New York, NY \u2014 Today New York City Council Speaker Melissa-Mark-Viverito, along with State and Federal Legislation Committee Chair Karen Koslowitz, announced the City Council\u2019s 2014-2015 Federal Agenda. This agenda sets priorities that reflect the Council\u2019s commitment to federal action that will make New York City more progressive and inclusive for all.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Council\u2019s Federal agenda makes our goals for a productive partnership with our federal counterparts clear,\u201d said Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. \u201cThis is a comprehensive agenda that addresses many important issues on every level of government, including economic measures, public safety, housing and environmental protection. I urge our partners in government on the federal level to review these suggestions and take action to improve both our city and our country.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn order to move forward on some of the Council\u2019s legislative and budgetary priorities for the residents of New York City, the Council needs the cooperation of other partners in government, said Council Member Karen Koslowitz. \u201cThe submission of this federal agenda should have a positive influence on attempting to achieve these priorities.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe federal agenda the City Council has set for the year ahead highlights a clear list of priorities that matter to our City\u2019s residents,\u201d said Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer. \u201cFrom ensuring equal rights for all same-sex couples with the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act, to guaranteeing fair wages for all Americans, as well as revising the FDA Blood Donation Rules to allow gay and bisexual men the ability to donate blood, we urge the nation’s capital to work with New York City to develop a comprehensive agenda to deliver results that we care about, results that make the lives of New Yorkers better and more just. The Council looks forward to working with Capitol Hill in implementing a progressive agenda and sending a positive message throughout the nation that will reaffirm millions of Americans\u2019 faith in our government’s ability to legislate on their behalf.”<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Council\u2019s Federal Agenda is yet another step towards making our great City more inclusive and progressive for everyone,” said Council Member Julissa Ferreras, Chair of the Committee on Finance. \u201cI am honored to be part of a legislative body that consistently seeks to address the needs of all New Yorkers on both local and Federal levels of government. I stand united with my colleagues in the City Council in asking all of our Federal legislators review and act upon our suggestions to make necessary improvements that will enhance the lives of the people we proudly serve.\u201d <\/p>\n
Detailed NYC Council Federal Agenda Here.<\/p>\n
Highlights of 2014-2015 New York City Council Budget And Legislative Priorities<\/p>\n
Economic Measures<\/p>\n
\u2022 Expand Income Tax Credit to Workers without Qualifying Children
\n\u2022 Extending Unemployment Insurance Benefits
\n\u2022 Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013
\n\u2022 Reform Industrial Revenue Bond Program
\n\u201cFrom infrastructure improvements, to gun control, to immigration and economic development, the actions of Washington have a profound effect on New York City,\u201d said Council Member Dan Garodnick. \u201cNew York cannot reach its full potential unless the federal government gives us the support we need.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI certainly approve the City Council\u2019s 2014-2015 Federal Agenda and as Chair of the Council\u2019s Civil Service and Labor Committee, I am especially supportive of the positive impacts of the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013 and the extension of unemployment insurance benefits,\u201d said Council Member I. Daneek Miller. \u201cConsidering the vast number of our residents of all ages affected by student loan payments I also support the expansion of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand\u2019s Federal Student Loan Refinancing Act and in a different note the transportation and highway benefits that would come from the funding reauthorization of \u201cMoving Ahead for \u2018Progress in the 21st Century\u2019. The Council\u2019s Federal Agenda fairly reflects the needs and concerns of the residents of our City.\u201d<\/p>\n
Public Safety<\/p>\n
\u2022 Expanding the New York Immigrant Family Unity Project with Federal Support
\n\u2022 Strengthen Gun Laws
\n\u2022 Avonte\u2019s Law
\n\u201cThe City Council is an important voice for an activist urban agenda that will improve millions of lives and all New Yorkers can be proud of the priorities put forward by Council Speaker Mark-Viverito and my colleagues,\u201d Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson (D-Bronx, 16th CD), chair of the Council\u2019s Public Safety Committee said. \u201cBy supporting the strengthening of federal efforts to take illegal handguns off our streets, advocating for economic justice for families struggling to make ends meet, and seeking to enhance the federal government\u2019s commitment to public housing, the City Council\u2019s federal agenda addresses the needs of every community throughout the five boroughs and I am proud to be a part of this collective effort.\u201d <\/p>\n
