Queens Gazette

I On Politics


 

SCHUMER: IMPLEMENT TERROR-PREVENTING TECH NOW: Almost two years after he successfully demanded critical New York City testing of life-saving and terror-preventing technology at Penn Station and other Amtrak sites, US Senator Charles Schumer revealed that critical bomb-detection equipment that can help law enforcement spot suicide vests, small explosive devices and more in packed transit hubs, remains in a testing limbo from where it must advance. Amid rising tensions with Iran, known for their use of proxies and domestic terror cells, Schumer urged the federal government to once-and-for-all give the technology, known as stand-off explosive detection units, the priority status it demands.

“For 16 years now, the TSA has been testing life-saving and terror-preventing technology with little to no widespread adoption, and the most shocking part about it is that we’ve seen it work,” said Senator Schumer. “Two years ago, I secured a full test of this equipment at Penn Station, where the TSA lauded the trial run, explained how the devices can save lives—without stopping a single person in the midst of their travels—but yet we still don’t see this technology in wide use across New York City or the nation’s busiest transit hubs. Clearly, this critical terror-preventing technology can give law enforcement the upper hand by spotting suicide vests and small explosives—but only if it can escape testing limbo. The feds need to explain what’s standing in the way here so we can get to work on addressing the cause.”

Schumer explained that the technology—without using radiation—can indicate if an individual is carrying or wearing a person-borne improvised explosive device (PBIED).

Since 2004, the TSA has been working on the technology with transit agencies like Amtrak and New Jersey Transit. The technology has already been used to help secure large-scale events, like the 2014 Super Bowl, but has not yet been permanently utilized at transit hubs and other soft targets.

Following the death of General Soleimani, Iran retaliated by targeting US military forces; however, counterterrorism experts argue that Iran is not done retaliating. Schumer said historically, Iran has conducted attacks through proxy forces and other terrorist elements such as domestic terror cells.

MALONEY VOTES TO PASS WAR POWERS RESOLUTION: Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12) voted on January 9 in favor of a War Powers Resolution to limit President Trump’s military actions regarding Iran. This resolution reiterates that only Congress can declare war and affirms that Congress has not authorized the use of military force against Iran.

“Congress and the American people have no assurance that the president is acting as part of a well-thought-out strategy that makes Americans safer, rather than set us on a war path. I am deeply opposed to an unauthorized war with Iran. That is why I support this resolution, which reiterates that only Congress can declare war, and that we have not done so here,” said Rep. Maloney in her floor statement yesterday.

She said, “Congress has constitutional authority when it comes to one of the most important decisions any of us can make: to send our brave men and women of the Armed Forces into harm’s way in service of our country…When the President decided to strike a high-level Iranian official, he made a decision that was provocative in the strongest sense of the word. And he did that without any meaningful Congressional consultation. The information that we have received is woefully insufficient, including the notification and the briefing provided by senior officials yesterday.”

DENDEKKER INVITES MTA FOR FEEDBACK ON BUS REDESIGN: Assemblyman Michael DenDekker (D-Jackson Heights) has scheduled a feedback meeting with the MTA to give residents an opportunity to discuss proposals from the MTA’s draft plan of the Queens Bus Network Redesign.

The meeting will take place tonight, Wednesday, January 15 at 7 pm at the Rumpus Room in Southridge Building I, 33-04 93rd Street, across the street from Northern Playground. Representatives of the MTA will be present at the meeting, including planners who are knowledgeable about the draft plan. The planners will be available to field questions from constituents, and meeting participants will be allowed to write in comments and concerns regarding the draft plan.

DenDekker has serious concerns about cutting any bus service in Jackson Heights. If anything, the MTA should be adding more buses to existing bus lines to alleviate overcrowding, he said. The assemblyman felt the meeting was necessary after many constituents called expressing similar concerns about the draft plan.

“I am alarmed by some of the changes to bus routes – the Q32, the Q33, the Q47, the Q49, and the Q66 – proposed by the Queens Bus Network Redesign draft plan,” said Assemblyman DenDekker. “Cutting these bus lines that serve seniors, people with disabilities, parents, and children would have significant consequences for our community. The Q49, for example, serves many people who live at the state-funded Naturally Occurring Retirement Community at Northridge/Southridge/Brulene buildings; eliminating the Q49 would cut off access to the 74th Street-Roosevelt Avenue subway station, which is a major transit hub and the only subway station in the area with functioning elevators. I understand that the Queens Bus Redesign will not be implemented for another 18 to 24 months, and that changes can still be made to the plan, so I am hopeful we can arrive at a solution that satisfies everybody.”

MENG STATEMENT ON KILLING OF SULEIMANI: U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, issued the following statement on January 3, after the US drone strike that killed Major General Qasem Suleimani of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Quds Force unit.

“General Suleimani had the blood of Americans, Israelis, Syrians, Libyans, Yemenis and of course Iranians on his hands. His centrality to the violent mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran cannot be overstated.

“But an action as consequential as the targeted strike on General Suleimani will undoubtedly have ripple effects that we cannot yet foresee. My prevailing concern is whether this decision was made with these precautions in mind. The safety of Americans – from the diplomatic corps to our servicemembers to civilians living and traveling abroad – are now at risk. If the Iraqi government ceases to allow a US presence, Iranian control of Iraq will grow. And, most importantly, we must be fully prepared for any possible retaliation – whether through missile attacks on our allies, attacks on our embassies, or a cyber-attack on our homeland.

