Colton Demands NYC & NYS Comptrollers Launch Audit of MTA & NYCTA Expenditures
Assembly member William Colton (D–Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights) will call upon NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer and NYS Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today to intervene and to launch an audit of the expenditures within the MTA and NYCTA.
Colton wants a full review of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and NYC Transit Authority’s costs due to their claims for the proposed upcoming fare increase, that blames fare evasion for its loss of revenue. According to the “Proposed 2019 Budget and Four-Year Financial Plan,” there are two proposals for fare and toll adjustments including raising fare from $2.75 t0 $3.00.
“The MTA and the City Administration is blaming turnstile jumpers on losing $215 million in revenue. Instead of looking for the cause they should enforce the fare evasion policy. It’s just disgusting to think that they want to put more hardship on the riders by raising the fare. It is obvious that something needs to be done with this Authority. The MTA must gaze inside itself and stop wasting the taxpayer’s money,” said Colton.
“While it is clear, there must be a dedicated funding source to adequately meet the needs of public transit, the monies generated must be spent in a transparent and accountable way. For far too long the taxpayers have been paying the price of the MTA’s wasteful policies. The fare increases have in the past have consistently caused a reduction in ridership. That can longer continue and MUST be corrected!” added Colton.
The event is slated for 10 a.m., today, Dec. 19, at Kings Highway N Train station (between 7th and West 8th Streets in Bensonhurst.
BP Adams Celebrates NYPD Youth Explorers
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams will host a ceremony today to celebrate dozens of New York City Police Department (NYPD) Explorers and their commanding officers as public safety leaders of today and tomorrow.
Adams will also give a posthumous award to the family of fallen NYPD Explorer Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz. Six months ago, 15-year-old Guzman-Feliz was stabbed to death by a large gang in the Belmont section of the Bronx by members of a local gang.
The murder sparked outrage nationwide, and the ongoing outpouring of grief inspired Adams to publicly recognize some of the young men and women who are upholding Guzman-Feliz’s legacy through the program that provides an introduction to a career in law enforcement.
The event will recognize the NYPD Explorers and their commanding officers for what they do to advance community-police relations.
The event is slated for 5:30 p.m., today, Dec. 19, at Brooklyn Borough Hall, at 209 Joralemon Street in Downtown Brooklyn.
Treyger Co-Chairs Hearing On DOE Proposed Five Year Capital Plan
City Council Member Mark Treyger (D-Bath Beach, Bensonhurst, Coney Island, Gravesend, Sea Gate), chair of the City Council’s Committee on Education, co-chaired a joint hearing yesterday on the Department of Education’s (DOE) Proposed Fiscal 2020-2024 Five Year Capital Plan.
The plan, announced back in November, proposes investing $17 billion over five years toward the city’s Equity and Excellence for All agenda which includes $750 million for accessibility initiatives and $8.8 billion for capacity projects, including funding for 57,000 seats over the next five years. The plan accelerates the capital funding dedicated to the Mayor’s AC for All initiative, which will allow the city to provide air conditioning to all classrooms by 2021, one year early. The plan also dedicates $230 million to continue to remove Transportable Classroom Units (TCU’s), while dedicating $750 million towards improving internet bandwidth and technology at schools and $550 million for new Pre-K and 3-K centers.
However, the plan, according to Treyger and the Council has done little to address the Council’s concerns for school improvements. In particular, the plan only includes $2.4 billion for school “enhancements,” a classification that includes projects that address accessibility, as well as bathroom repairs/upgrades, air conditioning, security cameras, and science labs.
“The City must understand that making a school building more accessible should not be considered an enhancement, but rather the provision of an essential need that has previously gone unfulfilled,” said Treyger.
“The same applies where clean, working bathrooms, functional air conditioning/ventilation, and safety and security measures are concerned. This isn’t an issue of semantics. This classification issue is having an impact on the way the city is allocating funding for our schools, and this has to change. We are asking for a meaningful policy change in the way these types of essential projects are funded and prioritized,” added Treyger.
CM Williams Applauds Committee Approval of NYC Boss Bill
City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood), Deputy Leader, applauded the Committee on Civil and Human Rights unanimous vote yesterday to advance the ‘NYC Boss Bill.’
The measure, would block employers from accessing personal health information of an employee or imposing requirements on a worker’s ability to gain access to reproductive services. Supporters of the bill say it’s is aimed at addressing ways of strengthening the Roe v. Wade decision and protecting female reproductive rights from decisions on the federal level.
The bill is expected to be voted on by the full City Council today, in Council Chambers, during the Stated meeting.
“I want to thank my colleagues on the committee for unanimously voting to advance this key piece of legislation to be considered by the full Council. With conservatives in Congress, the White House, and on the Court that threaten civil rights we have long fought for, it is more vital than ever for New York City to stand up and protect reproductive rights- and the ability to exercise those rights without retribution and discrimination,” said Williams.
“I urge my colleagues to pass the NYC Boss Bill when it comes to a vote, and to take a stand against reproductive injustice,” added Williams.
