“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Inez McCormack, the trailblazing human rights activist, signatory to the historic MacBride Principles on Fair Employment and the first woman President of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. Inez was an unrelenting advocate for working people all over the world, including domestic workers right here in New York City. Her work to bring peace in the North of Ireland and equality to disadvantaged groups everywhere made her an influential voice in the United States and abroad.

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Additionally, the Committees on Consumer Affairs, Technology and Lower Manhattan Redevelopment examined a bill on the feasibility of placing power lines underground.

City Hall, NY – Today, the Council Committees on Consumer Affairs, Technology and Lower Manhattan held an oversight hearing to examine risk mitigation measures taken by public utility companies. The Council also heard a bill that would require the Office of Long Term Planning and Sustainability to conduct a study over the next six months on the feasibility of placing power lines underground.

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Evaluating the extent of NYCHA’s response to Hurricane Sandy will improve its response to future storms
City Hall, NY – The City Council today held an oversight hearing to examine the New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) emergency planning procedures, response and tenant communication efforts before, during and after Hurricane Sandy.

In her opening statement, Speaker Quinn said, “The damage incurred to the City’s public housing as a result of Sandy was far beyond anything we could have possibly imagined.

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By Examining Decisions Made During Hurricane Sandy, Council Seeks Ways to Improve the Response to Future Storms

New York, NY – Today, the City Council held a hearing to examine emergency planning and management during and after Hurricane Sandy. Today’s meeting marks the first in a series of extensive hearings that will examine the City’s planning, response and recovery efforts before, during and after Hurricane Sandy.

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Read the speech

Quinn: “If we want to keep NYC a place of opportunity for middle class families, and if we want to make it a place where people can realize the American Dream, moving their family into the middle class, we need a public education system that prepares every student for the jobs of the 21st century”

New York, NY –

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New York, NY – In light of revelations of the mishandling of rape cases in the Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), the City Council today announced it will convene an emergency oversight hearing in the coming weeks. Reports indicate that more than 800 rape cases may have been wrongly handled, resulting in the submission of erroneous reports that damaged the criminal justice process.

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“Today the Campaign Finance Board (CFB) issued an advisory opinion in response to a request from good government groups. The request came as a result of an earlier advisory opinion in which it appeared that CFB had dramatically changed its interpretation of the rules regarding the political activities of membership organizations. We are gratified that with today’s opinion the CFB has made it clear that it has not changed its enforcement rules related to such activities and has indeed demonstrated its commitment to protecting the vitally important civic participation of membership organizations and others in our political process.

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Bill directs HPD to hold landlords accountable for fixing underlying causes of recurring violations
New York, NY- Today, the City Council will vote on legislation to allow the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to issue orders to property owners requiring them to repair underlying conditions that lead to repeat violations. Under the legislation – first proposed by Council Speaker Christine C.

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Pieces of Tiles for America will be displayed at the Jefferson Market Library
New York, NY- Today, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, the September 11th Families’ Association and the New York Public Library unveiled an exhibit of ceramic tiles that were a part of New York City’s first-ever spontaneous, living 9/11 memorial. The dozens of tiles on display were once affixed to a fence at the corner of Greenwich and 7th Avenues following the attacks of September 11, 2001.

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“The Mayor’s comparison of the teachers union to the NRA was wrong and I strongly disagree with his comments. This ill-conceived comparison has no place in the important, substantive, and complex debate on teacher evaluations. In order to fix our schools and really improve education for 1.1 million students, we need to lower the rhetoric, stop pointing fingers and focus on getting results for our kids.”
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