Queens Gazette

I On Politics


 

 

CELEBRATING GREEK INDEPENDENCE: Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Co-Chair and Co-Founder of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, joined today with the Hellenic-American community to celebrate the bicentennial of Greece’s independence and to call on the United Kingdom to return the Parthenon Marbles to their rightful home in the Acropolis.

Representatives Maloney and Bilirakis introduced H.Res.254 on March 18, calling for the UK to return the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.

“Our art and architecture, our rhetoric and our philosophy all owe much to the influence of Grecian culture. So, when there is already a long-standing debt of such great value – one we can never fully repay – it seems that the very least that we could do is to return to the Greek people something of great value that is rightfully theirs to begin with: the great collection of Classical Greek sculptures known as the Parthenon Marbles. They were originally sculpted by Greek citizens and meant to be displayed in the Parthenon and other buildings of the Acropolis. The Parthenon is one of the greatest cultural monuments in the history of the world – and the world and all Greeks deserve the chance to see it as it once stood – complete with the Marbles. As we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Greek War of Independence, we cannot forget that its fight to reclaim the Parthenon Marbles and erase this reminder of the imperialist past continues to this day,” said Congresswoman Maloney.

“It is with great pride that I recognize the 200th Anniversary of Greek Independence and celebrate Greek and American democracy. Like the American revolutionaries who fought for independence and established this great republic we call the ‘Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave’, Greek freedom fighters began an arduous struggle to win independence for Greece and its people 200 years ago. The lessons the Greeks taught us then continue to provide strength to victims of persecution throughout the world today. By honoring the Greek struggle for independence, we reaffirm the values and ideas that make our nation great. Socrates, Plato, Pericles, and many other great minds throughout history warned that we maintain democracy only at a great cost. Our Greek brothers earned their liberty with blood as did our American forefathers. The freedom we enjoy today is due to the sacrifices made by men and women in the past. We celebrate Greek independence to reaffirm the common democratic heritage we share. As Americans, we must continue to pursue this spirit of freedom and liberty that characterizes both great nations. Additionally, as we commemorate the victory of our ancestors in their quest for freedom, we remain cognizant of the ongoing struggle to return the Parthenon Marbles to their rightful homeland. To not house these treasures in the city they were originally intended does a disservice not only to the people of Athens, but also to the civilization that paved the path for modern democracy and freedom,” said Congressman Bilirakis.

“Greece has been ready for a long time to welcome home Her most valuable patrimony, the Parthenon Marbles. The Greek American community is grateful to Representatives Maloney and Bilirakis for bringing this Resolution to the floor, to assist in the efforts for their repatriation. We hope that the Parthenon Marbles will soon return to their rightful place in the world,” said His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America

“In 1821, after nearly 400 years of Ottoman oppression, the Greeks bound together under a flag bearing the cross to fight for freedom and justice in the land which gave the world democracy. Like the revolution which took place in America 45 years earlier, Greece would embark on a journey forever linking our two countries in their struggle for freedom and independence. Throughout history, Greece and the United States have stood shoulder-to-shoulder to face the challenges of an ever-changing world. The strong alliance continues into the 21st century. We appreciate Congressional Hellenic Caucus Co-Chairs U.S. Representatives Carolyn Maloney and Gus Bilirakis for introducing a resolution that commemorates Greece’s Bicentennial. We support it. And we call for its swift passage,” George G. Horiates, Esq., Supreme President, American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA).

“Today is a proud day for Hellenism and Greeks as it marks the 200th year anniversary of our Independence from the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire occupied Greece for almost 400 years. In that time, the Greek language, religion and traditions were taught in secret in monasteries and churches. 200 years ago, our ancestors persisted, fought, and gained back their freedom, and we now must demand and persist that the UK return the Parthenon Marbles to their rightful home, for Greece, for Greeks and the Greek generations to come,” said Stacy Bliagos, Executive Director, HANAC Inc.

Councilman Costa Constantinides (District 22) said, “200 years ago the Greek people began the struggle to break the chains of Ottoman oppression and reclaim their birthright as the guardians of the spark of democracy. While great military leaders like Theodoros Kolokotronis fought valiantly to repel the occupying forces, men and women around the world rallied to the Greek battle cry of freedom. Today we honor those who struggled and died to liberate our homeland, the homeland of Socrates and Plato, the homeland of Euclid and Pythagoras, and the homeland of Aeschylus and Aristophanes. They ensured that Greece, the cradle of so much of Western civilization, could rise up and take her place among the family of nations once again.

“To them, and to all of you,I wish a happy Independence Day!”

RESOLUTION MARKS GREEK INDEPENDENCE 200TH: Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris and New York’s Greek American state legislators introduced a resolution commemorating the 200th anniversary of Greek Independence. March 25th marks the date when Greece declared independence from the Ottoman Empire. In addition to Senator Gianaris, Greek American state legislators include Senator Andrew Gounardes, Senator James Skoufis, Senator Daphne Jordan, Assembly Member John Lemondes, and Assembly Member Michael Tannousis

Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris said, “As the son of Greek immigrants myself, I hold very close to my heart the immigrant experience. This is a wonderful occasion to recognize the sacrifices of those who came before us and to celebrate the values of our Greek heritage. The shared experience of our diverse immigrant neighbors who call New York home is one we should all appreciate.”

Deputy Leader Gianaris joined Senator Andrew Gounardes, Senator James Skoufis, Senator Daphne Jordan, Assembly Member Michael Tannousis, and Assembly Member John Lemondes for a virtual celebration of Greek heritage on, March 24, at 6:30 pm. It was livestreamed on Senator Gounardes’ Facebook page. The event recognized Greek Americans who have contributed substantially to the New York community. The guest of honor was Archbishop Elpidophoros, the Archbishop of America.

Greek Independence Day is a national holiday in Greece, commemorating the start of the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire in 1821. This year’s occasion marked the 200th anniversary of Greek independence.

Senator Gianaris is the first Greek American to hold elected office in New York and has been active in promoting stronger relationships between the United States and Greece and, as a first-generation American, improving the experience of new immigrant communities.

GILLIBRAND: WAKE-UP CALL TO TACKLE ONLINE HATE: U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released a statement about a declassified report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) that highlighted the heightened threat posed by domestic violent extremism in 2021 and that how white supremacist and militia extremists pose the most lethal threat to our country. In the wake of recent targeted attacks against Asian Americans across the country, and in New York, the timely declassified report outlines how perpetrators often radicalize by consuming violent extremist material online.

“The events of January 6, the attack in Atlanta, the near-daily reports of anti-Semitic graffiti, and the continued rise of attacks against Asian Americans throughout the pandemic should be a wakeup call to the urgent need to tackle domestic violent extremism in this country and I will be using my role on the Senate Intelligence Committee to find solutions,” said Senator Gillibrand. “It’s clear that Big Tech companies facilitate and profit from the spread of hateful views and that the unchecked power of major social media platforms is having detrimental consequences in our society. It is critical that we create a Data Protection Agency with dedicated technologists to inform and guide Congress about the most effective policy remedies to remove dangers and violent extremist movements from online platforms, so that we can take the necessary steps to keep Americans safe.”

