City Hall, NY— City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced they will file a joint amicus brief in support of Edie Windsor’s constitutional challenge to the Federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
Edie Windsor sued the federal government after being made to pay $363,000 in estate taxes on her late wife’s estate because the government did not recognize Edie’s marriage to her partner of over 40 years, Thea Spyer.
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CUNY will now offer advanced software development program for computer science majors
New partnerships will also bring highly regarded programming courses to CUNY for the public at large
New York – Today, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn along with CUNY, Tipping Point, General Assembly, and the Queens Coalition announced the start of two new programs that will train more New Yorkers in high-demand computer programming languages.
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“We are thrilled that both the State Senate and State Assembly have passed legislation to extend the New York City Biotech Tax Credit. In 2010, the credit was utilized by 92 percent of eligible firms and led to the presence of new firms in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island, and today’s extension is a testament to that success. NYC’s biotech industry has seen a 14 percent growth in firms city wide and is doing better than the national trend for employment within the sector.
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Speaker Christine C. Quinn:
“I am appalled by the latest act of anti-Semitic vandalism in Brooklyn. Hateful crimes that attempt to terrorize our neighborhoods will not be tolerated. New Yorkers enjoy a proud tradition of celebrating diversity and we will not stand for these cowardly attacks. I thank the NYPD Hate Crimes task force for their swift action, and urge anyone with information to contact the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1 -866-313-TIPS.”
Council Member Brad Lander:
“This despicable act of anti-Semitism pains our community, but brings us together.
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“We’re thrilled the amendment to the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) has passed both the State Assembly and Senate and that cyberbullying will be defined and included in New York State’s first anti-bullying legislation. Cyberbullying is a real and serious form of harassment to which too many New York City students have fallen victim, as was discussed at last summer’s City Council Cyberbullying Summit.
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Speaker Quinn said: “In order to identify and combat elder abuse, we must do everything we can to ensure that some of our most vulnerable residents and those who provide services to them are well-informed about the issue. Older adults must know how to protect themselves and ways to access help. The City has resources available to prevent elder abuse and is committed to helping older adults live independently and with dignity, without the threat of neglect and mistreatment.
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“I am deeply concerned by reports of the bottle throwing melee that injured more than five people in SoHo this week. That is why I have immediately convened an emergency meeting next week between my office, the NYPD, and the nightlife industry. The purpose of this meeting is to send a clear message to all nightclub patrons that bottles cannot be used as weapons and to determine if the guidelines surrounding bottle service need to be updated or reworked.”
“This emergency meeting builds upon the Council’s work beginning in 2006, when we convened a summit meeting with the NYPD, the nightlife industry and other community stakeholders.
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“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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