“Today’s immigration policy change by the Obama Administration signals an important turning point in our Nation’s history for the nearly 400,000 undocumented immigrant youth here in New York, many of whom call New York City their home. This decision is also particularly timely in light of the 30th anniversary of Plyler v. Doe, which gave undocumented immigrants the right to an education.”

“Our young immigrants have faced insurmountable obstacles in their pursuit of an education, happiness and the American dream.

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Speaker Quinn said:

“I am deeply disappointed that New York Senate Republicans voted against a bill to ensure that low-income people living with HIV/AIDS who qualify for rental assistance pay no more than 30 percent of their income on rent. Championed by Senator Tom Duane, this legislation could prevent people with HIV/AIDS and their families from living on the streets.

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City Hall, NY-New York City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Council Members Julissa Ferreras and James Vacca along with elected officials and advocates applauded the passage of legislation to be voted on by the Council to combat sex trafficking in New York City. New York City is a major destination for victims of sex trafficking and will be the first jurisdiction to focus on transporters of trafficking victims.

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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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