CM Williams Decries Termination of Haitian TPS Program
City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) decried President Trump’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Haitians on Monday.
Earlier this wee, the Trump administration decided not to renew TPS for nearly 60,000 Haitians with provisional legal residency in the country. The new measure will give TPS recipients 18 months to leave the country after having remained in the U.S. for more than seven years. The decision was made after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) determined that the “extraordinary conditions” justifying their presence here following a 2010 earthquake “no longer exist,” said a senior administration official to the Washington Post. The program will officially be terminated July 2019.
“As a first generation American of Caribbean descent, as a representative for the largest population of Haitian-Americans outside of Florida, I was appalled to hear the administration’s decision last night, but I was not shocked. This kind of callous, deliberate disregard for the well-being of hard-working immigrants, this disdain for our fellow human beings, is what we’ve come to expect from Donald Trump,” said Williams.
“Trump’s own State Department has a travel advisory in place which cites the dangers of travel to Haiti for Americans, yet he has no problem forcing Haitians who came here in the wake of a devastating earthquake and outbreak of disease, to return to a country once again crippled by a natural disaster, Hurricane Matthew. Rather than simply expressing our outrage, those of us with the power to do so, need to formulate and enact plans of action. These are people who are here legally, who are documented, and we must support them. We need to challenge this decision, and put pressure on Congress to address this issue legislatively and humanely. We must all become a part of the resistance,” added Williams.
Nadler Reacts To Sexual Harassment Allegations Surrounding Congressman Conyers
Congressman Jerrod Nadler (D-Brooklyn/Manhattan) is speaking out on the sexual harassment allegations surrounding Congressman John Conyers Jr that were revealed in recent weeks.
Conyers is alleged to have harassed female staffers as recent as this year and to have reached a settlement with an aide who claimed she was fired for rejecting his advances, according to initial reports.
On Tuesday, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called for an ethics investigation into Conyers’s behavior after the ranking Congress member admitted to theexistence of a settlement, as first reported by Buzzfeed. Conyers is the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee.
“The allegations against Ranking Member Conyers are extremely serious and deeply troubling. Obviously, these allegations must be investigated promptly by the Ethics Committee. There can be no tolerance for behavior that subjects women to the kind of conduct alleged. We also must support efforts to reform the way the House of Representatives handles these matters to make the process easier and more supportive of victims, as well as more transparent,” said Nadler.
BP Adams Announces $8.7 Million Investment Into Affordable Housing
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams unveiled more than $8.7 million in Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) capital budget investment for a dozen new and existing affordable housing developments across Brooklyn yesterday.
The FY18 funding will enable construction of more than 1,100 new affordable units, including senior and supportive housing, as well as help preserve more than 3,100 units in existing Mitchell-Lama and New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments through renovations and repairs.
Additionally Adams announced $1 million in funding for the Bishop Philius and Helen Nicolas Senior Residence, a new 90-unit affordable housing development in East Flatbush for low-income elderly Brooklynites. The project is part of a Faith-based Development Initiative which pursues partnerships with Brooklyn’s houses of worship to deliver affordable and supportive housing on available parcels of land across the borough.
Adams’ FY18 funding for new affordable housing developments included $1 million to Brownsville Linden Plaza LLC for 531 units at Ebenezer Plaza in Brownsville, $1 million to New York City Partnership HDFC for 196 units at Linden Terrace in East New York, $1 million to Southside United HDFC for 84 units for seniors at Rheingold Affordable Senior Residences in Bushwick, $1 million to Riseboro Community Partnership for 64 units of senior housing at Bethany Senior Homes in East Flatbush, $1 million to Habitat for Humanity NYC for 12 units at Habitat Passive in East New York, and $800,000 to NYC Partnership Housing Development Financial Corporation (HDFC) for 180 units at Dunn Commons in Brownsville.
