Crowley On March Jobs Report
U.S. Rep. and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley (D-Sunnyside, Astoria, College Point, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Corona, Woodside, parts of the Bronx) last week said the recently issues March national jobs report indicated that President’ Donal Trump’s economic policies are not working.
The report stated America added 103,000 jobs in March, slower than previous months. The unemployment rate stayed at 4.1%, the lowest since 2000. It has come down steadily from a peak of 10% in 2009. Wages grew 2.7% in March compared with a year ago.
The job figures come as concern grows about a trade war between the United States and China.
“Working families are struggling, and the chaos President Trump has created is putting our economy and the financial stability of everyday Americans in jeopardy. Today’s report shows trepidation in our economy and stagnant wages,” said Crowley.
“On top of the slow job growth evidenced in this report, President Trump is putting middle-class families and American jobs at further risk as he doubles down on a potential trade war with China. Americans deserves better and I hope President Trump will one day soon put forward a vision for how to grow our economy and govern responsibly,” he added.
Peralta Announces State Funding to Immigrants in the Era of Trump
State Sen. Jose Peralta (D-Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Woodside) announced on Friday that he was able to secure a $40,000 state allocation for the Astoria-based Center for the Integration and Advancement of New Americans (CIANA).
The nonprofit works toward preventing the marginalization of new immigrants and refugees.
“The current political climate is hostile and unreal, and this is why protecting immigrants is my number one priority. We must never forget that immigrants built this City and the entire country, and our doors must remain open to all. Now more than ever, I am fighting to protect my neighbors and pushing my progressive ideals to ensure that the interests of all New Yorkers are protected from this un-American Administration. Our values remain untouchable. With the funds I was able to secure, CIANA will keep providing vital services to assist immigrants,” said Perlata.
“We are so thankful to Senator Peralta for continuing to support CIANA’s efforts to help our immigrant families in these particularly difficult and uncertain times. His support allowed us to help 225 new clients with immigration legal services this past year, and we look forward to helping even more this coming year,” said CIANA Founder and CEO Emira Habiby Browne.
Van Bramer Holds Participatory Voting This Week
City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Astoria, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Long Island City, Maspeth, Sunnyside, Woodside) over the weekend kicked off this year’s voting for Participatory Budgeting with an event at the district’s Project Expo at Sunnyside Community Services.
At the Project Expo, there were 15 projects that are on the ballot including school bathroom upgrades, bus countdown clocks and technology upgrades at the Veterans Shelter. Take a look at the projects here.
For constituents that didn’t make the Project Expo, they can choose their favorite projects (you can choose up to 5) they can vote through April 15 at LinkNYC kiosks throughout the district or online HERE.
Dromm Holds Rally To Inform Parents Of Rights Regarding State Testing
City Council Member Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights, Elmhurst), today will join public school teachers, and Jackson Heights families to call upon the city’s Department of Education to inform parents of their right to opt their children out of state exams.
New York State English Language Arts (ELA) exams are scheduled to take place in NYC public schools from April 11 to April 12. The Mathematics exam will be administered from May 1 to May 2, 2018. Last year over 225,000 New York State public school students opted out. Parents chose not to put their children through the pressure of testing because they disagree with policies that reduce education to a few test scores. They are concerned about the detrimental effects excessive testing has had on their children. Parents have the right to have their children opt out of these tests.
In 2015, the NYC Council unanimously passed a resolution demanding that the DOE inform parents of their right to opt out. To this day, many have still not been informed of this right.
The rally to inform parents of their rights is slayed for 10 a.m., today April 9, at the Jackson Heights Post Office, 78-02 37th Avenue (between 78th and 79th Streets).
