City Hall, NY –  New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and General Welfare Committee Chair Steve Levin announced today that on October 31st the City Council will conduct an oversight hearing examining how the City responds to allegations of child abuse and neglect.  After numerous overhauls of ACS over the years, and in the wake of the recent death of six year old Zymere Perkins, the hearing will examine how policies and procedures at ACS affect the investigation of alleged abuse and neglect cases.

…

READ MORE

“It is disappointing that the Supreme Court has denied the Obama administration’s request to rehear the DACA/DAPA injunction. These programs would have shielded millions from deportation and kept families together. Now, families across the nation are kept in limbo, unsure of their futures. This is an unsustainable status quo. New York City will continue to lead the way locally on immigration but it is clear that Washington must act, and soon on comprehensive immigration reform.

…

READ MORE

Beginning this evening, Jews across our city and the world will celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

As we reflect on the past year, I am extremely proud to have led a City Council that has prioritized helping the most vulnerable of our neighbors — from increasing emergency food assistance to providing job opportunities for our city’s youth to protecting our immigrant communities to increasing our support for Holocaust survivors to $2.5 million through the Elie Wiesel Holocaust Survivors Initiative.  

…

READ MORE

“The selection of Republican fundraiser and insurance businessman Jose Carrion III to lead the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico is a disgrace, adds insult to injury, and highlights exactly why I opposed the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) in the first place. Instead of putting the people before the debt, it is clear from the start that special interests will have a greater say and influence than the needs of the struggling U.S.

…

READ MORE

City Hall – Today the New York City Council will vote on legislation that creates a wide range of reforms at the Department of Correction, including requiring the utilization of innovative techniques in interacting with needy inmates, establishing due process in determining admission to the Department’s nursery program, requiring all criminal defendants to undergo a medical screening before arraignment, streamlining procedures for obtaining inmates’ health information, and enhancing oversight of inmates with mental health issues and programming offered to Department of Correction inmates.

…

READ MORE

“Today is a somber day for New Yorkers as we mourn the loss of FDNY Battalion Chief Michael Fahy, who lost his life in the line of duty courageously battling an explosion in the Bronx. Every day, the bravery and selflessness of our first responders is exemplified in the work they do to keep us safe. FDNY Battalion Chief Fahy was a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect New Yorkers.

…

READ MORE

City Hall – Today the New York City Council will vote on legislation that will provide the public and city officials with better information to hold agencies accountable for meeting the objectives of the city’s minority and women-owned business enterprise (M/WBE) program, as well as promote collaborative efforts to encourage greater participation by minority and women-owned businesses in city contract procurement.

…

READ MORE

CITY HALL– Today, New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito announced a package of legislation that will ensure that inmates are not brought to court in DOC uniforms, provide inmate transportation to all criminal court appearances, and allow for the return of bail fees collected by the City if an inmate makes their court appearances.

The package is part of a long line of criminal justice reforms created by the City Council, which have included legislation transforming the way in which NYPD enforces low-level, non-violent offenses, creating the Independent Commission on New York City Criminal Justice and Incarceration Reform and enacting a series of laws promoting transparency at the DOC, NYPD, and Department of Probation.

…

READ MORE

QUEENS, NY – Today, New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, the Council Queens Delegation, CUNY Vice Chancellor for Facilities Judy Bergtraum and CUNY Queensborough Community College President Dr. Diane Bova Call celebrated $50.7 million in capital funding for much-needed upgrades on CUNY campuses across the five boroughs. This comes in addition to $22.6 million in funding being granted through the state matching the Council’s FY2017 budget.

…

READ MORE

“This Labor Day, let us reflect upon the sacrifices of all of the hard working Americans who helped build our city and country. Over the last year, we have seen the raising of the state minimum wage, improved overtime laws, and the City Council has established the Office of Labor Standards to help promote worker protections and safety. While we are proud of the progress that has been made, we will continue to fight for reasonable working conditions and employee protections.

…

READ MORE