New York City Council“I am saddened, but not surprised, at reports of illegal hotel activity operating in the Atelier condominiums in my district. The sheer size of this operation – with 27 notices of violations in this building alone – shows how endemic this problem is and how necessary the Council legislation passed in July is to protect our housing stock.
Press Releases
Statement by Speaker Corey Johnson Re: New York City’s Site Selection for Amazon HQ2
“Amazon is one of the richest companies in the world, but you can’t put a price on community input, which has been missing throughout this entire process. I find that lack of engagement and the fact that the negotiations excluded the City Council – which is elected by New Yorkers to guide land use projects with communities in mind – extremely troubling. READ MORE
Statement by Speaker Corey Johnson Re: NYC Campaign Finance Board’s Voter Guide with Incorrect Statement about Parolees’ Right to Vote
“The New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) sent 4.5 million voter guides to New Yorkers saying those who are on parole for a felony can’t vote. That is absolutely false, and it is disgraceful and unacceptable that a mistake of this magnitude occurred five days before Election Day. Parolees should check their status, and if eligible ‒ register and vote. READ MORE
Council Will Mandate All NYPD Officers Receive Training to Assist in Working with Sexual Assault and Harassment Victims
City Hall – Today, the New York City Council will vote on a package of legislation aimed at improving the New York City Police Department’s interactions with sexual assault and harassment victims. The package includes sensitivity training for officers to help them deal with differences in culture, gender expression and sexual orientation and requiring reporting on staffing levels in the NYPD Special Victims Division. READ MORE
Statement by Council Speaker Corey Johnson on Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Proposal
“Every day, it seems we are dealing with some new ruthless and ill-conceived measures proposed by the Trump administration that threaten our core values. Trump is now trying to deny birthright citizenship to the children of non-citizen parents, a right that has been enshrined in our constitution for 150 years. It is un-American and seems designed to further create an environment that is hostile to immigrants. READ MORE
Statement by Speaker Corey Johnson Re: the Trump Administration’s Plan to Define Gender at Birth
“The Trump administration’s plan to exclude transgender individuals from civil rights is inhumane ‒ plain and simple. I have a message to all who identify as transgender and/or gender non-conforming: I know you are afraid and angry. Please know that we will fight for you and alongside you. We will have your backs and will continue to protect your human rights and civil liberties. READ MORE
Speaker Corey Johnson and Council Members Daniel Dromm and Carlos Menchaca Announce $4 Million Council Allocation to Continue Funding Adult Literacy Education Programs
The funding will support 47 programs to offer about 3,200 adult literacy classroom seats across the city
City Hall, NY –City Council Speaker Corey Johnson announced a $4 million Council allocation in this year’s budget to fund Adult Literacy Education initiatives across the City. Council Speaker Johnson made the announcement this afternoon at the Chinese-American Planning Council, Inc. READ MORE
New York City Council Responds to Reports of Confusing Letters Mailed to Voters
Governmental Operations Committee Chair Fernando Cabrera and Oversight & Investigations Committee Chair Ritchie Torres demand answers on rollout of DemocracyNYC mailer
City Hall, NY – Today, Governmental Operations Committee Chair Fernando Cabrera and Oversight & Investigations Committee Chair Ritchie Torres sent a letter to Chief Democracy Officer Ayirini Fonseca-Sabune after a series of reports concerning misleading letters sent to voters ahead of Election Day. READ MORE
Council to Vote on Parental Empowerment Package
City Hall – Today, the New York City Council will vote on the parental empowerment package, which includes steps to address the disturbingly high mortality and morbidity rates for women of color giving birth. The bills, once enacted, will also help increase the number and improve the quality of lactation rooms available, require many city programs that provide services to parents to have baby supplies on hand, and study the possibility of making childcare services available for city employees. READ MORE
Speaker Corey Johnson, Education Committee Chair Mark Treyger and Council Members Announce Student Transportation Oversight Package
The “STOP” legislation includes mandatory disclosure of DOE’s Office of Pupil Transportation procedures and implementing GPS technology on school buses
City Hall, NY – New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, Education Committee Chair Mark Treyger and Council Members today unveiled the Student Transportation Oversight Package (STOP), a comprehensive package of legislation to increase transparency around the Department of Education’s Office of Pupil Transportation operations, increase oversight over bus activity, and increase efficiency in bus services, including by requiring GPS tracking for yellow school buses transporting New York City’s students. READ MORE