Press Releases

“Today is a horrific and tragic day for our City. I am appalled and horrified at this deliberate act of terrorism. I am saddened of the innocent lives lost and pray for the injured. I commend the courageous men and women of the NYPD, the FDNY and first responders for their swift response to this incident and for quickly apprehending the perpetrator.   READ MORE

Council will also vote to Require the Distribution of Injury Warning Materials to Firearm License and Permit Applications and to Repeal the New York City Cabaret Law of 1926

City Hall – Today, the New York City Council will vote on a package of legislation to protect immigrant New Yorkers from President Trump’s mass deportation efforts, and to require the NYPD disclose gun violence information to applicants for firearm licenses and permits. READ MORE

Council will also vote to Expand Reporting from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development and to Increase Transparency from the Department of Small Business Services

City Hall – Today, the New York City Council will vote on legislation to provide safe time for victims of family offense matters. The Council will also vote to enhance Department of Homeless Services (DHS) reporting and practices, and to expand reporting from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). READ MORE

“Rolling back federal requirements to provide no-cost birth control to women covered by employer-sponsored insurance plans is another move by this administration to seriously undermine the rights of women in the United States. Impeding access to birth control directly targets more than 55 million women across the country, and avoidance of a formal review before unilaterally imposing such a catastrophic change risks the health and safety of too many of them. READ MORE

“DACA has been an essential lifeline for close to 1 million young people; many whom have only known the United States as their home. DREAMers are an invaluable asset to our country and their work ethic and leadership is truly inspiring.  Today’s DACA renewal deadline only reinforces what we already know – we must amplify our voices and demand the passage of a clean DREAM Act.  READ MORE

Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and 65 Elected Officials Call on the President To Increase the Relief Efforts that are Afflicting the Over 3.4 Million Americans on the Islands

City Hall – Today, New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and a coalition of elected officials from New York City and across the country released a letter imploring the Trump Administration and the federal government to do more to aid in the relief to the millions of Americans suffering from the effects of Hurricane Maria which destroyed the islands on September 19th. READ MORE

City Hall – Today, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, and Public Safety Chair Council Member Vanessa Gibson announced the Committee on Public Safety will convene a hearing on October 16th in Council Chambers to review a package of legislation that includes bills and resolutions relating to accountability in the criminal justice system and strengthening gun safety.

“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the victims of the Las Vegas shooting,” said Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. READ MORE

Oversight Hearing Comes on the Heels of the Fatal Stabbing in the Bronx

City Hall – Today, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Education Committee Chair Daniel Dromm and the New York City Council announced the Council will hold an oversight hearing to examine the effectiveness and implementation of the Department of Education’s anti-bullying efforts in City schools

The hearing comes in the wake of a deadly stabbing at the Urban Assembly School for Wildlife Conservation in the Bronx where two students were stabbed, one of them fatally, as early reports indicate the act may have been in retaliation of repeated bullying. READ MORE

Council will also vote to Enhance HPD Practices Related to 421-a and Affordable Housing Development and to Create a Real Time Enforcement Unit in the Department of Buildings

City Hall – Today, the New York City Council will vote on legislation to establish construction safety training requirements and programming. The Council will also vote on enhancing Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) practices related to 421-a and affordable housing development, and on creating a Real Time Enforcement Unit (RTEU) in the Department of Buildings. READ MORE

“Throughout negotiations on Introduction 1447-C, we have remained committed to working with advocates and stakeholders on developing legislation that both educates and protects the scores of construction site laborers working around the city. Establishing site safety training requirements and mandating the creation of an equal access informational program goes far in accomplishing that mission, and we am proud of the collaboration between the City Council and the administration that saw $4 million contributed toward the realization of this goal. READ MORE