“I remain deeply concerned by President Trump’s failure to seek partners in this complicated endeavor. Congress is not an obstacle to overcome – Congress has the constitutional authority to declare and to fund war. NATO is not a barrier to circumvent. NATO allies are our partners in our collective self-defense. In fact, during the mark-up of this year’s DOD funding bill, I helped insert and supported a provision to repeal the 2001 and 2002 Authorizations for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) and to call for no war with Iran. The House-passed National Defense Authorization Act also included the sunset of the 2002 AUMF. I voted against the final versions of these bills, which stripped all attempts to deal with these outdated AUMFs.

“I expect to hear the answers to these questions immediately from our Administration.”

SCHUMER, VELÁZQUEZ DEMAND FEMA DRAMATICALLY STEP UP: The US Commonwealth Puerto Rico has endured an shocking number of earthquakes in two weeks – 500, according to News@Northeastern. In a letter to Pete Gaynor, the acting administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez called for FEMA to act swiftly in assisting our fellow American citizens in Puerto Rico in recovering from the recent earthquakes and demanded that FEMA use all of the authority granted under the Emergency Declaration to ensure the safety of lives and property across the island, including the speedy completion of preliminary disaster assessments and the prompt approval of other desperately needed levels of disaster aid.

“Our fellow American citizens in Puerto Rico have suffered from earthquakes that have injured and killed residents, destroyed homes and hospitals, and left hundreds of thousands of people without water and electricity,” said Senator Schumer. “It’s critical that the Trump Administration act immediately to provide communities in Puerto Rico the assistance they need and deserve.”

“While FEMA’s disaster declaration is a positive step, it is just the beginning of a long process. Puerto Ricans remember all too painfully how this Administration fumbled and failed in response to Hurricane Maria,” said Rep. Velázquez (District 7). “During that disaster, incompetence and indifference cost thousands of Americans their lives. The federal government must do better this time and we are letting FEMA know in advance we intend to hold them accountable.”

(See their letter to HUD Secretary Ben Carson in this week’s Letters to the Editor.)

CUOMO SENDS NYPA TO PUERTO RICO FOR EARTHQUAKE RESPONSE: On January 7 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo deployed personnel from the New York Power Authority to Puerto Rico to assist in emergency response efforts following that morning’s back-to-back earthquakes that caused widespread blackouts across most of the island.

“During difficult times, the state of New York always stands with and supports our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico – and today is no different,” Governor Cuomo said. “I am directing the New York Power Authority to deploy technical experts to work with the Puerto Rican Electric Power Authority (PREPA) to restore power as quickly as possible. This team will begin a damage assessment today and assist with the process of restarting the electric grid as soon as they feel major power plants are stable once aftershocks have ceased. We are closely monitoring this situation and will remain in constant contact with local leaders to ensure the people of Puerto Rico are safe and have the resources they need to deal with this situation.”

NYPA has deployed multiple teams of technical power grid experts to assist Puerto Rico since Hurricane Maria and already has a team of 10 experts on the ground that has been working to address recent blackouts and stabilize the island’s power systems to avoid power outages. Once this team has completed its work to help restore power after the earthquake, it will resume its collaborative efforts with PREPA to harden Puerto Rico’s electric system so it is better prepared to withstand all kinds of natural disasters in the future.

CENSUS HEARING ON REACHING HARD-TO-COUNT COMMUNITIES: House Committee on Oversight and Reform Chair Carolyn B. Maloney delivered the opening statement at the January 9 hearing to examine the Census Bureau’s strategies and plans for reaching hard-to-count communities in the 2020 Census. In addition to her opening statement, Maloney announced that on February 12 the Director of the Census Bureau, Dr. Steven Dillingham, will be appearing before the House Oversight Committee to answer questions about how the bureau is responding to the many challenges outlined on January 9.

House Oversight Committee Chair Maloney said, “The 2020 Census is imminent, with counting set to begin in Alaska in less than two weeks and across the country on April 1. The Constitution requires every person to be counted. Every single person living in the United States of America. Not just citizens. Not just people of a particular political party or race. Absolutely everyone.

“I am gravely concerned that the Census Bureau may not be prepared to meet this high bar, and that the 2020 Census could leave communities across the country under-counted, under-represented, and under-funded. The Government Accountability Office and the Department of Commerce Inspector General both agree that the Census is not where it should be.

“Sadly, under President Trump, we are forced to ask whether the failure to address these concerns is due to incompetence—or is intentional. The Census Bureau has been plagued by delays in hiring thousands of census workers needed to ensure every person is counted…The Administration’s anti-immigrant policies and its illegal effort to add a citizenship question have made an accurate count even harder to obtain by sowing fear and distrust in communities across the country. But this appears to be the point.

“As Republican operative Thomas Hoffeler—the so-called ‘Michaelangelo of redistricting’—put it, adding a citizenship question would be, and I quote from him, ‘advantageous for Republicans and Non-Hispanic whites.’ Ultimately, the Administration’s goal in trying to add a citizenship question seems to be to take the hard-to-count—and make them the uncounted.

“That is why I introduced a bill last year, the Census IDEA act, to remove the citizenship question and codify the process by which questions are added to the census form. When the Supreme Court ruled that the attempt to add the citizenship question was illegal, the Administration refused for almost two weeks to accept the outcome before finally following the law.

“Even still, the President is trying to use administrative records to collect citizenship data…

“Data from this Census will determine the apportionment of every seat in the House of Representatives and the allocation of roughly $1.5 trillion in federal funding. An undercount means fewer federal dollars for communities that need them most, including for essential public services like Medicaid, children’s health insurance, foster care, and schools. An undercount would also mean less representation for these communities at every level of government. If you’re not counted, you’re not represented.”

