Assemblywoman Malliotakis Slams Bail Reform
Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) joined with former Assistant District Attorney Michael Tannousis at a Tuesday morning news conference in front of the NYPD’s 68th Precinct in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, to highlight the recent uptick in crime and speak-out against the new the Criminal Justice and Bail Reform laws that are set to take effect on New Year’s Day.
During the news conference, Malliotakis slammed bail reform as “a naïve and dangerous experiment that undercuts our criminal justice system and favors the criminal class over New York’s law-abiding citizens.”
Malliotakis said, “This past weekend, while most New Yorkers slept, vandals slashed tires and keyed over 30 cars parked along a stretch of Shore Road in Bay Ridge. This is just the latest in a rash of at least 35 similar incidents that have occurred on the streets of Bay Ridge over the past month and along with other crimes is a local example of a trend we are seeing in neighborhoods across our city.”
“Earlier this year the Democrats in the state legislature passed and Governor Cuomo signed into law a wide range of so-called criminal justice reforms that take effect New Year’s Day and will drastically change how law enforcement deals with criminals in our city and state,” she continued.
“Perhaps most concerning is bail reform; a naïve and dangerous experiment that undercuts our criminal justice system and favors the criminal class over New York’s law-abiding citizens. After bail reform takes effect, 90% of those arrested will be returned to the streets hours later, without any bail required and nothing more than a date to appear in court. This includes individuals with extensive criminal records and those charged with criminally negligent homicide, drug dealing, stalking, strangulation, assault, and many more equally heinous acts,” Malliotakis concluded. “Any person with an ounce of common sense will tell you that this is a recipe for lawlessness and violence on the streets of our city which we simply can’t allow.”
Sen. Myrie Hosts Holiday Toy Drive
New York State Senator Zellnor Y. Myrie (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Gowanus, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, South Slope, Sunset Park) is hosting a holiday toy drive for Brooklyners in need. They are accepting unused, unwrapped gifts at the district office through December 18 for our toy giveaway at Full Gospel Assembly on December 21st. Donated toys will go to families in need this holiday season.
Drop off toys now through Dec. 18 at Myrie’s district office located at 1077 Nostrand Ave, Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
De Blasio Signs Landmark Legislation to Reform Commercial Waste Collection Industry
Mayor Bill de Blasio today signed legislation that will radically overhaul the city’s commercial waste program, bringing much-needed reform to an industry known for dangerous, unhealthy and unsustainable conditions. Intro 1574-A, sponsored by Council Member Antonio Reynoso (D-Williamsburg, Bushwick, Ridgewood), Chair of the Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management, will create a safe and efficient commercial waste collection system that will advance the City’s Green New Deal and zero waste goals while providing high-quality, low-cost service to New York City businesses.
The Mayor signed the Commercial Waste Zones legislation and several other pieces of legislation overseeing the Trade Waste Industry at an event at El Puente in Williamsburg.
“Today’s bill signing doesn’t just mark a new day for commercial waste hauling,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “It’s a new day for New York’s Green New Deal, showing that we can create good-paying jobs while drastically reducing pollution and emissions. It’s a new day for working people – many of whom are immigrants chasing the American dream – ending the race to the bottom that has led to low labor standards and poor wages. It’s a new day for safety on our streets, whether you’re on the truck or biking next to it. And it’s a new day for New York City.”
While the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) collects trash and recycling from residents, more than 90 different private
carters have crisscrossed the city each night for decades to service the city’s 100,000 commercial businesses, driving long, overlapping and unsafe routes.
“Today’s bill signing marks the beginning of a new era in the private carting industry,” said Council Member Reynoso. “Under a commercial waste zones system, vehicle miles traveled will be drastically reduced, companies will be required to provide training to workers, and haulers will be incentivized to make critical investments in modern recycling, composting, and transfer station infrastructure. The transformation of this industry will have life-changing impacts for workers, community members, and our environment. I am grateful for Speaker Corey Johnson, my Council Colleagues, and the advocates who were instrumental in the passage of this bill and want to thank Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Garcia for their dedication in implementing this vision.”
The current system has created public health hazards and a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, creating a race to the bottom of poor labor standards, or creating public safety risks for cyclists, pedestrians, and workers alike. Since 2010, 28 New Yorkers have been killed by private carters.
“You couldn’t design a system worse than the one we have now, with overlapping and inefficient truck routes that cause unnecessary emissions, noise, traffic, and safety hazards on our local streets that have injured workers and cost lives,” said Council Member Brad Lander (D-Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Columbia Waterfront, Gowanus, Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Borough Park, Kensington). “Creating a zoned system to limit the number of private sanitation companies operating in an area will make streets safer for pedestrians, improve working conditions for sanitation workers, and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. Congratulations to Council Member Reynoso, and the many sanitation workers, environmental justice and safe streets advocates who have worked hard for many years to make a commercial waste zone system a reality, and thank you to Mayor de Blasio for signing it into law.”
Rose, Delgado Introduce Legislation to Ban Political Contributions from Opioid Manufacturers
Congressman Max Rose (D-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) joined fellow New York Congressman Antonio Delgado (D-Upstate NY) today in introducing legislation to halt political contributions from opioid manufacturers. The Save Lives Act would prohibit donations from corporate political action committees (PACs) of pharmaceutical companies that manufacture opioids.
“After poisoning our children and killing our loved ones, opioid manufacturers should not be able to flood Washington with corporate PAC money to buy protection from prosecution,” Rose said. “We must end the corruption and work to bring justice to those impacted by their reckless and dangerous actions.”
The Save Lives Act would prohibit drug manufacturers’ corporate PACs from supporting federal candidates. Last week, Rose was joined by Delgado in introducing legislation banning all corporate PACs, limiting the influence of corporate special interests in politics. In the 2018 election cycle, 1,732 corporate PACs gave more than $400 million to federal campaigns—more than any other type of PAC—including contributing more than $185 million directly to candidates.
Farah Louis Hosts Holiday Drive for Homeless Children
New York City Council Member Farah Louis (D-East Flatbush, Flatbush, Flatlands, Marine Park, and Midwood) is hosting a holiday toy drive.
