“We are pleased and truly thankful to the United States Senate for approving the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. Thanks to the leadership and advocacy of New York’s Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, the Senate passed this important bill that will provide much needed healthcare and compensation for the First Responders and heroes of 9/11.

“This legislation will also apply to the residents who lived through the attacks and continued on in lower Manhattan to help heal our community.

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As a woman, as a New Yorker and as a human being, I am angry, disappointed, and dismayed by the comment that Luis Diaz, also known as “Cipha Sounds” made last week on his morning show. Saying that he’s HIV negative because he doesn’t date Haitian girls is not only ignorant and inflammatory, but also hurtful.

I can only imagine the pain such an unthinking comment caused within the Haitian community.

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Also votes to approve a large retail and affordable housing development on the Upper West Side

City Hall – Today, the Council voted unanimously in favor of a bill that will provide unprecedented information regarding student disciplinary measures and actions relating to school safety.

The Council also voted to approve the Riverside development on the Upper West Side, which is anticipated to improve the neighborhood with additional affordable housing units, retail space and a school.

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The United States was founded upon the belief that the pursuit of happiness is not a privilege but an inalienable right.

Today, immigrant students, families and brave soldiers serving in our military are awaiting their chance to have the pursuit of happiness and the American dream. The passage of the DREAM Act would have made that dream a reality.

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Today, the U.S. Senate supported equality at the highest level of government, and voted to clear the last hurdle on allowing an up and down vote on Dont Ask, Dont Tell.

This legislation will allow LGBT people to serve openly in the military services. Every military service member deserves our profound thanks for defending our country. We must remember and honor those LGBT service members whose lives were destroyed by this discriminatory policy.

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City Hall – City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced that in the employee pay period that begins this Sunday morning, January 17, employees of the City of New York will be able to set aside part of their paychecks directly to aid in the Haitian disaster relief efforts. The Speaker, the Mayor, and Council Members Mathieu Eugene and Jumaane Williams unveiled the new program on the Mayor’s weekly radio show on WOR Radio early this morning.

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Tony Kushner, Cast of Angels in America join the Council’s YouTube-Based HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign, “I Talk Because”

New York, NY – Speaker Christine C. Quinn along with Council Members Rosie Mendez, Joel Rivera (see video here: http://j.mp/94OXUx), Lewis Fidler (see video here: http://youtu.be/MVNAV4j6xzU), Danny Dromm (see video here: http://youtu.be/dj3hMcLd8Jk) and Jimmy Van Bramer (see video here: http://youtu.be/mWHPtI7f9_4), commemorated the 15th anniversary of World AIDS day in New York City.

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Expansion will allow Alternative Enforcement Program to capture thousands more units of housing and will work to rid homes of asthma triggers including mold and vermin infestation

City Hall – City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Rafael E. Cestero announce that the New York City Council will take action today by introducing legislation that will greatly expand the criteria for the Alternative Enforcement Program (AEP).

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“Last night, the New York State Assembly passed legislation that takes another important step forward in protecting New York City’s drinking water. The ‘Hydrofracking’ (hydraulic fracturing) Moratorium bill, which is similar to a companion bill passed in the State Senate in August, prohibits granting permits for horizontal drilling which utilizes hydraulic fracturing in New York until May 15, 2011. It is the first time any state in the country has passed any kind of moratorium on this gas drilling technique used by natural gas companies.

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Council to also increase transparency in City’s development projects

City Hall – Today, the New York City Council will vote on two pieces of legislation that will increase transparency in both New York City’s Department of Transportation and in the City’s economic development projects. In the Council’s effort to help coordinate and oversee the Department of Transportation’s plans to slow down traffic and increase pedestrian safety on City streets, the Council will vote on legislation to increase transparency at DOT by requiring guidelines governing the installation of bike lanes and pedestrian plazas.

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