Ortiz Applauds De Blasio Nomination To MTA Board
Assistant Assembly Speaker Felix Ortiz (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) yesterday applauded Mayor Bill de Blasio’s nomination of Victor Calise for appointment to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Board.
Calise has served as the Commissioner of the New York City Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities since 2012, and is a recognized expert on accessibility. As Commissioner, Calise is responsible for ensuring that New Yorkers with disabilities have equal access to everything that the City has to offer.
“I am delighted to see that Victor Calise has been nominated to serve on the MTA board by the Mayor. He is a professional who will help make subway & bus handicapped access better. Mass transit access has been a major priority for me in Albany,” Ortiz stated, “The MTA needs someone who understands the handicapped, especially handicapped veterans. I expect this nomination to move quickly and be approved by the State Senate.”
Myrie Gets Busy Leading Up To His State of District Speech
State Sen. Zellnor Myrie (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Gowanus, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, South Slope, Sunset Park) is having a busy week with constituent services leading up to his State of the District speech at the end of
the month.
Events that Myrie’s office is holding include his Grow Brooklyn’s low-income tax prep assistance from 2-8 p.m., every Monday and Thursday at 1077 Nostrand Avenue in Crown Heights. Make an appointment by calling (347) 682-5606 or clicking “Flatbush @ Office of State Senator Myrie” here.
Myrie’s first State of the District Address is slated from 2-5 p.m., Sunday, February 23 at the Brooklyn Library Central Branch in Grand Army Plaza. Besides Myrie’s speech, there will be food, performances, an opportunity to take a picture with Myrie, and more. RSVP by calling his office at 718-284-4700 or online.
Colton Commends Adams, Brooklyn Chamber On Police Being Shot
Assemblyman William Colton (Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights) is commending Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce for calling a press conference to support the police in light of two attempted assassinations of police in the Bronx. District Leader Nancy Tong attended a Press Conference on behalf of the Assemblyman Colton since he is in Albany.
“As we pray for the officers who were victims of these two assassination attempts and thank God that it appears all the officers appear to be recovering, we must stop this environment of lawlessness. All who contribute to anti-police sentiments must be soundly rebuked. It must be made clear there will be zero tolerance for attacks on police officers or any person and we will support our police officers in apprehending all such criminals,” Colton stated.
Robert Williams opened fire at two police officers in a police van Saturday night, before walking into the Bronx precinct the very next morning and opening fire there, hitting a police officer.
“It is simply not enough to say we support our police. Elected officials must call out those who use words like “pigs” or “killers” to describe police officers,” Colton added, “There are always bad apples in every career-and we must strive to remove those bad apples, but the vast majority of our police officers are heroes who daily risk their lives on the line of duty.”
Clarke Passes Climate Research Bill In House
U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke (D- Crown Heights, Flatbush, East Flatbush, Brownsville, Sheepshead Bay) passed a bill in the House called the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Climate Change Research Act.
The DHS Climate Change Research Act will ensure that 1) the Department of Homeland Security fulfills its mission of conducting research to advance homeland security, 2) direct the Science and Technology Directorate to conduct analysis and technological research on how DHS can confront climate change, and 3) implement a high level of accountability to the American public by mandating annual reporting to Congress regarding the research and projects that DHS has undertaken in the previous year.
“Climate change is an international crisis, and it is our duty in Congress to take bold steps to address this crisis and safeguard our communities from future climate impacts,” said Clarke, “My legislation requires the Department of Homeland Security to recognize the threat of climate change to our national security and defense, and to develop plans and tools to counter its impact.
“Climate change is not only an existential threat to our planet, it is also a major national security risk to Americans at home and abroad. People are dying. Government structures are failing. And our adversaries are taking advantage of the power vacuums that are being created. It is critical that we address the homeland security implications of climate change in greater depth,” the lawmaker added.
Lander Construction Projects Database Bill Passes City Council
City Councilman Brad Lander (Park Slope, Gowanus, Windsor Park, Kensington) yesterday saw his legislation to create a task force to implement a public, searchable capital project database.
The new tracking system will enable increased public transparency, oversight overspending and timelines, and improve project management on City projects including schools, parks, streets, bridges, sewers, libraries, climate resilience, and other City construction projects.
This legislation will codify the increased amount of information about all City capital projects that has been posted online and on Open Data by the Administration. It will also establish an interagency task force to create a comprehensive searchable public database with information about all capital projects citywide.
“An online public capital projects tracker will help improve accountability, transparency and project management so that we can better keep pace with needed investments in our City’s future, from broadband, to renewable energy, to protections from storms like Hurricane Sandy. I am grateful to the de Blasio Administration for committing to create a searchable, online database of the City’s capital projects, and to the Speaker for his support of this effort. This is a critical step forward towards greater fiscal responsibility and equity in infrastructure investments,” said Lander.
Louis, Williams Co-Sponsor Legislation That Helps Ex-Convicts
City Council member Farah N. Louis (Flatbush, Flatlands, Marine Park, Midwood) and Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams are co-sponsoring new legislation that would help formerly incarcerated individuals successfully pursue education and employment opportunities.
Williams initiated the legislation for helping ex-convicts by providing them with several official identification documents upon release. The new legislation would expand the required documentation from birth certificates to include school transcripts, social security cards, and driver’s licenses upon release. The bill also requires the Department to make incarcerated individuals aware of this opportunity and report on who those who use it.
“Incarceration has long been an impediment for New York City residents to overcome as they reenter our communities,” said Louis, “With the additional hurdles of securing forms of identification, the already flawed criminal justice system has made it virtually impossible for the formerly incarcerated to rebuild their lives. Intro 1881 would begin to remove barriers in their path towards self-sustainability.”
