Ortiz Renews Push to Lower Blood Alcohol Level In the State
Assistant Assembly Speaker Félix W. Ortiz (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) and State Sen. John Liu (D-Queens) joined advocates yesterday in support of legislation that will lower the legal limit of blood-alcohol content (BAC) in New York State from .08 to .05.
Joining Ortiz and Liu today were William Aikens, Vice President of RID (Remove Intoxicated Drivers), Thomas Louizou former NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) Regional Administrator and Sandy Lapalante, a victim who was badly injured in a DWI crash.
“This legislation is critically important to save lives in New York State,” said Ortiz. “This is a matter of public safety and we must take steps to ensure our loved ones make it home safely.”
More than 100 countries have already enacted .05 or lower BAC levels and Utah was the first state in the nation to enact a statewide law. Dozens of other states have similar proposals pending.
Ortiz said the bill is gaining support in both the Senate and Assembly and both Ortiz and Liu feel optimistic that this can be enacted into law this year.
“Drinking and driving do not belong together,” Ortiz added. “New York State should lead the way in making .05 a reality this year. There is no time to waste.“
The legislation is currently pending in committee in both the Assembly and the Senate.
Frontus Bill Targets Sexual Harassment on College Campuses
Assemblymember Mathylde Frontus (D-Coney Island, Bay Ridge, Brighton Beach, Gravesend) yesterday introduced legislation that for the first time would require New York colleges to develop policies to protect students from sexual harassment.
The measure will close a loophole in the state’s “Enough is Enough” law to require all public and private colleges and universities in New York to develop sexual harassment prevention and response policies, and include sexual harassment among the offenses that violate student codes of conduct.
A separate bill would extend the time schools could include a notation on the transcripts of students suspended or expelled for sexual violence, from one year to two years.
“Students who are sexually harassed face their tormentors on campus again and again, but the problem remains underreported and unaddressed far too often,” Frontus said. “A hostile campus culture denies students access to a safe and secure educational environment.”
Frontus, a professor of social work who has taught at Columbia University and New York University, said that campus sexual harassment can create a hostile environment that prevents victims from pursuing their education. Frontus said a constituent who was sexually harassed by a fellow student on a New York City campus alerted her to the gap in the law.
Wright’s Newsletter Lauds Simmons, Announces Events
Assemblymember Tremaine Wright (D-Bedford-Stuyvesant, Northern Crown Heights) in her weekly emailed newsletter congratulated Esmeralda Simmons, the Founding Executive Director of the Center for Law and Social Justice at Medgar Evers College (CUNY) on her retirement.
Simmons has been a tireless activist and attorney for the past 34 years. She is a well-respected voice within governmental, academic, civil/human rights and legal circles throughout the State of New York and beyond. Click here to read the article on Esmeralda Simmons’ retirement in Our Time Press.
Wright also announced the following:
Workforce 1 Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Programs at 1 p.m., every Thursday at the East New York Workforce1 Career Center. 2619 Atlantic Avenue in East New York. The program provides individuals a unique pathway to union career opportunities in the construction trades.
Catering Business Pathways: Are you a NYCHA public housing resident or a NYCHA Section 8 holder, and have a catering business? This program is for you! There is an information session happening from 6-8 p.m., today Jan. 30 at the Stuyvesant Gardens Community Center, 214 Stuyvesant Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant. RSVP at OpportunityNycha.org/Food or call 718-289-8100 for more information.
No-Cost Breast Cancer Screening Program: The American-Italian Cancer Foundation’s (AICF) Mobile, No-Cost Breast Cancer Screening Program which provides mammograms and clinical breast exams to uninsured and medically underserved New York City women, is scheduled to conduct screenings in your neighborhood. The next community no-cost Breast Cancer Screening is occurring at:
- Saturday, February 1st at The Refuge Temple Apostolic Church. 679 Remsen Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11236
- Saturday, February 1st at The Temple of Restoration – Helping Hands Ministry. 490 Pacific Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Eligibility:
– Women age 40 – 79
– Currently living in New York City
– No Mammogram in the past 12 months
Services are at no-cost. No co-pays required and deductibles are waived. Uninsured patients also welcomed. For an Appointment, Call: 718-495-3414 or 1-877-628-9090.
Cornegy Cross-Promotes Public Libraries & IDNYC Program
City Council Member Robert E. Cornegy, Jr. (D-Bedford-Stuyvesant, Northern Crown Heights) tomorrow will join the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and the Macon Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library system to cross-promote the renewal of the IDNYC Program and patronage of Public Libraries.
The event comes as January 2020 marks the first group of IDNYC cards set to expire and the city is promoting the renewal process. Cornegy, alongside the Brooklyn Public Library President Linda Johnson will demonstrate how to quickly renew NYCIDs on site.
The event is slated for 12 noon, tomorrow, Jan. 31 at the Macon Public Library, 361 Lewis Ave at the corner of Macon Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
Cuomo Says His Budget Markes Greatest Increase For Homeless Services
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo yesterday announced the FY 2021 Executive Budget includes the greatest funding in state history to combat homelessness and expand access to affordable housing and supportive services.