RESOLUTION SUPPORTS ADOPTEE CITIZENSHIP ACT: Councilman Peter Koo announced on January 13 a resolution to be introduced at the next Stated City Council meeting calling for the passage of the Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2019 (H.R.2731/S.1554): federal legislation that would close a loophole in the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 that prevents internationally adopted children from receiving US citizenship, despite being legally adopted by US citizens.

Koo announced the resolution on City Hall steps alongside adoption advocacy groups on NYC’s sixth official Korean American Day – a citywide day of recognition commemorating the first arrival of Korean immigrants to the United States in 1903. Korean adoptees historically account for one of the largest groups of international adoptions to the US, according to the State Department (over 20,000 since 1999), alongside China and Russia.

Councilman Koo stated, “Today on Korean American Day, we are calling for an end to the injustice that has befallen so many adoptees from Korea and other countries who are forced to live in the shadows because our government has refused them citizenship. These are adoptees who were legally adopted by American citizens, but have been denied the rights and security of citizenship. They are our family members, our friends, and our neighbors, and it is far past time that we treat them with the basic human dignity that they deserve. It is time to welcome them home as Americans.”

Annalisa Freitas and Serena Thomas, Peruvian adoptees and members of Peruvian Adoptees Worldwide, stated, “Peruvian Adoptees Worldwide (PAW) applauds this resolution in support of the Adoptee Citizenship Act. At this current moment in our political history, we know that non-citizens face the threat of deportation more than ever. Our Peruvian adoptee community, in NYC and around the globe, deserve to know which of our representatives stand with those of us without the legal protection granted to those covered by the Child Citizenship Act.”

EMERGENCY SUPPLY DRIVE FOR PUERTO RICO: Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-Queens) announced on January 11 the launching of an emergency supply drive to help the people of Puerto Rico recover from the earthquakes that have struck the island.

The congresswoman is collecting basic necessities to send to Puerto Rico such as water, first aid kits, flashlights, non-perishable foods, batteries, baby formula, diapers and feminine hygiene products.

Supplies can be dropped off from January 15 (today) to February 5 at 40-13 159th Street, Suite C, in Flushing. Hours for drop off are Monday-Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

“Our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico have been devastated by the earthquakes that have hit the island, and my heart aches for all who have been impacted,” said Rep. Meng. “Even more heartbreaking is that these earthquakes have struck as many residents continue to recover from Hurricane Maria. We must not sit by and allow our fellow Americans to suffer. We must assist them in their time of need. I’m proud to help do that and I stand with the people of Puerto Rico at this difficult time.”

HOUSE PASSES MALONEY BILL CLOSING TRADING LOOPHOLE: The House of Representatives on January 13 passed Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney’s (D-NY) H.R. 4335, the 8-K Trading Gap Act, to fix a loophole in our current law that allows corporate executives to trade on information before it’s disclosed to the public and to their own shareholders.

Currently, when there’s a significant corporate event at a public company, the company must disclose that significant event to the public by filing a Form 8-K within four days of the event. During this four-day gap, executives at the company know about the significant event, but other investors, and the public, do not.

“Corporate executives shouldn’t be allowed to trade on significant information ahead of the public and investors, but that’s exactly what’s happening because of this legal loophole,” said Rep. Maloney. ”My bill has a very simple solution to this problem; prohibit executives from trading during the four-day gap between when an event happens and when the company publicly files a Form 8-K to alert the public and shareholders of the event. Given the unanimous, bipartisan support for this bill in the House Committee on Financial Services, and the broad bipartisan vote out of the House, I hope the bill will pass the Senate quickly. It’s just common sense.”

The Senate companion to H.R. 4335 has been introduced by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

“When a corporation faces a big change — like a data breach, merger, or acquisition — public transparency is crucial to prevent insider trading and protect retail investors. But under the current system, corporate insiders have a head start on the public, allowing them to sell off stock or cash in on private information. This is a total abuse of the public trust. Our legislation will help close this loophole, hold all companies accountable, and protect shareholders,” said Senator Van Hollen.

CHAMBER APPLAUDS CUOMO PLANS TO HELP SMALL BUSINESS: The Queens Chamber of Commerce has issued the following statement from President and CEO Thomas J. Grech, applauding the commitment to help small businesses made by Governor Andrew Cuomo in his annual State of the State address.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of Queens county and communities across our state, creating jobs and economic opportunity for New Yorkers. New York cannot continue to be a progressive leader without a vibrant small business community. No one understands that better than Governor Andrew Cuomo.”

“As the oldest and largest business association in Queens representing over 1,100 businesses, the vast majority of which have 10 or fewer employees, we support cutting the tax rate on small businesses, as outlined by the governor in his address yesterday. This will help small businesses, many of which are struggling to make ends meet, grow, and better serve their employees and their communities. We look forward to working with Governor Cuomo and the legislature in the coming legislative session to support our small business community and making sure we have a full set of tools to attract, retain and grow small business in Queens and New York State overall.”

MALONEY ON OLC RESPONSE TO ERA RATIFICATION: Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), House sponsor of the Equal Rights Amendment, released the following statement on January 8 in response to the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) guidance stating that any state ratification of the ERA that occurs after the 1982 deadline should not be recognized.

