Carroll Selected As New York League of Conservation Voters’ “Rising Star”
Assembly member Robert Carroll (D-Windsor Terrace, Park Slope, Kensington) was selected as The New York League of Conservation of Voters (NYLCV) “rising star” in the State Assembly this year.
For the 2nd consecutive year, Carroll earned a “100” rating from the NYLCV on their Scorecard. The scorecard tracked the voting records of legislators in Albany’s last legislative session. The League’s methodology involved tabulating the votes taken by elected officials on a wide variety of environmental issues, including safeguarding against off-shore drilling, reducing carryout bag waste and requiring manufacturers of children’s products to disclose if their products contain potentially harmful chemicals, among other concerns.
A total of 31 Assembly Members received perfect scores, as well as 16 Senators. Carroll was the only member of the Assembly to be selected as a rising star this year.
Two of Carroll’s bills to encourage investment in solar panels and energy storage equipment in New York City passed the legislature this year and are awaiting the Governor’s signature. The first bill, A.10150, would extend the existing property tax abatement that encourages the installation of solar panels in New York City, while , bill A.10410, would provide a tax abatement for electric energy storage equipment for certain properties in New York City.
“In today’s national political climate it is critical that New York lead the way on environmental issues. We must continue to think creatively to fight climate change by lowering emissions and cutting our usage of fossil fuels. Clean, renewable energy is critical to reducing our carbon footprint and safeguarding the environment for future generations of New Yorkers,” said Carroll.
Gillibrand To Host Town Hall
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) will host a town hall meeting this week to answer some of the local community concerns regarding the federal government.
Gillibrand will take questions from constituents on issues ranging from health care to jobs and the economy. All residents are invited to attend.
Last summer, Gillibrand hosted eight town halls across New York State, and this event will be the fourth of several more town halls Gillibrand will host around the state this year as part of her commitment to hearing from as many New Yorkers as possible
The event is slated for 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 9, at Pratt Institute – Memorial Hall Auditorium, at 200 Willoughby Avenue in Clinton Hill.
Those looking to attend can RSVP ahead of time HERE or you can RSVP on the same day at the event, but space is limited and will be first come, first serve.
Donovan Applauds Reinstatement of Iran Sanctions
Congressman Dan Donovan (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) applauded President Donald Trump’s recent actions to sanction Iran.
On Monday, the Trump Administration announced that it would be effectively ending United States participation in the Iran nuclear agreement as of Tuesday morning due to the regime in Tehran being on shaky ground. As of today, the Treasury Department will restore many of the sanctions the Obama administration lifted as part of the Iran deal.
The sanctions will target Iran’s dealing in U.S. dollars, its currency abroad and business in precious metals, aluminum, steel, coal and its auto industry, according to Fox News. A senior administration official said these restored sanctions are designed to constrict the revenue Iran uses to fund “terrorists, dictators, proxy militias, and the regime’s own cronies.”
“The Iranian regime exploited the weakness of previous administrations to pursue its destabilizing behavior without consequence. That has ended under President Trump’s watch, and today’s sanctions announcement is another step forward in holding Iran accountable,” said Donovan.
“By cutting off the resources Iran uses to support terrorists, abuse its people, and test dangerous ballistic missiles, we are putting America first and creating a more stable global community. Maximum pressure against this state sponsor of terrorism is the right strategy, and the U.S. must continue to isolate the regime and apply economic pressure,” added Donovan.
Deutsch Announces Two Upcoming Free Trips for Seniors
City Council member Chaim Deutsch (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach, Midwood) announced two upcoming trips for seniors yesterday.
For the fourth summer in a row, Deutsch will give seniors two opportunities to visit important destinations in New York City, free of charge. The trips will highlight important sites to the city’s history.
The first trip will be to the Intrepid Museum and the second to the 9/11 Memorial Museum. Both trips will include free transportation, a guided tour and access to exhibits.
The first trip is slated for 12-noon to 6 p.m., Monday, Aug. 20. The second trip is slated for 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 28.
Any senior in the district is eligible to attend either trip, but transportation space is limited, so call Councilman Deutsch’s office to reserve your spot at 718-368-9176. Once registered, you will receive the confirmation and location of the bus departure.
CM Williams Announces Verdict In Protest Case
City Council member Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) announced the verdict in his trial on charges related to his arrest for protesting the unlawful deportation of immigrant rights activist and community leader Ravi Ragbir.
Williams was found guilty of one count of Obstructing an Emergency Medical Services, and was found not guilty on counts of Disorderly Conduct and Obstructing Governmental Administration. Williams was sentenced to time served.
The Central Brooklyn lawmakers alongside his attorneys, Ron Kuby and Rhiya Trivedi, had presented a case arguing that his actions to stop the deportation of Ragbir were reasonable, and that the actions by the New York Police Department (NYPD) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials were not themselves unlawful given New York City’s status as a sanctuary city and the rough conduct which federal and local officials exhibited at the time of the arrest.
On January 11th, Williams was arrested along with seventeen others, including Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez (D-Manhattan), as he protested the detention and imminent deportation of immigrant rights activist Ragbir outside the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building in lower Manhattan. Ragbir had reported to the Federal Building for his routine check-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement when he was taken into custody, without warning, and transported from the building in an ambulance to be deported.
Eighteen days after Ragbir was detained, a federal judge ruled ICE’s actions on the January 11th to be unconstitutional, and that Ravi had a right to say goodbye. Currently, Ragbir’s deportation is stayed and he remains in the United States.
“Today’s rulings validate what I have known to be true- that the actions for which I was arrested were necessary and impactful. It’s always been my belief that you have to do what you can, with what you have, where you are, and that those with privilege have an obligation to take risk on behalf of those who don’t. I welcomed the risk on behalf of Ravi and undocumented immigrants living under the tyranny of ICE,” said Williams after the verdict was announced.
