Last weekend in the Long Island community of Bay Shore, vandals targeted the Long Island GLBT Services Network community center. These cowardly individuals slashed the tires and shattered the windows of the van used to transport teens to and from the Community Center. They also smashed the front door of the facility. The Suffolk County Police Commissioner has classified this criminal mischief as a hate crime.
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For too long, representatives from upstate New York have had too much control over how New York City governs its housing policy. This system has destabilized communities and spurred the loss of hundreds of thousands of units of affordable housing, many of them home to some of our most vulnerable residents. By repealing the Urstadt laws, we can restore home rule and put authority back where it belongs – in the hands of the local legislature.
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We in the Council are committed to working to see New York through this financial crisis, the most significant we have seen in decades. The severe economic conditions we are facing are real. Therefore, Mayor Bloomberg’s proposals will be thoroughly debated and examined by the Council as we fulfill our obligation to balance the budget in a responsible and fair manner.
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Bills will allow multiple agencies to enforce idling rules, reduce allowable idling times around City schools
City Hall, January 28, 2009 – The New York City Council voted on legislation to reduce engine idling in front of schools and authorize additional city agencies to enforce automotive idling restrictions. With some of the highest child asthma rates in the country, these bills aim to reduce harmful pollutants emitted by idling engines on city streets.
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Legislation will require licensing of property consultants and root out bad actors
CITY HALL – Speaker Christine C. Quinn, together with the Executive Director of the Center for NYC Neighborhoods, Michael Hickey, Anne Fleming of South Brooklyn Legal Services, Ellen Davidson of the Legal Aide Society, Sarah Ludwig, co-director of the Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project, Consumer Affairs Chair Leroy Comrie, Housing and Buildings Chair Erik Martin-Dilan and Council Members Lewis Fidler, James Sanders and Thomas White, today announced legislation that will increase the regulatory requirements for distressed property consultants.
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Thousands to Gather Saturday to Highlight Impact on Families Separated by Immigration System
NEW YORK, NY – Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito, joined by Bishop Miguel Alvarez of the Confraternidad de Lideres Counciliares (CONLICO), Rev. Gabriel Salguero of the Latino Leadership Circle and Rev. Raymond Rivera of the Latino Pastoral Action Center announced a large-scale community meeting aimed at drawing attention to families who must live the fear of deportation due to our nation’s broken immigration system.
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Comprehensive annual report will lead to greater oversight on the department’s use of deadly force
CITY HALL – At today’s Stated Council meeting, the New York City Council will vote on legislation that will increase NYPD’s reporting requirements when one of their officers discharges a firearm.
IMPROVED FIREARM DISCHARGE REPORTING
The legislation will require the NYPD to submit an annual report to the Council detailing:
the circumstances surrounding incidents where officers fire their weapons;
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We are pleased by today’s settlement of the Attorney General’s lawsuit requiring Arbitron to overhaul a deeply flawed ratings system that dramatically underreports listenership for ethnic and minority radio stations. The requirement that Arbitron pay for a study to “determine and cure measurable bias” in their ratings system is a particularly heartening aspect of the settlement.
Beginning in 2007, the City Council responded to concerns that Arbitron’s new Portable People Meter system did not adequately account for communities of color and younger listeners, and threatened the survival of ethnic and minority radio stations.
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While many of us were celebrating the holiday season with friends and loved ones, the state of Israel found itself forced to defend against a series of unprovoked rocket attacks from Hamas militants. I want to express my support for the Israeli government as it works to prevent further violence against its citizens. Just as the United States reserves the right to defend itself against terrorist attacks, so must Israel be able to defend itself to prevent further loss of life.
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City Hall’s Doors will be open to the Public for Free Viewing of Historic Inauguration
December 22nd, 2008 – Speaker Christine C. Quinn, the Black, Latino and Asian Caucus and the New York City Council announce that City Hall will open its doors to all New Yorkers on January 20th, 2009 – Inauguration Day – so they can come together to view the historic moment that President-Elect Barack Obama is sworn into office.
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