Nadler Denounces House Bill Supporting ICE Officers
Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-Western Brooklyn, Western Manhattan), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, denounced legislation H.Res. 990, a measure aimed at protecting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and personnel yesterday.
The measure introduced by House Republicans last week is a non-binding resolution that hopes to ensure the future of ICE and it’s immigration enforcement policies, specifically keeping personnel employed through the agency.
The piece of legislation was introduced in response to recent calls by federal lawmakers to abolish ICE. In June, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez (D-Brooklyn, Queens, Lower Manhattan) alongside a group of Democratic colleagues called for termination of the agency for its role in separating immigrant families.
“This non-binding resolution would do nothing to bring about a fair and just immigration system. In fact, it would do nothing at all. It is just a meaningless political stunt to change the subject from the international and domestic shame unleashed by President Trump,” said Nadler.
“The President imposed a family separation policy, and his Administration never even considered how to ensure that the children would eventually reunite with their families. Now, nearly 3,000 children remain separated, and they do not know when—or if—they will ever see their parents again. Many of these children were ripped from the arms of their mothers and fathers, and their anguish is unimaginable,” added Nadler.
Donovan’s Bill Preventing Genocide Passes House
Congressman Dan Donovan (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) announced passage of the Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act yesterday.
The bipartisan legislation improves U.S. efforts to prevent genocide and mass atrocity crimes. The measure is named after Elie Wiesel who was a brave Holocaust survivor and Nobel Laureate who dedicated his life to defending human rights and promoting tolerance.
The bill passed the House by a 406-5 margin, enhancing the U.S. commitment to and resources for preventing, mitigating, and responding to such crises.
“We have a moral obligation to protect and support those targeted by genocide and mass violence. This bill re-iterates the U.S. commitment to these principles and ensures that our nation is better prepared to identify and respond to atrocities. This is about saving innocent lives and creating a more stable and prosperous global community,” said Donovan.
Carroll Joins Fight To Save School Speed Camera Safety Program
Assembly member Robert Carroll (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington, Ditmas Park) has joined the coalition of city and state lawmakers urging the State Legislature to reconvene the chamber in emergency session to renew and enhance the speed camera program around city schools.
On Wednesday, Carroll demanded that his colleagues in the Senate take immediate action on the program set to expire on July 25. If not renewed, all 140 speed cameras in New York City will be removed and the 150 additional speed cameras that the State Assembly approved will be halted.
Additionally, Carroll is calling on Governor Andrew Cuomo to sign his bill, A.11121, which would authorize the commissioner of the DMV to require examination of a person involved in an accident caused by a loss of consciousness or awareness. The measure comes just months after a driver who reportedly suffered from a seizure while driving struck and killed two children in Park Slope. That driver, Dorothy Bruns, had a valid driver’s license in spite of her condition, which led to this crash.
“Together these bills will make our streets safer. Speed cameras are situated in strategic locations near schools, designed to slow down drivers as they enter school zones and to protect the most vulnerable pedestrian New Yorkers. At a speed of 20 miles per hour, 93% of pedestrians survive. At a speed of 30 miles per hour, 20% of pedestrians die,” said Carroll.
“This bill will save lives and the Governor should sign it into law as soon as possible.Driving is a privilege. Safe streets are a right,” added Carroll.
Treyger, Deutsch Applaud City Council’s Affirmation of Coney Island Boardwalk As Scenic Landmark
City Council member Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Gravesend) applauded the New York City Council’s passage of a measure affirming the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission’s designation of the Coney Island Riegelmann Boardwalk a scenic landmark yesterday.
The action was the final step in the designation legislative process and the culmination of a years-long effort led by Treyger, City Council member Chaim Deutsch (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach) and other members of the southern Brooklyn community to preserve the iconic structure.
The members of the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted in favor of the designation on May 15, 2018, exactly 95 years after the Boardwalk officially opened.
“The Coney Island Boardwalk is an iconic symbol of our community, our city, and our country. This designation means that, no matter what, there will always be a Coney Island Boardwalk. It’s where our children play, where our seniors socialize, where families relax or stay active together, and where countless New Yorkers and visitors come to enjoy the fresh air, the beautiful views, and the thrills of the People’s Playground,” said Treyger.
“I am thrilled that this Council has finally affirmed what Brooklynites know to be true – the Coney Island Boardwalk is a scenic landmark. For generations, Southern Brooklynites have grown up with the Boardwalk as their backyard, and it plays a significant role in summer activities for the Coney Island and Brighton Beach communities,” said Deutsch.
CM Williams Announces Passage of Bill Regulating Short-Term Rentals
City Council member Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) announced passage of Intro. 981-A, a bill aimed at regulating short-term rentals across New York City.
The legislation would require persons who accept fees in connection with providing booking services to provide the address of the units, the name and address of the person offering the unit for short-term rental, whether the rental is for the entirety of the unit or part of a unit, and any other information to be determined by the Office of Special Enforcement (OSE). Any one found in violation of the law will face a fine of $1,500 for every listing it fails to hand over.
The bill comes as opponents of home sharing companies have been pushing the City Council to crack down on illegal hotels across the city in a bid to quell the affordable housing crisis. Current state law prohibits renting out an entire apartment for less than 30 days, making many listings on websites, like Airbnb, illegal. Renting an individual room while the resident is at home, on the other hand, is legal.
“Intro 981-A will provide vital transparency in an industry that includes bad actors like Airbnb, who have hid behind low-level users of their platform, often individuals of more color, to prop up their company’s indefensible practices. They have consistently acted in bad faith and in unscrupulous ways, both throughout the process of moving this legislation and in their current operations in New York City,” said Williams.
“Airbnb has exacerbated the affordable housing and homelessness crisis we face, while skirting regulations intended to protect tenants and preserve affordable units. It it my sincere hope that moving forward, the administration works with the Council to ensure that honest and hardworking New Yorkers trying to make ends meet are protected in our fight against the kinds of unscrupulous actors, like AirBnb, who chase profit at the expense of people who are struggling,” added Williams.
