Biggest Overhaul to City Lead Laws Since 2004
City Hall, NY – In a groundbreaking effort to eliminate childhood lead poisoning in the five boroughs, the City Council on Wednesday will introduce a package of legislation that strengthens, expands and establishes new protections on the city’s lead laws. The proposal is the largest single overhaul of lead laws in 14 years.
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“This kind of violent behavior towards women is reprehensible. New Yorkers deserve and expect more from their Attorney General, who as the state’s chief law enforcement officer has an obligation to uphold the law. Eric Schneiderman must step down immediately.”
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“The Council has been a leader in the push to bring these centers to New York City, and we thank Mayor de Blasio for taking this brave, important and necessary step. Too many people have died from opioids and heroin. These sites will save lives and connect addicts with treatment options and trained professionals that could lead them to recovery.
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“We are extremely disappointed that in the $89 billion budget Mayor de Blasio unveiled Thursday there is no property tax relief to help seniors, retirees, working and middle class families who are struggling to make ends meet, as their taxes have skyrocketed and their incomes have stagnated.
There also is no indication of how this administration intends to address the glaring inequities of a property tax system that charges the owner of a modest home in our districts more than the owner of a multi-million dollar brownstone in Park Slope.
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“Though we are disappointed that the Mayor’s proposed budget does not address all the priorities laid out by the City Council, we are encouraged by the close to $1 billion in additional revenue expected in FY18. When combined with the efficiencies and savings the Council has already found in our FY19 budget response, this revenue has the potential to go a long way towards our goals of strengthening the social safety net, fighting for the middle class, and being responsible with taxpayer money.
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“It is unconscionable that because of Trump’s Muslim ban, families are being ripped apart and communities are suffering. As the United States Supreme Court hears oral arguments on this racist policy, we want to be clear that the Muslim ban in its intent and effect is Islamophobic, it is illogical and it must be deemed unconstitutional. As part of our duties as elected officials, the Council will continue to speak out and reject the targeting of Muslim sisters and brothers solely based on their faith, and we will never shut our doors to the vulnerable and refugees who need our help.
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In honor of Earth Day, Council votes on package confirming New York City’s status as leader in combating climate change
City Hall – Today, the New York City Council will vote on an environmental protection bill package implementing wind power and energy efficiency measures. In addition, the Council will vote on a bill amending parts of the recently passed “Stop Sexual Harassment in NYC Act.” Finally, the Council will vote on a number of land use items.
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Speaker Corey Johnson and Mayor Bill de Blasio today sent the letter below to MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota regarding New York City’s $418 commitment to the MTA’s Subway Action Plan.
Joseph J. Lhota
Chairman
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2 Broadway
New York, NY 10004
Dear Chairman Lhota:
We write to you today regarding the crisis in the subway system and the dramatic impact it is having on the lives of millions of New Yorkers.
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“I am disgusted and saddened by the vicious attack that occurred on Saturday in Crown Heights, which is being investigated as a potential hate crime. The victim was Jewish and reportedly subjected to anti-Semitic slurs. Unfortunately, Saturday’s attack follows another unprovoked incident of violence on April 13, also in Brooklyn and also towards a Jewish man. This is not what our city is about, and my heart breaks that New Yorkers have endured this kind of abuse and violence.
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“Almost four years after the death of Eric Garner, no one has been held accountable for this senseless loss. This is outrageous. Nothing will bring Mr. Garner back, but this city and, most importantly, his family and friends deserve to see justice. According to a new report out today in the New York Times, prosecutors at the Justice Department are calling for civil rights charges to be filed in the case.
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