Gillibrand previously announced landmark legislation, The Data Protection Act which would create an executive agency to protect consumer data and prepare the federal government to respond in real-time to growing online threats. Gillibrand also joined fellow lawmakers in a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg calling on the company to fully address the problem of anti-Muslim bigotry on its platform, which has enabled offline violence against Muslims in the United States and elsewhere around the world.

HOUSE SEEKS DOCS ON JAN. 6 ATTACK ON US CAPITOL: On March 25, Committee and Subcommittee Chairs across the House of Representatives sent letters to the White House, federal agencies, law enforcement, and Legislative Branch entities, including the House and Senate Sergeant at Arms, seeking documents and communications relating to the January 6 domestic terrorist assault on the Capitol.

“Our Committees are requesting information relating to the January 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol, which killed five people and injured hundreds more,” the Chairs wrote.

In the letters, the Chairs requested documents and communications from three key time periods— before, during, and after the attack—which relate to the counting of the Electoral College vote, or the potential for demonstrations, violence, or attacks in the National Capital Region on or around January 6, 2021.

In the letters to the FBI and the Department of Justice, the Chairs explained, “We understand that the Department continues to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in the events on January 6, 2021. We are happy to work with you to ensure that the document requests in this letter do not interfere with ongoing investigations and prosecutions.”

COUNSEL FOR CHILDREN IN IMMIGRATION COURT: US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduced the Funding Attorneys for Indigent Removal (FAIR) Proceedings Act, a bill that guarantees access to government-funded legal counsel during removal proceedings for children, individuals with disabilities, victims of abuse, torture, and violence, and those living at or below 200% of the federal poverty line.

Unlike American constitutional guarantees in criminal cases, those subjected to immigration removal proceedings do not have a guaranteed right to counsel. According to an American Immigration Council study, “only 37 percent of all immigrants and 14 percent of detained immigrants go to court with lawyers on their side.” Noncitizens, including children, must often argue their case without legal representation.

“Fairness and due process shouldn’t be available just to those who can afford the resources needed to navigate a vast and complex immigration system,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I am proud to introduce the FAIR Proceedings Act because guaranteed access to counsel will get us closer to reimagining and rebuilding an immigration court system that recognizes the dignity of children and vulnerable individuals, who deserve a fair shot at defending their cases. I’m also calling on the attorney general to consider necessary updates to the immigration court system because fixing the crisis at the border requires measured, thoughtful, and long-term vision.”

“The FAIR Proceedings Act ensures the fundamental fairness that all children need and deserve in their immigration proceedings – the right to a lawyer to stand by their side as they face an immigration judge,” said KIND President Wendy Young. ”The enormity of the stakes to the child cannot be (overstated), and as research has shown, whether a child receives the protection for which she is eligible often hinges on whether or not they are fortunate enough to have an attorney. The FAIR Proceedings Act will eliminate this roll of the dice justice and allow all children to have a fair chance to make their case for U.S. protection in immigration court.”

“Access to counsel is especially important in immigration cases, due to the high stakes, complexity of the law, and special vulnerabilities of respondents. Immigration court has been likened to adjudicating death penalty sentence cases in traffic court. Children and survivors of torture should not be compelled to appear without counsel in proceedings where an incorrect decision could result in their prolonged detention, denial or loss of immigration status, separation from their families, and even deportation to possible persecution and death,” said Danny Alicea, Chair, Immigration & Nationality Law Committee at the New York City Bar Association.

In a Syracuse University analysis of immigration court data, 73% of unaccompanied children with representation were granted relief from removal and allowed to remain in the United States, whereas only 15 percent of unrepresented children were allowed to stay.

U.S. Senators Markey (D-MA), Blumenthal (D-CT), Booker (D-NJ), Warren (D-MA), Padilla (D-CA), Kaine (D-VA), Merkley (D-OR), and Klobuchar (D-WI) co-sponsored the bill.

Following the introduction of the FAIR Proceedings Act, Gillibrand also led her Senate colleagues in a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. In the letter, the Senators urge the Department of Justice (DOJ) to review and address the needs of the Immigration Court system to ensure that proceedings are fair, the most vulnerable are protected, and that the independence and authority of immigration judges is fully restored. Gillibrand also requested that DOJ consider COVID-19 safety measures to keep judges, attorneys, and defendants safe during court proceedings.

Gillibrand previously introduced the Protection of Kids in Detention (PROKID) Act, which would provide a new, stronger layer of oversight to ensure and enforce transparency, protection, and accountability for all immigrant children in any kind of government custody.

The FAIR Proceedings Act would also contribute to streamlining court processes and reducing the immigration court backlog. When a lawyer is present, clients are informed, prepared, and better understand the proceedings. Increased access to counsel will improve the entire court system’s functionality and efficiency through a reduction in delays and continuances.

MALONEY PRAISES KEY HEALTH CARE SAVINGS IN ARP: Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) marked the 11th anniversary of the landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA) by praising provisions of the American Rescue Plan that would increase affordability and accessibility to healthcare under the ACA. The plan builds on the ACA’s critical benefits by lowering the cost of premiums through federal subsidies and expanding eligibility for those subsidies to millions of Americans.

“For 11 years, the ACA has stood alongside Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid as a pillar of health and economic security for New York families,” said Rep. Maloney. “In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, access to the ACA’s lifesaving benefits and protections is more vital than ever. I was proud to vote for the ACA 11 years ago, and thrilled that it included my Breastfeeding Promotion Act, to provide breastfeeding protections for women in the workplace, and my Women’s Health Office Act, to establish an Office on Women’s Health, headed by a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Women’s Health. I will continue to fight against any attacks levied by Republicans against the ACA as we continue to pursue new policies to make quality healthcare affordable and accessible to all.”

The Affordable Care Act provides key reforms to the healthcare marketplace, including important consumer protections and provisions to expand access and reduce healthcare costs, including:

Protections for 135 million Americans with preexisting conditions;

An end to insurance companies charging women more than men for the same coverage;

A ban to prevent insurers from placing annual and lifetime caps on coverage;

Guaranteed essential health benefits, including requirements that insurance companies cover prescription drugs and maternity care;

Lower prescription drug costs for nearly 12 million seniors; and

Extended eligibility for dependent child coverage, allowing young people to stay on their parents’ health insurance plan until age 26.

The American Rescue Plan includes provisions that build on historical protections of the ACA, including:

Expanded Subsidies in ACA Marketplaces;

ACA Subsidies for those on unemployment;

New Incentives for Medicaid Expansion; and

COBRA Subsidies for individuals who lose their jobs.

