Cuomo Announces MTA to Partially Restore Subway Service
Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced yesterday that beginning with the early morning hours on Monday, February 22, the MTA will partially restore late-night subway service bu two hours , moving to 2-4 a.m. closure daily.
The changes will lengthen the subway’s operations by two hours while enabling the MTA to continue the most aggressive deep cleaning and disinfecting regimen in its history, in which the 24/7 subway service was temporarily halted due to the COVID pandemic.
Since May 6, the subway has been closed nightly from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. to allow the MTA to enhance the cleaning and disinfecting of the subway.
“Thanks to the hard work of New Yorkers, COVID hospitalization and infection rates have continued to decrease, allowing us to begin re-opening different facets of the economy in a cautious, thoughtful, data-based approach,” said Cuomo. “With the expansion of hours of operation for restaurants and bars, as well as the re-opening of cultural centers and sports facilities, we must ensure that both employees and patrons have transportation options to get them where they need to go, when they need to get there. Accordingly, the MTA will be expanding the overnight hours for subway service to ensure transportation is available, while still maintaining the organization’s comprehensive cleaning procedures.”
Brisport Joins Parole Reform Movement
State Sen. Jabari Brisport (D-Fort Greene, Boerum Hill, Red Hook, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Sunset Park, Gowanus, Park Slope) today will join state legislators and criminal justice advocates in a virtual press conference to commence a Parole Justice is Racial Justice Advocacy Day.
The advocacy day is being organized by The People’s Campaign for Parole Justice, a grassroots campaign backed by nearly 300 groups across New York State advocating for passage of the Elder Parole and Fair & Timely Parole bills, as well as a fair and fully staffed Parole Board.
The People’s Campaign for Parole Justice is calling on lawmakers in Albany to pass two parole reform bills. They are:
- Elder Parole (S.15/A.3475) would allow the State Board of Parole to provide an evaluation for potential parole release to incarcerated people aged 55 and older who have already served 15 or more years, including some of the state’s oldest and sickest incarcerated people.
- Fair and Timely Parole (S.1415/A.4231) would provide more meaningful parole reviews for incarcerated people who are already parole eligible.
The virtual press conference is slated for 10 a.m., today, Feb. 19. To join Zoom (http://bit.ly/feb-16-press-conference).
DA Gonzalez Launches Re-Election Campaign
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today will join with elected officials, labor leaders, clergy and community leaders, for a virtual press conference to launch his re-election campaign 2021.
Among the electeds joining in on the launch include Brooklyn Congressmembers Yvette Clarke, Hakeem Jeffries and Nydia Velazquez; State Senators Kevin Parker and Julia Salazar; and City Council Member Brad Lander.
The virtual event is slated for 12 noon to 1 p.m., today, Feb. 16. Registration in advance is required. To register and obtain access link, visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_l5dpgJANT3CsQPHYyZd5tw
