Rose, Introduce Act to Install Sprinklers in Older Buildings
U.S. Rep. Max Rose (D-Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island) introduced the bipartisan Public Housing Fire Safety Act yesterday to install sprinklers in older public housing high-rises across the country that were built before 1992.
“Public housing agencies across the country face massive challenges when it comes to maintaining housing stock, much less upgrading them to modern standards,” Rose said. “Unfortunately that’s resulted in far too many of New York City’s public housing buildings not having sprinkler systems. I’m proud to be working with Rep. King to change that to protect not only residents of public housing, but also our brave first responders from having to risk their lives to put out preventable fires.”
The Public Housing Fire Safety Act would create a competitive grant program in the Department of Housing and Urban Development for public housing authorities who wish to retrofit older high-rise apartment buildings with sprinkler systems, and collect data on the status of sprinkler installations in public housing high-rises around the country.
Treyger and Brannan Condemn Decision to Cut Funding to Army Corps
Council Members Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Gravesend) and Justin Brannan (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bath Beach, Bensonhurst) condemned the federal government’s decision to cut funding to critical army corps of engineers resiliency study for New York City.
“Mops and buckets are not a serious solution to climate change and this is no joking matter. Approximately 285 lives were lost during Superstorm Sandy. Southern Brooklyn had to fight to be included in this resiliency study. This is not only going to make our infrastructure and housing less safe, but it will lead to mass displacement for local families living in vulnerable coastal communities that will be forced to pay high flood insurance costs once new Federal Emergency Management Agency flood maps are drawn,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement.
“This is the equivalent of the President of the United States telling New York City to drop dead. We urge U.S. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and our entire New York Congressional delegation to get this study restored immediately and incorporate funding for a resiliency package to protect the lives of New Yorkers.”
Hearing Adult Education and Literacy Programs
Councilmember Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Gravesend) will hold an oversight hearing on adult education and literacy programming citywide at City Council today.
Testimony can be submitted via email to councildistrict47@gmail.com or in person tomorrow. The hearing will be live streamed on the NYC Council’s website.
The hearing is slated to take place at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Council Chambers, City Hallin Manhattan.
Rose Statement on Army Corps Halting NYC Storm Resiliency Study
U.S. Rep. Max Rose (D-Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island) issued the following statement on the Army Corps of Engineers indefinitely postponing its New York and New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study
“I want to be very clear that this does not impact the construction of the East Shore Seawall,” Rose said. “However, the administration’s decision to cancel this study is no different than telling New York City to go ahead and drown. Despite what the President thinks, superstorms cannot be wished away by denying the existence of climate change. These are complicated challenges and every second we aren’t researching a solution, is a second we can never get back—and our city will pay the price whether through more severe flooding, higher insurance premiums, and even lives. This study must be reinstated.”
This comes on the back of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced it was delaying implementation of a proposed overhaul of how the National Flood Insurance Program calculates premiums and rates. Rose also held a roundtable discussion with local contractors and small businesses to learn from the mistakes made following Hurricane Sandy and ensure everyone is prepared and properly equipped for the upcoming construction of the seawall.
Myrie’s First District Address and More
State Senator Zellnor Myrie (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Gowanus, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, South Slope, Sunset Park) thanked those who joined his first State of the District Address on Sunday, making special acknowledgement of U.S. Rep. Hakeem Hakeem Jeffries for his introduction.
Events that Myrie’s office is holding include his Census Canvass this Saturday from 10-1 p.m., where they will be going door-to-door to talk to people about the census. Sign up here. They will also be having the Tenant’s Rights Legal Clinic with Mobilization for Justice, the first in the series will be happening at 3-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26 Make an appointment by calling (347) 682-5606.
Adams To Celebrate Young People Making a Difference Throughout Brooklyn
Borough President Eric Adams will host his seventh annual Black History Month celebration at Brooklyn Borough Hall tomorrow.
The theme for this year’s event is “Black History’s Next Chapter: Impacting Our Communities.” During the celebration, Adams will recognize seven honorees making an impact throughout the borough, and highlight the important contributions of young people in Brooklyn.
Adams will also speak about the importance of Black History Month, and celebrate history with Brooklyn’s next generation of leaders.
The celebration is happening at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street in Downtown Brooklyn.
Ortiz Re-election Campaign Collects Over 1,000 Signatures
NYS Assembly Assistant Speaker Felix Ortiz (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) announced that his campaign yesterday that he has collected over 1,000 Democratic petition signatures on the first day of petitioning.
“I am truly moved by the overwhelming support this campaign has received from across the district,” said Ortiz, “I thank all of the volunteers who have put their faith in me to continue building on the historic session we have had over the past two years. Whether it’s criminal justice reform, instituting historic tenants’ protections, enacting the most progressive environmental policies in the nation, or passing the Greenlight law, making it possible for undocumented New Yorkers to obtain a driver’s license, every one of these measures will have a positive impact on all New Yorkers. I am supremely proud of my record and am humbled by the support the residents of this district have given me by signing my petition for re-election so we can continue to move our state forward for all.
The signatures exceed the minimum number needed to make the primary ballot by two times.