Breastfeeding Promotion Act

(H.R. 2819, 111th Congress) A provision included in the ACA is based upon Rep. Maloney’s Breastfeeding Promotion Act, which required employers with over 50 hourly wage employees to provide a private space and unpaid time off during the workday for mothers to express milk.

Women’s Health Office Act of 2009

(H.R.3242, 111th Congress) Another provision included in the ACA was incorporated from the Women’s Health Office Act of 2009, which amended the Public Health Service Act to establish within the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) an Office on Women’s Health, headed by a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Women’s Health. This permanent office would work to address needs and gaps in research, policy, programs, and education and training in women’s health. The legislation also provided statutory authority for the five federal women’s health offices.

NYS TO LEGALIZE ADULT-USE CANNABIS: Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced on March 27 an agreement on legislation (S.854- A/A.1248-A) to legalize adult-use cannabis. The bill would establish the Office of Cannabis Management to implement a comprehensive regulatory framework that would cover medical, adult-use and cannabinoid hemp. The bill would also expand New York State’s existing medical marijuana and cannabinoid hemp programs. The legislation provides licensing for marijuana producers, distributors, retailers, and other actors in the cannabis market, and creates a social and economic equity program to assist individuals disproportionately impacted by cannabis enforcement that want to participate in the industry.

The development of an adult-use cannabis industry in New York State under this legislation has the potential to create significant economic opportunities for New Yorkers and the State. Tax collection from the adult-use cannabis program are projected to reach $350 million annually. Additionally, there is the potential for this new industry to create 30,000 to 60,000 new jobs across the state.

“For generations, too many New Yorkers have been unfairly penalized for the use and sale of adult-use cannabis, arbitrarily arrested and jailed with harsh mandatory minimum sentences. After years of tireless advocacy and extraordinarily hard work, that time is coming to an end in New York State,” Governor Cuomo said. “Legalizing adult-use cannabis isn’t just about creating a new market that will provide jobs and benefit the economy – it’s also about justice for long-marginalized communities and ensuring those who’ve been unfairly penalized in the past will now get a chance to benefit. I look forward to signing this legislation into law.”

The New York State Cannabis/Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act contains the following provisions:

Establish the Office of Cannabis Management: OCM would be an independent office operating as part of the New York State Liquor Authority.

Medical Cannabis: The agreement would allow people with a larger list of medical conditions to access medical marijuana, increase the number of caregivers allowed per patient, and permit home cultivation of medical cannabis for patients.

Adult-Use Cannabis: The agreement would create a two-tier licensing structure that would allow for a large range of producers by separating those growers and processors from also owning retail stores. The legislation will implement strict quality control, public health and consumer protections. A social and economic equity program would facilitate individuals disproportionally impacted by cannabis enforcement, including creating a goal of 50% of licenses to go to a minority or woman owned business enterprise, or distressed farmers or service-disabled veterans to encourage participation in the industry.

Cannabinoid Hemp: The agreement would permit the sale of hemp flower in the cannabinoid hemp program, and allow for smokeable forms only when adult use retail stores are operational.

Adult-Use Cannabis Tax Revenue: Revenue covers reasonable costs to administer the program and implement the law. The remaining funding would be split three ways:

• 40 Percent to Education

• 40 Percent to Community Grants Reinvestment Fund

• 20 Percent to Drug Treatment and Public Education Fund

Traffic Safety: After completion of a research study, DOH may create and implement rules and regulations to approve and certify a test for the presence of cannabis in drivers. The use of cannabis by drivers will remain prohibited.

Criminal Justice and Record Expungement: The cannabis penalty framework would be restructured to avoid the criminalization seen in prohibition. Reduced penalties would be implemented for possession and sale. Creates automatic expungement or resentencing for anyone with a previous marijuana conviction that would now be legal under the law. Adds cannabis to the clean indoor air act. Municipalities and local governments are permitted to make laws that are more restrictive than the CIAA. Contains various provisions to ensure that cannabis is treated as a lawful substance and to prevent discriminatory enforcement

Also: Personal Possession and Home Cultivation; Municipal Opt-Out; Protections for the Use of Cannabis and Workplace Safety; and a Public Health and Education Campaign.

OFFICIALS SLAM POSTAL SERVICE’S 10-YEAR PLAN: On March 23, Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, the Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform; Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations; Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security; and Committee Member Rep. Brenda Lawrence, issued the following statements in response to the announcement by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy of his 10-year plan for the Postal Service:

“I am extremely concerned about the Postal Service’s unacceptable decision to make permanent slower mail delivery despite substantial public and Congressional opposition, and its failure to fully engage with Congressional leaders and postal stakeholders during the development of Postmaster General DeJoy’s plan,” said Chairwoman Maloney. “Mr. DeJoy’s plan should not be implemented until Congress and the American people have the opportunity to fully review it and provide substantive feedback.”

“Postmaster General DeJoy has put forth a draconian plan that guarantees the death spiral of the United States Postal Service,” said Chairman Connolly. “Customers and Congress are fed up with DeJoy’s service cuts and record delays. The only way to right this ship is new leadership, a better vision, and a realistic plan that serves all Americans.”

“I am not sure how our postal workers who remain on the frontlines of our national COVID response can view DeJoy’s plans as anything other than a gratuitous slap,” said Chairman Lynch. “By further degrading mail delivery, the putative “10- year plan” released by Postmaster General DeJoy runs contrary to the Postal Service’s mission to provide prompt, reliable, and efficient mail services to the American people. It will also impede the efforts of our 645,000 postal employees to process and deliver the mail to every home and business in America six days a week. We should be grateful that, at great risk to their personal health and safety, our dedicated postal workforce has remained on the job throughout the entire COVID-19 pandemic. In place of Postmaster General DeJoy’s plan to degrade service, we must continue to develop a bipartisan postal reform plan that responds to the needs of the American people and reflects the commitment and sacrifice of America’s postal workers to deliver the mail on time.”

“As a 30-year veteran of the United States Postal Service, I have and always will be committed to supporting the mission and workers of this critical agency,” said Congresswoman Lawrence. “It’s the responsibility of the Postmaster General to meet the challenge of upholding the Postal Service’s trusted and timely mail delivery. I’m extremely troubled by any action to lower service standards, and I remain willing to work with the agency’s leadership to maintain the Postal Service’s favorability and ability to promptly and efficiently deliver mail to all Americans.”

‘CRACK DOWN ON ANONYMOUS SHELL COMPANIES’: House Financial Services Committee hearing entitled “Oversight of the Treasury Department’s and Federal Reserve’s Pandemic Response,” Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), senior member of the committee, questioned Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen about what steps the Treasury Department is taking to implement the provisions of her Corporate Transparency Act, and about the impacts COVID will have on the American labor force going forward, post-pandemic.

