Kallos, Brewer, Reyes Appear on Represent NYC
Tonight, Council Member Ben Kallos (D-Yorkville, Lenox Hill), Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer (D) and Assembly Member Karines Reyes (D-Bronx) will be guests on tonight’s episode of Represent NYC.
Represent NYC is a weekly program on the Manhattan News Network that gives lawmakers the opportunity to update voters on key issues affecting the future of the City. This episode will have them discuss accessibility and the MTA’s attempts to reform the subway system.
The episode will be aired tonight at 9 p.m. on the Manhattan News Network.
Krueger Commends Passage of ESCO-Slamming Bill
State Senator Liz Krueger (D-Upper East Side, Lenox Hill) released a statement yesterday thanking Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) for signing her ESCO-slamming bill.
The bill prohibits gas and electricity suppliers from enrolling customers without their permission – a practice known as “slamming”. According to Krueger, the practice emerged as a byproduct of the deregulation of those utilities.
“When New York State deregulated our energy utilities and created ESCOs, the goal was to save consumers money and improve customer service,” said Krueger. “Instead, we have seen increased prices and skyrocketing frustration. ESCOs overcharged New Yorkers to the tune of over $800 million between January of 2015 and June of 2016, according to the Public Service Commission, and have been accused of widespread fraud, including ‘slamming.’ The PSC has taken some steps to crack down on bad actors, but more needs to be done. This new law will further strengthen consumer protections for all New Yorkers from unscrupulous behaviors in the retail energy market. I thank Governor Cuomo and Assemblymember Dinowitz for their efforts in advancing this important consumer protection measure.”
Stringer Calls on McDonald’s to Implement Clawback Policy
Yesterday, City Comptroller Scott Stringer (D) called on the McDonald’s Corporation Board of Directors to implement clawback provisions to hold its corporate executives accountable for misconduct.
A “clawback” is a contractual provision wherein the money or benefits paid to an employee can be returned to the employer as a penalty. Stringer’s request came days after the firing of McDonald’s CEO Steven Easterbrook for an inappropriate relationship with his subordinate.
“McDonald’s decision to insulate a powerful man from the consequences of his actions threatens to undermine the fledgling steps the company has taken to address its pervasive sexual harassment problem,” said Stringer. “The board needs to remedy this situation by demonstrating that, going forward, it will set a strong tone at the top and take its responsibility for overseeing the Company’s sexual harassment prevention efforts far more seriously.”
Velázquez Announces Multi-Million Dollar Grant for Sunset Park Health Council
Yesterday, Representative Nydia Velázquez (D-LES, Brooklyn, Queens) announced that the Sunset Park Health Council has received $6.5 million in federal funding to boost their public health program.
The Sunset Park Health Council has served the community for 40 years with comprehensive healthcare for patients of all ages. The Department of Health and Human Services has awarded it $6.5 million to continue its Health Center Cluster program.
“Providing culturally relevant health services in our community is vital to ending health disparities,” said Velázquez. “Sunset Park Health Council is a critical community anchor and I’m excited it’s receiving this significant federal investment.”