“I am disappointed, but not discouraged, by the Office of Legal Counsel’s response to the archivist regarding ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. If this opinion is meant to slow down the momentum toward women’s equality, it will not be successful. Furthermore, I do not believe that the OLC has the final word to dictate how Congress or the states proceed in amending the Constitution. The House of Representatives will bring legislation to the floor to eliminate the ratification deadline on the ERA passed in 1972, and state-level ratification efforts should continue full-speed ahead. Those of us who have worked on the ERA for so long know this fight isn’t easy, and I am confident that we will overcome any setback to achieve the goal of equality for women in the Constitution.”

MALONEY ENDORSED BY NOW PAC: Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens) has received the endorsement of the National Organization of Women Political Action Committee (NOW PAC).

“As a feminist and champion of women’s rights, I’m honored to have NOW PAC’s endorsement and support,” said Maloney. “The work they do to elect feminists to office has literally helped change the face of our government and I’m excited to have them on board for my 2020 reelection campaign.”

NYS NOW President Sonia Ossorio said, “As a NOW leader who has worked hand-in-hand with Congresswoman Maloney and as a longtime resident of the 12th district, I can tell you we couldn’t have a more hardworking, tenacious advocate in DC fighting for women, our rights, and our families. Her record speaks for itself and NOW PAC is proud to endorse her.”

The Congresswoman has passed countless laws, measures and funding packages to help advance women’s equality. Some areas where her work has had significant impact include:

  • Championing the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.
  • Ending the national rape kit backlog (Debbie Smith Act).
  • Promoting breastfeeding rights and increasing funding for breast cancer research.
  • Closing the gender pay gap, increasing corporate board diversity, ending forced arbitration.
  • Providing 12 weeks of paid parental leave for all federal workers.
  • Fighting for a National Women’s History Museum.
  • Supporting funding and justice for women and girls abroad, including securing $60 million for programs to help women in Afghanistan and eradicating terrorist organizations, like Boko Haram, known for their abuse of women.
  • Protecting the right to choose and access to abortion and other forms of reproductive healthcare, including recent hearings on states’ draconian efforts to limit access to abortion.
  • Fighting back against sexual assault in the military.

BILL REQUIRES BORO-SPECIFIC TRANSIT PLANS: Councilmembers Costa Constantinides and I. Daneek Miller introduced on January 8 a bill that requires the New York City Department of Transportation to craft a transit plan for each of the Big Apple’s five boroughs.

This comes amid changes in New York City’s landscape of where people live, work, and spend leisure time within the city. There’s greater demand for mass transit that’s focused on getting from one neighborhood to another, as opposed to moving people to a central business district.

“Even though not all roads lead to Manhattan anymore, we still live under a system that does so,” said Councilman Costa Constantinides, District 22. “The DOT can and should run a community-led process that takes a forward-thinking view of our streets, and engages with the MTA for faster, reliable, and, most importantly, accessible bus service.”

“Transit is the great equalizer, and yet we are still fighting for basic intra-borough connectivity,” said Councilman I. Daneek Miller. “For years, residents of Queens have contended with lack of service and inefficient routes, disconnecting entire neighborhoods…This legislation will help facilitate the hyper-local analysis our transit system desperately needs as we work to provide better options for all residents of the borough.”

Constantinides and Miller introduced the bill on January 8 at the City Council’s stated meeting. As written, the bill would require the Department of Transportation to conduct a transit study for each borough that would:

  • Assess the conditions for transit in every neighborhood within the borough
  • Identify “transit deserts” where residents don’t have significant access to mass transit
  • Work with the borough’s community boards as well as government agencies and authorities
  • Submit a report to the mayor and speaker of the City Council within a year of the bill’s passage on the DOT’s findings, along with its recommendations on getting New Yorkers around their respective boroughs easier

Job growth in formerly “bedroom communities” in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx has steadily outpaced Manhattan over the last 20 years, meaning fewer people are commuting into Manhattan for work. Brooklyn saw a 47.9% increase in jobs between 2000 and 2017, according to the Independent Budget Office, while Queens and the Bronx saw 26.8% and 25.2% increases respectively.

The boroughs are often plagued by transit deserts in which New Yorkers must walk 15 minutes or more to access subway service. Absent of a large-scale plan by the MTA to expand subway service, advocates including the Riders Alliance have called on the City of New York to make street-level improvements to help accelerate bus service. Look no further than the new 14th Street busway, in which the city banned cars from the once-congested Manhattan thoroughfare to create an efficient crosstown connection.

CONSTANTINIDES CALLS FOR MTA BOARD REFORM: Queens borough president candidate Councilman Costa Constantinides is calling for a major reform to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board that would give each of New York City’s five borough presidents a voting appointee on the decision-making body that oversees the vitally important mass transit agency.

“Too often, high-level MTA decisions that significantly impact Queens residents are made by people who don’t live, work, and commute in the borough,” said Councilman Constantinides. “Continuing the current structure will only allow the MTA to continue dictating transit plans to us, even though it should be the other way around. We need a mass transit agency that guarantees representation from each of the five boroughs, so that there is a voice who can fight to fill transit deserts and secure better service.”

Restructuring the board, which would require state legislative action, would be a historic move to bring better mass transit service to Queens. The current board structure includes 16 voting board members with a majority eight seats nominated by the governor. While New York City has four members recommended by the mayor, the Big Apple’s five borough presidents, who essentially function as county executives, have no say on fare increases, billion-dollar budget decisions, or strategic planning.