Hurricane Sandy Recovery<\/p>\n
\u2022 Federal Funding for Hurricane Sandy Relief
\n\u2022 Accelerate Reimbursement Process for Hurricane Sandy Funding
\n\u2022 HUD Ruling Regarding Cancelled SBA Loans Counting Against Hurricane Sandy Victims\u2019 CDBG-DR Allocations
\n\u2022 Undocumented Immigrant Rental Assistance Leniency
\n\u2022 Abolish the One-Year Cutoff for Home Reimbursements
\n\u201cSandy was an unprecedented storm and it requires an unprecedented amount of cooperation between all levels of government,\u201d said Council Member Mark Treyger. \u201cThe City Council’s federal agenda addresses many of the impacted communities’ unmet needs and advances policies that will help make them whole, including accelerating the process for receiving federal funds, abolishing the one-year cutoff for home reimbursements, and making co-ops eligible for federal disaster relief assistance. I would like to thank Speaker Mark-Viverito for her willingness to listen to council members whose districts were impacted by the storm and shaping a recovery agenda based on real needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Transportation<\/p>\n
\u2022 Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act Funding Reauthorization
\n\u2022 Commuter Parity Act
\n\u2022 Expanding on Commuter Benefits Equity Act
\n“This sweeping agenda lays out a number of crucial points vital to the well-being of New Yorkers from all walks of life,\u201d said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez. \u201c Congress must end their debilitating gridlock to get these measures passed, so that we can see employment rates rise, improved transportation infrastructure, more affordable housing and the civil rights our residents have long yearned for. I stand with Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and my colleagues in calling for these key points, and urge our leaders in Washington to act expeditiously to see them through.”<\/p>\n
Human Services<\/p>\n
\u2022 FDA Blood Donation Rules
\n\u2022 GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act
\n\u2022 Expanding Federal Student Loan Refinancing Act
\n“New York City’s federal agenda lays out our city\u2019s priorities for the federal government with an eye towards ensuring that New Yorkers receive support from Washington,” said Council Member Corey Johnson. “It is an agenda that addresses what our city needs to remain a safe and vibrant place to live and an economic engine for our region.”<\/p>\n
Housing<\/p>\n
\u2022 Federal Underfunding of Public Housing
\n\u2022 HUD Funding for the Housing Choice Voucher Program
\n\u2022 Support Funding for Low- and Middle-Income Housing
\n\u201cThe Big Apple has always been a city leading the country in many different aspects, and continues to do so with the Council\u2019s 2014-2015 Federal Agenda. I am proud of this agenda, which sets priorities on issues I have long advocated for, including housing and gun violence initiatives,\u201d said Council Member Jumaane Williams. \u201cI applaud the Council\u2019s Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Legislation Committee Chair Karen Koslowitz, and Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer for setting this progressive agenda, and urge our state and federal legislators to work with us in addressing these issues.\u201d<\/p>\n
Civil Rights
\n\u2022 Respect for Marriage Act
\n\u2022 Universal RESPECT Act
\n\u2022 Voting Rights Amendment
\n\u2022 Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill
\nEnvironment
\n\u2022 Open Fuel Standard Act of 2013
\n\u201cThis new federal agenda will help further the progress that New York City has been making towards being a city where everyone truly has a fair shot at success,\u201d said Council Member Donovan Richards. \u201cInitiatives such as the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013 and streamlining of the reimbursement process for Hurricane Sandy funding are strategic legislative goals that will drastically improve the lives of New Yorkers. When millions of New Yorkers are able to better support their families, our entire city will benefit.”
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New York, NY \u2014 Today New York City Council Speaker Melissa-Mark-Viverito, along with State and Federal Legislation Committee Chair Karen Koslowitz, announced the City Council\u2019s 2014-2015 Federal Agenda. This agenda sets priorities that reflect the Council\u2019s commitment to federal action that will make New York City more progressive and inclusive for all.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Council\u2019s Federal agenda makes our goals for a productive partnership with our federal counterparts clear,\u201d said Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.<\/p>\n
…<\/p>\n