MANH Lawmakers on the Move, Oct. 7, 2020

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Rosenthal to Sponsor Housing Clinic

Council Member Helen Rosenthal (Photo: Emil Cohen/ NYC Council)
Council Member Helen Rosenthal

Tonight, Councilmember Helen Rosenthal (D-Central Park, Lincoln Square) will be co-sponsoring the Goddard Riverside Law Project’s monthly housing clinic.

Every month, Goddard Riverside hosts a free clinic to help New York renters navigate the housing system. Each clinic features a presentation focusing on a particular aspect of the system; this month’s clinic, presented in collaboration with TakeRoot Justice, will focus on housing court.

The event will take place tonight from 6-7 p.m. over Zoom. To register, click here.


Stringer, CUNY Announce New Paid Fellowship Program

NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer (Photo credit: Thomas Good, CC BY-SA 4.0)
NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer

Yesterday, City Comptroller Scott Stringer (D) and CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez announced a new paid fellowship program to help cultivate a new generation of civic leaders.

Twenty recent CUNY graduates have been selected to work at various bureaus within the Comptroller’s Office. The program, which will run until April 1, 2021, will provide the graduates with hands-on experience in policy, contracts, accountancy and other government functions. Stringer hopes that the program will establish a direct path from graduation to full-time employment.

“Our young people are our future,” said Stringer. “We always need a strong bench of driven, talented civic leaders ready to step up and shape the city of tomorrow — and it’s our responsibility to create pathways of opportunity for the next generation. That’s why I am proud to launch the first-ever fellowship program with the City University of New York at the Office of the Comptroller, so young people can attain first-hand knowledge and experience in public service and use these skills to push our city forward. I know this passionate cohort of fellows will be an invaluable asset to our city, and that this program will be a stepping stone for a lifetime of civic engagement. I want to express my deepest gratitude to CUNY for understanding the importance of hands-on learning and career development and for partnering with us on this exciting initiative.” 


Williams Dissatisfied with Mayor’s Partial Lockdown Decision

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams (Photo credit: ballotpedia.org)
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams (D) released a statement last Monday after Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) announced the City will be closing schools within zip codes that are experiencing large spikes in COVID-19 transmission.

The previous day, de Blasio announced the closure of schools and non-essential businesses in nine zip codes across the State; among them were 11219 (Borough Park), 11230 (Midwood) and 11204 (Bensonhurst/Mapleton). Williams said that the decision, while better than nothing, will not be enough to curb the spread.

“Students and staff are not confined to the neighborhood of their school building; they travel across zip codes and across the city,” said Williams. “Of course schools should be closed to students and most school staff in these nine areas, but it’s inexplicable that the administration continues to believe school buildings should remain open at all, enabling further spread citywide. In a controlled manner which maintains the availability of REC centers for those most in need, all city schools should transition to fully remote instruction until safety and stability can be more reliably assured and in-person instruction phased in.”


Espaillat to Kick Off Weekly COVID Testing

U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat (Photo credit: U.S. House Office of Photography)
U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat

Today, U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-Manhattan, Bronx) will be hosting a press conference to kick off the start of his weekly COVID-19 testing event.

For the entire month, Espaillat’s office will be offering COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody testing every Wednesday. Flu shots will also be available to those who bring their insurance card. No appointment is necessary, but patrons must bring a form of ID.

The event will take place today at 12:15 p.m. at Our Saviour’s Atonement Lutheran Church, 178 Bennett Ave.