“With today’s vote, New York State sends a strong message that everyone deserves to have access to higher education regardless of their legal status. With access to TAP financial assistance and college savings accounts for immigrant students, we will continue to help pave the way for immigrants to flourish and make great contributions to our communities. I would like to thank Chancellor Tisch, Commissioner King and the Board of Regents for their leadership on this salient issue that will make an enormous difference for our immigrant students.

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Speaker Quinn:

“I am pleased that, as a result of today’s court hearing, the City’s dangerous new policy changing the intake procedure for single adults seeking shelter will not go into effect on Monday. I am encouraged that this matter will be heard by the court, and I continue to call on DHS to permanently reverse course and prevent these harmful changes from going into effect.”

General Welfare Committee Chair Annabel Palma:

“Absence of leadership from the Bloomberg Administration on this issue, once again, has the City’s homeless policies shaped more by the court system rather than through collaboration and partnership with stakeholders.

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“Today, I am disappointed that the Bloomberg administration failed to approve the Outsourcing Accountability Act. This fiscally responsible, common sense legislation would have amended a 1994 law to ensure that the City routinely weigh the necessity of outside contracts that cost taxpayers billions of dollars each year.

This past week, the Council held an oversight hearing on outsourced information technology ventures – an area of contract expenditure that the Administration conceded would benefit from greater oversight.

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“Apparently, late last night the Bloomberg administration announced a new policy for homeless individuals. This policy is an irresponsible ‘no room at the inn’ approach that does nothing to address the record number of people experiencing homelessness in New York City as winter approaches.

This policy is cruel, risky, unacceptable, and will not reduce homelessness in the city of New York.

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The legislation will require the Department of Transportation to give presentations at affected community boards before bicycle lanes are constructed.
The Council will also vote on legislation to reduce unnecessary immigrant deportations in New York City.

New York, NY- Today, the City Council will vote on legislation that will require the Department of Transportation to consult with community boards before installing bicycle lanes.

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“I am disheartened by reports that WalMart is substantially rolling back health care coverage for part-time workers and significantly raising premiums for many full-time staff. Among the troubling new policies, new employees will no longer be eligible to cover their spouses.

WalMart is once again showing blatant disregard for the well-being of its workforce. By refusing to extend basic health care benefits, the company is demonstrating that they prefer to force their employees into the public healthcare system.

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“For decades, the Ruppert Playground has served the Upper East Side of Manhattan as an important place for children, parents and all to enjoy. Therefore, we must all work together to keep this resource for our children.

That is why I am pleased to announce that we are in the process of setting up a meeting with the Related Companies and the Bloomberg administration to discuss options that would preserve this playground for a community with pressing needs for open space.

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New York, NY- In a speech before the Association for a Better New York (ABNY), Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn outlined a plan to create jobs and build long term economic security in New York City. Speaker Quinn’s remarks focused on helping New York City stay on track to become the technology capital of the world, and provide opportunities for low-income New Yorkers to join the middle class.

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Legislation will help parents plan for their child’s educational future

New York, NY- Today, the City Council will vote on legislation that will require the Department of Education (DOE) to report annually to the Council on school capacity and utilization in schools. The Council’s bill will allow for more transparency regarding the types of spaces school buildings contain, allowing parents to make more informed choices regarding school enrollment.

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Sunset Park, Brooklyn – More than 100 community residents joined City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Council Member Sara Gonzalez, U.S. Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, Tracy Hobson, Executive Director of The Center for Anti-Violence Education and advocates at a community-wide, free self-defense course held today in Sunset Park.

The course empowered citizens on how to protect themselves from becoming victims of sexual assault.

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