New York City CouncilCouncil Members Brad Lander and Mathieu Eugene, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, and Assemblymember Robert Carroll sent a letter to Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg Wednesday calling for an expedited study and implementation of safety measures along the Coney Island Avenue corridor where two people lost their lives this summer.
If we know, why don’t we act?
The lamentations of two young women are ringing in my ears today, compelling me to join hundreds of other Jewish New Yorkers by observing the mourning day of Tisha b’Av in civil disobedience.
Know Your Rights resources
Immigrant communities in New York and around the country are living in fear of stepped up ICE enforcement that is tearing families apart. Know Your Rights information is available in Bangla here.
National Grid is holding New Yorkers hostage for an harmful pipeline with a moratorium on new gas hook ups
Seventeen NYC councilmembers, led by Councilmembers Brad Lander, Mark Treyger, Stephen Levin and Speaker Corey Johnson, sent a letter to National Grid on July 31 demanding that the utility immediately end the company’s moratorium on new gas hook ups. The letter, addressed to National Grid President John Bruckner, chastises the company for holding residents and business owners hostage in order to lobby for approval of the Williams Pipeline, a project that would have detrimental environmental impacts to water quality in New York and New Jersey. READ MORE
The NYC Charter Revision Commission missed an opportunity for strategic, long-term planning
Last week, amidst flooded streets, blackouts, overheated jails, and subway failures, New Yorkers saw some of the consequences that have resulted from a failure to engage in strategic long-term planning for the future of our city.
The dangers of failing to invest strategically in the infrastructure that sustains our city will grow in coming decades, as temperatures and sea levels rise and the city’s population continues to grow. READ MORE
An Epidemic of Traffic Violence
Traffic deaths are preventable, if we have the political will to take bolder action. In an epidemic, we all have to step up and do more.
So I wanted to let you know what I’m doing, both citywide and in our community, and to give you an update on the Reckless Driver Accountability Act.
Joint Statement by Public Advocate Williams and Council Member Lander on Inspector General’s Report on NYPD’s Lack of Investigation into Complaints of Biased Policing
The Office of the Inspector General revealed today that the NYPD has substantiated ZERO of nearly 2,500 complaints of discriminatory policing in the last several years. We doubt this is what’s meant when the department claims ‘zero tolerance’ for bias.
Statement from Council Member Lander on NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission’s Vote to Calendar Gowanus Historic Sites for Landmarking
New York City Council Member Brad Lander issued the following statement in response to the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission’s (LPC) vote today to calendar eight buildings across five properties in Gowanus for landmarking consideration.
“Gowanus is rich with industrial and architectural history. So one of our goals in planning for its future must be to preserve, celebrate, and connect people to that history, even as we make room for new uses to meet our city’s needs.
A budget that reflects the values you voted for
When you voted in April’s participatory budgeting vote you voted to improve public institutions we all rely on, to support those most at-risk, and to invest in the long-term future of our city.
In the budget that the City Council voted to adopt today, we tried to follow those values as well.
Comments From Councilmembers Lander and Levin on the Draft Scope of Work for the Gowanus Rezoning
Dear Chair Lago,
We write today, as the New York City Council Members representing the Gowanus area and surrounding neighborhoods, with comments to the Draft Scope of Work for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Gowanus Neighborhood Rezoning.
The Gowanus Neighborhood Rezoning presents a real opportunity to create a future for the Gowanus community that is more sustainable and resilient, more inclusive and affordable, and that preserves and strengthens the vibrant mix of uses in the area today. READ MORE