Press Releases

 The Speaker and the Council Member recently visited the
Varick Street Immigration Court to learn the ongoing casework at the facility

New York, NY – Today, New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and Council Member Carlos Menchaca, Chair of the Immigration Committee, along with Mayor Bill de Blasio, announced an emergency $1.6 million allocation through a transparency resolution to fund the New York Immigrant Family Unity Project (NYIFUP), the nation’s first government-funded legal representation program for detained and non-detained immigrants. READ MORE

The Council will also vote to increase oversight into the City’s cooling towers to prevent Legionnaires’ Disease

City Hall – The New York City Council on Thursday will vote to set nutritional standards for the default beverages offered with children’s meals by restaurants throughout the city. The legislation would make water, low-fat milk, or 100% fruit or vegetable juice the default beverage option instead of beverages with added sugar. READ MORE

New York, NY – On January 1st, 2019, New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson assumed the duties of the Office of the Public Advocate in accordance with the New York City Charter. In his time as Acting Public Advocate, Speaker Johnson focused on issues constituents brought to his attention, including monitoring the operation of city public information and service complaint programs, reviewing complaints of systemic problems with city services and programs, making proposals to improve the city’s response to such complaints, and attempting to resolve complaints from individuals concerning city services and other administrative actions. READ MORE

New York, NY – City Council Speaker Corey Johnson joined newly elected Public Advocate Jumaane Williams to share the results of two transit rider surveys Speaker Johnson conducted as Acting Public Advocate. The results – available online here – revealed firsthand insights on the types of frustrations New Yorkers face when navigating our subways and buses. READ MORE

The Council will vote on a package of bills expanding the scope of the city’s lead contamination testing and reporting  

City Hall – The New York City Council on Wednesday
will vote on a package of bills that will ensure the city is using the most
up-to-date federally recommended standards when testing for lead contamination. READ MORE

“Today, on International Women’s Day, we celebrate and honor the women in our lives and around the world. I consider myself lucky to have been surrounded by incredible women throughout my life, including my mother, Ann Richardson. She is a constant source of inspiration to me. New Yorkers are fortunate to have a host of brilliant women serving in New York City government. READ MORE

Calls for Municipal Control of City’s Mass Transit System and Proposes Legislation to Revolutionize City Street Space Planning

New York, NY – New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson delivered his first State of the City address on Wednesday at LaGuardia Community College in Queens. Speaker Johnson focused on the City’s mass transit crisis, calling for municipal control of New York City’s mass transit system and announcing legislation that would revolutionize the way we plan our street space. READ MORE

New York, NY – New York
City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and the New-York Historical Society’s Center
for Women’s History announced Women’s Voices: Shaping the City, a new
display in City Hall created to honor a diverse and iconic selection of women
whose contributions to New York City history deserve public recognition. READ MORE

Re: Public Advocate Special Election Results

“I congratulate my colleague and friend Jumaane Williams on winning last night’s special election and I will do everything I can to ensure a smooth transition in the coming days. In my brief time as Acting Public Advocate, I found the heart and soul of the office to be in listening to New Yorkers and helping people with the problems they face. READ MORE

Re: Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio’s Joint Congestion Pricing Announcement

“Today’s announcement, much of which is not new, falls far short of the bold vision we need to address our City’s mass transit crisis. While I am glad to see the Mayor finally taking an interest in congestion pricing and the Governor being open to MTA reform, I strongly disagree with the idea that giving the State more control of City generated revenue and our transit infrastructure is going to magically solve our problems this time around. READ MORE