“This is a tremendously sad day for immigrants across the country who will be forced to remain in the shadows. It is now more urgent than ever for Congress to act on comprehensive immigration reform -we can’t wait any longer. I also urge President Obama to cease immigration raids.
“This decision is disheartening and only fuels the hateful rhetoric that has been spewed by those who believe that immigrants are less deserving of a better life for themselves and their families.
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Council will also vote on bill to curtail commercial tenant harassment
CITY HALL – Today the Council will vote on a legislative package requiring the City to provide feminine hygiene products in schools, correctional facilities, and shelters. The Council will also vote on legislation curtailing the harassment of small businesses and other non-residential tenants. Additionally, the Council will vote on legislation increasing transparency of the City’s Next Gen 9/11 implementation.
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NEW YORK – In testimony to be given before the Rent Guidelines Board, New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito will once again call for a rent freeze for one year leases. In addition, since a freeze is not on the table for two year leases, the Speaker will call for at most a .5% increase.
As Speaker Mark-Viverito’s testimony states: “New York City is a city of renters.
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NEW YORK – Today, the City Council authorized New York City’s Fiscal Year 2017 Budget. Budget highlights include investment in city youth, support for immigrant communities, and strengthening city reserves.
“With this budget agreement, this City Council has proven once again to be a champion for all New Yorkers in all five boroughs. Whether you are young person who will gain their first paid work experience through the expanded $42 million dollar Summer and Year Round Youth Employment Programs an undocumented New Yorker who will have access to free, comprehensive legal assistance and adult literacy services, or a struggling parent who will have an easier time putting food on the table with help from the Emergency Food Assistance Program, this is a budget for everyone.
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NEW YORK – Today, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Finance Committee Chair Julissa Ferreras-Copeland, New York City Council Members and Mayor Bill de Blasio announced an equitable, fiscally responsible, and early budget agreement for Fiscal Year 2017 that invests in the city’s youth, supports immigrants, and uplifts communities across the five boroughs with targeted support and resources for key programs and initiatives.
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Release #053-2016
Council Recommendations Will Make Preservation Process More Transparent and Will Better Support Landmarked Buildings
City Hall — New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Land Use Committee Chair David Greenfield, Land Use Subcommittee Chair on Landmarks Peter Koo and the New York City Council today released “Landmarks for The Future: Learning from 50 Years of Preservation” a comprehensive report outlining recommendations to ensure the future of historic preservation in New York City.
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“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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