Today, the Council will vote on four pieces of legislation offering reforms to building codes to promote energy efficiency and health in New York City buildings. In addition, the Council will introduce legislation to allow employees at companies with 20 or more employees to pay for public transportation fare with pre-tax income.

Building Reforms

The building reforms being voted on today include a measure requiring that existing concealed pipes in buildings be outfitted with insulation when exposed during repair or alteration.

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Council budget balances City’s finances with progressive agenda that increases transparency and efficiency of City government and delivers results for all New Yorkers

City Hall – City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Finance Committee Chair Julissa Ferreras and the City Council today released the Council’s response to the Fiscal Year 2015 Preliminary budget. Balancing the City’s finances with sound proposals to increase the efficiency of City government and deliver results for all New Yorkers, the Council’s fiscally responsible recommendations for the upcoming year prioritize critical services and include:

• Hiring An Additional 1,000 NYPD Officers
• Eliminating School Lunch Fees
• Reducing the Homeless Population Living in Shelters
• Creating New Technology Incubators to Spur Entrepreneurship
• Supporting New York City’s Veterans
• Overhauling the City’s Property Tax Code
• Expanding Summer Youth Employment
• Increasing Anti-Gun Violence Initiatives
• Protecting the City’s Workforce
• Tackling Affordable Housing Crisis
• Increasing Transparency in the Capital Budget
• Maintaining Base lined Council Initiatives and Restorations

“From increasing our police force, to bolstering job creation, to eliminating school lunch fees and reducing the homeless population, our proposals will strengthen the City’s infrastructure, innovate government operations and build a stronger, safer City that delivers results for all New Yorkers,” said Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.

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Pursuant to section 247 (b) of the New York City Charter, the Council is required to submit to the Mayor, and publish, recommendations to the Mayor’s Preliminary Budget to be included in the Mayor’s Executive Budget no later than March 25th of each year.

On December 19, 2013, the Council voted on Int. 1228 (Local law 153 of 2013) to extend such date to April 21, 2014.

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““Rick Perry’s traveling circus isn’t going to persuade New Yorkers who know a sideshow when they see one. The truth is Rick Perry has pushed a textbook right-wing agenda that is anti-middle-class, anti-women and something New Yorkers will overwhelmingly and easily reject.”

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“Happy Easter to the New Yorkers who celebrate today with their family and friends across the five boroughs and around the world. On this important day to Christians, we reflect on sacrifice while also bringing forward renewal and hope. I wish all a Happy Easter.”

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“With his smooth baritone voice and charisma, Cheo Feliciano helped catapult salsa to an international stage. His entrancing performance of “El Ratón” in Kinshasa, where he and the Fania All Stars had to compete with thunderous applause, stands as one of the most memorable showcases of salsa’s “dream team.”

Whether he was paying homage to a Taino queen or crooning about heartache, audiences from New York to Japan were electrified by the beloved Cheo, who made El Barrio/East Harlem his home during the height of Puerto Rican migration to the Big Apple.

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Leaders of LGBT Groups Voice Support for Proposed City Identification Card Program

New York, NY- Leaders and advocates for several LGBT groups voiced their support the proposed Municipal Identification Card program introduced by the City Council last week. Full statements of support can be found below:

“The LGBT Law Project at NYLAG applauds Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Mark-Viverito, and City Council Members Dromm and Menchaca for spearheading this critically important bill that would help ensure that transgender and gender non-conforming New Yorkers have access to valid identification cards that accurately reflect their gender.

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“I want to commend Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Mark-Viverito, and Council Members Dromm and Menchaca for their efforts to establish a municipal identification program that will allow more than half a million people in New York City to access critical services that would otherwise have been unavailable to them. Currently, New York City residents who lack legal status are often unable to obtain services from government agencies – or even to enter government buildings such as City Hall – without identification.

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Leaders of Various Advocacy Groups Voice Support for Proposed City Identification Card Program

New York, NY- Leaders from several advocacy groups focused on issues including immigration, homelessness, and LGBT rights have offered statements of support for the City Council’s new legislation to establish a citywide identification card program for New Yorkers. Statements can be found below:

“The New York City Identity Cards are an important step toward equality and inclusion for all New Yorkers.

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Council Will Also Vote on Bill Requiring Carbon Monoxide Detectors in Public Assembly Places

New York, NY- Today, City Council will introduce legislation to create a city-wide Municipal Identification Card program. The Council will also vote on legislation to require carbon monoxide detectors in assembly spaces.

Council to Introduce Municipal ID Legislation

For various reasons, many current New York City residents are unable to obtain New York State photo identification cards.

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