“We applaud Governor Cuomo’s decision to temporarily suspend New York’s agreement to participate in the Secure Communities program as it undergoes review. The Governor has demonstrated true leadership in hearing the concerns that have been expressed and taking action.

“We are confident that this review process will prove what we have been saying all along: that the singular goal of the Secure Communities (S-COMM) program is to deport as many immigrants as possible, without regard to their criminal records or whether or not they actually pose a threat to society.

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New York City – After months of effort, the City Council, together with the Bloomberg Administration, has developed a plan to comprehensively address existing issues with the tax assessments that emerged in this year’s tentative assessment roll. The Council and Administration will establish a working group to reform the Class 2 Co-op and Condo assessment process and make the system more transparent, simple and equitable.

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The New York City Council’s Women Caucus applauds the swift and decisive actions of Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly in removing the two officers, Officers Kenneth Moreno and Franklin Mata, who were found guilty on May 26, 2011 of official misconduct in the rape trial of an intoxicated woman whom they were summoned to assist.

We were disappointed that the jury found that the officers were not guilty of all other charges which included rape, burglary and falsifying business records;

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Legislation to allow 2007 candidates to serve FDNY who were unfairly prohibited by unrelated court injunction

May 26, 2011, New York, New York – Today, the City Council will vote on a bill that extends the eligibility age for candidates to apply for the FDNY examination. The purpose of the bill is to provide a measure of justice for those who took the last firefighter examination but who, after the examination had been invalidated by a court, subsequently became ineligible to take the next upcoming examination.

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May 24, 2011, New York, New York – After candidates who took a 2007 FDNY exam were negatively affected by a court injunction, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Council Member Elizabeth Crowley, Chair of the Fire and Criminal Justice Services Committee, and Chair of the Public Safety Committee Peter Vallone, announced today that a hearing on a bill to address this matter will take place on Wednesday, May 25, at 9:30 a.m.

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“Today, my Council colleagues and I went to Albany to tell the State legislature and our leaders in Albany that we need to not only renew the New York City rent protection laws that expire next month, but also to strengthen them.

“First, I want to thank my colleagues Council Members Margaret Chin, Jumaane D. Williams, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Daniel Dromm, Jimmy Van Bramer, Gale Brewer, Letitia James, Ydanis Rodriguez and Brad Lander for joining me in Albany today on this important matter.

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“With the conclusion of this trial, I thank and respect the jury for their decision on this very public case, though I am surprised these individuals were not convicted of more serious charges that were brought against them. That being said, I am pleased that the Mayor and Commissioner Kelly are moving swiftly and appropriately to remove these two men from the Police Department and for acknowledging their inappropriate actions.

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New York, NY – New York City Council Members representing the four districts that comprise Upper Manhattan held a unity rally on Thursday evening to protest the budget cuts to child care centers being proposed in Mayor Bloomberg’s Fiscal Year 2012 Executive Budget. Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito, Assistant Deputy Majority Leader Inez E. Dickens, Education Committee Chairman Robert Jackson, and Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez joined together with Upper Manhattan-based day care providers, parents, children and advocates to highlight the disproportionate impact of these cuts on the communities of East, Central and West Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood and to call for a full restoration of child care services.

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Council, New York Times, Facebook, MTV and the city’s District Attorneys convene summit on July 18th to discuss the growing online trend – and how to combat it

City Hall – As part of the effort to help parents and teachers combat bullying amongst kids in the digital space, Speaker Christine C. Quinn today announced a Cyberbullying Summit via YouTube.

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