By Chris Smith
Open letters from lower-ranking politicians to chief executives are usually the tamest forms of political action: a nice gesture, quickly forgotten. But Governor Andrew Cuomo has managed to put some electricity back into the ritual.
Blog
I am very proud of the steps the City Council has taken to protect women in the most vulnerable of situations. For too long crisis pregnancy centers have preyed on women who find themselves unexpectedly pregnant and uncertain as to where to turn for help. More often than not, these women are unaware of their options and are in desperate need of unbiased information, accurate information and professional medical advice, none of which are offered by the crisis pregnancy centers. By enacting legislation that will force these centers to clarify the services they provide, New York City will put an end to the misleading advertising that lures women to these clinics under false pretenses. Every woman deserves the opportunity to choose what’s best for her life and her body without pressure from outside sources with hidden agendas. I applaud the tireless efforts of Speaker Quinn and Council Member Lappin, whose advocacy on this matter will help New York women when they need it the most.
Read More About this Bill Here & Here.
Earlier last month, Senator Liz Krueger nominated Elsbeth Reimann for an Our Town Thanks You (OTTY) award. Ms. Reimann was honored by Our Town. Below is the article on her service to the community.
Retired, But Not Retiring
Posted by Our Town on February 23, 2011
“I have more than one accent,” says 76-year-old Elsbeth Reimann. “I speak German better than French, but when I speak French I was told I have an American accent.” Born and raised in an orphanage in Switzerland, Reimann had two dreams—to see the world, and to be educated. She achieved both on her own and has also dedicated her life to supporting the social progress of New York City.
Reimann came to New York City in 1968, and put herself through high school equivalency training, followed by college at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She met Assembly Member Pete Grannis in 1975, the year after he was elected, and began volunteering at his office. Ten years later Reimann went on the payroll as Grannis’ community liaison, listening to the concerns of community members and bringing them to his attention. Reimann worked for Grannis until 2007, when she retired, but her work in the community didn’t end there. She maintained her level of involvement with housing issues, and continued to attend community meetings.
This Saturday, the 26th, Senator Krueger joined thousands of people at the Stand Up For Women’s Health Rally, a rally in support of Planned Parenthood. Below is what she had to say.
Earlier this month, Senator Krueger joined Assemblymember Deborah Glick and City Council member Jimmy Van Bramer on a panel to discuss how arts nonprofits can more effectively get their voices heard by government officials. Below is a video of the event.
By Bobby Cuza
Governor Andrew Cuomo has taken a firm stance he will not raise taxes this year. But if the city’s rent regulations are allowed to lapse this summer, that, say many Democratic lawmakers, will be equivalent to a tax on the working class.
Watch NY1 Coverage of Rally HERE.
(New York, NY) – With rent regulation laws that protect over 1 million units of affordable housing in New York City dangerously close to expiring, Senator Liz Krueger and Senate Democrats were joined by City elected officials and advocates to call for the immediate extension and expansion of tenant protections.
Senator Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan) said, “For the sake of all New York City residents we must extend and enhance rent regulation, and protect affordable housing. Anyone who believes that the expiration of this legislation will not affect them is sorely mistaken. Without rent regulation our teachers, waiters, young entrepreneurs and blue collar workers will all be priced out of New York City, losses that would cripple our city. Let us not forget that what makes New York the best city in the world are the diverse cultural fabrics that make-up our neighborhoods. By not extending and enhancing our rent regulation laws we would lose so much more than affordable housing. We would forever lose the New York City we know and love.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-ka7proBUs
Last night, Senator Krueger joined NY1’s evening show, Inside City Hall. She discussed everything from the budget to redistricting reform.
Watch Senator Krueger on Inside City Hall here.
The following is an op-ed penned by Senator Krueger and published in Our Town Newspaper:
When you’re on a small island with millions of people living, literally, on top of one another, problems with sharing space are bound to occur. Add to that the fact that New Yorkers are often racing to get from one destination to another, and you are faced with the reality that the streets of New York can be dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Sadly, this reality has been displayed recently, as six people have been struck and killed by automobiles while walking or cycling on the Upper East Side: a fact both startling and heartbreaking.
Nearly 10,000 New York City buildings, including hundreds of buildings in the Upper East Side, still burn No. 4 & No. 6 heating oil, the dirtiest grades of heating oil. In burning these oils, buildings are producing more soot pollution than all the city’s cars and trucks combined. This soot pollution is toxic to New Yorkers, as it aggravates asthma, increases the risk of cancer, exacerbates respiratory illness and can even cause premature death.
Recently, Mayor Bloomberg and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) have proposed a rule that will phase out boiler permits for No. 6 and No. 4 oil.