Schumer Decries Proposed Budget Cut To National Weather System
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-Brooklyn) called on the U.S. House of Representatives to reverse a proposed cut of $369 million to the national weather forecasting system, yesterday.
The House of Representatives has proposed cutting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Polar Follow-On (PFO) program by $369 million. The PFO program includes a next-generation polar-orbiting satellite that will provide the National Weather Service the data it needs to accurately predict storm patterns and weather forecasts.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) geostationary and polar-orbiting satellites provide the data the National Weather Service needs to make accurate forecasts, which allow emergency managers to make timely decisions to protect lives and property. The NOAA’s Polar Follow-On (PFO) is a next-generation polar-orbiting satellite that will be designed to help NOAA avoid a gap in forecast coverage, which could occur if the current polar-orbiting satellites malfunction or are lost.
“A stronger than normal hurricane season looks like it’s rolling on in, just as Congress tries to roll right over the critical federal funding that ensures the nation’s weather satellites deliver us the forecasting we need to not just plan our day—but to be prepared and stay alive,” said Schumer.
Schumer continued, “In cities like New York and across Long Island, down-to-the-block forecasting abilities can mean the difference between an evacuation or an ‘all-clear’ and that’s why it makes no sense to cut key federal resources that go towards upgrading, repairing and replacing our essential weather satellites. The information we gather on weather from high above the earth translates to safety on the ground and that’s why we must put high pressure on Congress before these essential weather satellites become wasted space junk. The House of Representatives should reverse course and restore these funds, which local meteorologists rely on for accurately predicting extreme weather patterns.
Hamilton Praises Governor’s Investment In Education And Reentry Services For NYS Prisons
State Senator Jesse Hamilton (D-Central Brooklyn) praised Governor Andrew Cuomo and Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr’s recent announcement to invest $7.3 million in college level education and reentry services in NY prisons.
The investment will fund educational programming and reentry services at 17 New York State prisons over the next five years and will create more than 2,500 seats for college level education and training for incarcerated New Yorkers. This program will significantly increase the likelihood of successful reentry into the community thereby reducing recidivism rates.
“Governor Cuomo and DA Vance offer a real opportunity for thousands to set their lives on the right course. We must make rehabilitation and reintegration into society the fundamental benchmarks for success of our corrections system. New York took a step forward with Raise the Age earlier this year, and this investment in education takes a further step towards a system with the wisdom and foresight to offer a life-changing ladder to success,” said Hamilton.
Hamilton continued, “Instead of serving as universities of crime, this investment partners education in prisons with universities like Cornell, NYU, and distinguished community and liberal arts colleges across New York. We should resolve to make this just one step along a much longer path to remaking our prisons into institutions that yield productive members of society – formerly incarcerated individuals who are capable of providing for their families, supporting and caring for the communities they call home. Their success is our success.”
Carroll, Simon Rally To Prevent Closure Of School Based Health Centers
Assembly member Robert Carroll (D-Park Slopes, Kensington, Windsor Terrace) and Jo Anne Simon (D-Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill) will rally to prevent the upcoming closure of four local school-based health centers (SBHC) this Wednesday.
SUNY Downstate recently confirmed the closure of four clinics including: M.S. 51 William Alexander; Brooklyn New School and Brooklyn School for Collaborative Studies; P.S. 38 the Pacific School; and the School for International Studies and Digital Arts and Cinema Technology High School.
SBHCs provide health services across New York State for all students who need care, regardless of insurance and immigration status. The combination of a state budget cut, a change to the funding methodology, and an upcoming deadline to be carved-in to Medicaid Managed Care has created underfunding and instability to the SBHCs.
The event is slated for 11 a.m., Aug. 9, at Brooklyn New School and Brooklyn School For Collaborative Studies, 610 Henry Street in Carroll Gardens.
Harris Joins Local Elected Officials On Riders Response Transit Tour
Assembly member Pamela Harris (D-Coney Island, Bay Ridge) recently joined her colleagues in the State Assembly and the New York City Council on the ‘Riders Response Transit Tour’.
Harris alongside Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez spent last Friday, riding subways and discussing issues facing the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) with members of the community.
Harris recently spoke at a rally outside the MTA headquarters to highlight the lack of disability accessible train stations throughout Brooklyn and the city as a whole, including stations that are used as evacuation points during emergencies.
“The crisis that has plagued the MTA recently has been a major hassle for many in our community and in communities across the city who rely on subways to get to work, school, the grocery store or the doctor’s office. As elected officials, it’s important that we hear directly from those who are impacted by this the most, so we can work to resolve these issues as efficiently as possible,” said Harris.
Harris continued, “The MTA connects our city and makes travel possible, but it’s clear that our transportation system needs to be modernized. I’m committed to working for the people of Brooklyn so that we all have a safe and reliable transportation option.”
Southern Brooklyn Elected Officials Call For NYC Ferry Expansion To Coney Island And Canarsie
Council Members Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst) Alan Maisel (D-Canarsie, Flatlands, Mill Basin, Bergen Beach, Gerritsen Beach), Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-Central Brooklyn, Coney Island) ) State Senators Diane J. Savino (D-Coney Island/Staten Island) Roxanne Persaud (D-Canarsie, Mill Basin, Bergen Beach, East New York) and Assembly member Pamela Harris (D-Coney Island, Bay Ridge) will call on the city to include Brooklyn neighborhoods Coney Island and Canarsie in the NYC Ferry system.
As the city struggles with a public transportation crisis, residents in both Coney Island and Canarsie are facing extensive travel times due to subway delays and service interruptions, adding undue stress to New Yorkers who already live in communities currently underserved by the city’s public transit system. Both communities are in dire need of additional and alternative means of public transport.
Many Coney Island residents must travel 20-30 minutes by bus just to reach the nearest subway station, and then endure rides to Manhattan over an hour long. Canarsie residents, meanwhile, are served only by two L line subway stations in the neighborhood’s extreme northeast corner. Repairs to the East River tunnels that take the L to and from Manhattan are scheduled to begin in 2019, threatening to create even longer, more arduous commutes for Canarsie residents.
The citywide ferry system recently reached the one millionth rider benchmark, and additional routes in other parts of the city have already been announced.
The event is slated for 1 p.m., today, Aug. 8, at the Steps of City Hall in Lower Manhattan.
Cumbo Welcomes Son Over The Weekend
City Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights) welcomed her son Prince Noah Oluwafemi into the world over the weekend.
Oluwafemi was born Friday morning and was announced via Facebook initially. KCP congratulates Cumbo on her fist child and sends the best of wishes to her and her beautiful son.