Reynoso Calls For Increased Low Income Solar Development In New York
City Council member Antonio Reynoso (D-Bushwick, Williamsburg) alongside solar industry leaders and advocates will call on New York State and Governor Andrew Cuomo to support more solar development for low-income households today.
The group will tour one of the most successful new solar-enabled affordable housing developments in the country at The Meekerman in Williamsburg. The project, opened recently, demonstrates how solar works well with low-income housing.
The event is hosted by the Million Solar Strong Campaign, a coalition calling on Cuomo to stand -up to the Trump Administration by setting a bold new goal of powering one million households with solar by 2023, including 100,000 low-income households.
One million new solar-powered households will generate jobs, reduce and stabilize New Yorkers’ utility bills, stimulate local investment, cut harmful air pollution, accelerate the equitable transition to our clean energy future, and stand-up to the Trump Administration’s attacks on climate and solar.
The event is slated for 10 a.m., today, June 28, at The Meekerman Apartments, at 410 Manhattan Avenue in Williamsburg.
Hamilton Launches Resource Guide For Formerly Incarcerated
State Senator Jesse Hamilton (D-Central Brooklyn) will launch “Back to the Basics: A Resource Guide for Formerly Incarcerated” today.
The new resource tool will give formerly incarcerated individuals impacted by the justice system the tools to successfully reenter, reintegrate, and reconnect with their communities. The resource guide published in partnership with the Brownsville Community Justice Center, includes information on groups who assist with employment services, health and human services, legal assistance, education assistance, housing assistance, social and cultural resources, advocacy groups, and resources who help young offenders, veterans, LGBT, and women.
In addition, Hamilton will announce over $200,000 in New York State funding for technology & workforce development funding to Brownsville Academy High School and Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow. The funding will open new opportunities for youth and adults impacted by the justice system.
“New Yorkers need us to pursue a justice system that has the twice blessed quality of mercy, ‘It blesseth him that gives and him that takes,’ instead of a justice system with too little compassion, too little forgiveness, and too little wisdom to see our common humanity,” said Hamilton.
“Everyone deserves the opportunity to lead a productive life. That is why it is so important to support our community based organizations, our educators, and our neighborhood institutions that provide those kinds of opportunities on an inclusive basis – their work uplifts all New Yorkers,” added Hamilton.
The event is slated for 1:30 pm., today, June 28, at Brownsville Academy High School, at 1150 East New York Avenue in Brownsville.
Williams’ Opioid Antagonist Reporting Bill Gets Signed By Mayor
City Council member Jumaane Williams’ (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) bill aimed at combating the opioid epidemic was signed into law by Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday.
The bill, Intro. 717-A, will require the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to report quarterly – to the Mayor, City Council, and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene – on the number of opioid antagonists the department has available, the number of officers trained to administer opioid antagonists, and the number of opioid overdose reversal drugs administered by NYPD Officers.
An Opioid antagonist is a drug that blocks opioids by attaching to the opioid receptors without activating them. Common opioid antagonist are naltrexone and naloxone (NARCAN), which are most frequently used to treat heroin overdoses.
Williams’ bill was signed into law as part of a seven piece legislative package aimed at combating the drug epidemic in New York state. The package of bills also included legislation which will provide syringe exchange programs with opioid overdose reversal drugs and train staff to use them, a bill requiring the Department of Social Services to refer individuals residing in Department of Homeless Services’ shelters or HIV/AIDS Service Administration (HASA) facilities that suffered a non-fatal overdose to additional services, and a bill which aims to provide students with educational materials on the dangers of opioid use.
According to city data, 1,425 New York City residents lost their lives to overdoses in 2016, and over 1400 were killed in 2017, with the majority of these deaths as a result of opioid use. There has been over a 50% increase in overdose deaths in the city since 2015, when 942 people lost their lives. It is estimated that every seven hours, someone dies of a drug overdose in New York City.
“Opioid addiction is a public health crisis, and here in New York City, we need to make full use of all of the tools we have available to combat this epidemic. We have the ability to save lives with opioid antagonists like naloxone, and the data collected through the bills we pass today will enable us to effectively use the resources at our disposal to prevent the tragedy of overdose,” said Williams.
Deutsch Hosts Start Of Summer, Kids Event
City Council member Chaim Deutsch (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach, Midwood) will host a summer event for kids today.
The event will coincide with the end of the school year and the start of Summer that was officially marked on the solstice on June 21. The event will feature games, food, gifts and rides among other attractions.
The event is slated for 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., today, June 28, at Bill Brown Park (corner of Bedford Avenue & Avenue X) in Sheepshead Bay.
Menchaca, Levin Outline City Strategy For Reuniting Immigrant Families
City Council members Carlos Menchaca (D-Red Hook, Sunset Park) and Stephen Levin (D-Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Williamsburg, Boerum Hill) announced a list of steps that the City and State of New York must undertake to ensure the proper reunification of families yesterday.
The list of recommendations included establishment of a family first policy, creation of official channels of communication, creation of channels of communication between separated family members, and establishment of funding mechanisms for additional legal services.
The announcement comes off the heels of a meeting between the Brooklyn Lawmakers and Consulates of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, and El Salvador to develop a strategy for how city agencies and foreign consulates can work together to reunite families separated by President Trump’s now rescinded zero-tolerance policy who are being cared for in New York City centers
“We have a responsibility to reunite the children being cared for in our city, but we must do so thoughtfully, carefully, and with a plan. What we learned from our meeting is that there is still so little communication coming from Washington and not enough coordination happening between the federal, state, and city level. By bringing them to the table now, we add an important partner to the City’s reunification efforts,” said Menchaca, Chair of the Committee on Immigration.
“Thank you to Council Member Carlos Menchaca for convening today’s important roundtable with Consulate Generals. We need real transparency and information from the federal government on plans for reunification. I am committed to working with the City to bring full transparency to the public, so that separated youth living in our city’s foster care system are quickly and appropriately reconnected with their loved ones,” said Levin, Chair of the Committee on General Welfare.
Velázquez Congratulates Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Win
Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-Brooklyn, Queens, Lower Manhattan ) congratulated Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on her historic victory over long-term incumbent Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens) yesterday.
In Tuesday night’s most shocking win, Ocasio-Cortez ousted Crowley in their Democratic congressional primary in New York City, stunning a man who was considered to be on the shortlist to become the next House Speaker if Democrats take the majority in November.
The 28-year-old Democratic Socialist won capturing nearly 58 percent, or about 15,000, of the vote versus Crowley’s 42 percent, or about 11,000. The young Latina trailblazer will now face her most likely Republican contender Anthony Pappas in this upcoming general election on Nov. 6.
“Ms. Ocasio-Cortez ran a strong campaign and I congratulate her on a hard-fought victory. A young, female Puerto Rican, she channeled the progressive energy that has grown in response to Donald Trump and that we will need to elect more Democrats in November,” said Velazquez.
“I look forward to partnering with Ms. Ocasio-Cortez to fight for New York’s working families and stand up to the Trump Administration’s hateful policies,” added Velazquez.
