Carroll Calls For Special Conference On MTA Crisis
Assembly member Robert Carroll (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington) called for a special conference in Albany with the Assembly Majority over the current Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) crisis over the weekend.
Last week, Carroll released a survey asking constituents of the 44th Assembly District to vote on their favored plan of action to fix the MTA out of 7 possible choices including congestion pricing, a millionaires tax, a floating bond, a taxi/ride sharing surcharge, an efficiency task force, a dedication of the State’s personal income tax to the problem and a vehicle-miles-traveled (VMT) tax.
Carroll is asking for an emergency discussion for later this month to discuss improvement options for the failing transportation system.
“We must have a full debate, out in the open and discuss what these plans are. I hope that the Governor, my colleagues in the assembly and the state senate will likewise go out and engage with the citizens of the state of New York,” said Carroll.
Harris Slams Trump Birth Control Rollback
Assembly member Pamela Harris (D-Coney Island, Bay Ridge) denounced President Trump’s birth control rollback mandate that took affect last week.
The new mandate, issued last Friday, expands the rights of employers to deny women insurance coverage for contraception based on the objections of religious freedom. In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services issued two rules rolling back a federal requirement that employers must include birth control coverage in their health insurance plans. According to initial reports, the rules offer an exemption to any employer that objects to covering contraception services on the basis of sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions.
“I find it absolutely reprehensible that this federal administration is seeking to disregard the progress we’ve made on women’s health care issues. Regardless of where they work or who they work for, all women deserve access to contraception coverage. This is another instance of a decision on women’s health being made by men,” said Harris.
“Access to birth control is the most effective way to combat teen pregnancy, and is such an important aspect of a woman’s health care. Simply put, this is an attack on women and we must stand up against it,” added Harris.
South BK Lawmakers Launch IDNYC Enrollment “Pop-Up”
City Council member Chaim Deutsch (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach, Homecrest) and Assembly members Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach) and Pamela Harris (D-Coney Island, Bay Ridge) announced the opening of a “pop-up” enrollment site for the municipal identification program (IDNYC), over the weekend.
IDNYC is government-issued identification card that is available to all City residents age 14 and older, not barring immigration status. The program came under attack after Trump’s election last November, when many immigrants feared their information would be used to deport undocumented immigrants and families under the new Presidential Administration. Under a legal clause, set-up at the time IDNYC cards were created, the city is allowed to destroy the personal data of the over 1 million people who signed up for IDNYC, if an anti-immigrant administration came to power in Washington.
The municipal identification program grants card holders access to city services, buildings and schools, including libraries, attractions, zoos, concert halls and museums and can be presented as proof of identification when interacting with police and opening a bank account.
The event is slated for 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 10, at APNA Adult Day Care, at 236 Neptune Avenue in Brighton Beach.
Savino Joins Fight To Save Columbus Statue
State Senator Diane Savino (D-Coney Island, Staten Island) joined in the fight to save the controversial Christopher Columbus statue at a petition drive on Sunday.
Led by Senator Jeff Klein(D-Bronx), Savino rallied with advocates and Italian-American leaders at the Morris Park Christopher Columbus Day Parade to collect over 1,000 signatures in a bid to save the statue from removal.
The signatures were collected along the parade route, held on Sunday in the Bronx, named after the famed explorer’s ships- the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. Currently, de Blasio is considering the removal of the statue amid a national drive to remove dozens of controversial statues and monuments across the nation. The petition drive is expected to last for two more weeks, with the final signature count to be delivered to the city’s commission reviewing public art.
The Morris Park Columbus Day Parade is the second largest parade in the state and is in its 41st year. Il Progresso, an Italian language newspaper, raised funds to erect the marble artwork back in 1982, as a gift to the city, where many Italians found opportunity. It is seen as a cultural symbol of the Italian-American experience in New York.
“Italian-Americans have a history of giving back to this city, and that’s what that statue represents: a contribution to the city of New York from Italian immigrants. They scraped together pennies from their pockets so they could contribute to the effort to give a gift to a city that had opened up the doors of opportunity for them,” said Savino.
Gentile Hosts Co-Naming Ceremony In Honor Of Italian Resident
Council Member Vincent J. Gentile (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach) hosted a street co-naming ceremony in honor of a great Italian resident, Alberto Ingravallo.
On Sunday, Gentile co-named the corner of 15th Avenue and Bay Ride Parkway, “Alberto Ingravallo Way.” Ingravallo was a famous lover of automobiles and taught younger generations the importance of Italian culture through his work.
“I am pleased to have introduced legislation in the City Council to co-name this street and have this bill signed into law by the Mayor to recognize and celebrate the life of Italian-American Alberto Ingravallo,” said Gentile.
