“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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Quinn and Palma will introduce legislation next week requiring the Human Resources Administration submit an annual report to the Council on the use of finger imaging in detecting fraud

City Hall- On the heels of the bi-partisan actions in California and Texas that ended the practice of requiring federal food stamp applicants to submit to finger imaging to receive benefits, New York City Council Speaker Christine C.

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Sunset Park, Brooklyn – City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Council Member Sara Gonzalez, Tracy Hobson, Executive Director of The Center for Anti-Violence Education, elected officials and advocates announced details of a community-wide, free, self-defense course to be held this Sunday afternoon in Sunset Park. The course will take place at the entrance of the Sunset Park Recreation Center located at 7th Avenue and 42nd Street.

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