Golden Tells Cuomo To Keep Restaurant Tip Credit
State Sen. Martin J. Golden (R-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend, parts of Sheepshead Bay, Borough Park, Midwood) yesterday called for action to be taken on S. 8594, legislation that would preempt the Department of Labor, and the Commissioner of Labor from amending, altering, or eliminating the food service credit for small restaurant owners.
As Part of his 2018 State of the State message, Governor Cuomo discussed the elimination of the tip credit. The current tip credit currently allows restaurants to pay tipped employees less than the federal minimum wage and use tips to make up the difference. This saves restaurants on labor costs and gives them flexibility in how they pay their workers. It also offers a way to hold workers accountable for the service they provide customers.
Golden said Cuomo’s new rule wants to end the current tip credit due to allegations that many of these workers are not properly compensated. However, many in the restaurant industry and organizations that represent servers say the new policy would not help, but hurt employee compensation, he said.
“The New York restaurant industry is based on a simple system that has worked for both employees and owners for years without a problem. Customers tip the employees who serve them and employers receive a tax credit. The great thing about the system is that it helps to keep labor costs down for restaurants that operate on small margins, while letting workers earn more than minimum wages in tips. Why mess with success?” said Golden.
“What Governor Cuomo wants to do will decimate the restaurant industry in New York, where tourism is such a vital part of our economy. Despite that the Governor says that New York is open for business, we have seen many restaurants close their doors. Every restaurant that closes means that every tipped wage earner loses their job. The people that the Governor wants to help by eliminating the tax credit will be getting fewer hours and smaller paychecks for more work. This is wrong, and must be stopped,” the lawmaker added.
Pols Take Stand Against Hateful and Intolerant Incident Aboard s53 Bus
U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island), his Democratic Challenger Max Rose, Assembly Member Nicole Malliotakis (R-Bay Ridge, Staten Island) and State Sen. Marty Golden (R-Bay Ridge) yesterday all issued statements decrying a woman’s verbal act of intolerance and hatred directed at a Muslim woman aboard an S53 bus.
The verbal bigotry was caught on social media and Rose, a Afghanistan War veteran, was the first to issue a statement.
“This morning, posted on social media and different news sites was a video of a woman wearing a hijab being verbally harassed by a New Yorker named Ashley. I and so many other veterans fought for rights Ashley claims this woman doesn’t have. We defended the values of equality and tolerance that she clearly has no respect for. These actions do not represent Staten Island, Brooklyn or New York City. The woman who was the target of this tirade deserves so much better,” said Rose.
Later in the day, Donovan issued a statement saying, “The hateful rhetoric seen aboard a bus bound for Staten Island today was reprehensible and will not be tolerated in our community. No race, religion, or ethnicity is superior to another – and it will never be acceptable to threaten or intimidate someone because of the God to whom they pray. I condemn this intolerance, and there is no denying that bigotry and discrimination goes against the values our nation stands for. This incident does not reflect the true spirit of our borough, and we must re-affirm our commitment to civility and acceptance.”
Malliotakis chimed in that racism has no place here.
“I am absolutely disgusted by this horrendous hatred and denounce it in the strongest terms possible. It sickens me that this woman would deem it acceptable to taunt and bully another human being because of the clothes she wears or the religion she practices. As the daughter of immigrants, I remember the day that someone used abusive language toward my mother merely because she had a heavy accent. I will not stay silent as bigotry takes place in our city,” said Malliotakis.
Golden said the act of religious and ethnic intolerance, aboard a bus traveling from Bay Ridge to Staten Island, is beyond disturbing to watch and has no place in our society. “I condemn the hatred and this completely un-American behavior, and trust that the New York City Police Department is investigating this matter,” said Golden.
Cornegy’s 7th Annual Senior Swim Makes A Splash
City Council Member Robert E. Cornegy, Jr. (D-Bedford-Stuyvesant, Northern Crown Heights), seniors and other residents of District 36 converged yesterday on the public Kosciuszko Pool in Bedford Stuyvesant for the Seventh Annual Senior Swim.
Each year Cornegy hosts the event to acknowledge and celebrate the senior citizens in the community and to raise awareness of the dedicated senior hours at the Kosciuszko Pool.
“By continuing this annual tradition, not only do our seniors have a gathering to look forward to, but it allows the Bedford Stuyvesant community to safely and socially share a space that so many of them have an opportunity to enjoy during the summer season,”said Cornegy.
The event had a Motown tribute theme, and featured games, dancing, swimming, raffles and more for the community members and seniors to enjoy. Attendees received grab bags including swimming caps, gift cards and coupons, and compete for the coveted “Best Swimsuit” award. A festive photoshoot wall was also present. Massages and yoga were offered courtesy of La Belle Boutique and EmergeSoul Boutique, respectively.
Senior Swim hours began at Kosciuszko Pool seven years ago when Cornegy became the local Democratic District Leader – a position he still holds.
Senior Swim hours at the pool are from 9-11 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday morning during the summer months. This access provides a safe, age-friendly space for the seniors to enjoy every day, summer activities.
Levin, Bichotte, Walker Honor Special Girl Scout Troop
City Council Member Steve Levin (D-Northern Brooklyn, Boerum Hill) and Assembly Members Rodneyse Bichotte (D-Flatbush, Ditmas Park) and Latrice Walker (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Bedford Stuyvesant) hailed the Mayor Bill de Blasio Administration’s announcement that Girl Scout Troop 6000, the first of its kind Girl Scout troop dedicated to serving girls and women in the shelter system, has expanded to 15 shelter facilities for families with children across all five boroughs
Girl Scout Troop 6000 was established in February 2017 through a partnership between the City’s Department of Homeless Services and the Girl Scouts of Greater New York. It currently has more than 500 girls and women now participating in the leadership-and-community-development program.
“I am so proud to join Troop 6000 in announcing this expansion – this will mean the world to families and children who can now join the Girl Scouts of America family,” said Levin, Chair of the Committee on General Welfare. “And we will all benefit from a new generation of leaders who will be prepared and equipped to take on any challenge the world throws at them. No matter the adversity our children may face, together, there is nothing they cannot accomplish.”
“Troop 6000 represents the values of the Girl Scouts perfectly,” said Bichotte. “The Mayor’s decision to provide a $1 million grant to Troop 6000 to extend the program to all five-boroughs will ensure that homeless girls across the city will benefit from participating in the Girl Scouts. Research has shown that many Girl Scout alumnae achieve higher levels of education and gain self-confidence. The expansion of this program will lead to more vulnerable young girls securing their futures.”
“I’m so ecstatic for the launch of Girl Scout Troop 6000 and I commend Mayor de Blasio and the Girl Scouts of Greater New York for providing this amazing opportunity for more than 500 girls and women in New York City,” said Walker. “In my district alone, we have a number of young women and girls that do not have the resources to be a part of an organization of that stature but yearn for the support, guidance, and mentorship that the Girl Scouts of Greater New York provide.”
To contribute to the expansion of Girl Scout Troop 6000, visit http://www1.nyc.gov/site/fund/initiatives/support-girl-scout-troop-6000.page.
To contribute to the Girl Scouts of Greater New York, visit: https://www.girlscoutsnyc.org/donate.
