Malliotakis Supports Making Water Attacks On Police A Felony
Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-Bay Ridge, Staten Island) joined fellow Republican State Assemblymembers Mike LiPetri, Michael Reilly and Michael Montesano yesterday to call for making the crime of throwing water or liquids at a police officer a Class E felony.
The lawmaker’s support of the proposed measure as several New York City Police Officers (NYPD) have been doused with water recently while performing their duties on the streets to serve and protect the people.
“I’m here today with my colleagues from the state legislature and our friends from law enforcement for one reason and one reason alone— to stand-up for the men and women of the NYPD and all law enforcement in our city and state,” said Malliotakis, a ranking member of the Committee on Governmental Employees.
“The recent spate of incidents where water was thrown on members of the NYPD must stop. While it may seem like a joke to some, it is, in fact, a dangerous practice that shows lack of respect for law enforcement and places them in a potentially precarious situation. Thankfully, it has only been water so far. But one of these days it could easily be bleach, acid or gasoline. That’s why I’m proud to support legislation that criminalizes the throwing of any liquid on police officers throughout New York state,” she added.
Carroll Says No To National Grid Rate Increase
Assemblymember Robert Carroll (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington) yesterday submitted testimony to the state Public Service Commission (PSC) opposing utility company National Grid’s request for a rate increase.
National Grid filed a request with the PSC for a 13.9% increase in natural gas delivery rates last April.
“What that means to the people I represent is at least $13.33 more a month on their gas bill. National Grid’s rates are already among the highest in New York State and the nation. Many of the people I represent are currently struggling to pay their utility bill and if the Public Service Commission approves the company’s request, my constituents will have even greater difficulty paying their bills. I urge the commission to reject the company’s request for a rate increase,” Carroll said.
The call for the increase comes as National Grid is imposing a gas moratorium in Brooklyn and refusing to provide any new gas connections. The moratorium comes following the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) rejection earlier this year of a proposal from National Grid to build a 37-mile pipeline that would stretch from Pennsylvania to New York City.
According to National Grid, the pipeline has become an urgent need, as the economy in New York City is booming, and their current pipeline is at capacity.
KCP will have a related story on this issue later today.
Espinal, Johnson To Address Food Equality In New York City
City Councilmember Rafael Espinal Jr. (D-Bushwick, East New York, Cypress Hills) and Council Speaker Corey Johnson (D-Manhattan) today will unveil a new vision for food equity in New York City.
The lawmakers will also release a comprehensive City Council report, “Growing Food Equity in NYC,” which will highlight challenges related to hunger, access to nutritious food, and food waste, as well as discuss recommendations for ensuring equitable access to healthy food across the five boroughs.
The report release and vision for food equity is slated for 12 noon, today, Aug. 1 at the Cypress Hills Community School at P.S. 89, 265 Warwick Street in Cypress Hills.
Deutsch Hosts Free Rain Barrel Giveaway
City Councilman Chaim Deutsch (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach, Homecrest, Midwood) is hosting a free rain barrel giveaway
Rain barrels connect directly to your property’s gutter or downspout to capture and store the rainwater that falls on your rooftop. You can use the stored rainwater for outdoor chores, like gardening or washing your car, said Deutsch in announcing the event.
Deutsch noted the use of a rain barrel can save constituents money as outdoor chores can account for up to 40 percent of an average household’s water use during the summer. In New York City, rain barrels also help to reduce the amount of combined sewer overflows that enter the City’s sewer system, which protects the health of local waterways.
The rain barrel give away is slated for 10 a.m. -12 noon, this Sunday, Aug. 4 at Madison High School on the Avenue P and Bedford Avenue side in Madison-Marine. Reservations must be made with Deutsch’s office to get a rain barrel.
Gillibrand Introduces Infrastructure Investment Legislation
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and U.S. Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA-37), chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), yesterday announced new legislation to make bold reforms to federal infrastructure programs that would help create family-supporting jobs rebuilding the country while working to right the wrongs of decades of disinvestment and exclusionary federal policies that have cut off communities of color and marginalized populations from opportunity in urban and rural areas alike.
The Build Local, Hire Local Act would ensure that federal infrastructure investments put low-income communities first and prioritize local workers and disadvantaged businesses.
This measure would help create a comprehensive set of reforms to raise wages and labor standards, strengthen unions, invest in American manufacturing, create new opportunity for Americans who are struggling to get high-quality jobs, and strengthen communities that have been hurt by crumbling infrastructure and failed federal policies.
These reforms would be applied to the nation’s estimated $100 billion in annual infrastructure spending across a series of industries.
“Too much of our nation’s infrastructure is in disrepair, and we urgently need to get to work rebuilding it,” said Gillibrand. “But when we do, we also need to make sure we’re not repeating our government’s mistakes from last century and building barriers between marginalized communities and everyone else. That’s why I’m incredibly proud to introduce the Build Local, Hire Local Act with Congresswoman Bass. Our groundbreaking new bill would make sure that when we get to work on rebuilding our nation’s highways and other infrastructure, we are building up and repairing all of our communities – including the marginalized ones that got passed over the last time we were supposed to do the job.”
Cornegy Presents 11th Annual Breastfeeding Walk
City Council Member Robert E. Cornegy Jr. (D-Bedford-Stuyvesant, Northern Crown Heights) and the Bedford Stuyvesant Family Health Center tomorrow will hold the 11th Annual Breastfeeding Walk.
The event seeks to empower parents and enable breastfeeding. Water and fruit cups will be provided, and parents with small children are encouraged to bring strollers or baby carriers.
World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from August 1 to 7, to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world.
The event will kick off registration is slated for 10 a.m., tomorrow Aug. 2 at Bed-Stuy’s Restoration Plaza, 1360 Fulton Street in Bed-Stuy.
