Press Releases

New York, NY – New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and Council Members Margaret S. Chin, Robert Holden, Keith Powers, and Ritchie Torres announced a new package of bills to be introduced on Wednesday, February 13, intended to crack down on the abuse of City-issued parking permits known as placards, as well as unofficial and counterfeit permits and placards also used to skirt the law. READ MORE

Re: Council Member Ruben Diaz, Sr’s
Comments

“In the aftermath of Council Member Diaz, Sr.’s deeply offensive comments about the LGBTQ community – as well as his indefensible refusal to apologize or even acknowledge the hurt he has caused – many Members have called for disciplinary actions against him and/or his resignation. I feel their anger and their pain. READ MORE

“It is critical the City adopts a secure and balanced budget that is fair for all New Yorkers and their families. The Fiscal Year 2020 Preliminary Budget marks the beginning of the budget negotiation process, our second with the de Blasio Administration.

“Going into this process we know that the Council, as always, is committed to helping all New Yorkers succeed and support the institutions and programs that uplift this City. READ MORE

New York, NY – “I wish I were more encouraged but the fact is, NYCHA residents need more funding from the federal government, and that’s not what I’m hearing in today’s announcement. Certainly when it comes to NYCHA, there’s a lot of blame to go around, but we can’t minimize the toll years of federal disinvestment has had on our public housing stock. READ MORE

“Today on Holocaust Remembrance Day, the world gathers to remember six million Jewish men, women, and children and the millions of others of different ethnic, religious, or sexual orientations murdered during one of the darkest periods in human history.  We will never forget, and we will teach our children so that this unimaginable tragedy is never repeated. To say never again is to make a solemn vow to meet and confront hatred and bigotry whenever and wherever it rears its ugly head. READ MORE

New York, NY – New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer, and Council Member Margaret S. Chin on Thursday updated their joint lawsuit to ensure full public review for proposed developments (ULURP) in Manhattan’s Two Bridges neighborhood.

The proposed development in Lower Manhattan would, in order to proceed, need to lift a deed restriction at Block 248 Lot 70, one of three properties at the center of the dispute, meant to ensure housing for low income people with disabilities and the elderly in perpetuity. READ MORE

New York, NY – Council Speaker Corey Johnson today named Council Members Carlos Menchaca and Carlina Rivera co-chairs of the newly created 2020 Census Task Force, a group that will work to ensure that every New Yorker is counted in the upcoming decennial questionnaire. The task force, which will be composed of members of the Council’s Finance, Legislative and Community Engagement divisions, will focus on targeting traditionally undercounted immigrant and minority communities. READ MORE

City Hall – The New York City Council on Thursday will vote on legislation aimed at preventing and recognizing incidents of domestic violence in New York City, which will rely in part on the unique relationship New Yorkers have with their hairdressers and barbers. The Council will vote to mandate that the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender Based Violence (ENDGBV) conduct trainings for cosmetologists on recognizing the potential signs of domestic violence, and to equip them with resources to aid survivors. READ MORE

“I was saddened to learn about the tragic death of police officer Brian Kessler, who was killed during a horrific car crash early today in the Bronx on his way home from work. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends and the entire NYPD community, who are all suffering the loss of someone who was committed to serving the city and was taken too soon.”

“This
is a major win in the ongoing battle against the Trump administration’s efforts
to intimidate immigrant communities. The census affects political representation
and determines how $700 billion is distributed for critical services such as
education and infrastructure improvements. Fifty-three billion dollars is at
stake for New York State. This was another blatant attack on our valued
immigrant communities and on our democracy itself. READ MORE