Today the Mayor presented a financial plan to navigate our city through the economic crisis. These are tough times, particularly for New York’s working families, and by every indication, the economic downturn will grow in the coming months and years.

We at the Council recognize the severity of this situation. Difficult decisions will have to be made and serious steps will have to be taken, and Mayor Bloomberg is right to present an early financial plan and to be looking for new revenue and possible savings.

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In yesterday’s historic election, California, Florida and Arizona voters approved measures that legally recognize marriage as a union between one man and one woman. These measures deny thousands of loving, committed same-sex couples to literally hundreds of protections that come with civil marriage.

Today is a bittersweet moment for millions of LGBT Americans across our country. While we can celebrate and find comfort in the fact we will finally have the support of a LGBT friendly White House, I am deeply saddened that voters in these states approved punitive measures that deny the basic and fundamental civil rights of LGBT Americans.

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Terence Tolbert was a kind, caring and compassionate public servant for our City and a true friend of the City Council. Terence devoted himself to New York, most recently as a member of the Bloomberg administration with the Department of Education. During his entire career the City Council and I came to know Terence and consider him an extended member of the City Council family.

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Council Members and staff to flyer neighborhoods with empty UPK seats
More Than 5,000 Seats Still Available

October 28th, 2008 – Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Council Members and City Council staff announce the kick off of a two day Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) outreach ground campaign to encourage parents to sign their children up for available free UPK seats before the October 31st deadline.

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Also votes to approve designation of the West Chelsea Historic District in Manhattan

City Hall, October 23, 2008 – At today’s Stated Council meeting, the members of the New York City Council will vote on legislation to extend term limits for 59 term-limited municipal offices from two four-year terms to three four-year terms. The City Council will also vote to:

• Landmark 30 historic industrial and manufacturing buildings in Manhattan’s West Chelsea neighborhood;

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Quinn proposes spending cuts; recognizes shared pain

Backs Pro Job Growth Business Tax Policy

New York, NY, October 15, 2008 – In a speech before the Citizens Budget Commission today, Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn acknowledging the depth of the fiscal challenges facing the City; offered a series of proposals and recommendations for how local government can play an important role in helping New Yorkers weather the global economic crisis.

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After extensive conversations with my colleagues and careful deliberation, I have decided to support the legislation put forward by Mayor Bloomberg to extend term limits from two to three terms.

In addition to Council Members, I have also talked with citywide leaders in the public and private sector – from business leaders to labor officials to good government advocates.

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City Hall, October 7, 2008 – At today’s Stated Council meeting, the members of the City Council will vote on legislation requiring the Department of City Planning to file a waterfront plan every ten years as well as land use legislation approving a 1.7 million-square-foot, mixed-use development in East Harlem . The Council will also vote to modify previous enhancements to the J-51 tax benefit program to include the Penn South residential community into the program.

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Local leaders support Brooklyn residents as they fight unimaginable living conditions and reiterate the absolute necessity of the Tenant Protection Act

CITY HALL – Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, together with Jennifer Levy of South Brooklyn Legal Services and Council Members Daniel R. Garodnick, Diana Reyna, Melissa Mark Viverito and Letitia James, today stood with Brooklyn residents who are taking their landlord to housing court on a charge of harassment.

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No woman shall in any way be prevented from accessing clinics; new bill takes action against intimidation, threats and harassment

NEW YORK, NY – City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn today announced the introduction of the Clinic Access Bill, which will protect women seeking services at reproductive health care facilities. Currently, many women are faced with harassment and other hostile acts as they attempt to enter and exit clinics.

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