MANH Lawmakers on the Move, Oct. 16, 2019

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Stringer Explains the “Rooney Rule” on Yahoo Finance News

NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer
NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer

New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer (D) appeared on Yahoo Finance News on Monday to explain the NFL’s “Rooney rule” and why he’s been pushing other companies to adopt it.

The Rooney rule is an NFL policy that requires teams to interview minority applicants for coaching jobs and other high level positions. Stringer has written letters to over 50 S&P 500 companies urging them to adopt the same rule.

“What we want to do is say to firms, ‘Look, interview someone of color; interview a woman,'” said Stringer. “When you do that, the floodgate opens. You actually increase the chances that you will have a woman CEO, more people [of color] on the corporate board. And why do we want this? Well, one, it’s a big civil rights issue. We want diversity.

“Second, studies have shown time and time again that when you have more diverse boards, you actually have stronger companies.”


Velázquez Recognizes National Latino AIDS Awareness Day

Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez
Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez

Representative Nydia Velázquez (D-LES, Brooklyn, Queens) released a tweet yesterday in recognition of National Latino AIDS Awareness Day.

The day is observed on Oct. 15, the last day of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Its purpose is to spread awareness about the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among America’s Latino population, and break the stigma of having the affliction.

“Today is National AIDS Latino Awareness Day where we are raising awareness and breaking stigmas,” Velázquez said in a tweet. “By adapting culturally appropriate messages, we can promote HIV testing and prevention in our communities because no group should disproportionately lack care.”


Johnson to Host Fire Preparedness and Prevention Workshop

Council Member Corey Johnson
Council Member Corey Johnson (Credit: Jeff Reed)

Council Speaker Corey Johnson (D-Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen) will be hosting a fire safety workshop tomorrow.

The event, a collaborative effort between Johnson’s office and the New York City Fire Department, will educate attendees on one of the deadliest preventable disasters – residential fires. The event was organized in recognition of October’s status as National Fire Prevention Month.

The workshop will take place tomorrow from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the New York City Fire Museum, 278 Spring St.