Van Bramer’s “Skip The Stuff” Legislation Aired Out
City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer’s (D-Queens) proposed legislation that would prohibit takeout and delivery services from providing plastic utensils, condiments or napkins unless the customer explicitly requests them was aired out yesterday before the Council Committee on Consumer Affairs.
Dubbed the “Skip The Stuff” bill, Intro 1775B was proposed under the thinking it will reduce the amount of disposable plastic in landfills and incinerators while also saving small businesses more than thousands of dollars per year.
Drafted in collaboration with the Reusable NYC Coalition and the Hospitality Alliance, with sustainability and cost savings for food establishments at the heart of this policy change, this small change to the way food is ordered would reduce the amount of disposable plastic in our landfills and incinerators while also saving small businesses thousands of dollars in unnecessary costs at a crucial moment as they continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Restaurants in the U.S. spend $19 billion per year on take-out foodware like utensils, bowls, cups, etc., while an estimated 100 million plastic utensils are used and discarded every day across the nation.
“The status quo of including plastic utensils in all food orders by default is not only unnecessary and unsustainable, it is incredibly costly for the city’s restaurants and small businesses. “Skip the Stuff” was drafted specifically to reduce the harmful effects everyday plastics have on our environment while also addressing the costs incurred by restaurants and city sanitation. Ultimately, this will save businesses money and we want them to know that,” said Van Bramer.
Clarke Statement on Senate Confirmation of FCC Chair
U.S. Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-Brooklyn) issued the following statement yesterday congratulating Jessica Rosenworcel on her Senate confirmation as Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission, (FCC):
“The newly confirmed FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel is the right person, at the right time, for the right leadership role as we embark upon a more inclusive era that considers the needs of all people in the digital landscape, and not just stakeholders. As a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee I have had the distinct honor of working with Chairwoman Rosenworcel. Through our mutual advocacy and interest in consumer protection, especially as we go full speed ahead into the technological age, she will undoubtedly work to improve the agency,” said Clarke.
“Chairwoman Rosenworcel knows what’s at stake when it comes to net neutrality and critical protections for broadband access and users, and its importance to small businesses, rural and tribal communities, students and marginalized people still struggling to keep up with a technological world. Chairwoman Rosenworcel understands the importance of not leaving anyone behind as we forge ahead and live our lives in a digital landscape. I have full faith in the Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission. Congratulations Chairwoman Rosenworcel, I look forward to our continued collaboration on broadband deployment, increasing equitable access to the internet, closing the digital divide, and working to improve this essential utility that impacts everyone in the world,” the lawmaker added.
Suozzi Announces Millions in Fed Grants for Protection of the Sound in Queens
U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Queens/Long Island), co-chair of the Long Island Sound Caucus, announced yesterday that New York Third’s Congressional District will receive nearly $3 million in matching federal grants for projects to preserve and protect the Long Island Sound.
“The Long Island Sound is our ‘National Park,’ and we have to treat it that way,” said Suozzi. “For 27 years, since entering public service, first as Mayor of Glen Cove in 1994 and then as Nassau County Executive in 2002, I have worked on restoring shellfishing beds and reseeding our harbors, cutting nitrogen from sewage treatment plants and stormwater runoff, and cleaning up pollution. As a Member of Congress, in the role of Co-chair of the Long Island Sound Caucus, I helped to increase federal funding to protect the Sound by nearly 900%.”
When Suozzi came to Congress in 2017, federal funding for the Long Island Sound was merely $4 million. Since then, Suozzi has fought for and successfully increased federal funding to $30.4 million, an increase of 900%. The Long Island Sound is not only an environmental treasure, but also a revenue source to the area, generating upwards of $1 billion to the regional economy.
Areas of the district that will receive funding include Udalls Cove and Little Neck Bay in Queens, Roslyn, Hempstead Harbor, Oyster Bay, and Centerport and Northport Harbors.
The projects impacting Queens include $1,007,486 for Restoring Big Rock Wetland for Marsh and Community Resilience for Udalls Cove; $170,000 to Develop a Long Island Sound Student Action Plan; and $113,017 for educational program to protect Shorebirds.
Stavisky Legislation Expanding Protections for NY Students Signed into Law
State Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Queens) this week saw Governor Kathy Hochul sign her legislation expanding the discrimination protections of the Human Rights Law to include both public and private secondary schools and universities.
This protection had not included students attending for-profit colleges and universities in the state. This measure now includes these institutions.
“All students must be protected from discrimination, no matter whether they attend an independent college or a for-profit institution,” says Stavisky, chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee. “All students deserve a safe environment to study and the peace of mind to know they are protected from intolerance and mistreatment.”
By declaring that the provisions of the Human Rights Law apply to these institutions of continued learning, New York State will ensure that all students are afforded legal protection against discrimination.
Cornegy Continues Wellness Wednesday Food & Resource Distribution
City Council Member Robert E. Cornegy, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) continues his Wellness Wednesday free food events today in his last month before his term ends.
The Council Member has been providing free groceries to the community each week since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020.
“I cannot pause in supporting my community, even during my last month as a City Council representative,” said Cornegy, Jr. “Covid-19 revealed inequalities in our country, which remain stark. As the months’ pass, we see growing crowds at our weekly resource fairs. We are fighting some of the problems that worsened during the dark periods of isolation. Every week we work to provide food and fellowship—making sure households are safe is part of that. As long as I am in office, I will confront hunger with generosity.”
The event is slated for 11 a.m., today, Dec. 8 at the Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Plaza, 1360 Fulton Street in Brooklyn.
