Suozzi Introduces Airline & Passenger Safety Amendment
U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D–Little Neck, Whitestone, Glen Oaks, Floral Park, Long Island) this week introduced an amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act (HR 4) instructing the FAA Administrator to produce a report on airline and passenger safety within 180 days of House passage.
Specifically, the amendment instructs the FAA to study the issue of metal fatigue in U.S. commercial aircraft. Last week, metal fatigue in an engine on Southwest Flight 1380 forced the aircraft to make an emergency landing. The failure of flight 1380’s left engine also caused the tragic death of a passenger.
“Last week’s tragic death of a Southwest Airlines passenger is an absolute call to action. The FAA needs to understand the full scope of any and all dangers connected to metal fatigue, as well as the age and over-all use of U.S. commercial aircraft. This amendment helps empower the FAA to root out any problems in the hopes of preventing any further tragedies. I look forward to working with the FAA and my fellow members of Congress on this critical issue,” said Suozzi.
Jeffries Takes Trump To Task For “Southern White House”
U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (South Ozone Park, Howard Beach, Parts of Brooklyn), a member of House Democratic leadership and the Congressional Black Caucus, blasted President Donald Trump yesterday for continuing to play footsie with the alt right and Jim Crow crowd.
Specifically, Jeffries noted while mentioning the funeral of former First Lady Barbara Bush, which Trump declined to attend, he referred to his elitist hideaway, Mar-A-Lago, as the “Southern White House.”
“In addition to the potentially illegal nature of exploiting the office of the presidency to run infomercials for his personal businesses, Trump’s use of the dog-whistle term “Southern White House” is offensive to many in America. The residence of slave-owning Confederate leader Jefferson Davis was known as the “Southern White House” during the Civil War,” said Jeffries.
Peralta Announces $100,000 State Allocation to the Dominico-American Society of Queens
State Sen. Jose Peralta (D-Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Woodside) yesterday announced that he helped secure a $100,000 state allocation for the Dominico-American Society of Queens (DAS).
The state funds will help the local-based nonprofit keep providing much-needed services to the community. With the state allocation, the organization, based in Corona, will continue to offer immigration services, adult literacy classes and ESL courses, job training initiatives, and youth development programs.
“The Dominico-American Society of Queens provides basic services to our hard-working New Yorkers. From immigration services and adult literacy classes to job readiness and youth development initiatives, DAS helps constituents who need assistance. The organization is a staple in our community. It was an honor to be able to help secure state funds for DAS as they continue to assist the community and ensure much-needed services are accessible to all,” said Peralta.
Established in 1993, the Dominico-American Society of Queens works with the objective of improving the quality of life in the Corona area. Although it was originally founded to serve the needs of residents living in Queens, the organization is now a multi-service organization serving the needs of families in all of Queens and across the city.
Addabbo Prefers Cuomo’s Plastic Bag Ban Over Bag Tax
State Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth and parts of South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodside, The Rockaways) yesterday sided with Gov. Andrew Cuomo on the controversial platsic bag issue.
Some environmental lawmakers have been lobbying for legislation that would charge residents a five cents fee if they need a plastic bag while shopping. This proposed measure did not pass Albany muster last year. Cuomo recently introduced an outright ban on plastic bags in the state, which would not cost taxpayers anything.
“As a member of the Senate Environmental Committee, I am glad to see Governor Andrew Cuomo taking a stand against single-use plastic bags across New York State. His proposed bill is a great step forward in protecting our environment, and a positive step away from a bag tax that would push an extra cost onto consumers,” said Addabbo.
“I always believed the plastic bag issue could have been addressed without implementing a penalty on our residents. I look forward to working on this important environmental concern,” he added.
