“Every year on Memorial Day, we take time to remember the brave men and women who have served our country in uniform. This year, as we remember all those who have served in the past, we also must remain focused on serving our veterans of the present and the future. Thanks to legislation passed by the City Council last November to create the largest municipal agency in the country focused on veterans, New York City now has a citywide Department of Veterans Services.
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Over 67,000 New Yorkers voted to allocate $38 million dollars for locally-developed capital projects across the city
New York—Today, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and the New York City Council announced the voting results and winning proposals of the 2015-2016 Participatory Budgeting cycle. During the voting period of March 26th through April 3rd, over 67,000 New Yorkers voted to allocate $38 million dollars for locally-developed capital projects across 28 Council Districts in New York City.
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Criminal Justice Reform Act Creates More Appropriate Penalties for Minor, Non-Violent Offenses
Speaker Mark-Viverito: “This is a huge win for criminal justice reform.”
City Hall – Today, the New York City Council passed the Criminal Justice Reform Act (CJRA), a package of bills which will lower penalties for low-level, non-violent offenses. It is estimated that the CJRA will divert over 100,000 cases from the criminal court system every year, save close to 10,000 people annually from having a permanent criminal record for minor offenses, and avoid the issuance of over 50,000 warrants each year.
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City Hall – Today, Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Council Immigration Chair Carlos Menchaca, in an open letter, called upon United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson to end the ICE raids targeting recently arrived Central American mothers and children. The letter stressed the harmful impact these raids have on this especially vulnerable group, as well as the destabilizing impact that such aggressive enforcement tactics have upon immigrant communities.
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“The Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) Act is not a promise for Puerto Rico’s future – it’s an anti-democratic bill that will upend the way of living in Puerto Rico as we know it. There can be no economic growth in Puerto Rico until the debt is restructured. Period. There are some elements of that in this bill, but not enough.
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Statement from New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito
“This latest round of proposed deportations is an absolute disgrace. Deporting women and children who have fled unspeakable violence is a stain on our nation and runs directly against who we are as a people. These are refugees and we need to treat them as such. It’s shocking that for the second time in just a few months, immigrant communities in New York City and around the country are forced to live in fear that their families will be ripped apart.
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Council will also vote on legislative package to make Elections in New York City more accessible to voters
City Hall – Today the City Council will vote on legislation to require retail stores to impose a fee of no less than five cents for plastic and other bags provided to customers. Next, the Council will vote on a package of three bills to improve elections and voting in New York City.
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Re: Christopher Park
“The possibility that President Obama will designate Christopher Park as a national monument is very welcome and exciting news. As the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ movement, this place is a fitting choice for America’s first national monument to LGBTQ rights. This City Council values New York’s rich history of fighting for equality for all, and proudly designated the Stonewall Inn as a City landmark last year.
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Decrease followed stricter City laws, multi-agency enforcement efforts, and public awareness campaign
NEW YORK––City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Mayor Bill de Blasio, New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett and Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) First Deputy Commissioner Alba Pico today announced an 85 percent decline in synthetic cannabinoid-related emergency department visits since July 2015, when the Health Department raised the alarm about a dangerous increase in the number of New Yorkers admitted in emergency rooms due to the use of this dangerous drug, commonly known as K2.
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Bipartisan Letter to Speaker Ryan and Majority Leader McConnell States: “We ask that you oppose H.R. 3016 and any other bill that attempts to reduce benefits to our post-9/11 veterans.”
NEW YORK- New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito along with 45 City Council Members sent a letter to House Speaker Ryan and Senate Majority Leader McConnell today urging Congress to not pass legislation which would reduce benefits owed to post 9/11 veterans and their families.
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