MANH Lawmakers on the Move, Nov. 13, 2019

Manhattan Lawmakers on the Move bannner

Rodriguez Posts Statement in Remembrance of Flight 587 Victims

Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez
Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez

Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez (D-Washington Heights, Inwood) released a statement yesterday on the anniversary of the Flight 587 crash.

On Nov. 12, 2001, Flight 587, a passenger plane en route to the Dominican Republic, crashed in Queens. All 260 passengers died in the crash.

“My condolences go out to all the family members and loved ones of those lost in the crash,” said Rodriguez. “Let us honor the lives and memories of all those that perished that day.”


Stringer Applauds Cuomo for Moving to Revoke National Grid Certificate

NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer
NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer

City Comptroller Scott Stringer (D) released a statement yesterday commending Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) for moving to revoke Natural Grid’s certificate to operate its gas franchise.

Since May, the utility has denied service to its customers in response to public opposition to the proposed Williams Pipeline. Yesterday, Governor Cuomo announced his intention to revoke National Grid’s license to operate in Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island unless they lift the moratorium.

“The Governor’s letter rightfully highlights the coercive and abusive tactics that National Grid undertook to try to drum up support for the environmentally backwards fracked gas Williams Pipeline,” said Stringer. “It is time to recognize that National Grid and Con Edison’s business models are premised on digging us deeper into the climate crisis.”


Johnson to Head Oversight Hearing on LeadFreeNYC

Council Member Corey Johnson
Council Member Corey Johnson (Credit: Jeff Reed)

Council Speaker Corey Johnson (D-Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen) will be leading a Council hearing on the LeadFreeNYC initiative today.

At the beginning of the year, Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) announced the LeadFreeNYC initiative, a concentrated effort to screen apartments, shelters and consumer goods for risks of lead exposure. At the hearing, the Council will hear testimony from the City’s Senior Advisor for Citywide Lead Prevention regarding the enforcement of New York’s lead laws.

The hearing will take place today at 10 a.m. at City Hall.


Maloney Makes City & State Nonprofit Power 100

Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens) came in at #47 on the new City & State Nonprofit Power 100 List.

The list recognizes the top 100 figures making a difference for vulnerable New Yorkers. This year, the list recognized Maloney, Vice Chair of the Joint Economic Committee, as a “powerful ally” of nonprofits. In particular, it cited the committee’s research on how nonprofits were harmed by the 2017 GOP Tax Act, releasing a report that detailed decreased donation incentives, increased administrative costs, and exclusion from the new family and medical leave tax credits. To alleviate the problem, Maloney introduced the Nonprofit Relief Act of 2019.

“Nonprofits play a huge role in supporting our most vulnerable neighbors, and I feel very lucky that I can help make that happen,” said Maloney. “I’m incredibly honored to have been included on this list.”