“The New York State Assembly has once again stood up for the rights of New Yorkers and passed the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA). If passed by the Senate and signed by the Governor, this bill would extend protections to transgender New Yorkers in the areas of employment, housing, employment, credit and public accommodations.

This legislation is important because the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA), which was passed in 2003, does not specifically protect transgender people from discrimination.

…

READ MORE

March 23, 2010, New York City –City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Council Members Elizabeth Crowley and Karen Koslowitz, and the Stop & Shop Supermarket Company made an emergency donation of one thousand pounds of Kosher for Passover food to the Queens Jewish Community Council Kosher Food Pantry as supplies needed to provide Kosher for Passover food to families in need was nearly depleted.

…

READ MORE

Anti-Bullying and Harassment Week Will Kick Off on March 8 and Run through March 12, 2010

City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein today announced that the Department of Education is launching its first-ever “Respect for All Week,” designed to focus all City schools on the importance of promoting respect for diversity and fostering inclusive learning environments for their students.

…

READ MORE

New Paltz, NY (March 9, 2010) – Councilman James F. Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows) advocated on behalf of nine million New Yorkers’ water supply at SUNY New Paltz’s public forum titled, “The Future of Gas Drilling in New York State” last night. The forum was attended by close to 200 students and upstate residents.

“Drilling for natural gas is an activity that must not happen in New York City’s pristine drinking water supply upstate,” Gennaro said.

…

READ MORE

Read the testimony

Legislation will streamline approvals for environmentally beneficial technologies and products

City Hall – At today’s Stated Council meeting the members of the City Council will vote on legislation designed to encourage the development and approval of green technologies and products. By streamlining the approval process and facilitating interagency cooperation, the City will support environmentally beneficial development. Additionally, the Council will vote on legislation to establish rules for determining the cost of tree replacement on public property and to increase fines for illegal dumping along the city’s waterfront.

…

READ MORE

SPEAK UP program to Empower Students to Keep Schools Safe

City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn in conjunction with the Department of Education, the New York City Police Department, and PAX, creators of the national violence prevention program, SPEAK UP, announced the launch of an anonymous hotline in New York City public schools, which will encourage students to come forward with knowledge of dangerous activity.

…

READ MORE

soc_rls.pdf

Also Votes on Gang Initiation Bill That Creates Law to Fight Gang Initiation Activity

City Hall, February 11, 2010 – At today’s Stated Council meeting the members of the City Council will vote on the Tenant Fair Chance Act, legislation designed to assist tenants in accessing reports that many landlords use to determine a tenant’s suitability for housing.

…

READ MORE

– Statement from Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn –

“Governor Paterson’s proposal to increase the MTA payroll tax on New York City employers by nearly 60% is outrageous and simply unfair.

“The additional tax increase on City employers – including businesses, the non-profit sector, and the City government – would suffocate growth and job creation in the City just as we are on the cusp of recovery from worst economic downturn in generations.

…

READ MORE