Queens Lawmakers on the Move August 12, 2020

Queens County City Council News

Meng Comments on Kamala Harris as Biden’s VP Pick

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng

Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-Bayside, Flushing, Forest Hills, Fresh Meadows, Glendale, Kew Gardens, Maspeth, Middle Village, Rego Park), Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), issued the following statement on Tuesday applauding Joe Biden’s pick of Kamala Harris as his running mate.

“I applaud and commend Joe Biden for his decision to select Kamala Harris as his Vice Presidential running mate.

Senator Harris is an exceptional choice and will be an incredible asset to the campaign.

She is a tireless fighter for our country and will be the next and first Asian American and Black American woman Vice President.

I look forward to working with her and the next President of the United States Joe Biden to restore our nation’s leadership, and address the many critical issues facing our nation.

I can’t wait for this outstanding ticket to make history in November.”

Sanders to Hold Census and Food Pantry Event

State Sen. James Sanders Jr.

State Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Laurelton, Rosedale, Springfield Gardens, Edgemere, Bayswater, Arverne and Far Rockaway) is holding a Census sign-up and pop-up food pantry event on August 22. 

NYC Census 2020 issued a document recording the Neighborhood Response ratings within Senatorial District 10. South Ozone Park, Richmond Hill and South Jamaica were identified as communities with low participation.

In response, Sanders is partnering with a number of community organizations to reach out to residents. He will distribute sanitizers, masks and food while representatives and volunteers assist constituents with onsite sign-up for the 2020 Census.

The event will be Saturday, August 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of Bethel Gospel Tabernacle Church located at 110-36 Guy R. Brewer Boulevard in Jamaica. 

Please bring a bottle to receive sanitizer. Feel free to contact Senator Sanders’ office with any questions or concerns at 718-523-3069 or 718-327-7017.

De Blasio Launches City’s First Tenant Resource Portal

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the launch of the NYC Tenant Resource Portal on Monday, the city’s first-ever online resource to help residential renters access free resources from the City to help prevent evictions and keep tenants stably housed. 

The portal, launched through Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants (MOPT), the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit (PEU), and the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT), features an eviction prevention tool to help renters navigate free public and private resources that can stabilize their housing situations.

“The City is doing everything in our power to support vulnerable families as they deal with a public health and economic crisis,” said de Blasio. “With the launch of the Tenant Resource Portal, we are unveiling the first, city-hosted platform where tenants at risk of eviction can go to find a unified directory of all the housing-related resources they may need.”

The portal is free and accessible to all residential tenants. Tenants will respond to a series of questions about their unique circumstances and be directed to the most relevant resources, such as help navigating an illegal lockout or eviction. The portal also has up-to-date information on the general status of evictions in New York City Housing Court. Tenants who do not have access to the internet can call 311 and ask for the “Tenant Helpline,” which was launched in partnership with 311 and HRA’s Office of Civil Justice (OCJ) in April of this year, where they will be connected to a PEU Tenant Support Specialist to receive free, individualized assistance.