During her exchange with Secretary Yellen, Congresswoman Maloney stated, “At the end of last year, we were able to reach a bipartisan compromise on my Corporate Transparency Act, which will crack down on anonymous shell companies – the vehicle of choice for criminal activity, money laundering, and terrorism financing…The bill requires companies to disclose their true, beneficial owners to FinCEN, which is an arm of Treasury. And FinCEN will collect this information in a database, which is intended to be state-of-the-art with privacy and security protections. Law enforcement calls it the most important tool that has been given to them to track illegal money activity in 30 years. And implementation of this [law] will be a massive undertaking, and will require an enormous amount of resources and manpower at Treasury.”

In response to the Congresswoman asking if she would make implementation of the new law a priority, Secretary Yellen stated, “It’s a very important piece of legislation, and it is one of our highest priorities to implement this promptly and to get it right. We have a hiring plan, we recognize that significant resources will be required, and we’re trying to obtain them. We have plans for how to collect the required database, and we’re actively working to implement this very important piece of legislation.”

Congresswoman Maloney continued by highlighting the economic impact of COVID-19 on the American labor force, stating, “We know that over 11.5 million women lost their jobs, compared to 9 million men [from February to May 2020], Black and Latino women suffered the highest rate of all and that the women’s labor force participation [rate] is down 2%. And the families are suffering.”

Congresswoman Maloney then asked Secretary Yellen, “What can we do to help them get back into the labor force?”

Secretary Yellen responded, “In the short term, the American Rescue Plan contains substantial support for minorities and particularly for women who’ve been forced to drop out of the labor market. There’s an important increase in the Child Tax Credit that’s going to result in, along with other provisions, a 50% reduction in the child poverty rate.” Yellen added that there’s money to support and open schools promptly, there’s an enhanced Child and Dependent Care Credit, with a successful vaccination program to get women back into the labor force. “And longer term, when we’ve gotten to the other side of this pandemic, we hope to address in the jobs package, over the longer term, some of the factors that have resulted in low wages and low labor force participation for women.”

Congresswoman Maloney first introduced legislation to crack down on anonymous shell companies, which have long been the vehicle of choice for money launderers, terrorists, and criminals, in 2009. Originally named the Incorporation Transparency and Law Enforcement Assistance Act, a version of the bill has been introduced in every subsequent Congress by Congresswoman Maloney. The Congresswoman introduced H.R. 2513, the Corporate Transparency Act of 2019, on May 3, 2019. It was passed by the House of Representatives with a bipartisan vote of 249-173 on October 22, 2019. A version of the bill was included in the FY21 NDAA, which became law on January 1, 2021.

HOUSING OUR NEIGHBORS WITH DIGNITY ACT: Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, along with housing advocates, are calling for a proposal to convert distressed hotels and commercial properties to be included in the final state budget. The proposal, Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act, was introduced earlier this month by Senator Gianaris, and included in the state Senate’s budget plan along with a financial commitment of $250 million.

“New York has seen a decades-long affordable housing crunch exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic devastation,” said Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris. “This legislation is a good way to tackle the dual problems of distressed properties and lack of affordable housing. I am glad my colleagues agreed this proposal should be included in the Senate’s budget resolution. Now we need to continue the hard work to ensure it is included in the final state budget.”

The Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act allows owners of financially-distressed hotels and commercial properties to sell them to the state to create permanent affordable housing for homeless and housing-vulnerable New Yorkers. The properties could then be operated by non-profit housing providers. It would cost over $2.2 billion, paid for mostly with dollars included in the federal American Rescue Act. New York City currently has more than 50,000 people living in homeless shelters and countless others who are housing stressed.

Senator Gianaris’ legislation is supported by a wide variety of experts in the housing field, including advocacy groups like VOCAL-NY, the Community Service Society of New York, non-profit housing developer HousingWorks, a Strong Economy for All coalition, and Neighbors Together.

“The pandemic has made evident how dire New York’s housing crisis is. Weak rent moratoriums and insufficient rent relief programs have not gone far enough for most New Yorkers in need as the number of evictions grows in low-income neighborhoods of color. The conversion of office units and distressed hotel properties into housing units would greatly bolster the number of beds available to New Yorkers in need, as well as assist businesses that are getting back on their feet,” said Assembly Member Karines Reyes, who carries the legislation in the state Assembly.

BILL ADDRESSES DISCRIMINATORY HOUSING LENDING PRACTICES: Looking to address housing loan discrimination against racial minorities, women, and certain rural residents, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has reintroduced a bill that would increase transparency and accountability in the lending process. The bill, titled the Home Loan Quality Transparency Act of 2021, would require lending institutions and credit unions to provide public disclosures regarding their mortgages and home equity lines of credit. This new requirement for reporting would increase transparency among these institutions and help to find and eliminate discriminatory lending practices.

“Today’s housing market is built on a bedrock of discriminatory practices, with systemic issues dictating who can and cannot have fair access to a home,” said Rep. Velázquez. “Even decades after Congress passed the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, we still see prejudice leaking into the decision making of lenders nationwide. I’ve authored legislation that would hold all lending institutions in the housing sector to account and ensure families can find the home they need without fear.”

In 2010, Congress expanded the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act’s (HMDA) reporting requirements under the Dodd-Frank Act to target discriminatory lending practices. Under the Act, these lenders were required to compile demographic data regarding their customers as a part of their reports. However, these requirements were rolled back by Congress in 2018 under the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. This rollback exempted nearly 85 percent of all lenders from conducting these reports. The Home Loan Quality Transparency Act of 2021 would reinstate these requirements enacted under Dodd-Frank, and require loans to have a unique loan identifier to trace the loan through sales to investors.

Over 40 years ago, Congress passed the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA), which required lending institutions to collect and report demographic data on their loans. This data would be used to identify and prosecute discriminatory lending practices. Today, the evidence continues to suggest that racial minorities, women, and some rural residents still face loan discrimination by lenders. According to a report from the Center for Investigative Reporting, redlining practices have extended into the modern day in major cities nationwide. Furthermore, discrimination against women in the housing market is also prevalent, with a 2016 report from the Urban Institute revealing that single women would receive drastically higher interest rates from banks than single males.

The Home Loan Quality Transparency Act of 2021 was introduced alongside its companion bill in the Senate, led by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV).

QBP RICHARDS TO JETBLUE: COMMIT TO STAY: Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. sent a letter to JetBlue President and CEO Robin Hayes, urging the company to commit keeping its corporate headquarters in Long Island City after it was reported JetBlue is considering moving its offices to Florida.

BP Richards writes, “When JetBlue initially chose Kew Gardens and later Long Island City as the site of its corporate headquarters, it marked the beginning of what has become a deep and mutually beneficial partnership between your airline and the borough of Queens. Let’s continue that partnership. I understand the COVID-19 pandemic has placed significant strains on JetBlue and other airlines, and that emerging from the nadir will require difficult choices. But I know that it would be a long-term mistake for JetBlue to abandon its relationships and roots in Queens, thereby losing out on everything our borough and its residents can offer.”

