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Press Releases

Speaker Mark-Viverito and Council Member Menchaca Call For End to Targeting of Central American Refugees for Deportation.

May 19, 2016

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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Statement by Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito Re: Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act.

May 19, 2016

“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 by Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito Re: Plans for New Waves of Deportation.

May 13, 2016

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 to Vote on Legislation Creating Five Cent Minimum Surcharge for Bags Used in Retail Stores.

May 5, 2016

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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Joint Statement by Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Council LGBT Caucus.

May 3, 2016

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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Speaker Mark-Viverito, Mayor de Blasio and Health Commissioner Bassett Announce 85 Percent Reduction in K2 Related Emergency Visits.

May 3, 2016

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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New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and 45 Members of New York City Council Urge Congress not to Cut GI Benefits.

May 3, 2016

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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Statement by Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito Re: Puerto Rico Defaulting on Debts.

May 2, 2016

“The United States citizens living in Puerto Rico deserve better and today’s news is a reminder that this humanitarian crisis will only worsen without action.

Congress must take the lead on Puerto Rico and without delay. Every day that goes by means more public services are shut down and that the health care crisis will continue to deepen.

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Joint Statement by Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Council Finance Chair Julissa Ferreras-Copeland Re: Re: FY 2017 Executive Budget.

April 26, 2016

“The FY 2017 Executive Budget incorporates many of the recommendations and priorities outlined by the Council in our Preliminary Budget Response, including greatly building New York City’s reserves and increasing the City’s capital investments, which will help safeguard our City’s continued financial security.

However, while we commend Mayor de Blasio for investing in Beacon Centers, strengthening support for homeless families and better ensuring that incarcerated New Yorkers are treated with dignity, the Council remains concerned that the Administration’s proposed plan to close the Health and Hospitals operating gap is contingent on substantial State and Federal cooperation which has not yet been assured.

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Statement from Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito Re: Supporting Ecuador Following 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake.

April 25, 2016

“Earlier this month, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Ecuador, the largest to hit the nation since last century. Authorities are reporting more than 650 casualties so far, as well as thousands of displaced residents and $2 billion in economic loss.

New York City is home to more than 228,000 Ecuadorian residents who make up a vital part of our diverse community.

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