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1/30/09
Statement by Speaker Quinn Re: Mayor's Financial Proposal
"We in the Council are committed to working to see New York through this financial crisis, the most significant we have seen in decades. The severe economic conditions we are facing are real. Therefore, Mayor Bloomberg’s proposals will be thoroughly debated and examined by the Council as we fulfill our obligation to balance the budget in a responsible and fair manner. The Council takes seriously the importance of keeping core services in place for our residents, even in this time of economic downturn.

First, let me be very clear - losing 14,000 teachers would deal a devastating blow to our schools and schoolchildren, which have shown remarkable growth and improvement in recent years. We cannot – and will not – allow this to happen.  Our state and federal governments must step up to the plate and help us fully cover our education costs.

Albany and Washington play crucial roles in determining the fate of the city budget and ultimately every New Yorker’s pocketbook. We need their help. The final federal stimulus package must be fair to New York, and the State must distribute funds in a way that reflects New York City’s needs.

The Council recognizes the potential of seeking more ways of raising revenue and finding new savings. However, I prefer more progressive revenue options, done according to an income-based scale. We should not take steps to balance the budget that fall on the backs of New Yorkers working hardest to make ends meet.

As I have repeatedly stated, in the economic crisis nothing is off the table. The City must – and will – continue to look for new revenues and additional savings."
Press Release

1/29/09
Statement by Speaker Quinn Re: Obama's First Bill, Fair Pay Act
“Today marks a turning point in our nation and its labor laws. This law makes clear that hardworking Americans deserve equal pay for the work they do - regardless of gender. Thanks to the strength and tenacity of one woman who spoke up against the discrimination she faced, countless Americans are now protected against the same. I commend Lilly Ledbetter in her fight for equal rights and President Obama for taking swift action against discrimination in the workplace.”

1/29/09
Council Speaks Out to Improve the Prosecution of Substantiated Cases of Police Misconduct
The Public Safety Committee held a hearing today to examine the issues raised in the Civilian Complaint Review Board’s (CCRB) 2007 annual report. Speaker Christine Quinn,    Public Safety Committee Chair Peter Vallone Jr., Representatives of the New York Police Department, CCRB Chair Franklin Stone, Citizens Union Executive Director Dick Dadey  and Chris Dunn and Donna Lieberman of the NYCLU testified at the hearing on Thursday. The hearing brought up report issues such as why substantiated CCRB cases are not prosecuted by the NYPD and whether the CCRB should have prosecutorial authority over these cases. Speaker Quinn testified saying, "The people of New York are best served when the NYPD meets not only the incredible standards that they have achieved in recent years when it comes to crime statistics, they also benefit from knowing that the few bad actors there maybe in the department are subject to the laws they are sworn to protect."

1/28/09
On the Record: Council Member David Yassky on Idling Bill

1/28/09
On the Record: Council Member Jessica Lappin on Construction Safety Bill

1/25/09
Garodnick Bill Would Empower Traffic Agents to Enforce Idling Law
The City's 2,529 traffic agents would be empowered to enforce environmental laws that prohibit idling engines, and to issue tickets for the offense from their hand-held computers, under a bill introduced by  Council Member Dan Garodnick  and discussed today at a hearing of the  Council’s Committee on Environmental Protection .

By contrast, the  Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which is the lead agency in enforcing the idling law, has just 38 inspectors citywide to do the job.  They issue fewer than two tickets per day, on average.

“We already have the boots on the ground, now it’s time to use them,” said Council Member Garodnick.  “New York City traffic agents are the closest people to the problem, so they are in the best position to protect our air quality against idling engines.  My bill opens the door for them to do that, and for the City to improve on the embarrassingly low and low-tech resources that we have committed to this problem.”

At Monday’s hearing, officials from the Department of Finance expressed support for allowing traffic agents to issue idling tickets from their hand-held devices.

It is illegal for all cars, buses or trucks to leave their engines idling for more than three minutes.  In 2007, according to the DEP, a mere 526 idling summonses were issued to diesel vehicles, and 10 were issued to non-diesel vehicles in the entire city.

"The numbers don’t even begin to tell the story of how prevalent idling is, and how damaging it is for the health of New Yorkers,” Council Member Garodnick said.  “This is an area where we can make dramatic improvements.”

New York City has almost twice the national rate of childhood asthma hospitalizations – with some neighborhoods at four times the national rate – and asthma symptoms are worsened by two air pollutants: fine particles (PM2.5) and ozone.  Vehicle emissions, which are a significant source of PM2.5 and ozone, are higher while idling and in stop-and-go traffic.

According to the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC), even a slight reduction in PM2.5 and ozone would have a “substantial health benefit” and could prevent the deaths of hundreds of New Yorkers who suffer from heart disease and respiratory conditions.

“A New York City traffic agent could save your life in more ways than one,” said Council Member Garodnick.

1/22/09
On the Record with Speaker Quinn: 36th Anniversay, Roe v. Wade
Speaker Quinn talks about the 36th Anniversart of Roe v. Wade and the Clinic Access Bill which will protect the rights women were given in 1973.

1/21/09
City Hall Opens its Doors to New Yorkers to Watch Historic Inauguration
Approximately 1,000 New Yorkers packed City Hall  to watch the Inauguration of President Obama. People filled the City Council Chambers, the Red Room, Committee Room, the Member's Lounge and two hearing rooms at 250 Broadway. Students from all over New York City also attended the viewing. City Council Members Dominic Recchia and Oliver Koppell joined the crowd to watch the big screen in the Chambers.

