Carroll Bill To Take Dangerous Drivers Off Road Passes Assembly & Senate
Assemblymember Robert Carroll (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington, Ditmas Park)) yesterday announced that the Assembly has passed his legislation to require the commissioner of Motor Vehicles to suspend the license of a driver who the Department has received evidence of loss of consciousness, (A.4751-A, Carroll).
On March 5, 2018 in Park Slope Brooklyn, an individual who was operating a motor vehicle was reported to have suffered a seizure while stopped at a red light, losing consciousness and striking two adults and two children, killing both children. Additionally, it was reported that previous to the March crash, the driver had a medical episode while driving which caused her to lose consciousness and control of her vehicle and strike a parked car.
Under current law, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles can compel a person holding a New York State driver’s license to submit to a reexamination of their fitness to drive a motor vehicle if that person was involved in three reportable crashes within a period of 18 months, or if the Commissioner has reasonable grounds to believe that a person holding a New York driver’s license is not qualified to drive.
This bill will require the Commissioner of DMV to suspend or deny the license of any individual who upon receipt of a driver’s license application, or upon a scheduled review of evidence confirmed by a DMV hearing or investigation a licensee experienced a loss of consciousness, or upon DMV not receiving an acceptable medical statement, or if DMV’s medical consultant finds grounds to disagree with a medical statement.
On Tuesday, the bill also passed the Senate where it is sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend), (S.5225-A).
“Had this legislation been in place prior to this crash in Park Slope, the driver’s license would have been suspended and she may not have been behind the wheel that day. This bill is a significant step toward addressing factors relating to drivers losing consciousness, awareness or control due to chronic, ongoing conditions,” said Carroll.
“Traffic violence is an epidemic and we have a responsibility to do all we can to stop preventable collisions. This bill will keep drivers who might hit pedestrians, cyclists or other drivers off the road and will prevent injuries and fatalities. As traffic collisions are on the rise in my district, I am committed to addressing the problem. Every person deserves to feel safe on our streets,” said Gounardes.
Velazquez Announces $2.3 M For Brooklyn Head Start Program
Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-Brooklyn, LES, Queens) yesterday announced that early education centers within New York’s 7th Congressional District and specifically Brooklyn have received federal grants to continue their Head Start programs.
Located in northeast Brooklyn, Cypress Hills Child Care Corporation has provided early care and education for local families since 1990. The child care center has also provided support services for low-income families and entrepreneurship opportunities for women. HHS has awarded Cypress Hills Child Care Corporation with $1,170,087 in federal funds to continue their Head Start program.
Located near Brooklyn Heights, Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services, Inc. has provided children, youth, adult and senior programs and services since 1945. HHS has awarded Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services, Inc. with $1,121,001 in federal funds to continue their Early Head Start program.
“The value of Head Start programs are well documented, and I am proud to announce that these Brooklyn-based centers will receive federal funding to continue educating our youngest New Yorkers,” said Velázquez. “Early educational intervention is a proven strategy to foster positive educational outcomes for children.”
“These two centers, in particular, provide services to our low-income families and are vital anchors to our Brooklyn community. I am proud to see these organizations receive federal funding to foster stability and create entrepreneurship opportunities,” added Velázquez.
Gounardes Applauds Passage of Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act (CLCPA)
State Senator Andrew Gounardes (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend) yesterday applauded passage of a landmark climate legislation.
The bill which passed on Tuesday, was originally known as New York’s Climate and Community Protection Act (CCPA), was first introduced four years ago. The measure sets the state on track to cut out 85 percent of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 while allowing the remaining 15 percent of planet-heating gases to be captured or offset. It also mandates that at least 35 percent of the state’s clean energy funds are spent in “disadvantaged” communities throughout the state. However, the passage of the bill came with some carveouts including requiring the state to eliminate 100 percent of greenhouse gas emissions.
The legislation also calls for the just transition to a renewable energy economy, good jobs for many tens of thousands of New Yorkers, and investment in communities at the front lines of climate change and pollution.
“Those of us representing coastal communities know firsthand how essential it is that we act immediately on climate. I am proud that New York is showing leadership by passing the most ambitious climate bill of any state in the country. Today, we move aggressively to be part of the global solution to prevent more extreme and devastating weather events like Superstorm Sandy,” said Gounardes.
“The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says that we need to rapidly make changes at an unprecedented scale in order to meet this historic challenge. In passing the CLCPA, New York has declared itself invested in meeting that challenge,” added Gounardes.
Frontus Bill Helping Disaster Victims Passes Assembly
Assemblymember Mathylde Frontus (D-Coney Island, Bay Ridge, Gravesend) announced yesterday the Assembly passage of legislation she sponsored to ensure claims for disaster assistance are carried out in an orderly and timely fashion (A.7926).
“Superstorm Sandy tore through our neighborhoods and left a path of destruction in its wake,” Frontus said. “Years later, many families impacted by Sandy are still struggling to recover. As one of the costliest storms in U.S. history, my legislation would help ensure that victims get the support they need to rebuild and recover.”
Frontus’ legislation would extend a 2015 law that required state officials to produce quarterly reports and deliver them to the state Legislature detailing the status of disaster relief claims made in the wake of Superstorm Sandy (Ch. 413 of 2015).
Set to expire on Dec. 2 of this year, Frontus’ bill would extend the requirement until Dec. 2, 2023.
The original law was passed in response to numerous complaints from New Yorkers seeking assistance through the NY Rising Community Reconstruction Program, which was established to help communities devastated by Hurricane Irene, Superstorm Sandy and Tropical Storm Lee.
This legislation will hold the program accountable so New Yorkers aren’t forced to jump through hoops or wait for ages to get relief, Frontus noted.
Rose To Hold 9/11 VCF Town Hall
Congressman Max Rose (D-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) announced he will hold a 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund (VCF) Town Hall next month.
The meeting will give local residents and first responders, their families, and all those who were impacted by their time at Ground Zero the tools and resources to get compensation for their heroic acts.
The event will also give attendees a chance to hear from speakers from the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and the World Trade Center Health Program.
The event is slated for 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 2, at Bernikow / Mid-Island Jewish Community Center, 1466 Manor Road in Staten Island.
