Louis Speaks Out Against Publis Charge Policy
City Council Member Farah Louis (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Marine Park, Flatlands, Kensington) yesterday spoke out against the Trump administration proposed changes to the public charge rule that would drastically reduce the number of immigrants who could obtain green cards.
“As the daughter of Haitian immigrants who now proudly represents a primarily immigrant district in the New York City Council, I am outraged that immigrants remain under the scope of the Trump Administration,” said Louis.
“Immigrants are not a threat to American society or our way of life; they are hard-working individuals whose sole priority is to achieve the American Dream. Known worldwide as the land of opportunity, this right has become a privilege for a select few. The systemic xenophobia and racial discrimination from the Trump Administration has villainized immigrants who now live in fear within the shadows of our community.
“The proposed public rule change will disenfranchise thousands of immigrants, exacerbate homelessness and poverty, while forcing many families to go hungry or forego medical treatment to gain lawful status. These impossible choices are only indicative of the cruelty of this policy and the burden that it unfairly places on immigrants who are already struggling to survive.
“The 45th Council District, like many communities throughout the City of New York, is heavily comprised of immigrants who have made incredible sacrifices to rebuild their lives in a foreign land. No one should be penalized for their reliance on public assistance, particularly when their national origin is used to bar them from opportunities for advancement. I urge lawmakers to expand rather than restrict the path towards citizenship for the millions unheard and unseen.”
Treyger Proposes Swimming & Beach Safety Legislation
City Council Member Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Gravesend) today will introduce legislation that will see the city beaches clearly have markings in the water separating swimming areas from boating areas.
The legislation comes following several accidents and near-accidents between swimmers and boaters. The measure will allow for explicit markings on buoys, signs and floating lines designating where the swimming areas and boating areas are located to prevent water rafts from encroaching on the swimming area.
Treyger will present his proposal at 1:30 p.m. during the City Council’s stated meeting at City Hall in Lower Manhattan.
PA Williams Proposes Youth Employment Legislation
Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams (D) today will join a broad coalition of youth advocacy groups and elected officials at a rally to announce the introduction of legislation that would create a Youth Employment Education Program for all school-age New York City residents.
The plan would expand the city’s Summer Youth Employment Program, which allows youth to engage in paid entry-level jobs and employment skilled training, into a parallel program that provides these services to all youth, regardless of immigration status.
As the Trump administration has sought to restrict opportunity for immigrant communities, including with its new public charge rule this week, immigrant rights groups and youth advocacy organizations will come together to support this proposed program that expands the opportunity for all.
Williams will unveil the proposed legislation at 9 a.m., today, Aug. 14 on the steps of city hall in Lower Manhattan.
Bichotte Promotes The Child Victim’s Act
Assemblymember Rodnyese Bichotte (D-Flatbush, Ditmas Park) yesterday joined Safe Horizon and other survivors of child sex abuse to speak about the rights of child sex abused victims now having the opportunity to seek justice with a lookback period of one year for those 23 years of age and older.
The Child Victims Act was signed into law on February 14, 2019. This law extends the statute of limitations of which criminal claims (age 25 for misdemeanor & age 28 for felonies); and civil claims (age 55) can be filed allowing more time for the victims of such abuse to emotionally process their experience before coming forward.
“At such a tender age, a child is terrified and not sure what they are supposed to do,” said Bichotte. “As a victim of child sex abuse at the age of 10, I remained silent because I was afraid that no one would believe me.”
Adults who were subjected to child sexual abuse but were faced with an expired statute of limitation, now have an opportunity to seek retribution. The Child Victims Act, through the “One-Year Look Back Window” allows for adult survivors to file a claim within a period of one-year, regardless of how long it has been since the time of their abuse. Yesterday marked the eve of this look back period.
Survivors will have between August 14, 2019 and August 13, 2020 to file a claim if they choose to do so. Survivors should know that they now have a choice, whether or not they wish to pursue civil charges against their abusers.
Rose Fights For Continued Opioid Prevention Funding
U.S. Rep. Max Rose (D-South Brooklyn, Staten Island), amid reports that continued funding for opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery programs is in limbo for the next fiscal year, yesterday led an effort urging the Administration to make clear that funding will continue as intended.
“We’ve made progress, thanks in huge part to those on the front lines who have been doing incredible work to help those battling the disease of addiction,” Rose said. “Now is the time to double down, not waiver, and all it will take is for the Administration to make a clear statement saying they will continue this funding as planned.”
In a letter to President Trump, Rose and a dozen members of Congress wrote, “Two years ago, Congress took comprehensive and bipartisan action to provide states with the resources to fight the epidemic head-on. These resources have been and continue to be an important tool in our fight against the crisis, but unfortunately, they risk expiring without further appropriations. We write to ask you to partner with us and commit to ensuring the continued funding of these vital programs. We are concerned that neither you nor senior officials in your administration have commented publicly about extending the funding beyond the FY 2020 appropriations cycle.”
Lentol Presents Legislative Session Recap
Assemblyman Joseph Lentol (D-Greenpoint, Williamsburg) and tomorrow will host a town hall to recap the 2019 New York State Legislative Session.
Come hear about the groundbreaking bills passed this year and learn about the goals for next year’s legislative session. There will also be a question and answer period. Northern Brooklyn State Senators Julia Salazar and Brian Kavanagh will co-host the event.
The event is slated for 6-8 p.m., tomorrow, Aug. 15 at the Bushwick Inlet Park Community Room, 86 Kent Avenue in Williamsburg.
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce $7M in Fed Head Start Funding
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) yesterday announced $7,026,839 in federal funding for Head Start and Early Head Start Programs at Project Social Care Head Start, Inc., in Brooklyn.
The funding through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Head Start and Early Head Start Programs will go toward supporting childcare and support services for low-income families.
“Study after study shows that the better we prepare our young children, through programs like Head Start and Early Head Start, the better they perform in school later in life,” said Schumer. “This federal funding for Project Social Care Head Start, Inc. will bring real results to young students in Brooklyn by providing them with the resources they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom. I am proud to support this essential funding and I will continue to fight to see that early childhood education remains a priority.”
“The Head Start and Early Head Start Programs give children opportunities to reach their full potential by making high-quality early childhood education and care more accessible,” said Gillibrand. “This federal funding will support Project Social Care Head Start, Inc. as it works to provide young children with the tools they need to get a strong start in life. I will continue fighting in the Senate for the resources that help prepare our children for success.”
Head Start and Early Head Start provide comprehensive child development programs for low-income children from birth to age five. The comprehensive services these programs offer include early education, health screenings, social and emotional health, nutrition, social services, and services for children with disabilities.
Eugene Hosts Free M/WBE Certification Workshop
City Council Member Mathieu Eugene (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Prospect Lefferts Gardens) tomorrow will host a Small Business Workshop to help Minority & Women Business Enterprises (M/WBE) business owners apply for M/WBE Certification and access Contract Financing.
The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce will co-host the event.
The event is slated for between 6-8 p.m., tomorrow, Aug. 15 at Eugene’s district office, 900 Rogers Avenue in East Flatbush.
