Brooklyn Lawmakers On The Move June 11, 2019

News Site Brooklyn

BP Adams To Launch “Release The Data” Campaign Looking At State Prevailing Wage Legislation 

Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams

Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams will join the 400 Foundation and senior pastors from across New York City today to launch their “Release the Data” campaign, calling for a fair, data-driven, and diversity-forward commitment before the State Legislature considers passing any public works/prevailing wage legislative proposal.

In particular, Adams and faith leaders will call on State lawmakers to “Release the Data” by requiring developers to report data on the diversity of their construction workforce on projects that receive public funding. Borough President Adams and the 400 Foundation believe this kind of reporting of workforce data must be legally required before any expansion of prevailing wage can be considered by the State Legislature.

The campaign, which will include the release of a new video tomorrow, follows numerous concerns raised by civil rights and faith leaders, including the 400 Foundation, who fear that thousands of construction workers of color will lose good job opportunities and will be unfairly excluded from the currently proposed expansion of prevailing wage. Adams has long expressed concerns about diversity in the construction industry, and he will reemphasize the importance of job creation and quality wages for all.

A new bill under consideration could include change the prevailing wage of construction workers based on region, according to the Wall Street Journal. A New York City project could receive as much as $1 million in subsidies without requiring a prevailing wage, and a new commission would determine how much support a project could get from an industrial development agency before prevailing wage requirements take hold.

Legislators in Albany may narrow the scope of a bill that would define which public works projects require higher wages. A new bill under consideration could include thresholds that vary by region, according to the Wall Street Journal. A New York City project could receive as much as $1 million in subsidies without requiring a prevailing wage, and a new commission would determine how much support a project could get from an industrial development agency before prevailing wage requirements take hold.

Changing the definition of public works as proposed in these measures would be a boon for the state’s construction unions, since it would essentially require union-level wages on all projects receiving public funding. This would potentially make union shops more competitive with the city’s rising tide of nonunion contractors, who would no longer be able to boast lower wages on such projects, according to The Real Deal.

The event is slated for 1 p.m., today, June 11, on the Steps of City Hall in Lower Manhattan.


Treyger Announces Scarangella Park Visioning Session

City Councilman Mark Treyger

City Council member Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Gravesend) announced yesterday that tonight the NYC Parks Department will hold a visioning session for the future of Scarangella Park.

Local residents and stakeholders are invited to attend and share their ideas and thoughts for the future of the South Brooklyn park.

The event is slated for 5 p.m., today, June 11, Scarangella Park, at Stillwell Avenue and Avenue V in Gravesend.


Gounardes, State Lawmakers To Push For Passage of 9/11 Heroes Bills

State Senator Andrew Gounardes
State Senator Andrew Gounardes

State Senator Andrew Gounardes (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend), Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Queens), Assembly Member Karines Reyes (D-Bronx) and 9/11 first responders and advocates will join together this week to call for action this session on a package called the 9/11 Heroes Bills.

The three bills aim to close gaps in services for those who answered the call of duty on and after 9/11. The rally will be followed by a Lobby Day to meet with legislators about the bills, which include:

  • S.1966 and A3593A: Address delays in WTC-related disability claims by increasing the number of medical boards and physicians employed on medical boards of NYCERS.
  • S.5890 and A7819A: Expand NYC workers who qualify for sick leave as 9/11 first responders and codify their access into law.
  • S.5246A and A07716: Provide retirees of the New York City fire department diagnosed with cancer within five years of retirement presumption that the cancer was incurred in the performance of duties so they can access Accidental Disability Retirement pensions.

The event is slated for 12:30 p.m., Thursday, June 13, on the 4th Floor Lobby near Senate Chambers in Albany.


Rose Bill Providing Counterterrorism Security Grants To Nonprofit, Religious Institutions Passes House

Max Rose
U.S. Rep.-Elect Max Rose

Congressman Max Rose (D-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) yesterday applauded passage of his bipartisan legislation  to authorize the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which provides funding for security enhancements to nonprofit organizations and religions institutions that are at high risk of a terrorist attack.

The bipartisan Securing American Nonprofit Organizations Against Terrorism Act would authorize the Nonprofit Security Grant Program within the Department of Homeland Security for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations that are at risk of a terrorist attack. The legislation authorizes $75 million of annual funding through 2024—an increase of $15 million from the previous year’s funding level. This grant funding would assist targeted organizations with costs related to: acquiring and installing security equipment; hiring security personnel; and security training for key personnel to prevent or protect against attacks.

Passage of the bill comes as Mayor Bill de Blasio last week announced that there has been a spike in hate crimes across the city. Most recent data from New York Police Department (NYPD) show that hate crime incidents in the City have increased by 64 percent since last year. 60 percent of those incidents were anti-Semitic hate crimes. Arrests for hate crimes have also increased this year. Additionally, the city is set to open the Office of Hate Crime Prevention later this year.

In recent years, there has been an increase in violence and threats of violence against nonprofit institutions. On April 27, a gunman opened fire on congregants at a Passover celebration in a California synagogue, killing one person and injuring three others. Other recent attacks against innocent people in houses of worship include the April 21 coordinated terrorist attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka that killed more than 250 people and injured more than 500 people and the March 15 deadly New Zealand mosque shootings, where 50 people were killed.

“Everyone should be able to pray in peace, yet our religious institutions have been targeted by individuals bent on destroying everything that makes this country great. Religious institutions are pillars of our communities and beacons for unity and peace—and Congress has an obligation to help ensure their safety. This grant program provides critical support for our synagogues, mosques, churches and nonprofits that have unfortunately seen horrible hate, violence, and threats of terrorism,” said Rose.


Maimonides To Honor Patients at National Cancer Survivors Day Celebration

Maimonides Medical Center will honor cancer survivors and patients on Wednesday, in recognition of National Cancer Survivors Day.

The event will celebrate the milestones achieved by survivors and patients, as well as acknowledge the family members, friends and healthcare professionals who have supported them along the way.

Welcoming remarks will be given by Maimonides President & CEO Kenneth Gibbs and Dr. Patrick Borgen, Chair of the Department of Surgery and Director of the Maimonides Breast Center. Highlights of the celebration will include a live band comprised of Maimonides physicians, and a special awards presentation recognizing “Maimonides Adult and Pediatric Cancer Survivors of the Year.”