Constantinides said the MTA is thus governed under an inequitable system where counties with half the population of Queens or less have more of a say on our transit network. Executives from Westchester County (967,612 residents), Nassau County (1.3 million residents), and Suffolk County (1.4 million residents) all have an appointee with a full vote on the board. Their counterparts in Rockland County (325,695 residents), Orange County (381,951 residents), Putnam County (98,892 residents), and Dutchess County (293,718 residents) each name a member to the board, and the four appointees share a single vote. All the while, Queens residents have languished because of a lack of subway investments, slow action to reform our bus network, and limited community engagement. An MTA board member appointed by the borough president, empowered with a full vote, can bring a new perspective to issues facing commuters on a daily basis – especially regarding capital investments and reliable service.

The need for this kind of voice is underscored by the recent backlash against the MTA’s new Queens Bus Network Redesign draft plan, which is in the public review process. Although the agency has proposed a once-in-a-century review of the entire borough’s bus network to speed up travel times, residents in Jackson Heights and Bayside would face longer commute times under the proposal. Commuters might be forced back into their cars at a time of unprecedented traffic, when we must focus on getting people on mass transit, Constantinides noted.

INVESTIGATE THE LANDING SHELTER AFTER INFANT DEATHS: Councilman Francisco Moya called for an investigation into the security and safety practices at The Landing homeless shelter after twin infants were discovered unresponsive there on January 10 and subsequently pronounced dead at Elmhurst Hospital Center. The Landing is a temporary family homeless shelter in East Elmhurst that serves about 170 families and is operated by CAMBA.

“My heart breaks for the loss of these children, a boy and a girl who were just two months old and had their entire lives ahead of them,” said Councilman Moya. “This tragedy marks the second and third deaths tied to The Landing in just two months. With shelter should come safety, but residents and neighbors of The Landing have concerns and deserve answers about what is happening inside the facility. That’s why I’m calling for a full investigation into the security practices at this shelter. Additionally, I want to know what CAMBA, which operates the shelter, is doing to keep residents and neighbors safe.”

ENSURING BREASTFEEDING RIGHTS FOR WORKING MOMS: Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) on January 13 introduced the PUMP (Providing Urgent Maternal Protections) for Nursing Mothers Act. This bill will close unintentional gaps in the Break Time for Nursing Mothers Act to ensure that millions of working mothers have the access and protections they need to breastfeed should they choose to do so.

“As the first woman to give birth while serving on the New York City Council, I know firsthand the difficulties new mothers face in the workplace,” said Rep. Maloney. “Those difficulties should not include breastfeeding. Millions of nursing mothers are still without a clear right to pump at work. Without these protections, nursing mothers face serious health consequences, including risk of painful illness and infection, diminished milk supply, or inability to continue breastfeeding – this is why we must pass the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act to strengthen the 2010 Break Time law by making sure more working moms are guaranteed the right to pump at work.”

Nursing mothers are suffering negative health consequences and being forced to choose between breastfeeding and earning a paycheck. The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act would strengthen the 2010 Break Time law by:

  • Closing the coverage gap. The bill would protect 9 million employees unintentionally excluded from the 2010 Break Time law by extending the law’s protections to cover salaried employees as well as other categories of employees currently exempted from protections, such as teachers.
  • Providing employers clarity on when pumping time must be paid and when it may be unpaid. The bill leaves in place existing law protecting many salaried workers from having their pay docked, and clarifies that employers must pay an hourly employee for any time spent pumping if the employee is also working.
  • Providing remedies for nursing mothers. The bill would ensure that nursing mothers have access to remedies that are available for other violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

STATE POLICE TO HELP INVESTIGATE HATE CRIMES IN QUEENS: Governor Cuomo announced that he is directing the NYS Police Hate Crimes Task Force to assist in investigation of swastikas and hate speech in Queens. “I am disgusted by the reports of swastikas and hateful language found written inside a car that was broken into in Queens this morning (January 13). These blatant anti-Semitic acts are meant to instill fear and feed the cancer of hate that has become pervasive across this nation in recent years. I stand with all New Yorkers in condemning these hateful acts — whether they be in the form of graffiti or violence — and we will continue to call them out whenever and wherever we see them.

“I am directing the State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to assist the NYPD in their investigation to ensure the person responsible for this vile act is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

CALL FOR MORE NONPUBLIC SCHOOL SECURITY FUNDING: New York State Assemblymembers Daniel Rosenthal and Stacey Pheffer Amato on January 13 released the following statement calling for more nonpublic school security funding:

“After the brutal murders in a kosher grocery store in Jersey City; the horrific Hanukkah attacks in a Rabbi’s home in Monsey; several mass shootings in the nation’s schools; and on the heels of mass shootings in Pittsburgh and Poway synagogues, Assemblymembers Daniel Rosenthal (D-Kew Gardens Hills) and Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Far Rockaway) have called upon the New York State Legislature to substantially increase security funding for nonpublic schools in the New York State budget.

Historically, the New York State Legislature allocated $15 million annually for the Nonpublic School Safety Equipment (NPSE) Grant. This translates into approximately $37 per child. But New Jersey, in response to recent events, increased its allocation to $150 per child for security, doubling its previous rate. Rosenthal and Pheffer Amato propose New York double its allocation to $30 million, to protect children against the dangers caused by rising anti-Semitism and increasing school shooting incidents.

“All children – public school and nonpublic school alike – need to feel and be safe,” said Assemblyman Rosenthal. “I hear daily from individuals, schools, and houses of worship about their security concerns in the wake of these attacks. No parent should have to worry about their child being the target of hate-fueled violence. Anti-Semitism has no place in New York; this funding affirms our commitment to protecting our children.”

