Queens Lawmakers On The Move Nov. 20, 2017

Maloney, Top Women Leaders Call For Passage of Equal Rights Amendment

U.S. Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-Astoria, Long Island City, Brooklyn, Manhattan) on Friday joined with Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, the Girl Scouts of Greater NY, the ERA Coalition, women’s rights advocates, and local elected officials at the Fearless Girl statue to call for the passage of a federal Equal Rights Amendment.

With more and more women sharing stories of being sexually assaulted, now is the time to finally enact the ERA as a commitment to equality for women and tool to fight discriminatory laws. As part of this push, Maloney released a letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio that calls on him to keep the Fearless Girl statue at her post until the federal ERA is added to the Constitution. Full text of the letter is below and a PDF can be found here.

“The women of this country are speaking up like never before and declaring that we are tired of being treating as second-class citizens,” said Maloney. “With more and more women sharing stories of being sexually assaulted or harassed, now is the time to the pass the ERA. By amending the Constitution to make the simple, yet powerful, declaration that men and women are equals we will be sending a clear message that the days of discrimination against women are over, while also protecting women against discriminatory laws. The Fearless Girl has been an important part of inspiring women to speak out and I believe she should stay where she is until we add the ERA to the Constitution.”

Peralta Presents Know your Rights Pamphlet to Fight Predatory Towing

State Senator Jose Peralta (D-Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Woodside) is distributing a pamphlet detailing the rights of automobile owners In response to complaints from constituents who had to pay hefty fines to towing companies after their vehicles were removed from private parking lots.

In 2015, more than 1,400 drivers filed complaints with the City denouncing that tow trucks operators illegally removed their vehicles. A year earlier, the Legal Aid Society and the City’s Department of Consumer Affairs were able to obtain approximately $30 million in fines and restitution for consumers.

“The goal of handing out this pamphlet is to ensure drivers know their rights when their cars are being towed by private operators, who at times use intimidating tactics. We must ensure these operators act accordingly with the law and don’t rip off or try to rip off New Yorkers. Simply put, this is about letting the public know about their rights and ways to fight back against abusive predatory towing operators,” said Peralta.

Under current law, if a tow operator removes an improperly parked vehicle, the company cannot charge more than $125 for the removal and the first three days of storage.

Avella Responds to White House Decision to Allow Elephant Trophy Imports

State Sen. Tony Avella (D- College Point, Whitestone, Bayside, Little Neck, Douglaston, Floral Park, Beechhurst, Malba and Auburndale) last week called President Trump’s administration recent announcement and then reversal of his decision to allow remains of elephants hunted in certain African countries to be imported into the United States a wakeup call to protect the ‘Big Five African Species’ inclding lions, leopards, elephants, white rhinos, and black rhinos.

“That is why, I believe, it is more important than ever for the New York State Legislature to pass my bill, S1883, to enact ‘Cecil’s Law’ that would ban the importation, transportation, and possession of the Big Five African Species and their trophies as soon as the 2018 Legislative Session begins,” said Avella.

“New York is the number one port of entry into the United States from Africa. With that comes an exorbitant amount of big game ‘trophies’ being imported into the country that celebrates the unconscionable killing of the ‘Big Five African Species.’ While New York might not be the final destination of these trophies, it is their entry into the country. Cecil’s Law seeks to close off their entry into the United States through New York. By banning the importation, possession, sale, and transportation of all Big Five African Species within New York, the State will not be encouraging or abetting the continued demise of these species by sport hunting. By passing ‘Cecil’s Law’, NY would be the first state to substantially curb trophy hunting. It is time for NY to do what it does best and lead.

“Like with most of this President’s policies, this decision is inhumane and does not reflect the values of our great State. The President may want to allow these murder trophies into our country but by passing ‘Cecil’s Law’ New York can stand up and tell him to think again,” the lawmaker concluded.