Press Releases

Additional Funding Enables SYEP to Reach 65,000 New York Youth Ages 14-24

QUEENS – Today, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, joined by Finance Chair Julissa Ferreras-Copeland and Council Members Elizabeth Crowley and Antonio Reynoso, alongside GRYC President Bob Monahan, visited the Greater Ridgewood Youth Council (GRYC) at I.S. 77 to celebrate a record $125 million in funding for the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) in FY 2018. READ MORE

Council will also vote to Regulate the Sale and Consumption of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products and to Rezone the Area of Greater East Midtown

City Hall – Today, the New York City Council will vote on legislation to significantly expand harassment protections for tenants. The Council will also vote on the Stand for Tenant Safety package, which targets construction-as-harassment, and includes reforms to the Department of Buildings related to construction standards and other practices. READ MORE

“The Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment (RAISE) Act is a misguided and dangerous bill that – far from improving our workforce and economy – will only contribute to its downfall. Under the proposed legislation, arbitrary caps on refugee admission means that tens of thousands of people could be turned away from the United States, while the number of green cards issued could be slashed by nearly half a million. READ MORE

$4 million in expense funding secured to outfit all firefighters with a second pair of boots

City Hall – Today, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito joined Fire and Criminal Justice Services Chair Elizabeth Crowley to celebrate $4 million in expense funding through the Fiscal Year 2018 budget to uniform all New York City firefighters with an extra pair of boots. READ MORE

“Banning Transgender Americans from military service is despicable, discriminatory and downright anti-American. The President’s blatant dismissal of those who would willingly put their lives on the line to protect our nation is disgraceful and goes against the very values Donald Trump claims to want to protect. This bigoted decision is the latest misstep from a White House that is determined to roll back progress and equality in the name of hate. READ MORE

“The Republican Senate’s vote today to begin debate on repealing major provisions of the Affordable Care Act is regressive and sets a dangerous precedent, showing once again that GOP senators are more interested in playing politics than serving the needs of their constituents. Attempting to repeal the Affordable Care Act will result in the endangerment of millions of lives and will cause insurance costs to surge, once again making healthcare less accessible and affordable for the majority of Americans. READ MORE

“This morning’s subway derailment in Brighton Beach is simply the latest in a troubling pattern of incidents that have made clear that the MTA is in dire need of increased funding at both the City and State levels. Millions of New Yorkers rely on our subways each and every day to get around our city, and they deserve a safe and reliable form of public transit. READ MORE

“Ruben Wills betrayed the trust of all New Yorkers when he abused his position in the State Senate to steal thousands of dollars from the hardworking taxpayers of New York for his own selfish gain. Serving in elected office requires honesty and integrity and today’s conviction makes clear that Ruben Wills is unfit to be a member of the City Council. READ MORE

Council will also vote on Increasing Awareness of SNAP through a Public Campaign and on Providing Means to Tip Drivers of For-Hire Vehicles

City Hall – Today, the New York City Council will vote on legislation to establish programs providing tenants facing eviction with access to legal services. The Council will also vote to require public reports to be issued regarding civil actions taken against the Department of Correction. READ MORE