“Currently, a sense of urgency is felt to safeguard Jewish communities, especially our youngest and most vulnerable citizens.  Therefore, I feel strongly that this funding is critical to take a stand against the recent spike in anti-Semitic hate crimes which, unfortunately, shows no sign of decelerating,” Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato said.  “I am hopeful that this funding will be granted so that a measure of peace can be felt by those who may be targeted, and so that we join together to demonstrate our stand against hate.”

Aside from recent high-profile attacks, there have been almost daily incidents of knockdowns, rock throwing, cursing, spitting, and other forms of abuse aimed at visibly Jewish individuals. In the past year, New York City has seen a 20% increase in hate crimes and a 26% increase in anti-Semitic attacks, which comprise 55% of all hate crimes.

“The Catholic school community is very grateful to Assemblymembers Stacey Pheffer Amato and Daniel Rosenthal for their efforts to increase funding to meet the health, safety, and security needs of school children regardless of where they go to schools,” said James Cultrara, executive secretary, NYS Council of Catholic School Superintendents.

The NPSE Grant is a streamlined, noncompetitive grant available to nearly all nonpublic K-12 schools, regardless of size. The reimbursement form is two pages long – its goal is to protect kids, not add paperwork or complexity. At the request of Agudath Israel and others, the NPSE Grant has been expanded to reimburse a wide array of security upgrades, as well as safety and health items.

ADDABBO ATTENDS RALLY AGAINST ANTI-SEMITISM: NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. released the following statement in advance of the Queens Unity Rally that took place on Sunday, January 12: “…I will be attending the Queens Unity Rally Against Anti-Semitism at Macdonald Park in Forest Hills to stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters in the face of the horrible anti-Semitic attacks that have been on the rise in our city.

“Nobody, including those of the Jewish community, should not have to live or pray in fear for simply being who they are. We all must come together to show that hate has no place here in Queens, the most diverse borough on the planet.

“I would like to thank the rally’s hosts Ethan Felder, David Aronov, Jeff Kohn, Irina Kimyagar and Pesach Osina, as well as the sponsor Bukharian Jewish Union – (BJU) and co-sponsors Bukharian Jewish Community Center of Forest Hills, Reform Temple of Forest Hills, Malkhut: A Progressive Spiritual Community of Western Queens, Queens Jewish Center, and South Asian Fund for Education Scholarship and Training.”

BRADY ENDORSES MALONEY FOR REELECTION: On January 9 the Brady organization, whose motto is “United against gun violence,” endorsed Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12) in her bid for reelection in 2020.

Brady President Kris Brown said, “Rep. Carolyn Maloney is a stalwart champion of common-sense gun safety policies. From voting for the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993 to introducing the Gun Show Loophole Closing Act of 2017, to championing universal background checks, the reauthorization of the assault weapons ban and the recently passed funding for gun violence research, Rep. Maloney has a proven track record supporting policies that make New York’s 12th District and all Americans safer. It’s why Brady is proud to once again endorse Rep. Maloney and why we must send her back to Congress in 2021.”

Supporters note Maloney has advocated for and introduced common-sense gun violence prevention legislation since she arrived in Congress in 1993. Having voted for the historic Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993 and the Assault Weapons Ban in 1994, Maloney has championed the gun violence prevention movement throughout her entire time in Congress. She has a proven record, having introduced legislation to strengthen the national instant criminal background check system, fund research into gun violence, and ban high-capacity magazines and bump stocks. The Joint Economic Committee, under the leadership of Maloney as vice chair, issued two reports in 2018 highlighting the epidemic of gun violence – one that provides a state-by-state analysis of the economic costs of gun violence and another that demonstrates the link between firearms access and suicide. Maloney understands the need to enact common-sense solutions to the gun violence epidemic to help keep New York’s 12th congressional district and the entire country safe.

Congresswoman Maloney said, “Gun violence is a national epidemic. It’s in our schools, our homes, our streets, our movie theaters, our places of worship, our cars, and our shopping malls. Brady has been on the front lines of fighting gun violence for almost 30 years – and I cannot thank them enough for their endorsement, or their support for common-sense gun safety reforms. Their work is saving lives and I am proud to be a part of it.”

Maloney has also been endorsed by the Tilden Democrats, Aldos Democrats, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and the Progressive Caucus PAC. Her recent achievements include passing $25 million in funding for gun violence research by the federal government, permanently authorizing the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, winning 12 weeks of paid parental leave for 2.1 million federal workers and their families, and being elected as the first woman to chair the powerful House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

SOUTHEAST QUEENS BP CANDIDATE DEBATE: The Southeast Queens Community Queens Borough President Candidate Debate moderated by Cheryl Wills, the Emmy Award winning NY 1 anchor, author and journalist, will be held on Saturday, January 25, from 10:00am – 1:00pm at the Robert Ross Johnson Family Life Center (172-17 Linden Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11433). The debate is open to the community. Candidates participating include: Councilman Costa Constantinides (District 22), Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (District 26), Chief of ACS Police/Director of Security NYC Administration for Children’s Services Anthony Miranda, Councilman Donovan Richards (District 31), former Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (District 30). Organizers said, “Be ready, Queens, for the upcoming special election. Know the candidates!”

QUEENS CHAMBER’S FUTURE OF BUSINESS TALK WITH CANDIDATES: The Queens Chamber of Commerce presents The Future Of Business In Queens, a discussion with the candidates for Queens borough president. Candidates who are scheduled to attend include Costa Constantinides, Elizabeth Crowley, Jimmy Van Bramer and Donovan Richards.

