BK Lawmakers Send Messages Of Condolences To Victims of Virginia Shooting
U.S. Congressman Dan Donovan (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) and City Council Member Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) are sending messages of condolences and of gun violence awareness to the victims of yesterday’s Virginia shooting incident.
James T Hodgkinson, a 66-year-old man from Illinois opened fire on members of the Republican congressional baseball team at a practice field in Washington, using a rifle to shower the field with bullets that struck four people, including House of Representatives Majority Whip, Steve Scalise. The lone gunman was said to be distraught over Donald Trump’s election in November.
“My thoughts and prayers are with Majority Whip Steve Scalise as well as the staff and police officers injured this morning. The Capitol Police officers who responded likely saved many lives. I thank them for their work this morning and every day as they protect every member of Congress. I wish my friend Steve, and all the others affected by this morning’s horrible incident, a speedy recovery,” said Donovan.
“My thoughts and prayers are with those injured in today’s shooting incident. This year alone, we’ve had 159 mass shootings, and more than 27,000 shooting incidents, and now, this occurrence is sadly just one more to add to the stats. It makes me wonder what will have to happen for Congress to push back against the NRA and realize that access to guns, coupled with this country’s penchant for violence is a recipe for disaster; one which we’ve seen play out this morning,” said Williams.
Simon Introduces Gender Neutral Bill
Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon (D-Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill) alongside Senator Betty Little (R-Glens Falls) introduced gender neutral legislation (A8321/S6542) to update antiquated language in state law relating to police officers and firefighters yesterday.
The bill would replace all instances of the words “fireman” or “policeman” with the words “firefighter” or “police officer” in order to update language and promote participation in the professions regardless of gender.
The legislation will modernize the outdated language in the state statue to promote the idea that the professions of law enforcement and firefighting are not exclusive based on gender, and to reflect the current reality of the women who hold professions in law enforcement and firefighting.
“The use of the gendered language ‘fireman’ or ‘policeman’ is antiquated and inaccurate. It promotes an outdated worldview that suggests to young girls and young boys alike that law enforcement and firefighting are only open to men. This bill updates our laws to use gender neutral language and acknowledges the brave female firefighters and police officers who risk their lives to keep us safe every day. This simple update to our state laws can cause a profound change in how we perceive these professions and can help us create a more inclusive safety force,” said Simon.
Hamilton Sponsors ‘Carwasheros’ Living Wage Bill
State Senator Jesse Hamilton (D-Central Brooklyn) alongside Assembly Member Francisco Moya (D-Queens) introduced legislation requiring that every car wash worker (“Carwasheros”) in New York City be paid the minimum wage yesterday.
Car wash workers currently receive less than the minimum wage due to their designation under the New York State Miscellaneous Industry Wage Order Law as tipped workers. This bill entitles car-wash bosses to claim a tip credit to get out of paying their workers the legal minimum.
As a result, Carwasheros remaining wages rely heavily on subsidies from tips. However, these tips don’t always add up to a living wage, which can leave the car wash workers bringing home less than $200 a week at times.
“There is no good reason for anyone to oppose the idea that all car wash workers should be able to earn the state’s minimum wage without relying on the generosity of their customers. It’s an archaic system that keeps individuals in poverty and needs to be eliminated.”
“There are scores of important bills facing us in these last few days of the legislative session, but few are as important as one that would bring as many as 5,000 car wash workers across the city up to the minimum wage. One of the contributing factors to wage theft in New York is the tip credit. The tip credit is a part of New York State minimum wage law that allows industry operators to pay car wash workers a different, lower minimum wage,” said Hamilton.
Cumbo Renews Commitment To End Gun Violence
City Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights) is renewing her commitment to end gun violence by denouncing the shooting incident near the Barclays Center yesterday.
An unidentified male suspect, in the early afternoon, opened fire on a male victim as he was headed to work. The victim was not fatally wounded and was transported to New York Presbyterian- Brooklyn Methodist Hospital.
“In the midst of Gun Violence Awareness Month and one week after we took the Father’s Day pledge against violence, our community has been disrupted by dangerous individuals whose senseless behavior injured an unidentified man and endangered the lives of everyday New Yorkers,” said Cumbo.
Cumbo went on to state, “As a city, we stood united and will continue to combat against any form of violence that threatens public safety or stigmatizes our communities. Regardless of the motive behind this incident, gun violence is not the answer.”
Colton, Treyger To Host South Brooklyn Clean Up Event
Assembly Member William “Bill” Colton (D-Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach) and City Council Member Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst) will host a clean up event in Bensonhurst and Bath Beach this weekend.
The event is scheduled to begin at 86th Street from 25th Avenue to 16th Avenue and then on to 18th Avenue from Benson Avenue to 82nd Street and will include the area surrounding Bensonhurst Park.
The event is slated to be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., this Saturday, June 17, at 29 Bay 25th Street (between 86th Street & Benson Avenue) in Bensonhurst Brooklyn.
