Cornegy To Host Luncheon To Thanks TSA Agents Impacted by Gov’t Shutdown
City Council member Robert Cornegy, Jr. (D-Bedford-Stuyvesant, Northern Crown Heights) alongside City Councilman Francisco Moya (D-Queens) and other elected officials and airport employees will host a luncheon today to thank the TSA agents who have been working without pay during the government shutdown.
The shutdown, which started over a month ago now, is the result of an impasse between the president and congressional Democrats over funding for a border wall, which Trump promised during the 2016 campaign, according to USA Today. The conflict is affecting about a quarter of the U.S. government and approximately 800,000 federal workers including The National Park Service.
In response, American Airlines employees Obina Escort and Lorraine Wilson have launched a fundraiser for the LaGuardia TSA agents who are working without pay. Every dollar raised will be matched by the owner of Fig’s restaurant, located in LaGuardia’s Terminal B food court.
“The compassion and solidarity displayed by New Yorkers in times of crisis will never cease to amaze me,” said Cornegy.
“While the President tries to further divide the nation by holding the pay of federal employees throughout the country hostage in order to get funding for a futile and immoral wall, we in New York are banding together to say enough is enough. It’s time these public servants start getting paid again,” added Cornegy.
The event is slated for 11 a.m. to 12-noon, today, Jan. 18, at Laguardia Airport, Terminal B in Queens.
Rose Named To House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
Congressman Max Rose (D-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) announced yesterday that he will serve on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs in the 116th Congress.
Rose, who currently serves in the National Guard, will be the only combat veteran with healthcare experience serving on the Committee. The freshman Congressman is also the first post-9/11 combat veteran elected in New York City.
Rose previously worked as the Chief of Staff at Brightpoint Health, a non-profit healthcare provider in the City, after returning from service.
“I’m honored by the opportunity to serve on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, where I’ll fight to make sure our veterans get the care and benefits they deserve—including standing firm against any efforts to privatize or eliminate the services veterans depend on,” said Rose.
“When it comes to the VA and our broader healthcare system, I’ve experienced firsthand what we do well and what we need to do better—and I look forward to working with the VA nationally and in New York, to continue investing and innovating. We do a great job in this country thanking our veterans for their service, but we need to be better at supporting them in their transition home and into civilian life,” added Rose.
Colton Warns Of Changes In SNAP Benefits Due To Gov’t Shutdown
Assembly member William Colton (D–Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and Dyker Heights) is alerting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients that because of the federal government shutdown, most SNAP recipients may receive their February SNAP benefits early.
Colton wants all SNAP recipients to be aware that early delivery of Feb. SNAP benefits could be made available on Jan. 17 on a corresponding EBT card instead of the scheduled February date. This is not an extra SNAP benefit for January. Recipients who get a second benefit this month, should be aware that they will not get any more benefits in February.
Additionally, Colton is advising SNAP recipients that get their February benefits in January, to budget wisely and be aware of the change.
“I believe that it is very incompetent that the Federal Government does not notify the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients about their action. My concern is that people would think it is extra money and spend it,” said Colton.
“Reality is that in the month of February they will not get their monthly benefits, and many families might be left without food till their next scheduled benefit day,” added Colton.
Ortiz Sponsors Resolution Opposing National Emergency To Build Border Wall
Assistant Speaker Assembly member Félix W. Ortiz (D-Red Hook, Sunset Park) introduced a resolution this week in the State Assembly opposing President Donald Trump’s effort to declare a national emergency in order to spend federal funds to build a Mexican border wall.
The bill is in support of Congresswoman Grace Meng’s (D-Queens) congressional legislation (H.R. 522), the “No Walls Act,” that will prohibit the construction of barriers, including fences, walls and steel slats, along the U.S. – Mexico border if national emergencies are declared during government shutdowns.
Currently, Trump is at impasse congressional Democrats over funding for a border wall, which Trump promised during the 2016 campaign. Earlier this month, Trump gave the year’s first Presidential Address focusing on immigration in which he called on Congress to provide $5.7 billion for a border wall to address what he called a “crisis” on the border.
“That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to urge Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Members of the New York State congressional delegation to support Congresswoman Grace Meng’s legislation and join her in speaking out against the creation of a fake national emergency to build a wall,” reads the resolution.
Deutsch To Offer Free Legal Services
City Council member Chaim Deutsch (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach, Homecrest, Midwood) announced that he will be offering free legal services opportunities throughout the year.
The annual services are made available in conjunction with the CUNY School of Law’s Community Legal Resource Network. The free service provides for an experienced lawyer who sees constituents for one hour consultations.
The lawyer is experienced in a large variety of legal matters, including landlord-tenant issues, elder planning, will drafting, real estate and foreclosure proceedings, immigration, health care proxies, living wills, and evictions and more. The service is available to constituents of any income level.
“Free legal help is an extremely utilized service that I provide in my district office. A consultation with a knowledgeable attorney can be a huge help to anyone facing a legal question or problem. I am proud to offer this assistance to my constituents,” said Deutsch.
The legal services will be available twice a week, all year round. Those interested can call Deutsch’s District Office at 718-368-9176.