“Hear directly from the people who want to represent you and serve as your next borough president, about the issues directly impacting businesses in our borough,” said organizers.

The event will take place at Antun’s (96-43 Springfield Boulevard, Queens Village) on Tuesday, February 4, from 8 am-11 am.

For tickets, visit queenschamber.eventbank.com/event/18701/#tickets

For additional event or venue information, you can email tgrech@queenschamber.org, or call 718-898-8500.

CONSTANTINIDES SUBMITS PETITION SIGNATURES: More than 2,700 registered Queens voters signed petitions to get borough president candidate Costa Constantinides on the ballot for the March 24 special election, his campaign announced on January 6. The groundswell of signatures over three days reflected the growing momentum for Constantinides’ plan to #Transform Queens, his campaign said.

“Within an hour of the race being called, Team Costa sprang into action to get him on the ballot,” said Patrick Jordan, campaign manager for Constantinides. “People from every corner of our borough were excited by Costa’s vision to Transform Queens and eagerly signed to get him on the ballot. We only expect the excitement to grow in the coming week of petitioning.”

Three dozen volunteers have carried petitions since January 2, when Mayor de Blasio officially called the nonpartisan special election to fill the vacancy at the borough president’s office. By Sunday night, the campaign was able to bring in over 2,700 signatures – well over the necessary 2,000 to get a candidate on the ballot – from every City Council district in Queens. Constantinides’ campaign arrived at the Board of Elections at 1 am Monday to wait for the office to open and file the first round.

For more information, visit: www.votecosta.com

SENATE PASSES GIANARIS’ AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION BILL: Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris announced that the Senate Democratic majority advanced his Automatic Voter Registration legislation on January 9, empowering more New Yorkers to take advantage of early voting opportunities and exercise their Constitutional right to vote. This builds on the historic voting reforms passed under the Senate Democratic majority during the 2019 Legislative Session. This new package of voting reforms also includes improvements to early voting to ensure adequate polling locations in communities throughout the state.

“At a time in our country when voting rights are under assault, New York must live up to its potential as a progressive leader. Access to the ballot box should be easy and fair, and enacting automatic voter registration would go a long way towards improving our democracy. I am proud the Senate is passing AVR today,” said Senator Gianaris.

Gianaris’ bill, S.6457B, creates a system of automatic voter registration within designated agency applications at the Departments of Health and Motor Vehicles.

The other legislation advanced by the State Senate include:

  • College or University Provided Polling Place, bill S.4378.
  • Ensuring Access to Early Voting for New York’s Population Centers, bill S.6754A
  • Voter Notifications, bill, S.6805
  • High Population Early Voting Polls, bill S.6923A
  • Accessible Early Voting, bill S.6925
  • Mobile Early Voting Locations, bill S.6926A
  • Exempting Schools From Early Voting Locations: This bill, S.6930 sponsored by Senator Liz Krueger will exempt school buildings from being used as early polling sites.

ASPIRE PAC ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF ADOPT-A-STATE: On January 10 ASPIRE PAC, the political arm of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Members of Congress, announced the launch of Adopt-A-State, a new initiative in which AAPI Members of Congress will select a state, and engage the AAPI electorate there to help Democrats up and down the ballot win in the 2020 elections.

These AAPI lawmakers will travel to the states they adopt, and visit with the local AAPI communities where they plan to make the case for Democrats, and discuss the importance of AAPIs voting for Democratic candidates.

ASPIRE members will adopt states with substantial and growing AAPI populations. They plan to engage AAPI voters through party-building events, roundtables with local stakeholders, digital efforts and more.

“Asian American and Pacific Islanders make up more than two percent of the eligible voting population in several swing states and states with early primaries and caucuses, and turning out AAPI voters will be crucial to Democratic victories in 2020,” said Congresswoman Meng, Chair of ASPIRE. “ASPIRE looks forward to partnering with state parties, grassroots organizations and local activists to make ‘Adopt-A-State’ a success, and I’m proud of this critical surrogate outreach investment that we’ll be making in AAPI communities across the nation.”

ASPIRE PAC works to support AAPI federal candidates and candidates with large AAPI constituencies. In addition to serving as ASPIRE Chair, Meng is a Democratic National Committee (DNC) Vice Chair.

The specific states that AAPI Members of Congress have committed to include:

  • Congresswoman Judy Chu: Nevada
  • Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal: Texas and Virginia
  • Congressman Ro Khanna: Pennsylvania and Ohio
  • Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi: Wisconsin
  • Congressman Ted Lieu: Iowa and Nevada
  • Congresswoman Grace Meng: Pennsylvania and Georgia

APPLY TO SERVE ON COMMUNITY BOARDS: Acting Borough President Sharon Lee is accepting applications from qualified and civic-minded individuals interested in serving on one of the borough’s 14 community boards, which play an important advisory role in considering land use and zoning matters in their respective districts.

“Civic engagement is a hallmark of our borough and city governance is only strengthened by the residents across Queens who make their voices heard and represent their neighborhoods and communities,” said Acting Borough President Lee. “Government is more effective and accountable when it works in close partnership with active, dedicated residents and relies on them for their insight and broad expertise.”

The community board membership application is available online at www.queensbp.org/community-boards. The deadline for prospective and current community board members to submit completed, signed and notarized applications to the Borough President’s office is Friday, January 31, 2020. For the upcoming round of appointments, the two-year term of service will begin on Monday, April 1, 2020.

