Speaker Cites Parade Policy Which Effectively Bans LGBT Groups from Marching
City Hall — Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito announced today that the New York City Council as an institution will not participate in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day parade, citing the parades rules that effectively ban LGBT groups from taking part. The decision means that there will be no official City Council presence at the parade, no banner and no Sergeant–at-Arms present.
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Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito:
“I am pleased that SUNY and the community have reached an agreement to help preserve quality medical care in downtown Brooklyn. Today’s settlement puts the needs of New Yorkers first and prioritizes care over profits.
I am proud to have joined my colleagues in government and thousands of concerned New Yorkers to protect the future of our City’s hospitals.
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Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito:
“The proposals outlined by Mayor de Blasio today are innovative ideas to end traffic fatalities in our City. The City Council has aggressively worked on proactive solutions to increase traffic safety, and as we partner with the de Blasio Administration to make New York City’s streets safer for pedestrians, motorists and bicyclists alike, we urge our colleagues in the State Legislature to expeditiously consider the Mayor’s proposals.
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City Hall – Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito announced today that Elizabeth de Leon Bhargava will be joining her growing team as First Deputy Chief of Staff. De Leon Bhargava brings more than a decade of public service to the Speakers’ office, most recently as Deputy Commissioner of the Neighborhood Development Division at the New York City Department of Small Business Services, the New York State Department of Labor and the New York State Attorney General’s office.
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“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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