BP Adams To Host Celebration of Life Service For Justice William C. Thompson
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams will host a celebration of life service today in honor of Honorable Justice William C. Thompson.
The Honorable Justice William C. Thompson who became Brooklyn’s first African-American state senator in 1965, died at the age of 94 in December.
Thompson was the first Black state senator from Brooklyn, the first Black administrative judge in Kings County, and the first Black judge in the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, 2nd Department.
Thompson was the father of former City Comptroller Bill Thompson Jr., whom he swore into office in 2002. He is survived by his son Bill, his daughter Gail, and countless other loving family members and friends
The event is slated for 4:45 p.m., today, Jan 17, at Brooklyn Borough Hall – Courtroom, at 209 Joralemon Street in Downtown Brooklyn.
Mosley Applauds Cuomo’s Budget Agenda For Fiscal year 2019
Assembly member Walter T. Mosley (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights) applauded Governor Andrew Cuomo’s budget agenda for Fiscal Year 2020, which was announced earlier this week.
On Tuesday, Governor Cuomo delivered is 9th State of the State Address to New Yorkers that included his budget agenda, which will include investments in education, implements Congestion Pricing and legalizes adult Cannabis use amongst other investments.
“This year’s budget agenda from Governor Cuomo is an important start towards creating a fairer and more equitable New York. I am especially pleased to hear the governor discuss an adult-use cannabis program that empowers minority communities that have been historically affected by the so called war on drugs,” said Mosley.
“I will continue to fight for this policy and other progressive initiatives in this year’s budget and session as we must ensure that a robust and equitable agenda is passed in the legislature,” added Mosley.
Persaud Officially Assigned to Six Senate Committees
State Senator Roxanne Persaud (D-Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, Mill Island, Georgetown, Ocean Hill, Starrett City) this week was officially assigned to serve as a member on six Senate committees including one as chair, for the 2019-2020 legislative session
On Tuesday, Jan. 15, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins officially assigned Senator Persaud to the following committees: Banks, Children and Families, Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business, Labor, Social Services and Transportation. She was appointed chair of the Social Services Committee, and a member of each of the others.
“Thank you to Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins for entrusting me with leading the Social Services committee and serving on five other committees, all of which play crucial roles in countless New Yorkers’ everyday lives,” Senator Persaud said.
“I am excited to push legislation that will improve support for those in need, better protect our youth, strengthen the economy, spark more well-paying jobs and upgrade the means of travel for the great citizens of New York,” added Persaud.
Cymbrowitz Applauds Passage of Voting Reform Bills
Assembly member Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach) applauded the passage of a sweeping election reform package this week, including legislation he co-sponsored that would institute early voting in New York State.
The measure would establish a nine-day early voting period running until the Sunday before Election Day. Each county would be required to provide a set amount of early voting hours over the course of the nine day period, but would have the flexibility to offer hours that best meet the needs of its residents. This measure would go into effect immediately, and be in place for the 2019 General Election.
The legislative package passed earlier this week also included bills that will enable no-excuse absentee voting, modernize and expand voter registration, extend Primary Election voting hours, impose limits on LLC contributions and ensure uniformity throughout the state.
Should the bill become law, New York would join 37 other states and the District of Columbia in providing an alternative to voting on Election Day.
“Those who are unable to vote on Election Day should not be excluded from participating in the democratic process merely because they are unavailable on a single Day,” the bill says.
“Active participation in the electoral process is the foundation of our democracy, but that participation has languished over time owing to logistical factors that we can work to overcome,” said Cymbrowitz.
Espinal Holds Meeting on NYC Workers Rights, With “Right To Disconnect” Hearing
City Council member Rafael Espinal (D-Bushwick, East New York) will be holding a Committee on Consumer Affairs hearing today on the Right to Disconnect.
The bill introduced last year by Espinal would prohibit employers from requiring their employees to respond to work-related communications after normal work-hours.
The legislation aims to establish a better work-life balance for New Yorkers, and is modeled after similar laws in European countries like France and Italy. The hearing will feature testimony from business advocacy groups and labor organizations.
“It shall be unlawful for any employer to require an employee to access work-related electronic communications outside of such employee’s usual work hours, not including overtime, except in cases of emergency,” states the bill.
The event is slated for 10 a.m., today, Jan. 17, at 250 Broadway, Committee Room, 16th Floor in Lower Manhattan.