‘HEALTH FORCE’ PROGRAM & EQUITABLE HIRING: US Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Michael Bennet sent recommendations and guidelines to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as the administration works to implement the Health Force program to combat the pandemic. The recently passed American Rescue Plan delivered $7.66 billion for a new public health workforce based on Gillibrand and Bennet’s “Health Force’’ legislation to expand the nation’s public health jobs and infrastructure. The senators are calling on the Biden administration to prioritize equitable hiring and service in low-income and underserved “Focal Communities”, and prioritize robust training, compensation, and reporting to ensure the landmark public health workforce is administered efficiently and sustainably.

“We were proud to work with Congressional leadership to ensure that Sections 2501 and 11001 were aligned as closely as possible to S. 32 of the 117th Congress – Health Force, Resilience Force, and Jobs to Fight COVID-19 Act (Health Force), but we recognize that restrictions in the Budget Reconciliation process did not afford the precision and detail required of a legislative and programmatic endeavor on this scale. Therefore, as you implement such sections of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and work to deliver on the public health jobs promise made by President Biden, we respectfully request your consideration of the Congressional intent of Health Force, and its commitment to health equity, sustainability, and the creation of new careers in health for underserved communities,” wrote the senators.

As intended, the Health Force would recruit, train and employ hundreds of thousands of Americans to build public health capacity in underserved communities, support already overburdened state and local health departments, and provide jobs for recently unemployed workers. When implemented properly, these community-based public health jobs are known to improve local health outcomes, including vaccination rates. Health Force is inspired by the Depression-era Works Progress Administration, which similarly tapped thousands of job seekers to help the nation recover from a sharp economic downturn. By providing federal funding to State, local, territorial, and Tribal public health departments, and their partners across the country, Health Force can ensure that every community is positioned to meet its most pressing needs.

In addition to Senators Gillibrand and Bennet, the letter is signed by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Tina Smith (D-MN).

The push is supported by the Public Health Jobs Now! Coalition including SEIU, Partners In Health, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), National Employment Law Project (NELP), Right 2 Health Action (R2HA), and the Center for Popular Democracy.

MALONEY OPENS HEARING HONORING EQUAL PAY DAY: Below are extracts from Committee on Oversight and Reform Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney’s opening statement, as prepared for delivery, for the March 24 hearing in honor of “Equal Pay Day” to examine the economic harm caused by longstanding gender inequalities, particularly for women of color: “Today is Equal Pay Day, but it is not a celebration. Today marks the extra days and weeks it takes American women to earn the same pay that their male counterparts made in the previous year. Three extra months of work, just to earn the same amount. In 1963, when the Equal Pay Act was signed, women made 59 cents for every dollar earned by men. We have made some progress since then—but not nearly enough. Today in 2021, on average women are still paid only 82 cents for every dollar paid to a man.

“The gender pay gap is even worse for many women of color. For every dollar paid to white men, Asian American women overall are paid 87 cents, Black women are paid 63 cents, Native American women are paid 60 cents, and Latina women are paid just 55 cents.

“Today marks All Women’s Equal Pay Day, reflecting the average across races and ethnicities. Asian American and Pacific Islander Women’s Equal Pay Day is March 9th, Black Women’s Equal Pay Day isn’t until August 3rd, Native American Women’s Equal Pay Day isn’t until September 8th, and Latina Women’s Equal Pay Day isn’t until October 21st.

“This is a disgrace, and it has long-term consequences for women and families.

“Routinely earning less than we deserve impacts us for life. As Vice Chair of the Joint Economic Committee I released a report in 2016 showing that lower wages over a lifetime result in reduced Social Security and pension benefits, and makes it harder for women to save for retirement. Other research suggests that women also experience disparity in access to sources of incomes outside of salary and wages, such as employment benefits, that contribute to financial security and prosperity during a career. On average, women earn approximately $900,000 less than men over their lifetimes.

“We also know that economic insecurity makes women more vulnerable to other devastating circumstances like workplace sexual harassment, domestic violence, and abuse. Women working in low-wage jobs have even fewer workplace protections, making them and their families even more vulnerable.

“The economic harm caused by longstanding gender inequalities has only been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. Women comprise a majority of health care and other social services workers, and have disproportionately shouldered the burden of the coronavirus pandemic. Women without access to paid leave have been forced to decide whether to forego income or step back from their professions in order to care for themselves or their loved ones.

“Today we’ll talk about reforms that promote an equitable and inclusive economic recovery for women across the U.S., so with our response to this crisis we can not only recover— but build a more equal future.

“I am pleased that the Education and Labor Committee is marking up the Paycheck Fairness Act and other critical reforms today. One of the most basic protections women are lacking in our country is constitutional equality. I have advocated for the Equal Rights Amendment for over 25 years. The ERA would establish freedom from discrimination on the basis of sex as a constitutional right. There is no other way to fully enforce equal pay for equal work in the courts unless we get the ERA, and it is one of many permanent, fundamental fixes we need to stem the tide of gender inequality in our country. For millions of Americans, these issues are of vital importance. Ensuring an equitable recovery from the coronavirus pandemic requires facing the reality of gender inequality head-on. Our coronavirus recovery plans must set the stage for bold, transformative policy decisions that will bring us into a more equal future. We cannot achieve recovery without equality.”

AG CEMENTS VICTORY CHALLENGING TRUMP’S SNAP CUTBACKS: New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that the ruling she secured striking down the former administration’s attempt to deny food assistance to nearly 700,000 Americans by changing the rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will continue to have the force and effect of law, following the dismissal of the federal government’s appeal from that ruling. “This decision is a win for basic human decency,” said Attorney General James. “The former administration’s rule would have needlessly pushed hundreds of thousands of vulnerable Americans into greater economic uncertainty. The attempted restrictions do not represent who we are as a nation– a nation that uplifts the communities that need it most. I am grateful that this rule will not be implemented, and I join my colleagues in urging a much-needed expansion to the SNAP program.”

In January 2020, Attorney General James and District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) rule that would limit states’ ability to extend benefits from SNAP beyond a three-month period for certain adults. The lawsuit argued that the rule directly undermined Congress’ intent for SNAP, that the USDA violated the federal rule-making process, and that the rule would impose significant regulatory burdens on the states while harming states’ economies and residents. The rule was originally set to take effect on April 1, 2020, but Attorneys General James and Racine secured a preliminary injunction, in March 2020, from Chief Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that temporarily blocked the rule from taking effect while the matter was being litigated. In October 2020, Chief Judge Howell struck down the rule in its entirety, protecting access to SNAP benefits for more than 50,000 people in New York City, and eliminating the risk of tens of thousands more throughout New York state going hungry. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) under the Trump Administration initially appealed the decision setting aside the rule, but, this past Monday, the Biden Administration’s DOJ asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to dismiss the appeal, which the District of Columbia circuit court did on March 23.

