Meng Introduces Amendment Restricting Funding For Inclusion Of Citizenship Question in 2020 Census
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Bayside, Flushing, Forest Hills, Rego Park, Fresh Meadows, Glendale, Kew Gardens, and Maspeth) and U.S. Rep. José E. Serrano (D-Upper Manhattan, The Bronx) yesterday introduced an amendment of the FY2019 CJS bill restricting funding for the inclusion of a question about citizenship status in the 2020 census.
“Adding a question that asks respondents if they are citizens is a horrible and reckless decision that will likely decrease response rates, resulting in an inaccurate and incomplete count that will have a decade’s worth of consequences on Queens and communities throughout New York and the nation,” said Meng.
“It will have a devastating impact on the billions of dollars in federal aid that is distributed for schools, infrastructure, social services and other critical resources. We have urged Commerce Secretary Ross to not add this question to the 2020 census, and we’ve warned him about the consequences of doing so. But our requests continue to fall on deaf ears. We will continue to do all we can to stop the administration from including this question on the upcoming census. We don’t need a citizenship question; we need an accurate census count,” she added.
Addabbo Brings Metrocard Van To His District
State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo (D- Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth, parts of South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodside, the Rockaways) announced yesterday that the MetroCard Van will make two stops in his district later this month to provide constituents a chance to refill their MetroCards or purchase a new one.
Many neighborhoods within Addabbo’s district do not have subway stations where residents can easily access a MetroCard vending machine to take care of their MetroCard needs. Staff on the MetroCard Van will be selling unlimited and y-per-ride MetroCards, and will be equipped to add money to regular or reduced fare cards.
“I understand that there are many areas here in Queens that are not serviced by public transportation, let alone a subway station with a MetroCard vending machine,” Addabbo said. “For people who live in these neighborhoods, as well as those who primarily use the bus for their commutes, it can be difficult and frustrating to find a place to buy or refill their MetroCards. Elderly or disabled residents may also have a hard time getting to places to access a MetroCard vending machine. The van gives these people the ability to purchase or refill MetroCards right in their own neighborhood.”
The van will start off from 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday May 30 at the Howard Beach Senior Center, 155-55 Cross Bay Boulevard in Howard Beach. It will then relocate from 1-3 p.m. to Addabbo’s Rockaway Office, 88-08 Rockaway Boulevard, in Rockaway Beach. For more information, contact Addabbo’s Howard Beach office at 718-738-1111.
Kim Hosts Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month In Albany
Assemblymembers Ron Kim (D-Whitestone, Flushing, Murray Hill) and Yuh-Line Niou (D-Manhattan) next week will host an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration in the Legislative Office Building of the state capital in Albany.
As Co-Chairs of the Asian Pacific American Legislative Task Force, Kim and Niou are proud to be co-hosting the 2018 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration. This year, they will have the special privilege of honoring New York City’s Asian Pacific American firefighters and law enforcement officers who protect and serve our communities each and every day.
Elements of the celebration will include an introduction of the honorees on the Assembly floor, traditional cultural performances, and a complimentary Korean cuisine for lunch.
In addition, Asian American and Pacific Islander community-based organizations will be joining Kim and Niou for an advocacy day event. Asian Pacific Americans are the fastest growing minority group in the United States, and it is crucial that this community have a voice in every level of politics. During the celebration, advocates will have the chance to amplify their voices on the most crucial issues affecting the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.
The parties will be traveling with the legislators’ offices in two contingents: one from downtown Flushing in Kim’s district and one from Manhattan’s Chinatown in Niou’s district. The Queens departure location will be in front of the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel on 39th Avenue between Main Street and Prince Street. The Manhattan departure location will be behind Confucius Plaza on Division Street.
The event is slated for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday May 22. Buses will depart at 6:30 a.m. from both downtown Flushing and Chinatown. The buses in Flushing will depart from the front of the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel on 39th Avenue between Main Street and Prince Street.
Johnson, Dromm Host “Call the Mayor” Fair Fares Digital Day of Action
City Council Member Daniel Dromm (D-East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights) joined City Council Speaker Corey Johnson (D-Manhattan) and the city council yesterday hosted a digital day of action urging Mayor Bill de Blasio to include the Fair Fares proposal in the Fiscal Year 2019 budget.
Fair Fares is a campaign to distribute MetroCards to low-income New Yorkers at a reduced rate. Fair Fares has the support of 47 out of 51 Council Members, the majority of citywide elected officials and borough presidents and over 60 community organizations.
“We need to make New York City more affordable, and we can do that by reducing travel fares for low-income citizens. This digital day of action is a 21st century way to show support for this life-changing proposal. I thank my colleagues in the Council, the advocates and fellow elected officials for joining us in this movement and demanding the Mayor include Fair Fares in this year’s budget,” said Johnson.
“Low-income New Yorkers need #FairFares now. The constant rise in subway and bus fares has had a tremendous negative impact on working families. In this day and age, no one should have to choose between a MetroCard and rent or food. The Mayor must take action and join the Council in funding #FairFares in the Fiscal Year 2019 budget,” said Dromm, chair of the Council’s Committee on Finance.
Sanders Announces Lawsuit Against Duo Who Accused Him of Bribery
State Sen. James Sanders Jr. (D-Rochdale Village, Far Rockaway) today will announce that he plans to sue in civil court a couple from Far Rockaway for $1 million because they intentionally tried to defame him by spreading lies that he sought a bribe.
In 2016, Marion Moses and Malisa Rivera leaders of an agricultural group called Culinary Kids, Culinary Arts came forward with some very serious accusations, which Sanders believes were politically motivated.
The duo, who are former chefs, said they came to Sanders when he was a city councilman seeking funding to advance their organization and that he promised to give them $1.7 million in taxpayer money in exchange for a $250,000, which is false.
“These individuals made statements, which are untrue, and now they are going to have to face the consequences of those actions,” Sanders said. “This lawsuit that I will be filing is about setting the record straight. I have consistently fought for the districts I have represented during my time in politics, both at the city and state level, and I will not allow these people to ruin my record of service to my constituency because of their nefarious motivations or agenda.”
Sanders will make the announcement at 12 noon, Sunday, May 20 on the steps of City Hall in Lower Manhattan.
