Stringer, DT Bklyn Lawmakers Demand More Info On BQE Repairs
City Comptroller Scott Stringer and Brooklyn lawmakers representing parts of Downtown and Northern Brooklyn including U.S. Rep. Nydia Velasquez, State Sen. Brian Kavanagh and Assembly Members Jo Anne Simon and Walter Mosley on Friday wrote Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Polly Trottenberg asking for a more transparent process regarding upcoming repair work slated for the triple-cantilevered section of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE).
“While we understand the urgency of these repairs, we are concerned about the lack of readily available information about the scope of the current and upcoming work, which will impact the daily lives of those in the surrounding neighborhoods for the next several years,” the lawmakers wrote.
“Given the current and anticipated impacts of the repair work, we request more detailed information about the project, including a detailed timeline of the work, and further detail concerning DOT’s plans to monitor construction activities, including vibrations, traffic and noise mitigation, air quality control, planned detours, and other disruptions to quality of life,” the added.
The lawmakers also asked for the creation of a community-driven task force to inform stakeholders of construction plans and timelines, impacts and mitigation efforts.
Senators Persaud and Kavanagh to Hold Joint Public Hearing
State Senators Roxanne Persaud (D-Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, Mill Island, Georgetown, Ocean Hill) and Brian Kavanagh (D-Northern Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan) will hold a joint public hearing on Friday with the intention of “Examining Issues Related to Homelessness, Housing Insecurity and Affordable Housing, and Identifying Potential Legislative Remedies.”
If you would like to present relevant testimony, please fill out this online form at https://forms.gle/DwobR2o3WoQTzrqk6. If you have any difficulty filling out the form, or if you have any questions about the hearing, please contact Andra Stanley at astanley.nysenate@gmail.com or 212-298-5565.
The hearing will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, Feb. 28 in the NYS Senate Hearing Room located at 250 Broadway, 19th Floor in lower Manhattan.
Rose Wants to Prevent Coronavirus Vaccine Being Handout to Big Pharma
U.S. Rep. Max Rose (Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island) joined with lawmakers in calling on the Trump Administration not to award exclusive licenses for the production of a coronavirus vaccine or treatment that would allow drug manufacturers to monopolize drugs.
A report released this week reveals that the National Institutes of Health has already spent nearly $700 million dollars on coronavirus research and development, funded by taxpayer dollars.
“The American taxpayer has already invested hundreds of millions of dollars into developing urgently needed Coronavirus vaccines and treatments,” Rose said. “We cannot then turn around and allow big drug manufacturers to exploit this public health emergency to price gouge and rip off consumers.”
“We write to ask you to ensure that any vaccine or treatment developed with U.S. taxpayer dollars be accessible, available, and affordable,” wrote Rose and 45 fellow Members of Congress in a letter to the President.
Jeffries to Deliver State of the District Address
U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, Canarsie, East New York, East Flatbush, Bergen Beach, Gerritsen Beach, Beach, Marine Park, Mill Basin, Brighton Beach, Coney Island) will deliver his annual State of the District address today. He will discuss the Democratic agenda for America, which includes lowering healthcare costs and fighting for more affordable housing.
The state of the district address is a speech customarily given each year by the representative of a particular district to the targeted demographic on passed and future issues. Besides discussing congressional issues, Jeffries will also be speaking about fiscal responsibility, jobs and the economy, and local and senior issues.
The address is slated for 6:30 p.m. today, Feb. 24 at the Long Island University gymnasium, 161 Ashland Place in Downtown Brooklyn.
UPA Holds “Congressional Forum 2020” Tonight
The Unified Political Association (UPA) Democratic Party political club tonight will be conducting a “Congressional Forum 2020” regarding the upcoming 9th Congressional District primary.
Thus far the race includes incumbent U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke and challengers Adem Bunkeddeko, City Councilman Chaim Deutsch, Isiah James, Alex Hubbard and Lutchi Gayot. The district included Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Kensington, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Midwood, Sheepshead Bay, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach and Prospect Lefferts Gardens.
At post time it is not known which candidates will appear.
“I am excited that UPA will be conducting this important congressional forum for the residents of the 9th congressional district. I am continually proud that members of our UPA Board help to organize important events like this. Our executive board and founders embody strong leadership and commitment to the community, which echoes the perspective of our potential membership and community at large. We look forward to continuing to educate our neighbors and helping to identify the leaders of tomorrow,” said UPA President Hassan Bakiriddin.
The forum is slated for 6:30 p.m., tonight, Feb. 24 at the Flatlands Reform Church, 3931 Kings Highway in Flatlands.
