Rose’s Legislation Helping Women Veterans Moves Forward
U.S. Rep. Max Rose (D-Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island), an Army Combat veteran and member of the Women Veterans Task Force, passed legislation through the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs this week to ensure Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare facilities have the proper fixtures, materials, and staffing to provide proper care and support to an increasing population of female veterans.
Additionally, Rose passed an amendment strengthening legislation to help Gold Star families. Both pieces of legislation now head to the full House of Representatives for consideration.
“Veterans and Gold Star families have sacrificed so much in service of our country—so we need to work to make sure they have the care and support they deserve and earned,” said Rose. “It’s a testament to the strength of our military that more and more women are serving, which is why it’s critical VA facilities are equipped to properly care for this growing population of veterans.”
Nationwide, women comprise roughly 10 percent of all veterans, 15 percent of all active-duty military, and 18 percent of all National Guard and Reserve—yet women make up only 6 percent of VA health care users. Rose’s legislation, the Breaking Barriers for Women Veterans Act, would direct VA to retrofit existing medical facilities with the proper fixtures and materials to support the provision of care to women veterans.
In addition, this bill compels VA to ensure that each of their medical facilities has not fewer than one full-time or part-time women’s health primary care provider, while also appropriating $1,000,000 each fiscal year for the Women Veterans Health Care Mini-Residency Program, and ensuring that providers in the community network are equipped with training nodules specific to women veterans.
Montgomery’s Kinship Care Bill Signed into Law
State Sen. Velmanette Montgomery (D-Fort Greene, Boerum Hill, Red Hook, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Sunset Park, Gowanus, Park Slope) saw Gov. Andrew Cuomo this week sign her Kincare legislation (S6405/A8059) into law.
This measure encourages the placement of youth in foster care with relatives instead of strangers by making a much-needed amendment to the Family Court Act. It expands the definition of people who are eligible to petition the court to become foster parents, who are related to the child:
- Through blood, marriage or adoption
- Through a half-sibling of the child through blood, marriage, or adoption and the person is or are the prospective or appointed relative guardian of the half-sibling; or
- By a positive relationship with the child, including, but not limited to, a stepparent, godparent, neighbor or family friend.
“Already difficult circumstances become more challenging for children who are removed from their homes only to be placed with strangers. Whenever possible, we should try to support and strengthen existing family ties for young people caught up in the child welfare system,” said Montgomery. “I am happy the Governor signed my bill so we can make it a little bit easier for caring relatives and those invested in the child’s well being to step in and assist in these times of need.”
The legislation had support from numerous child welfare advocates and organizations across the state including The Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies, AARP, New York Children Need Amazing Parents, The Family Center, Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition, Mobilization for Justice, and Kinship Navigators, which is the state’s premier source for providing municipalities with tangible strategies to locate and unite kin who are in need of caregiver services.
Louis Takes Ubridge At Cops Excessive Force In Subway Melee
City Council Member Farah N. Louis (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Marine Park, Flatlands, Kensington), a member of the Council Committee on Youth Services, said she was greatly distressed on the police use of excessive force after viewing the video of the weekends subway melee between New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers and youths at the Jay Street-MetroTech station.
“As I watched the footage from last Saturday’s melee at the Jay St-MetroTech subway station, I was appalled and outraged by the actions of the officer towards our black youth. That use of excessive force was clearly inappropriate and further strains community-police relations. While I recognize the actions of a few officers should never reflect the entire police force, not only was this incident alarming it should have never occurred,” said Louis.
“It is unacceptable that our youth have been repeatedly subjected to such aggression by those who are charged with a duty to serve and protect them. Like anyone else, our youth deserve courtesy, professionalism, and respect from police officers. I echo the call of my colleagues to place all officers involved on modified duty pending a full investigation and held accountable for their actions,” she added.
Persaud’s Permanent Teacher Certification for Authorized Immigrants Bill Gets Signed
State Sen. Roxanne J. Persaud (D-Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, Ocean Hill, Starrett City) this week saw Gov. Andrew Cuomo sign her bill (S4448/A2100), which makes it possible for New Yorkers whose immigration status is that of a lawful permanent resident to obtain permanent certification as a teacher, pending other eligibility requirements.
Assemblymember Nick Perry (D-East Flatbush) sponsored the measure in the assembly.
“In 1979, the US Supreme Court, unfortunately, ruled that it was constitutional for states to require citizenship for those wishing to teach in public schools,” said Persaud. “The dissenting justices, including Justice Thurgood Marshall, were opposed because they believed teachers should be hired according to their quality rather than their citizenship. I wholeheartedly agree with the dissenters. New York is a state of immigrants, and a significant percentage of teachers come from this population. I applaud Assembly Member Nick Perry for his stewardship of this essential legislation and thank Governor Cuomo for signing this bill into law.”
Clarke to Host ‘Pardon My Vote’ Panel Discussion
U.S. Rep Yvette D. Clarke (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Kensington, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Midwood, Sheepshead Bay, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Prospect Lefferts Gardens) on Friday will host a panel discussion in the district focused on voting rights for the formerly incarcerated and currently paroled community in New York.
Dubbed ‘Pardon My Vote,’ the discussion is part of Clarke’s educational initiative to educate New York State residents that were formerly incarcerated and/or currently paroled on the restoration of their voting rights through a conditional voting pardon that was issued in an Executive Order by New York State Governor Cuomo in 2018.
The discussion will feature celebrity guests including actress Naturi Naughton of the STARZ Original “Power” and rapper Casanova of RocNation. This event is in collaboration with NYS Senator Kevin Parker, NYS Senator Zellnor Myrie, Assemblywoman Latrice Walker, Assemblywoman Diana Richardson, Assemblyman Walter Mosley, Councilwoman Alicka Ampry-Samuel, Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo, Councilman Mathieu Euguene, Chuck Creekmur of AllHipHop.com, activist Shanduke McPhatter of Gangstas Making Astronomical Community Change and Dr. Jasmine Young, MBA of Monroe College.
The event is slated for 1-4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 1 at the Medgar Evers College Founders Auditorium, 1650 Bedford Avenue in Crown Heights.
Frontus To Host Housing Information Workshop
Assemblymember Mathylde Frontus (D-Coney Island, Bay Ridge, Brighton Beach) is hosting a housing information workshop today to inform residents about housing construction projects that are underway on Coney Island.
The event is in partnership with Brooklyn Community Board 13. Frontus will be joined by representatives who will provide more information about the new housing units and answer any questions residents may have. All community members are welcome to attend.
The workshop is slated for between 6-8 p.m., today Oct. 30 at the P.S. 329 Auditorium, 2929 W. 30th Street in Coney Island.