1/20/09
Council Member White Watches the Historic Inauguration at York College with Students and Families

1/16/09
Council Member Crowley Speaks Out Against Firehouse Closing During Nighttime Hours
On January 16, on the steps of City Hall Council Member, Elizabeth S. Crowley spoke out against Fire Commissioner Scoppetta’s proposal to close Engine Company 271 at 65th St. and Metropolitan Avenue in Ridgewood during the night hours.

Coming straight from the Council’s Fire & Criminal Justice Service Committee, Elizabeth Crowley said that it is imperative to keep fundamental, life saving services in her district.  Any alteration of such critical services would detrimentally impact the Ridgewood community. 

Maspeth and Glendale would also be substantially impacted by the night time closing of Engine Co #271.  The firehouses in Maspeth and Glendale would be required to respond to those emergencies that Engine Co #271 would normally cover in addition to creating issues of lowered respond time.

On the steps of City Hall, Council Member Elizabeth Crowley stated, “I am upset to hear there is a discussion of closing of Engine Company 271.  This impacts not only my neighborhood of Ridgewood but my entire district.  It is an unacceptable proposal and I am asking Fire Commissioner Scoppetta to reconsider. The thought of closing Firehouses during the night, the time of greatest vulnerability, is unacceptable.”

1/16/09
Speaker Quinn Announces Tigher Regulations for Distrissed Property Consultants
“There are plenty of legitimate organizations out there that are looking to help people facing foreclosure,” said Speaker Christine C. Quinn.  “But some out there, the lowest of the low, are preying on people in impossible situations by offering services they have no intention of delivering.  With this legislation we will be able to regulate this industry and root out those bad apples.  People facing foreclosure need a helping hand, not a stab in back.” The Council’s legislation would give authorities a way to determine who is offering a legitimate consulting service by requiring licensing or registration of these organizations.  The bill will also:

• Make compliance with State law a condition to obtain and keep a license; 
• Make it a crime to operate with without a license;
• Prohibit licensing of anyone convicted of real-estate related fraud;
• Create the ability to track consultants and prevent repeat offenders from doing business.
  Press Release
  

1/16/09
On the Record: Speaker Quinn and Council Members Vann, Barron and White Speak About the 2009 Inauguration
Question: How does this inauguration make you feel about New York and change?

1/15/09
COUNCIL MEMBER ERIK MARTIN DILAN CONCERNED OVER THE CLOSURE OF ENGINE 271’S NIGHT TOURS
After reviewing the adopted FY09 FDNY budget of approximately 1.5B, Council Member Erik Martin Dilan (D-Bushwick) concluded that there are alternatives in cutting FDNY’s expenditures without affecting the safety of the city. With information attained from an Annual Operation Report, it became apparent that the Engine 271’s night closure would create a great deficit in providing safety to Bushwick’s residents. In 2008, Engine 271 carried out approximately 1,328 emergency operations; a large bulk of these operations was medical related. The Engine greatly reduced the emergency response time to an ailing victim in the district. “While this predicament is not as severe as the attempted full closure of Fire Squad 252 in 2003; the facts presented to me prove that there are other options that can be considered without affecting the safety of my constituents,” said Council Member Erik Martin Dilan.


1/13/09
Council Honors the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at City Hall

Speaker Christine Quinn, New York City Council Members and the Black, Latino and Asain Caucus gathered with community leaders and New Yorkers to remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for his work in the civil rights movement. January 19th is national Martin Luther King, Jr. day.

The New York City Council has now joined Twitter! Follow us for the latest updates on meetings, hearings and other events happening throughout City Hall that day. Want to know what is going on tomorrow or next week? Check out our Council calendar.

New Yorkers Discuss Health Care with the New York City Council and the Obama-Biden Transition Team
The New York City Council, along with the Obama-Biden Transition Team, held a discussion on Health Care Reform at City Hall. As both parties are continuously working to revamp health care, they wanted to hear from New Yorkers on the specifics of the changes they wanted to see made. A list of questions was compiled to discuss at the forum. If you were not able to attend, you can join the discussion at www.change.gov.

(L to R: Erika Teutsch; Stephan Russo; Council Member Gale Brewer; Speaker Christine C. Quinn; Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer)
Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and Council Member Gale A. Brewer were joined by Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer  in visiting the Goddard Riverside Community Senior Center to thank seniors and senior service providers for their participation in the successful letter campaign that urged the Mayor to keep our senior centers open. Backed by the voices of thousands of seniors and advocates across the five
boroughs, the Mayor has agreed to work with the City Council on a plan for upgrading and modernizing all our senior centers.

Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito, Council Members, Civic and Hispanic Religious Leaders Announce Gathering to Secure Immigration Reform

The Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 requires full-power television stations to cease analog broadcasts and switch to digital after February 17, 2009.  The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) circulated TV Convertor Box Coupon Program  applications with a March 31, 2009 cut off date.  On January 5, 2009, NTIA announced retroactively that starting Sunday, January 4, 2009 consumers requesting coupons from the agency’s TV Converter Box Coupon Program would be placed on a waiting list and coupons would be mailed on a first come first served basis, as funds from expired coupons become available. Because of the high demand for coupons, the program reached its $1.34 billion ceiling, which consists of ordered and redeemed coupons.
        

• the circumstances surrounding incidents where officers fire their weapons;
• a precinct by precinct and borough by borough breakdown of incidents;
• the reason for the firearm discharge (i.e. – accidental, adversarial, etc.);
• the race, gender and age of any individual engaged in adversarial conflict with an officer or third party that results in a firearms discharge. 

The data will be presented in a manner that facilitates comprehensive analysis and will allow the Council to track the NYPD’s activities year to year.  It will detail the number of shots fired and any casualties that result from the incidents. 
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