CM Miller Committee To Hear About Nuclear Disarmament Resolution
City Council Member I. Daneek Miller (D-Cambria Heights, Hollis, Jamaica, Jamaica Estates, Laurelton, Queens Village, Springfield Gardens, St. Albans), chair of the council’s Committee on Civil Service and Labor, today will hold a hearing to air out a proposal for the council to create nuclear disarmament and nuclear-weapons-free zone advisory committee.
This advisory committee would be chaired by the Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office on International Affairs. The remaining six members of the committee would be representatives with a demonstrated knowledge or experience of nuclear policy, advocacy or activism.
The hearing will also include the council’s Committee on Governmental Operations.
The hearing is slated for 1 p.m., today Jan. 28 in the City Hall Council Chambers in Lower Manhattan.
Cuomo Issues Update On Coronavirus In New York
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo yesterday announced an update on the status of testing for the Novel Coronavirus in New York State, after the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed five cases in the United States.
“While there have been no confirmed cases in New York State, as of today our Department of Health has sent samples for nine individuals to CDC for testing; four of these samples have proven negative and five results are still pending,” said Cuomo.
“These five individuals remain in isolation as their samples are tested at CDC. While the risk for New Yorkers is currently low, we are still working to keep everyone informed, prepared and safe,” he added.
For more information on New York State’s continued response to Novel Coronavirus, see: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-states-continued-response-novel-coronavirus-three-more-individuals-are.
Dromm Lauds Open Enrollment Call For Fair Fares Program
City Councilmember Daniel Dromm (D-East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights), chair of the council’s Finance Committee, yesterday lauded the de Blasio Administration and City Council Speaker Johnson for announcing open enrollment for the City’s Fair Fares program.
Starting yesterday, all New Yorkers living at or below the federal poverty line can apply for reduced-fare MetroCards.
The game-changing Fair Fares program began in early 2019, connecting low-income New Yorkers to vital transportation assistance, beginning with certain New Yorkers receiving Cash Assistance and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
In Fall 2019, the program was expanded to select City University of New York (CUNY) students, student veterans, and New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) residents who met the program’s eligibility criteria. Altogether, in its first year, more than 107,000 New Yorkers have enrolled in the program.
“Now Fair Fares will reach an even greater number of New Yorkers in need. Fair Fares already makes bus and subway rides affordable for thousands of low-income commuters. Because of this expansion, the program will be available to thousands of additional New Yorkers who rely upon mass transit each day. Fair Fares is a top priority for Speaker Johnson and the NYC Council, for the de Blasio administration and for transportation advocates across the city. Together we are taking this vitally important effort to new heights,” said Dromm.
For more information, New Yorkers should visit www.nyc.gov/fairfares.
Jeffries Postpones State Of District Speech For Impeachment Hearings
U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-Central Brooklyn, Eastern Queens) yesterday postponed State of the District Address scheduled for Monday, February 3, given his role as a designated House Manager for the Senate Impeachment Trial of President Trump.
“Upon completion of the trial we will formally announce the date, time and location of the rescheduled event. We hope to hold the State of the District Address on Monday, February 24. Thanks for your understanding, and I look forward to seeing you soon,” Jeffries said in the emailed announcement.
Sanders Calls on Fed, State To Address Coronavirus Crises
State Sen. James Sanders Jr. (D-Rochdale Village, Far Rockaway) yesterday called on President Trump, Governor Andrew Cuomo and various federal, state and local health agencies to step up efforts to address the growing coronavirus crisis.
Sanders agrees with U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) that the federal government should declare a public health emergency.
John F. Kennedy International Airport, located in Sanders’ district, is a major entry point for travelers from China and other nations to the United States. Travelers at JFK Airport are being screened by health officials for the virus.
Last week, a coronavirus outbreak began in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. This infectious disease may result in death. The New York State Department of Health listed the following symptoms for the coronavirus: runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat, and fever.
The toll-free helpline for the New York State Department of Health is 1-866-881-2809.
