New York, NY – In response to recent cases of bullying and harassment against the LGBT community, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn announced a comprehensive plan to combat bias, prejudice and hate, particularly among youth. The multi-pronged approach focuses attention on students and young New Yorkers, teaching them tolerance and what to do when faced with bullying.

“The recent deaths across the country that have happened as a result of anti-LGBT bullying are truly heartbreaking,” said Speaker Christine C.

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City Hall – The New York City Council today was named among the top YouTube campaigns making a difference by Mashable, the most read blog around the world (Read the story here: http://j.mp/9F3z0i). In December of last year, the Ne York City Council launched the campaign “I Talk Because…”, which features YouTube video clips of people talking about why it’s so important for them to discuss HIV/AIDS with the people in their lives.

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Also will vote on package of bills, from the Green Codes Task Force, that will revolutionize the regulations governing existing building codes

City Hall – At today’s Stated meeting, the Council will modernize City parking by voting on a zoning amendment that will allow car sharing vehicles, such as Zip cars, to park in off-street parking facilities.
In addition, the Council will vote on a set of groundbreaking bills that will “green” city buildings codes.

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“New York City is part of the greatest democracy in the world. Yet our democracy is only as strong as the election system we have in place to support it. Members of the City Council are still deeply concerned by the city-wide election system failures that occurred on Primary Day and we hope today’s State Senate hearing begins to shed some light on the many questions and concerns that have been raised since this problem-ridden Primary Day.

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Assuring Access for All NYC Voters, Council Supports Recommendations for Improved Poll Worker Assistance Training and Inter-Agency Coordination Measures

September 28, 2010, City Hall – Following city-wide reports of voters with disabilities facing difficulties accessing poll sites and receiving incorrect or inappropriate instructions while voting, Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and Governmental Operations Committee Chair Gale Brewer today endorsed a series of recommendations issued by Center for Independence of the Disabled (CIDNY) to improve poll site access and operations for New Yorkers with disabilities.

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Read the letter (PDF)

In continued efforts at greater accountability and transparency, Council also seeks data from NYPD, Board of Elections and Department of Education

September 24, 2010, City Hall – Following widespread reports of Primary Day polls unable to open due to improper poll site staffing, Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and Governmental Operations Committee Chair Gale Brewer today announced measures that seek to provide greater public transparency and accountability as well as clearer data on election day operations.

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Council and advocates will release an extensive study on Milbank’s abandoned Bronx properties, which have forced tenants to live in dangerous conditions

City Hall – Speaker Quinn, Council Member Annabel Palma, joined by the Legal Services of New York City in the Bronx, The Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, and the Urban Homesteading Assistance Board, announced a new citywide housing program that will help tenants living in overleveraged buildings that are dangerous and in utter disrepair.

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City Hall – The New York City Council today was awarded with two honors in open government and technology. The Center for Digital Government and Government Technology recognized the Council’s CouncilStat team for their work in data processing and online transparency. Announced in Speaker Christine C. Quinn’s State of the City address in 2007, CouncilStat was honored in the Visionary and Project Excellence categories in Albany.

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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. Yesterday, immigrant students, families and brave soldiers serving in our military were stripped of their chance at the pursuit of happiness and the American dream.

“Our nation’s immigrants have contributed immeasurably to the legacy of this country and the federal government should have supported them with the passage of the DREAM Act.

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“Today the U.S. Senate acted against the advice of the military leadership, the wishes of the American people, and the best interests of our service members. Through a filibuster of military defense legislation that included the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” they chose to uphold discriminatory policy that has forced out more than 13,500 brave men and women from serving in our armed forces.

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