the right direction. America can now have a greater degree of confidence that the investigation will be fair, impartial and comprehensive. No man is above the law in this country. If Donald Trump broke it, he must be vigorously prosecuted without fear or favor,” said Jeffries.
“I have complete confidence in the FBI and Justice Department, along with the House and Senate committees, to find out the facts. The public has a right to know what, if anything, happened, and if the appointment of a special counsel gets us there, then I support DOJ’s decision. Robert Mueller has an impeccable reputation and has served in administrations of both parties. I trust that he will analyze the facts and reach an unbiased and objective conclusion based on the evidence. I was a prosecutor for most of my career, and withholding judgment until an investigation concludes is crucial to a fair and impartial proceeding,” said Donovan.
Davila Holds Tree Planting Celebration
Assembly woman Maritza Davila (D-Williamsburg, Bushwick) alongside the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) will hold a planting celebration at the Hope Garden’s Himrod/Wilson Community garden in Bushwick on Friday for students at P.S. 376.
The environmental project will give students grades 3-6 the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with composting, planting, harvesting and transplanting. The project will also include learning subjects such as science, nutrition, history, math, social studies and language arts.
The event is slated for 3-5 p.m., Friday, May 19, at 314 Wilson Avenue at Himrod/Wilson Community Garden in Bushwick.
Carroll Praises Assembly’s Passage of Election Reform Package
Assembly Member Robert Carroll (D-Kensington, Windsor Terrace, Park Slope) announced the passage of a series of bills modernizing the state’s election process yesterday.
The package includes Carroll’s legislation to extend New York City’s run-off election by one week (A.7745) and his Young Voter Act bill (A.6839), that would allow voters who are 17 to vote in presidential primary elections if they will be 18 years of age at the time of the general election.
Other bills in the package include: a bill to consolidate New York’s federal and state primaries to one day in June, a bill to establish early voting in New York, a constitutional amendment to allow any citizen to receive an absentee ballot upon request and two bills to modernize voter registration.
“New York has some of the worst voter participation rates in the nation, and that’s because we have some of the worst voting laws in the nation. This legislative package is a step in the right direction to make it easier to register and to vote in New York State,” said Carroll.
“As the sponsor of the ‘Young Voter Act,’ a bill that would lower the voting age to 17 for state and local elections, I am proud to support legislation that would expand the franchise. If a person starts voting before they turn 25 years old they are much more likely to be an active voter for their entire life than someone who starts voting later in life. Government should be fostering citizenship among young people – I think the more people involved the better and more representative our government will be,” said Carroll.
Hamilton Hosts Roundtable on Broken Windows Policing
State Senator Jesse Hamilton (D-Central Brooklyn) alongside other elected officials, advocates and experts will host a roundtable on broken windows policing.
Broken Windows Policing is a form of policing that states that maintaining and monitoring urban environments to prevent small crimes such as vandalism, public drinking, and toll-jumping helps to create an atmosphere of order and lawfulness, thereby preventing more serious crimes from happening.
Former Police Commissioner William Bratton championed Broken Windows policing back in the 1990’s, which sent high numbers of individuals into the criminal justice system for lesser crimes, contributing to the distrust between the NYPD and the communities they served.
Featured speakers at the event will include Eric Garner’s Mom and Mother Of The Movement, Gwen Carr, Civil Rights Attorney Norman Siegel, & National Action Network National Crisis Director Reverend Kevin McCall.
The event is slated for 2 p.m., today, May 18, at 250 Broadway, 19th Floor in Lower Manhattan.
Golden To Host Town Hall On Heroin & Opioid Addiction Epidemic
State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach) will host a town hall meeting to address the growing concerns of residents regarding the rise in heroin and opioid use in the Gerritsen Beach and Marine Park neighborhoods.
The event, scheduled for later today, will also include naxolone training. Naxolone or “narcan” is used to block the effects of an opioid overdose and has been effective in saving lives during emergency situations.
Among those joining Senator Golden for a conversation with the community will be New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Commissioner Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez, NYC Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan, officials from the NYC Department of Health, NYPD Patrol
Borough Brooklyn South Deputy Inspector John Rowell, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, and William Fusco and Karen Carlini of Dynamite Youth Center.
The event is slated for 7 p.m., today, May 18, at 2529 Gerritsen Avenue at P.S. 277 in Gerritsen Beach.
Harris Applauds New York Health Act
Assembly Member Pamela Harris (D-Coney Island, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights) is praising the New York Health Act for its comprehensive coverage for all New Yorkers.
Under the new healthcare bill all residents would be eligible to enroll in the universal healthcare system and would have access to the full range of doctors and other healthcare providers. Benefits include comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care, primary and preventative care, prescription drugs, behavioral health services, laboratory testing, and rehabilitative care, as well as dental, vision, and hearing care.
The publicly funded coverage would include no network restrictions, deductibles or co-pays. Rather than the regressive structure of high premiums, co-pays and deductibles, funding would be based on a shared 80/20 employer/employee contribution system.
“Our state is only as healthy as the people who live and work here. Making health care a privilege for only those who can afford it is simply unconscionable. We all benefit when we provide comprehensive, preventive health care for every New Yorker,” said Harris.
“This legislation creates a universal, single-payer health care system. People wouldn’t be stuck with any deductibles or co-pays. Everyone will be covered, regardless of age, income or pre-existing condition. The energy, worry and money that will be saved will go toward providing the best possible care and moving our state forward,” said Harris.
Cumbo Will Share Vision for the Future In State Of The District Address
City Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill) will address her constituents on the budgetary and legislative accomplishments that will impact the 35th Council District today at her State of the District Address.
Cumbo will also make a special announcement and presentation to representatives of the projects that were included in this cycle’s participatory budgeting process.
The event is slated for 6:30-8:30 p.m., today, May 18, at Ingersoll Community Center at 177 Myrtle Avenue (corner of Prince Street) in Brooklyn Heights.
