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Press Releases


“While this budget is a good start, the City Council will be thoroughly examining it in upcoming hearings to determine its impact on New Yorkers.

Many uncertainties remain in our fiscal outlook, such as funding from Albany and Washington, along with outstanding labor contracts and we look forward to working with the Administration to make sure New York City gets its fair share.

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The rally comes before a joint hearing of the Education and Women’s Issues Committees on a Resolution supporting the Administration’s plan

City Hall, NY- City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito was joined by several Council Members, advocates and parents of New York City schoolchildren today in a strong show of support for Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to fund universal pre-Kindergarten and expanded after-school programs.

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Education Committee Chair Council Member Daniel Dromm:
“New York City needs a dedicated source of funding for universal pre-kindergarten. For Dean Skelos to say he will prevent a vote on this issue is very short sighted. Study after study has shown that children who receive early childhood education perform demonstrably better later in life than those who don’t receive it.

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Legislation would significantly expand the number of employees entitled to paid sick time in New York City

City Hall – City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Civil Service and Labor Committee Chair I. Daneek Miller and Council Member Margaret Chin today announced the Committee on Civil Service and Labor will meet on February 13th to review legislation to significantly expand the number of employees entitled to paid sick leave in New York City.

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“We applaud Governor Cuomo’s plan to bring much needed toll relief to Staten Island’s commuters. Reducing tolls on the Verrazano Bridge will keep more money in New Yorkers’ pockets and will help spur Staten Island’s economic growth. We thank Governor Cuomo for his efforts to ease the financial burden for Staten Island commuters and urge the MTA to approve this proposal without delay.”
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On February 11, Experts Will Testify Before Joint Hearing of Education and Women’s Issues Committees

City Hall, NY- City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito announced today that on February 11, the City Council’s Education Committee (Chaired by Council Member Danny Dromm) and the Committee on Women’s Issues (Chaired by Council Member Laurie Cumbo) will hold a joint hearing on Res.

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Law Protects Women in the Work Place and Facilitates Reasonable Accommodations for Pregnant Employees
City Hall — Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Council Member James Vacca, Council Member Debi Rose, Council Member Laurie Cumbo, Council Member Julissa Ferreras and elected officials today joined women’s rights leaders and a Better Balance to cheer the inaugural day of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act going into effect.

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New York, NY – Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer, Council Member Jumaane Williams and Council Member Brad Lander released the following statements today in reaction to the news that the de Blasio administration would drop the stop and frisk appeal:

Speaker Mark-Viverito said: “Today’s news is long overdue for New York’s communities of color who for too long were being disproportionally stopped and frisked.

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Albany Committee Has Leaders in Community Activism, Non-Profits, Labor, Education, Journalism and Government

NEW YORK- New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito announced a transition committee today which will help her build an experienced and progressive team as she begins her term as Speaker. The volunteer-based committee has representatives who hail from all over New York City, come from a diverse array of fields and will seek out resumes of qualified individuals from a wide range of communities and sectors.

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“Good afternoon Chairman DeFrancisco, Chairman Farrell, and members of the Finance and Ways and Means Committees. I am Melissa Mark-Viverito, and I am the Speaker of the New York City Council where I also represent East Harlem and the Bronx.

“Governor Cuomo’s Executive Budget for State Fiscal Year 2014-2015 contains several elements that we at the New York City Council welcome, such as the renter’s tax credit – something that is sorely needed in New York City, where 70% of residents are renters and half of them pay more than one-third of their income in rent.

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