There are 59 community boards citywide, including 14 in Queens, and each hold monthly full membership meetings. The boards also hold hearings and issue recommendations about the city budget, municipal service delivery and numerous other matters that impact their communities.

All Queens community board members are appointed by the Queens borough president, pursuant to the City Charter, with half of the appointments nominated by the City Councilmembers representing their respective community districts. Each board has up to 50 unsalaried members, with each member serving a two-year term.

All community board members who wish to continue serving on a board are required to reapply at the conclusion of their two-year term and are subject to review and reconsideration.

PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING FOR DISTRICT 19 IS IN PROGRESS: Councilman Paul Vallone announced Participatory Budgeting for his district is in full swing. Vallone said, “If you would like to propose a project idea for this year’s Participatory Budgeting ballot to help improve our local parks, schools, libraries, etc, you can do so by contacting our office at District19@council.nyc.gov or calling 718-619-8611. Through Participatory Budgeting, you can directly decide how to spend at least $1 million in this year’s City budget. After you have submitted your project idea, our office will contact you to discuss the next steps and how to turn your project ideas into real proposals for our ballot. These proposals will be up for a community-wide vote in the spring, where the projects that receive the most votes receive funding from our office.”

EMPIRE STATE COMPLEX, PENN STATION IMPROVEMENTS: Responding to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s announced proposal for the Empire State Complex in Manhattan, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12) released the following statement.

“A city must invest in itself to stay strong, and the creation of the Empire Station Complex is a great example of the type of bold, innovative projects New York should pursue. This project would not only expand capacity at Penn Station by 40%, but also better commutes for more than half a million New Yorkers. As all New Yorkers know, Penn Station has needed upgrades and increased capacity for years, and I look forward to working with the state, city, and the community to fully develop this plan to better serve New Yorkers.”

‘RAISE STATE REVENUES BY APPROVING MOBILE SPORTS BETTING’: NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., the chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering, made the following statement in response to Governor Cuomo’s 2020 State of the State Message to the Legislature:

“As we go into a very difficult fiscal year, facing a state budget deficit of more than $6 billion, and working on many initiatives mentioned in the Governor’s State of the State, I look forward to working with Governor Cuomo and my legislative colleagues to identify new sources of revenue to help close the budget gap, revitalize our economy, support local families and businesses, increase educational funding and continue to provide vital services to New Yorkers in need.

“First and foremost, to address these issues, I will continue to advocate for the implementation of mobile sports betting in New York state, which will curb the flow of dollars to nearby states, that could be used – now and in the future – to balance the state budget and provide needed funding support for education and to create jobs. We took a step forward last year in permitting sports betting in several upstate casinos, but adding the mobile wagering component is crucial to reaping the benefits of this gaming activity and enabling us to compete with other states.

“I also intend to explore options that may be pursued with regard to the three unused casino licenses that are still available to launch gaming facilities in the downstate region. These licenses represent an untapped source of revenue for New York state, which could also be directed to important state programs and funding for our schools. I will be holding a public hearing of the Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee on January 22 to begin gathering public and industry input on how we can best place these casino licenses on the front burner.

“This will be a very challenging year on many levels, and I am pledged to pursuing initiatives that will be part of the solution to the fiscal and public policy issues we are confronting.”

GIANARIS ON CLOSURE OF COURT SQUARE LIBRARY: Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris issued the following statement upon Queens Public Library’s announcement that the Court Square Library will close as of February 15.

“I am heartbroken to learn of the upcoming closing of the Court Square Library, which is a fantastic and needed resource for a growing community. I was proud to successfully fight to prevent its closure last year and will continue working with our community and QPL to fight for a new, permanent site for the Court Square Library.”

Gianaris had pushed the owners of One Court Square to extend their lease with the Queens Public Library and keep the facility open several months longer than originally planned.

ADDABBO ON OZONE PARK FIRE: On January 6 NYS Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr. released the following comments on the recent Ozone Park fire: “My thoughts go out to all of those that were affected by the terrible fire that destroyed the Ozone Park Supermarket and four apartment buildings on Sunday morning. Thankfully, no lives were lost in this blaze, but we do pray for the injured residents and brave firefighters who worked to get the fire under control before it could do even more damage. Our Ozone Park community is strong, and I know we will come together to help those that lost everything.”

PHEFFER AMATO APPOINTS DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF: Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Rockaway Beach) recently announced that Daniel Randell, former legislative and community affairs coordinator, will now hold the position of deputy chief of staff within her office. Randell joined Pheffer Amato’s team in January of 2017 as a community liaison and has gained extensive experience in the Assembly legislative process, as well as handling cases large and small with constituents, civic associations and government agencies.

A Queens native, Randell began his legislative career as an intern in the State Assembly in 2014, while attending SUNY Albany. After graduating from SUNY Albany with a bachelor’s degree in political science, Randell went on to work as a real estate coordinator with MTA Capital Construction. Randell studied at Baruch College, graduating with his master of public administration in 2017 while working part-time in Pheffer Amato’s office.

“Danny is such a valuable asset to Team Stacey and I am thrilled he has been a part of my team since day one. Danny is completely committed to serving the 23rd Assembly District and is extremely dedicated to his work,” Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato said. “Danny’s strong work ethic, dedication, and capacity for management have earned him this role and I am sure that as deputy chief of staff, Danny will continue to serve effectively.”

 

—With contributions by
Annette Hanze Alberts
This column was originated by
John A. Toscano

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