Dromm, RAPP Campaign Hail Passage of CARE Act
City Council Member Daniel Dromm (D-East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights) and the Release Aging People in Prison/RAPP Campaign hailed the Council’s passage yesterday of Intro 1616, the Compassion and Assistance for Reentering Elders or CARE Act.
The CARE Act establishes an interagency task force to examine the needs of older adults returning from incarceration.
The task force will consist of 12 members as follows:
- Eight members will be appointed by the mayor and will be chosen from individuals representing relevant city agencies, provider organizations, advocacy groups and impacted communities. At least three members must be formerly incarcerated individuals.
- Four members will be appointed by the NYC Council Speaker and will be chosen from individuals representing provider organizations, advocacy groups, impacted communities, and academics with expertise in post-incarceration reentry for older adults.
- The legislation will also permit the city to invite the state to designate a representative to be a member of the task force.
The task force will study and report on the root causes of incarceration for older adults and will issue proposals on increasing social services for those reentering society. The task force will also issue a proposal on how the city and state can reduce the rates of incarceration and recidivism for older adults in New York.
“The CARE Act means justice for older adults reentering society post-incarceration,” said Dromm. “An increasing number of older adults are facing a destitute future. These individuals, many of whom have spent significant periods away from the rest of society, must deal with a myriad of issues associated with aging simultaneously and the challenges of reentry. Throughout the city, families and communities must also deal with the increasing number of older adults who are coming from prisons and jails. We have a moral obligation to provide re-entering elders with the services they need to rejoin society.”
There are more than 10,000 people aged 50 and older in New York State prisons. In 2016, 58 percent of older people (1,699 people) were homeless upon release from a New York State prison and nearly 1,200 went directly to a homeless shelter. Such unstable housing placements offer little to no age-appropriate, safe, and secure support and care for recently released older people with unique difficulties and needs.
Addabbo Hails Cuomo Signing “Buy American” Bill Into LawBuy American Bill
State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth) hailed Gov. Andrew Cuomo signing a new bill into law requiring all contracts for State surface road and bridge projects planned for more than $1 million to include a provision to use American-made iron, steel and concrete.
Also known as the “New York Buy American Act,” this new law will affect all contracts in excess of $1 million made and awarded by any department or agency of the state after April 1, 2018 for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, maintenance or improvement of any roads or bridges.
“The steel, iron and concrete industries are important and necessary job producers in the U.S.,” said Addabbo. “If we can ensure that New York State buys American-made products for its large projects, we can preserve current jobs and create more jobs for American workers.”
Included in this law is the establishment of a work group that would consider the feasibility of expanding the new contract requirements to other products manufactured in the United States; explore reciprocal trade access with foreign states that may be negatively impacted by this law; examine the fiscal impacts; and mitigate any issues with implementation of this legislation.
Comrie Partners With Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council On Christmas Party Of The Year
State Sen. Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans, Cambria Heights, Jamaica, Hollis, Rosedale, Laurelton, Kew Gardens, Queens Village) recently partnered with “Shark Tank” co-star Daymond John and the Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council (HHSYC) to host the 2017 “Power Christmas Party of the Year” for students at P.S. 40Q and P.S. 48Q.
The event, which took place at the two schools in Jamaica, featured toy and prize
giveaways, music, contests, and guest speakers—including Daymond John, co-star of the four time Emmy Award winning ABC hit TV show, “Shark Tank,” who presented the special “Rise and Grind” Award to select students.
“Every child in the 14th Senate District deserves to enjoy the magic and joy of the holidays, which is why I partner every year with community organizations and local leaders during the Hanukkah and Christmas season to bring toys and quality programming to the boys and girls of our community,” said Comrie. “I am proud to work with HHSYC Executive Director Randy Fisher and Founder Charles Fisher to do just that.”
This event will also secure a partnership between both schools and the Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council, which plans to provide resources, programs, scholarships, and mentors to students year-round in order to help them achieve their academic goals.
Avella Tours Nassau County Museum of Art’s Newest Exhibit
State Sen. Tony Avella (D-College Point, Whitestone, Bayside, Little Neck, Douglaston, Floral Park) recently visited the Nassau County Museum of Art to view their newest exhibit, “Fool The Eye.”
The exhibit is open through March 4 and costs $12 for adults, $4 for students, and $8 for seniors aged 62 and up.
“I love getting the chance to visit museums and other cultural institutions and usually pride myself on having a good eye but this exhibition really threw me for a loop. Each display brought with it new details that made me question what exactly my eye was seeing. One example in particular, I was convinced was actually a real person posing for the display and thought the tour guide was trying to fool me. This exhibition was phenomenal and I recommend it for anyone, museum lover or not, interested in challenging their mind and their eye,” said Avella.
The Nassau County Museum of Art describes their newest exhibition in the following way: “To separate what’s real from what is a clever ruse in Fool The Eye, takes an alert eye and the willingness to examine art carefully.
More information, including directions and visitor hours, can be found at nassaumuseum.org
