Donovan Introduces Bill Banning Pets From Overhead Compartments
U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (R-Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island) yesterday introduced bipartisan legislation banning dogs from overhead compartments after Kokito, a French bulldog, died on a United Airlines flight.
Kokito’s owner says a flight attendant required her to put her 10-month old dog in the overhead compartment and he did not survive the flight. U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) is the lead Democratic cosponsor on the legislation.
“It should be plain common sense that a live animal doesn’t belong in a cramped, dark, and poorly ventilated overhead compartment. Unfortunately, United Airlines doesn’t seem to get that, so I introduced legislation to ban the practice. Hopefully this stops other dogs from meeting the same fate as Kokito,” said Donovan.
The bill, titled the PETS (Planes Ensuring Total Safety) Act, will require the Federal Aviation Administration to ban pets from flying in overhead compartments and institute fines on airlines that fail to comply with the law. Donovan’s PETS Act already has a Senate companion, called the WOOFF Act, after Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) agreed to carry the proposal in his chamber.
Donovan has an exemplary record in Congress on animal rights and safety. He has a 91 rating with the Humane Society in the 115thCongress and received an award from PETA for his animal welfare advocacy.
Treyger, Deutsch Laud LPC Decision On Coney Island Boardwalk Landmarking
City Council Members Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst) and Chaim Deutsch (D-Sheepshead Bay, Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, Homecrest) yesterday lauded the Landmarks Preservation Commission announcement they will hold a hearing next Tuesday regarding a Coney Island Riegelmann Boardwalk Scenic Landmark Designation:
“We are pleased and excited that the Landmarks Preservation Commission has officially scheduled a hearing regarding the landmark designation of the iconic Coney Island Riegelmann Boardwalk. This as an important first step in ensuring that this cultural touchstone beloved in Southern Brooklyn, across the city, and by millions from beyond the five boroughs is preserved and protected in perpetuity for generations to come. Our push to see this local treasure receive landmark status has the support of all of the elected officials who represent this area, countless citywide officials, and the entire City Council,” said the lawmakers in a joint statement.
“Our community’s push to landmark the Boardwalk was done without the help of lobbyists or conservancies. This was a true grassroots effort with local leaders and stakeholders. The City’s landmarks process must be an equitable one, reflecting the rich history and tradition of all of New York City’s communities. Landmarking the Boardwalk also creates an additional accountability tool to ensure consistent upkeep and maintenance. We look forward to seeing this process move forward and, along with our community, will continue to offer our support every step of the way.”
Golden Supports Senate One-House Budget
State Sen. Martin J. Golden (R-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach) yesterday voted to support the 2018-19 Senate Budget Resolution, which keeps state spending within the two percent cap and directly benefits the residents of the 22nd Senate District.
“The budget plan passed by the State Senate is a pro-growth budget plan that will help all the residents of our great State, but more importantly, this plan will help our local families. Our resolution has funding to provide for quick capacity smart sensor threat detection systems for schools, toll relief for Brooklyn Verrazano commuters, and design build language to provide for faster and more cost efficient repairs to the BQE, “said Golden.
Highlights of the Senate Budget Resolution include:
· Increasing education funding by approximately $1 Billion in school funding over last year;
· Protecting taxpayers from negative impacts of federal tax changes;
· Providing $3.5 million to create a the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge toll rebate program for Brooklyn commuters;
· Creating a comprehensive school security grant program for the total capital costs of quick capacity smart sensor threat detection and 360 degree security awareness;
· Providing authorization for New York City to enter into a design build contract for a necessary major rehabilitation that of Brooklyn-Queens Expressway between Atlantic Avenue and Sands Street saving time and money;
· Increasing State support to combat heroin and opioid abuse to a new record of $265 million; and
· Decreasing taxes on retirement by increasing the exclusion for private pension and retirement incomes from $20,000 to $40,000 over three years.
“This is a good first step in providing a fiscally responsible plan that will be a blueprint for our State’s economic success. I will advocate for these important initiatives to be in the final budget agreement. As we move forward in budget negotiations, I believe any plan must promote opportunity, affordability and security for all the residents of our great State,” said Golden.
Golden Joins Community To Protest Bay Ridge Hotel Construction
State Sen. Martin J. Golden (R-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach) today will join concerned parents, community leaders, business owners, residents and fellow elected officials at a rally to protest the potential construction of a 63 room hotel on a vacant lot in Bay Ridge.
The rally against hotel construction will give an opportunity for the concerned community to express opposition to the sale of the site for hotel purposes, and highlight the need for school classroom space or affordable senior housing in the neighborhood.
Concerns about traffic congestion, and the chance for this becoming a hub of undesirable activity, as was the case in a hotel within walking distance from this site, will also be raised at the rally.
Golden and his office has made numerous unsuccessful attempts to contact the planned buyer via telephone and e-mail. The purchaser in contract owns at least one other hotel in Brooklyn where prostitution and poor conditions plague the establishment.
The rally is slated for 2:30 p.m., today, March 16 at 9116-5th Avenue, across from PS/IS 104 – the site of the proposed hotel in Bay Ridge.
Lander Announces Next #GetOrganizedBK Meeting
City Councilmember Brad Lander (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington) announced the next #GetOrganizedBK meeting is scheduled for Monday.
“For the main-stage at this meeting, we’ll be listening to some of the inspiring youth leaders from around Brooklyn. We’ll hear from some of the students who organized yesterday’s local walk outs; from the leaders of Teens Resist; from student leaders with Save Our Streets, a Crown Heights/Bed-Stuy based organization who can can speak to the ways that New York City communities have been contending with high rates of gun violence since long before the Parkland tragedy; from Teens Take Charge and Girls for Gender Equity; and from youth members of CBE congregation who will be just back from a trip to DC to speak with legislators in person,” said Lander in his emailed newsletter.
The meeting is slated for 7-9 p.m., Monday, March 19 at Congregation Beth Elohim, 274 Garfield Place in Park Slope. RSVP here.