The Budget doubles funding from $64 million to $128 million for the Homeless Housing Assistance Program, which will create more housing for individuals and families who are homeless and unable to secure adequate housing without assistance.
The Budget also invests $5 million to expand permanent supportive housing for homeless veterans and supports the continued implementation of Code Blue efforts across the State with a $13 million stand-alone appropriation.
“Homelessness is a growing problem in some parts of our state, and right now we are seeing too many New Yorkers living and sleeping on the street,” said Cuomo.
“The homeless issue has been studied, debated, litigated, and addressed for 40 years. We know what works and we know what doesn’t work from experience, and we know that there are only two factors for a solution: commitment of resources and competence of administration. This significant investment – the largest amount of funding in the history of the State of New York – will expand access to quality, affordable housing and supportive services for our most vulnerable men, women and children and create a stronger, more prosperous New York for all,” he added.
Clarke to Host Small Business Town Hall
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) today will host a district town hall to highlight the impact of small businesses and to share beneficial resources with constituents.
Clarke, a strong advocate of promoting entrepreneurship and small businesses, will host community groups and industry leaders to educate constituents about the tools necessary for a successful business.
The town hall will wrap up with constituent Q&A.
The Town Hall is slated for 6-8 p.m., today, January 30 at Medgar Evers College; 1650 Bedford Avenue in Crown Heights.
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce FEMA Grant Program Webinars
U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) yesterday announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Grant Programs Directorate, in partnership with the DHS Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives, is hosting nine webinars on the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) over the next couple of months for faith-based, community, and nonprofit partners.
The webinars will include an overview of the NSGP, information on grant program eligibility and allowable costs, and a moderated question and answer session.
To supplement the webinars, Senators Schumer and Gillibrand called on FEMA and NYS DHSES to host a public, in-person forum in Brooklyn for NSGP applicants in the community. The NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) works on behalf of FEMA and DHS to solicit, review, and score federal NSGP applications from New York State, including New York City applications.
“New York City community members, in Brooklyn and everywhere, should not feel vulnerable while gathering in their houses of worship, while dropping their kids off at school, or while heading to the local JCC or any other faith-based community center. Sadly, after hearing from communities in Brooklyn, and around the city, the fact of the matter is that many feel unsafe,” said Schumer. “That is why I am pushing to increase the resources we dedicate to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, and why I am urging FEMA and NYS DHSES to work directly with local applicants in a public forum hosted in Brooklyn. We must confront this rise in anti-Semitism and other hate crimes head-on.”
“In the last few years, we have witnessed far too many attacks on Jewish and religious communities in New York City and across our state. Few things are more heinous than attacking people for their religious beliefs, traditions and culture,” said Gillibrand. “From conversations with religious leaders and communities, it’s clear there is more work to be done to prevent anti-Semitic violence and other hateful activity, and to ensure that all New Yorkers can worship and live in peace.
Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) Webinars for Nonprofit Partners:
| Date | Time (ET) | Webinar Title and Link | Call-in Line | Call Code |
| January 30 | 2:00 PM | FEMA 101: Overview of the DHS Center & FEMA | No call-in line; webinar audio only. | N/A |
| February 4 | 2:30 PM | Nonprofit Security Grant Program Overview | 1-866-454-4207 | 368026# |
| February 12 | 2:30 PM | Nonprofit Security Grant Program Overview | 1-866-454-4208 | 368026# |
| February 20 | 2:00 PM | Protecting Your Organization: The FY 2020 Nonprofit Security Grant Program, and other Resources to Help Keep Your Facility Safe | No call-in line; webinar audio only. | N/A |
| February 26 | 2:30 PM | Nonprofit Security Grant Program Overview | 1-877-446-3914 | 289309# |
| March 5 | 2:30 PM | Nonprofit Security Grant Program Overview | 1-877-446-3915 | 289309# |
| March 12 | 2:30 PM | Nonprofit Security Grant Program Overview | 1-877-446-3916 | 289309# |
| March 19 | 2:30 PM | Nonprofit Security Grant Program Overview | 1-877-446-3917 | 289309# |
| March 26 | 2:30 PM | Nonprofit Security Grant Program Overview | 1-877-446-3918 | 289309# |
AG James Fights to Protect Children in Civil Immigration Detention
New York Attorney General Letitia James, as part of a coalition of 20 attorneys general, yesterday fought to defend the rights of immigrant children held in civil detention centers around the country by the Trump Administration.
The coalition filed an amicus brief in support of the children who are plaintiffs in Flores v. Barr — a case involving the Trump Administration’s attempts to terminate the Flores Settlement Agreement, which has governed the treatment of children in immigration custody since 1997.
In the amicus brief, the coalition urges the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to uphold an earlier permanent injunction issued by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, preventing the federal government from keeping children in prolonged and unnecessary detention.
“The Trump Administration’s illegal and immoral efforts to lock children in cages is a shameful and appalling action that should strike a nerve with every person in this country,” said James. “All of us, regardless of national origin, deserve to be treated with basic dignity, but the president continues to use immigrants, including young children, as political pawns in his twisted game of chess. Regardless of one’s nation of origin, all people deserve to be treated with decency, which is why our coalition will continue our fight to stop the Trump Administration’s cruel, inhumane, and xenophobic actions.”
