Statement by Council Member Mathieu Eugene:
I want to express my gratitude to President Obama, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas for extending the designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haiti for an additional 18 months and also for giving Haitians who arrived after last year’s earthquake an opportunity to apply for TPS.
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Reports of the fire that erupted in Bushwick last night are extremely troubling. Even more concerning is the fact that this building had been reported for having illegal conversions and that inspectors were unable to gain access.
It is precisely because of cases like this that the Council recognizes the need to eliminate dangerous illegal conversions. We will be convening a hearing on June 7th that will examine ways the city can improve inspectors’
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City Council, Department of Citywide Administrative Services, and Industry Leaders Announce Application Process for City’s Environmental Product Testing Initiative
May 13, 2011 – Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Council Member Michael Nelson, the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, the New York City Housing Authority, and industry leaders today announced the Request for Applications (RFA) process for a new program that will allow environmental products to be tested in city-owned buildings.
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In Wake of High-Profile Cases, Fines Will Deter Service Refusals and Overcharging
New York, May 11, 2011 – At today’s Stated Council meeting, members of the City Council will vote on legislation to raise fines for taxi drivers who unlawfully refuse or overcharge passengers. The Council will also vote on a major rezoning in Queens’ South Jamaica neighborhood.
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New Partnership Will Help Connect Veterans with Jobs
City Hall – City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Small Business Committee Chair Diana Reyna and Veterans Committee Chair Mathieu Eugene, today announced a partnership with Seedco, a non-profit organization that advances economic opportunities for people and communities, and the city’s Workforce1 Career Centers to assist returning veterans with job placement and better prepare them to enter the workforce.
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“Since the recent financial crisis and recession, the City Council has worked aggressively to control spending and manage the City’s budget in a fiscally responsible manner while protecting vital services. That’s why we have grave concerns about a budget that allows for teacher layoffs, which would be immensely damaging to our education system and children’s opportunities for a quality education.
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“When the attack happened here in New York City on September 11th, I think Osama Bin Laden and the terrorists thought we might just give up, that we might just surrender. What he could never understand is the foundation that makes up America – that makes up New York. That foundation is built on courage and heroism and love of your neighbor.
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“The property tax is our single most important revenue source as a City. It is a significant tax burden on all property owners – and on their tenants, including renters and small business owners. We therefore owe it to the City’s taxpayers to make the administration of the property tax as fair, transparent, and accurate as it can possibly be within the confines of current law.
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“The property tax is our single most important revenue source as a City. It is a significant tax burden on all property owners – and on their tenants, including renters and small business owners. We therefore owe it to the City’s taxpayers to make the administration of the property tax as fair, transparent, and accurate as it can possibly be within the confines of current law.
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Bills aim to increase access to information and to improve alternative side parking
New York, April 28, 2011 – At today’s Stated meeting, the City Council will vote on legislation that will improve the City’s parking notification and street cleaning process. Originally announced in the Speaker’s State of the City Address, these two bills will make it easier to find parking, one by providing the option for some streets to have one less day of alternate side parking and another by creating an interactive online map showing exactly what the parking regulations are and where parking may be temporarily suspended due to street closures..
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