“We need to protect our vulnerable populations fighting to stay in their homes, like the elderly, the poor, veterans, and the disabled. We are not growing any more land in Brooklyn, so we must be innovative in identifying opportunities for affordable housing. I am proud to work with a diverse array of non-profit organizations, faith-based institutions, and private sector partners that share my vision for creating safe communities where everyone has an opportunity to raise healthy children and families. This FY18 investment will ensure thousands of Brooklynites can continue to call our borough home, and nothing can be better than that,” said Adams.
BK Lawmakers Launch MTA Signal Failure Site, Call on Cuomo To Fix MTA
City Council member Brad Lander (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington, Gowanus), Assembly members Robert Carroll (D-Park Slope, Windosr Terrace, Kensington) and Jo Anne Simon (D-Downtown Brooklyn, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill) and State Senator Kevin Parker (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington, Windsor Terrace, and Park Slope) launched SignalFail.com, calling on Governor Andrew Cuomo and Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman Joe Lhota to fix-the-signals yesterday.
According to the MTA’s own 20-year needs assessment, signal failure is the leading cause of subway delays. Research from the Regional Plan Association claims that modernizing the signal system is essential to bringing greater reliability, speed and capacity to the system. However a recent report from the New York Times revealed that the MTA has cut half-a-billion dollars from signal projects under Cuomo.
The lawmakers launched the new online tool to help daily riders keep up with signal issues on the subways. The tool documents how signal failures are disrupting New Yorkers’ commutes, outlines a plan for how the MTA should implement communications-based train control and offers city residents an opportunity to join the call to fix-the-signals. Of New York’s 22 lines, only 1 (the L train) has an advanced signal system. A second line (the 7 train) is underway. At the MTA’s current pace, it would take over 50 years to modernize the entire system at a cost of$20 billion. Currently the authority has only allocated $2 billion, leaving an $18 billion shortfall.
“This is Governor Cuomo’s signal failure. Instead of committing the funds for signal modernization, the MTA has actually eliminated half-a-billion dollars under his tenure. New Yorkers know that signal failures are the number one leading cause of delays. Modernizing the signals should be the MTA’s top long-term priority. London and Paris show us that it can be done. Hopefully SignalFail.com will help get us back on the right track,” said Lander.
“Straphangers know we need additional funding to create a reliable and state of the art mass transit system. Upgrading the signal system is critical to a smoother commute for all New Yorkers and I commend Council member Lander for the creation of signalfail.com – an online transparency tool that will assist in showing how the outdated signal system is impacting riders across New York City,” said Carroll.
“In a time of unprecedented subway delays and a stretch of recent transit disasters, it is critical that the MTA turns its focus to the ongoing issue of signal failures. We now know that the leading causes of delays are signals that have not been updated since the 1930’s. We must do the right thing and make signal repairs a top priority and ensure a fair and sustainable funding source for the MTA in the 2018 state budget,” said Simon.
“For years MTA signal problems have caused major delays for New York City residents. These delays have made it harder for New Yorkers to commute and arrive to work, school and other appointments on time. The site will provide real time updates for our constituents, as we continue to demand improvements to our subway system,” said Parker.
Deutsch Unveils State-of-the-Art Library In Madison High School
City Council member Chaim Deutsch (D-) alongside Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, and Principal Jodie Cohen participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony for Madison High School’s newly renovated library yesterday.
The newly renovated library was funded primarily with capital grants from Deutsch and Adams and features technological upgrades including new shelving and lighting and a college center. Additionally, the project increased broadband internet and brought new Apple computers to the school for library, group tutoring and English Language classes. The college center provides a seamless process for counselors to advise the students and assist with applications.
Since taking office in 2014, Deutsch has secured more than $30 million dollars to fund technology upgrades, cultural programs, STEM education and building renovations for more than twenty elementary, intermediary and high schools in the 48th district.
“It was a pleasure to join the ribbon cutting ceremony for this impressive new library. I am excited to watch Madison High School students utilize these resources to develop and enhance their educational acumen. With more than 3,000 students enrolled, I know it will be getting a lot of use!” said Deutsch.