As a result, Chief Judge Howell’s decision striking down the rule is now final, and the SNAP cuts proposed by the Trump Administration will not go into effect. SNAP has served as the country’s primary response to hunger since 1977 and has been a critical part of federal and state efforts to help lift people out of poverty. The program provides access to food for millions of Americans with limited income who would otherwise struggle with food insecurity. While the federal government pays the full cost of SNAP benefits, it shares the costs of administering the program on a 50-50 basis with the states, which operate the program.

Congress amended SNAP in 1996 with the goal of encouraging greater workforce participation among beneficiaries. The changes introduced a three-month time limit on SNAP benefits for unemployed individuals, aged 18 to 49, who are not disabled or raising children — “able-bodied adults without dependents” (ABAWDs). Congress understood that states were best positioned to assess whether local economic conditions and labor markets provided ABAWDs reasonable employment opportunities. As a result, the law allows a state to acquire a waiver of the ABAWD time limit for areas where the unemployment rate is above 10 percent, or if it presents data demonstrating that the area lacks sufficient jobs for ABAWDs. States were also given a limited number of one-month exemptions for individuals who would otherwise lose benefits under the time limit, and were permitted to carry over unused exemptions to safeguard against sudden economic downturns. Over the last 24 years, Congress has maintained the criteria for states to obtain waivers and to carry over unused exemptions. It has reauthorized the statute four times without limiting the states’ discretion over these matters and overwhelmingly rejected attempts to add restrictions on waivers in the 2018 Farm Bill. Shortly after former President Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill into law, the USDA announced a proposed rule seeking changes almost identical to those Congress rejected. The USDA received more than 100,000 comments in total — the majority of which reflected strong opposition from a broad range of stakeholders. Regardless, the USDA’s final rule went even further in restricting state discretion over waivers and exemptions than what it had initially proposed.

Attorney General James additionally signed on to a letter to Congress in support of the Improving Access to Nutrition Act, which would eliminate limitations on the time period during which ABAWDs can access benefits. The letter, signed by 17 states and municipalities, argues that those limitations have proven ineffective in encouraging employment and serve only to prevent those who cannot find work from accessing essential nutrition. The coalition further notes that the process for seeking waivers and exemptions from the time period due to lack of jobs in an area creates significant administrative burdens on states and that the data needed to show a lack of jobs is not always available. The letter also notes that passage of the Improving Access to Nutrition Act would prevent future administrations from cruel attempts to cut off nutritional assistance.

COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING IN FISCAL YEAR 2022: U.S. Reps. Grace Meng (NY-06) and Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), the two New York members of the powerful House Appropriations Committee—which funds federal agencies and programs—announced a new process for state and local governments and non-profits to receive direct federal funding through the Appropriations process. They have also created guidance to help New York nonprofits and government entities navigate the new Community Project Funding process in Congress.

Community Project Funding recognizes that Members of Congress know their districts best, and know the needs of their communities. Unlike the former congressionally-directed spending, also known as “earmarks,” the revamped Community Project Funding process will prioritize accountability, transparency, and strong community support. New reforms require rigorous vetting, limits 10 community project requests from each Member of Congress, public disclosure of potential recipients on the Congressmember’s website, and certification that no Congressmember’s family can benefit from the project. To assist potential New York recipients in learning more about the process, Meng and Espaillat created a concise fact sheet.

Eligible entities that can apply for funding include state or local governmental entities and nonprofit organizations. All for-profit groups and entities are ineligible. Eligible projects are broken down by each spending bill.

Those interested in submitting a Community Project Funding request must consult with their congressional representative.

“After many years of a hiatus, we are excited to announce the newly reformed Community Project Funding in annual federal spending bills,” said Reps. Meng and Espaillat. “This new process will ensure that Members of Congress can work with their communities to identify projects which need funding, especially as we look to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. After all, Members of Congress know their districts best. We have prepared a short overview of how to identify those projects and what steps may be involved.”

PROTECT STIMULUS PAYMENTS FROM DEBT COLLECTORS: New York Attorney General Letitia James took action to protect millions of New Yorkers and block debt collectors from seizing billions of dollars in emergency stimulus payments authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Attorney General James issued official guidance to New York state banking institutions, creditors, and debt collectors, making clear that financial relief provided through stimulus payments are exempt from garnishment under New York law. The American Rescue Plan Act authorized the U.S. Department of Treasury to send billions of dollars to Americans struggling as a result of the economic fallout of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health crisis, but these emergency stimulus payments were not designated as exempt from garnishment, allowing debt collectors to potentially benefit before consumers.

“As New Yorkers continue to face economic instability spurred by the pandemic, it is imperative that we continue to protect their wallets from unscrupulous actors,” said Attorney General James. “This official guidance makes clear that banks and debt collectors cannot freeze or seize stimulus funds that are intended for New Yorkers, especially those most in need during this time. My office remains committed to protecting New Yorkers’ rights, and ensuring that any institution that violates this guidance will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

Attorney General James’ guidance is based on multiple state and federal consumer protection laws and clarifies that any attempt to garnish stimulus funds from New Yorkers will be treated as a violation of these laws.

Under New York law, certain types of property — including public benefits, like public assistance, social security, and veterans’ and retirement benefits — are exempt from execution, levy, attachment, garnishment, or other legal process by a judgment creditor seeking to satisfy a monetary judgment. The New York State Court of Appeals has held that exemption statutes “are to be construed liberally in favor of debtors” because exemptions “serve the important purpose of protect[ing] the debtor’s essential needs.”

American Rescue Plan Act stimulus payments are similarly aimed at debtors’ or borrowers’ essential needs and — under Attorney General James’ guidance — will therefore be treated and are subject to the same protections as statutorily exempt payments, and will not be subject to garnishment — a legal mechanism that typically involves the “freezing” of funds in a bank account by creditors or debt collectors. Attorney General James’ guidance today advises banking institutions that American Rescue Plan Act stimulus payments will follow similar legal processes as other public benefits, and any person or entity that garnishes or attempts to garnish these payments will have violated multiple state and federal consumer protection laws.

Today’s guidance also addresses what are known as “setoffs” — where a financial institution seizes funds in a consumer’s account to pay a debt owed to the bank. American Rescue Plan Act stimulus payments are now exempt from this abusive and unfair practice, and Attorney General James is urging all financial institutions to follow the lead of the nation’s largest banks, which have committed to ensuring that consumers are able to access the full value of their stimulus payments.

This guidance does not apply to any actions taken by the state of New York, including, but not limited to, any actions to collect past due child support.

