Chin Responds to Proposed Plastic Bag Ban
City Councilwoman Margaret Chin (D-Battery Park City, Chinatown) released a statement last weekend regarding a proposed new ban on plastic bags.
Chin has co-written legislation with Council Member Brad Lander (D-Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens) that would restrict the use of all single-use bags in New York City. When she heard that Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) was considering implementing a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags as part of an agreement in this year’s state budget, she called it a step in the right direction, but insufficient in regards to solving New York’s waste problem.
“Six years after we first started working on legislation to limit single-use bags, and more than two years after Governor Cuomo signed legislation pre-empting our law, we are finally close to achieving the goal of removing thousands of tons of waste from our parks, waterways, and landfills,” said Chin. “While I commend the Governor for supporting this latest proposal to ban plastic bags, we must take further action to truly realize our goal of dramatic waste reduction from all types of single-use bags. That is why I plan to join Council Member Lander to introduce legislation that would allow for the collection of fees on paper and other single-use bags.”
Hoylman: Consider Parole for Elderly Convicts
State Senator Brad Hoylman (D-Chelsea, Midtown) wrote an opinion piece for the newspaper Times Union, arguing that there should be more opportunities for parole for middle-aged and elderly convicts.
Hoylman, as mentioned in the op-ed, is sponsoring a bill that would allow parole consideration for inmates aged 55 and older who have served at least 15 years in prison. He argued that elderly inmates often fall victim to “death by incarceration”, as their bodies age more rapidly than they would in a healthy environment. He also pointed out that elderly convicts have the lowest recidivism rate of any age demographic, meaning that our prisons risk little by releasing them.
“Elder parole would restore hope for countless incarcerated people, their families and loved ones,” wrote Hoylman. “It would ensure that New York’s policies are consistent with the values of redemption, mercy and compassion shared by most New Yorkers.”
The piece was co-written by Jose Saldana, Community Organizer with the Release Aging People in Prison (RAPP) Campaign. It can be read here.
Johnson Proposes Banning Fur in NYC
City Council Speaker Corey Johnson (D-Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen) has recently introduced a bill that would make the sale of fur illegal in the City.
Under the new law, businesses would still be allowed to sell vintage and secondhand furs, but would not be allowed to restock their fur inventory. Offending businesses would be fined from $500 to $1,500, depending on whether or not it was their first violation.
“As an animal lover, I truly think it is cruel to kill an animal for the sole purpose of people wearing a fur coat,” Johnson told the Gothamist. “There is really no need for this. In a progressive city like ours, we need to take steps to protect animals.”
