Mosley Reacts To Start of AG Interview Process
Assembly member Walter T. Mosley (D-Clinton Hill Fort Greene, Crown Heights) is looking forward to the start of the Attorney General interview process this week.
Today, candidates looking to fill former New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s position will be interviewed. Last week, Schneiderman resigned from his post following allegations of sexual-related assault from four women.
As laid out in Section 41 of the state’s Public Officers Law, the Senate and Assembly, in a joint session, will pick someone to fill the open seat. “When a vacancy occurs or exists, other than by removal, in the office of comptroller or attorney-general … the two houses thereof, by joint ballot, shall appoint a person to fill such actual or prospective vacancy,” reads the law.
“Just as Governor Cuomo has an obligation under the law to ensure a fair and equal process, so does the State Assembly and Senate. With interviews set to begin tomorrow to fill the position of interim attorney general, I look forward to an inclusive and bipartisan process. I know the committee will be a fair judge as they look to find the most qualified candidate to carry out the job as the people’s lawyer,” said Mosley.
“This process will rely on the joint-cooperation between the Senate and Assembly to guarantee the selection for the next Attorney General is both transparent and democratic,” added Mosley.
Interviews are slated to begin at 2 p.m., today, May 15, in the Hamilton Hearing Room B, Legislative Office Building in Albany. A second round of interviews will begin at 10 a.m., on Wednesday, May 16.
These interviews will be open to the public and will be available for live viewing on the New York State Assembly website: http://nyassembly.gov/av/
CM Williams, Menchaca Hold Roundtable Discussing Latino Businesses
City Council member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) alongside Council Member Carlos Menchaca (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) will hold a roundtable conversation to discuss the significant challenges minority business owners face in New York State.
Joining the roundtable will be Frank Garcia, national Hispanic business advocate, outgoing Chairman of the New York State Coalition of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, and newly elected Chairman of the National Association of State Latino Chambers of Commerce, Elvis Silverio, President of The New York State Latino Restaurant, Bar and Lounge Association, and more than 10 minority business leaders.
The event is slated for today, May 15, at 11:30 a.m, at Floridita, at 4523 5th Avenue in Sunset Park.
Kavanagh Calls For Enactment of Gun Protection Legislation
State Senator Brian Kavanagh (D-Northern Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan) alongside students, gun violence prevention advocates and state legislators will rally together to call for the enactment of the Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) law today.
The bill, S7133A/A8976B, would create extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), a new type of court-issued civil order that would prohibit someone from purchasing guns, and require them to temporarily surrender any guns they possess, if a court finds they are likely to harm themselves or others.
An ERPO could be requested by family members, household members, police officers, and district attorneys — who often see warning signs of impending violence but may be powerless to act under current law before a tragedy occurs. Those requesting an order would have to present evidence that an individual is likely to harm themselves or others. The legislation includes strong due process protections, including a prompt hearing to allow the subject of an order to present evidence challenging the order in court. The bill passed the Assembly in June 2017, and again in March 2018 with strong bipartisan support. The Senate bill has 29 co-sponsors, including every member of the Democratic Conference.
Earlier this month, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a similar measure into law, requiring domestic abusers to surrender guns. However, the coalition is urging that the State Legislature enact ERPO before the legislative session ends in six weeks.
The event is slated for 12:30 p.m., today, May 15, on the 3rd Floor of the Million Dollar Staircase.
Donovan Lauds Dedication of U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem
Congressman Dan Donovan (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) applauded the opening of a new U.S. Embassy in Israel yesterday.
On Monday, the US officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel with the opening of the embassy. According to initial reports, President Donald Trump announced his decision to move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem back in December, calling it “a long-overdue step to advance the peace process and to work towards a lasting agreement.”
The opening ceremony was attended by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and a number of members of Congress. The new embassy building will be housed in the former consulate building in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Arnona temporarily, as the administration scous out a permanent location. The opening of the new building on May 14 also coincided with the 70th anniversary of Israel’s founding.
“Today the United States reaffirmed its commitment to Israel by following through on a promise we made years ago as a nation. Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and moving our embassy there confirms this fact. I applaud President Trump for following through on yet another promise and taking much-needed action to support our closest ally in the region,” said Donovan.