The American Rescue Plan Act authorized the Treasury Department to issue emergency stimulus payments of up to $1,400 for eligible adults and up to $1,400 for eligible children to help offset the costs of essentials, like housing, groceries, car payments, and other necessary expenses. According to the Treasury Department, as of last week, approximately 90 million Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan Act had already been distributed to individuals throughout the nation, with more expected in the coming weeks.

Today’s guidance follows similar guidance issued by Attorney General James, in April 2020, that protected New Yorkers’ Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) stimulus payments from garnishment.

PROBLEM GAMBLING EDUCATION PROGRAM PASSES SENATE: March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, and as Chair of the NYS Senate Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee, Senator Joe Addabbo recognizes the importance of providing education and resources for gambling addiction so those who need help, are able to obtain it.

The NYS Senate passed legislation (S.4207), sponsored by Senator Addabbo, requiring the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services to develop a problem gambling education program that all individuals, prior to being removed from any self-exclusion list, must complete.

Many gaming facilities nationwide use self-exclusion lists to encourage responsible gaming. In New York, gaming facilities are required to offer individuals the ability to voluntarily place themselves on a self-exclusion list, which will prevent them from entering, placing a wager, or collecting winnings from a gambling facility. In addition, if an individual is seen on the premises of a facility, they may be escorted off the casino’s property.

“Problem Gambling Awareness Month serves as a reminder that gambling addiction is real and requires effective resources to educate, support, and treat individuals,” Senator Addabbo said. “As the prospect of legalizing mobile sports betting appears closer than ever, we remain focused on raising public awareness about problem gambling and its negative effects. This legislation will help raise awareness while enhancing self-exclusion services for individuals seeking to confront their issues with problem gambling.”

For those seeking help with problem gaming, the New York State Gaming Commission offers many Responsible Gaming Resources on their website (www.ny.gov/programs/responsible gaming), or they can call 1-877-8HOPE-NY for addiction support and referral services, or they can text HOPENY(467369).

After passing the Senate, the bill moves to the Assembly Alcohol and Drug Abuse Committee for consideration.

ROZIC FUNDING SECURES TECH DEVICES FOR PS 120: Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D,WF-Fresh Meadows) announced that she allocated $125,000 in funding to P.S. 120. The money was used to purchase hundreds of Chromebooks that have been in critical need to fulfill remote learning obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Assemblywoman Rozic said, “Our public schools have been under great strain over the past year, adjusting to ongoing changes to prioritize both public health safety and quality education standards. It is my pleasure to provide P.S. 120 with necessary funding to ensure all students have access to tech devices whenever needed.”

Principal Robert Marino said, “The P.S.120 School community is forever grateful to Assemblywoman Rozic for helping us move closer to our goal of providing a 1:1 laptop to every child in our school. As an aspiring Computer Science for All school, we value digital and media literacy and recognize how critical this hardware will be to achieving our goal. Assemblywoman Rozic has come through, once again, for the students of P.S. 120.”

SCHUMER: DOJ CAN TACKLE THREAT OF ‘GHOST GUNS’: Noting that Americans are clamoring for action on the issue of gun violence, US Senator Charles Schumer said on March 28, that under current law, the Department of Justice (DOJ), in concert with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) can do something—right now—to tackle the rising threat of untraceable and undetectable firearms known as “ghost guns.”

Schumer explained that ghost guns are sold in pieces or kits and come without background checks, serial numbers, or anything else that the current law demands of legally purchased firearms—despite the fact that only a few simple steps are required to turn these unfinished pieces into fully functional, but illegal weapons.

Schumer said New York has already seen ghost guns used in crimes, and that NYS Attorney General Letitia James has taken strong action to prevent their flow here, but that using existing authority to close the federal loophole allowing these weapons to proliferate across the country is a common-sense action that the feds can and must take to make New Yorkers safer, right now.

In September 2019, AG James sent cease and desist letters to companies behind a number of websites selling incomplete weaponry pieces— ghost gun kits—to New Yorkers that could be easily assembled into illegal assault weapons. In July 2020, James announced that all the companies behind the sale of these firearms or firearms components had complied with her cease and desist letters and ended the sale of these weapons to New Yorkers.

But Schumer said this hard work is for naught unless the feds stop the unfettered flow of these kits across the country.

“In some states, it is harder to buy cold medicine than it is a ghost gun assembly kit,” said Schumer. “The feds know it, the people who are building these kits know it, and the public should not have to be threatened by it.”

Last summer, Nassau County law enforcement officials recovered 22 ghost guns, along with thousands of rounds of ammunition, narcotics and bomb-making equipment in a crime bust on Long Island.

In February of last year, Schumer wrote to then-Attorney General William P. Barr and Acting Director Regina Lombardo urging the DOJ and the ATF to take action to stem the tide of unmarked, unregistered, and untraceable firearms that continue to proliferate the country. Schumer said “ghost guns” continue to pose a danger to public safety and have the potential to end up in the hands of convicted criminals, domestic abusers, minors, and other individuals that are otherwise prohibited from purchasing handguns under existing federal law.

On Sunday, Schumer said that Biden Administration officials, including Attorney General Garland, should do what the Trump Administration failed to do and take prompt action to rectify this regulatory failure and protect Americans lives.

GUN VIOLENCE; VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION MODELS: In response to recent shooting deaths outside of the Woodside Houses in Queens, Tiffany Cabán, candidate for City Council District 22 released the following statement: “We have lost too many members of our community to gun violence. Today, we send peace, love, and light to the family of Gudelia Vallinas, who was killed by shooting on March 12, 2021, and to Elliot Claiborne who was shot several times and died this week.

“Gun violence is a public health crisis, and we have to start treating it that way. It’s an epidemic as dangerous and as deadly as a pandemic. Just like with a pandemic, we need to be preventative and unified in our efforts to fight it, and we need to do so with a sense of urgency. Just like we are racing to get every single person vaccinated to prevent disease and death, we need to inoculate our communities against gun violence to do the same.

“We know that violence interruption programs like Cure Violence and Life Camp work. In 2017, a $36 million investment into these groups led to a 15% drop in shootings; from 2013 to 2018, it led to a 41% drop in gun violence. These programs are lifesaving. They get us better results than policing and prisons ever could. That alone should be reason enough to fully resource and expand them immediately. Investments in programs like these that put community members to work in their own neighborhoods as peer violence interrupters engaging with our at-risk youth, are necessary to meaningfully reduce gun violence on our streets.

“Each member of our community is too valuable to risk losing to this preventable crisis. For many of our neighbors, family members, and friends, we are too late in addressing this. Now, it’s time to invest in our communities and prevent any more senseless death. Too many families have been devastated and traumatized, enduring unspeakable loss. The government has the funding that we need to put violence interruption programs to work.

“I commit to doing my part in building the political will necessary to move our government where it needs to go to prevent more trauma and devastation to our community.”

