MWBEstat would dramatically increase accountability.

New York, NY – Today, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn announced legislation to establish an accountability system to enforce the City’s Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) law. Speaker Quinn’s proposed system, MWBEstat, would improve the City’s tracking and monitoring of its use of MWBE contractors and subcontractors, requiring officers from each City agency to periodically meet and report to the Mayor on their progress towards meeting the participation goals set forth in Local Law 129.

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NYPD LGBT Advisory Panel to ensure gender non-conforming New Yorkers are treated with dignity and respect

City Hall, NY— Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly, Council Members and the NYPD LGBT Advisory Panel will today announce reforms to the New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) Patrol Guide to ensure respectful treatment of transgender and gender non-conforming New Yorkers by the police.

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“I’m thrilled by the news that yet another Federal Court has found the Defense of Marriage Act to be an indefensible assault on our civil liberties.

Edie Windsor’s suit seeking a refund of the federal estate tax paid by the estate of her late wife is a stark reminder that the benefits and security of marriage have yet to be extended to all people.

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Quinn Delivers on State of the City Speech Promise

New Yorkers Can Now Log On To www.nyc.gov/housingconnect To Apply For Two New Affordable Developments As Pilot Phase Starts

NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Mathew M. Wambua, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, and Citywide Chief Information and Innovation Officer Rahul N. Merchant today announced the launch of the City’s new automated affordable housing lottery website.

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“Today’s decision by the Federal Appeals Court refusing to reconsider a ruling that found California’s ban on same-sex marriages to be unconstitutional is the next important victory in the fight for full equality.

With today’s decision, the courts have affirmed what we have always known- that denying anyone of their civil rights is wrong. Should the Supreme Court decide to hear this case, I’m confident that our nation’s highest court will rule on the side of justice.

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“I enthusiastically applaud Governor Cuomo for taking action to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana in public view.”

“Tens of thousands of lives a year are permanently damaged as a result of the current law, with communities of color disproportionately affected. The fact of the matter is that Black and Latino men are the most likely to be stopped, questioned and frisked and are then ordered to empty their pockets during these encounters.

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“Thousands of children enter first grade every year having never set foot in a classroom because under current City and State law, children do not have to enroll in kindergarten. Today’s Assembly’s passage of legislation to allow New York City to make kindergarten mandatory is a major step towards ensuring a strong educational start for New York’s five year olds.

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“Today, the Federal Appeals Court declared what we have always known to be true: that the so-called Defense of Marriage Act is an unconstitutional assault on our civil liberties. I’m pleased we’re one step closer to overturning harmful federal legislation that denies same-sex couples the right to wed, depriving them of the security and benefits of marriage.

With each passing day, and with the support of President Obama, we come that much closer to making marriage equality a reality for everyone across the nation.

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Legislative package will strengthen City’s ability to prevent and uncover fraud by extending whistleblower protections to employees of City contractors and subcontractors.

Council will also vote on resolutions to reauthorize an adequately funded Farm Bill and another calling on the State to reform the Rent Guidelines Board.

New York, NY- Today, the City Council will vote to extend the protection afforded by the City’s Whistleblower Law to employees of City contractors and subcontractors, and to encourage those with information about fraud against the City to report it.

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LGBT activists honored June 12th at Cooper Union

City Hall, NY-Speaker Christine C. Quinn and LGBT Caucus Members Daniel Dromm, Rosie Mendez, and Jimmy Van Bramer announced that star of stage and screen, Whoopi Goldberg, will be the Master of Ceremonies for the Council’s Celebration of Pride next month.

Goldberg is an Emmy, Tony, Grammy, and Academy Award winner and the co-host of ABC’s ‘The View.’ On June 12th at Cooper Union’s Great Hall, Goldberg and the Council will honor LGBT activists for their work to bring justice and equality to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people of New York City.

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