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Press Releases


Morgenthau: Legislation is “Necessary and Logical Next Step”

New York, NY- Today, former Manhattan District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau announced his support for the proposed bills introduced by Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and the New York City Council to further limit the city’s cooperation with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

ROBERT M. MORGENTHAU:
“The City Council should be congratulated on setting a national precedent by tackling this serious issue.

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Council will also vote on legislation requiring employers to offer pre-tax commuter benefits to employees

City Hall – Today the Council will vote on legislation establishing a citywide speed limit of 25 miles-per-hour. Additionally the Council will vote on legislation requiring employers allow their employees to use pre-tax wages for mass-transit commuting fare.

25 Mile-Per-Hour Speed Limit

Speed was the single greatest contributing factor in traffic deaths that occurred in 2012 and continues to play a significant role in traffic incidents involving motor vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists.

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Under New Mark-Viverito Legislation: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) May No Longer Maintain Offices on Rikers Island and the Department of Correction May No Longer Assist Federal Officials in Dragnet Immigration Enforcement Efforts.

CITY HALL- City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, along with Council Members Daniel Dromm, Rafael Espinal and Immigration Committee Chair Carlos Menchaca today announced groundbreaking legislation to protect New Yorkers and greatly reduce the City’s involvement in the enforcement of civil immigration laws by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New York City.

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“I want to wish all those who are celebrating Rosh Hashanah a Happy and Sweet New Year. It has been an honor working with Jewish communities across the five boroughs these past nine months to address issues of poverty, quality of life and access to opportunity and I look forward to continuing our work together in the year to come.

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Funding Will Go Toward Increasing Access to Counsel for Children In Removal Proceedings

Public-Private Partnership Will See NYC Council’s $1 Million Allocation Matched By Robin Hood and New York Community Trust

Speaker Mark-Viverito: “New York City Will Not Stand By As This Crisis Unfolds, We Will Take Action”

New York – With the federal government failing to produce comprehensive immigration reform and with thousands of unaccompanied minors facing deportation, New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, the Robin Hood Foundation and New York Community Trust announced the Unaccompanied Minor Children Initiative today – a $1.9 million public-private partnership that will provide key funding to legal organizations to support a coordinated response to the overwhelming need for high quality, free legal representation and access to social, mental health, and medical services for more than a thousand unaccompanied minor children appearing on the Juvenile and Surge Dockets at the New York Immigration Court.

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Council will also vote to impose civil penalties for hit-and-run traffic accidents

City Hall – Today the Council will vote on legislation creating new penalties for harassing tenants into leaving their apartments. The Council will also vote on legislation to impose civil penalties for hit-and-run traffic collisions.

Tenant Harassment

New York City’s law currently prohibits harassing tenants into leaving their apartments, however, according to numbers from HPD, there have been over 3,000 known cases of tenant harassment.

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NEW YORK— Tonight Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Council Members Karen Koslowitz, Mark Weprin and Rory Lancman will visit The Henry & Susie Orenstein Dining Room of Masbia in Rego Park, Queens, to prepare food and serve meals to hungry New Yorkers. The Masbia Soup Kitchen provides kosher meals to members of the community who are in need. With the upcoming holiday of Rosh Hashanah beginning tomorrow, providing kosher food to those with religious dietary restrictions becomes an even more essential function in the community for Masbia.

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“Today, thousands of people from across the nation will march in solidarity for a sustainable future and a stronger earth. The People’s Climate March is an opportunity for New Yorkers to come together and take a stand to combat climate change. From committing to reducing the footprint of New York City’s municipal operations to making our air even cleaner, the City Council is proud of our on-going efforts to create a greener City.

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Legislative package promotes energy efficiency and carbon footprint reductions in advance of UN Climate Summit

NEW YORK– Today, the New York City Council unveiled landmark legislation along with a far-sighted policy platform to strengthen New York City’s commitment to a greener, more sustainable and more environmentally-friendly future. In advance of the UN Climate Summit, this comprehensive legislative package will address key areas in the fight against global climate change, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy efficiency, and encouraging low-carbon transportation.

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Council will also vote to require that tenant rights information be publicly posted in residential buildings.

City Hall – Today the City Council will vote on a package of three bills that will require increased reporting of information about New York City’s foster care programs. The Council will also vote on a bill requiring owners of residential buildings to publicly post information about tenant rights.

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