YANG FILES PETITION WITH BOE: In under three weeks of petitioning, New York City Mayoral candidate Andrew Yang personally handed in his over 9,000 signatures today, an all-volunteer effort powered by the campaign’s grassroots army of volunteers. The Yang for NY campaign managed to attain 9,410 signatures in less than three weeks, a 100 percent grassroots effort that exemplifies the people-driven campaign that Yang for New York is running.

Said Andrew Yang, “Our efforts show that our campaign is powered by the people – we never even considered hiring paid canvassers during this three week period, a testament to the grassroots energy for our movement. I want to thank the volunteers who came out strong for us, braved the cold weather, and traveled to the furthest corners of all five boroughs via trains, ferries, buses, and bikes to get my name on the ballot. I am so grateful to all of our volunteers for spreading our message of hope and recovery as we continue our path to City Hall.”

The Yang for New York campaign also partnered with several candidates running for office, including Esther Yang (AD 76A in parts of Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island) and Richard Lee (CD 19 in Bayside).

DROMM ENDORSES RICHARDS FOR REELECTION: Council Member Daniel Dromm announced his endorsement of Borough President Donovan Richards campaign for Queens Borough President.

“I’m proud to support Borough President Donovan Richards’ campaign for re-election as Queens Borough President. Over the years, we’ve worked together in the City Council to advocate for Queens residents and to make our city a fairer place for all New Yorkers. I look forward to continuing to work with him and to the great things he will accomplish as our Borough President,” said Council Member Dromm.

“Council Member Danny Dromm is a leader in our community. He has fought for NYC’s workers and families, implementing policy initiatives that expand citizen rights and protections. I’ve been proud to work with him on solutions for our city’s issues, and together we’ve made significant progress. I am so thankful for his endorsement and am excited to collaborate with him in the future,” said Borough President Richards.

The Democratic Primary for Queens Borough President will take place on Tuesday, June 22.

JACKSON HEIGHTS DEMS PICK QUIROZ FOR CITY COUNCIL: Alfonso Quiroz, Democratic candidate for the 25th New York City Council District in Queens announced a campaign endorsement from the John F. Kennedy Democratic Club Executive Board. Quiroz, a local community activist was proud to receive the support of one of the city’s oldest and most active Democratic organizations. “The JFK Democratic Club has been a beacon of activism and local organizing in our community for decades. I have been proud to call the club my political home as we work towards a shared vision of building a better community for all New Yorkers. I am honored to receive their endorsement and support,” said Alfonso Quiroz.

Maureen Allen, Executive Vice President of the club said, “Alfonso Quiroz has been a valued member of our club for many years and served with me as District Leader, where he worked and advocated for the Democratic Party and its principles. I have every confidence that Alfonso will work hard and fight for the entire constituency of the 25th Council District. The board of the John F. Kennedy Democratic Club and I are pleased to endorse Alfonso Quiroz and his candidacy to serve as our Council Member.”

The JFK Democratic Club is one of the city’s oldest political clubs, renamed after the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963. Previously it was known as the Alfred E. Smith Reform Democratic Club. It also encompasses the 34th Assembly District (Part A) in Queens which covers parts of Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Corona and East Elmhurst.

ELLEN YOUNG ENTERS RACE FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 20: Democrat and former Assembly Member Ellen Young officially declared her candidacy for the New York City Council, 20th District

After raising more than $60,000 in only a month, Ellen has garnered the most grassroots traction and has gained the support of friends and neighbors in the greater Flushing area that she previously represented in the New York State Assembly as the first Asian woman ever elected to the New York State Legislature.

She was joined at her announcement rally and press conference by dozens of supporters as well as President of the Chinese Women’s Business Association Joann Hsieh, Board Member of the Flushing Business Improvement District Bianca Ng, and President of the Taiwan Center Patsy Fang.

According to her campaign, Young plans to ensure that the City’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is equitable and that her district is given the resources it requires as the early epicenter of the crisis. She also plans to aggressively tackle the astonishing rise in anti-Asian hate crimes that have overwhelmed New York City over the past year.

As a Council member, Young vowed to fight for working and middle-class Queens families. Her platform includes:

Expanding social services and healthcare options for seniors.

Lowering prescription drug prices.

Increasing classroom resources and reducing the student-to-teacher ratio.

Retaining the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT).

Improving local transportation options and strengthening subway patrols.

Supporting small businesses with COVID-19 relief and tax cuts to keep workers on payroll.

Supporting residential and commercial tenants with rental and mortgage assistance.

MENG ENDORSES COMMUNITY ACTIVIST SCHULMAN: Congresswoman Grace Meng endorsed Lynn Schulman for election for the City Council’s 29th District (Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Rego Park, and Richmond Hill). Meng represents Queens’ 6th Congressional District which overlaps with the 29th Council District. “Lynn Schulman has been a progressive force in our community for decades; fiercely advocating to better the lives of everyone—especially the vulnerable and overlooked,” said Meng. “She’s never been afraid of speaking truth to power to aid those who need it most, and most recently has stepped up to support the Asian American community in its battle against the proliferation of hate crimes. Queens can depend on Lynn to fight on the issues that matter most to our community, especially fixing the hospital shortage, investing in our public schools, and taking care of our seniors. I have witnessed Lynn’s community activism and work in the City Council for years, and I’m confident she is the best person to represent us.”

“I am honored to be endorsed by Congresswoman Meng,” said Schulman. “She is a community and nationwide trailblazer who advocates for inclusive policies that benefit all New Yorkers. Together, we will be a force that will continue to champion for the City’s hardest-hit borough amidst the pandemic. Congresswoman Meng and I are both long-time community advocates who are deeply rooted in the Queens community. We also share mutual support for the Jewish community. I will be honored to work with Grace as a partner in Congress who understands our borough’s plights as we both fight for equality and justice.”

According to her campaign literature, Lynn Schulman is a long-time community and LGBTQ activist. With decades of leadership in health care advocacy and progressive causes, she is running for City Council because she has “a vision for how to bring about the change we need in our Queens communities.” An attorney by training, Schulman has devoted her career to public service and has held a broad range of executive positions in government, private industry, and the nonprofit arena. She currently works on health care, community, and social service issues in the City Council. In her Forest Hills community, Schulman served as a Vice-Chair on Community Board 6 for more than 20 years. She is also a former member of the 112th Precinct Community Council and the Board of Directors of the Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Schulman served as an appointed member of the Community Education Council for District 28, where she focused on combating school bullying, increasing student access to music and art programs, and enhancing education opportunities for the youth in our city’s public school system.

Schulman holds a law degree from Brooklyn Law School and is a graduate of the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Leadership program at the Harvard Kennedy School. Schulman will bring her life experience, progressive values, and robust policy agenda into the City Council, and “looks forward to helping to improve the quality of life for all within the 29th Council District.”

—With contributions by Annette Hanze Alberts

This column was originated by John A. Toscano

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