Gottfried Releases Statement on Fair Elections Legislation
Assemblyman Richard Gottfried (D-Chelsea, Midtown) released a statement yesterday reiterating the importance of reforming New York’s election system.
The statement, which can be read here, summarized what he and the Democrats have been doing to take the money out of politics and make public campaign financing a reality. For instance, the Democratic majority in the Senate enacted a bill earlier this year that closed the “LLC loophole” – a technicality that allowed Real Estate companies to circumvent campaign finance laws.
However, Gottfried maintained that there’s still a lot of work to be done. Since he was elected to the Assembly, he has been trying to push through a bill that would enact public campaign financing in New York – and he hopes to see that dream become a reality this year.
“Along with demanding greater transparency about the source of campaign funding, New York State needs to create and implement a small-donor matching system for elections for State offices,” said Gottfried. “By matching small donations with public funding, we can strengthen the voices of all New Yorkers, not just the wealthy few. It’s the best way to level the playing field in New York politics. And it’s a change we can make now!”
Kallos Seeks to Update Legionnaires’ Law
City Councilman Ben Kallos (D-Yorkville, Lenox Hill) has written a new bill designed to stem the spread of Legionnaires’ Disease in New York.
The bill, which passed the Committee on Housing and Buildings on Monday, would require landlords to report to the city’s Health Department following inspections of their cooling towers. Unclean cooling towers can become a breeding ground for legionella bacteria; the new legislation would make it easier for health inspectors to identify contaminated structures and stop outbreaks before they start.
“There was a Legionnaires’ cluster in my neighborhood,” said Kallos. “Somebody died. Six people got sick. My hope is, with these 90-day inspections actually happening no one has to get sick or even die from Legionnaires’ ever again.”
Margaret Chin: “It’s Time to Make New York a #FairCityForAllAges”
City Councilwoman Margaret Chin (D-Battery Park City, Chinatown) wrote an op-ed for City Limits yesterday about the need to ensure that New York’s senior citizens have access to quality food.
As she explained, this means ensuring that culinary staff members at senior centers are paid adequate wages. The problem? Our senior centers often can’t afford to pay their kitchen staff a living wage, due to the abject lack of public funding they receive. New York’s Department for the Aging (DFTA) constitutes less than 0.5 percent of the city budget.
“Yes, budget challenges exist, but the need is far greater,” said Chin. “If the city makes the proper investments today, New York will not only stand to save hundreds of millions of dollars in future healthcare costs, but all New Yorkers will be healthier and better able to thrive in their later years.”
The op-ed can be read here.
Adriano Espaillat Bids José Serrano Goodbye
Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-Washington Heights, Sugar Hill) released a statement yesterday reacting to the news of Representative José Serrano (D-Bronx) retiring.
Earlier this week, Serrano announced that he would not be running for re-election, due to his recent diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease. Espaillat, a longtime friend of Serrano’s, was sad to see him go, but wished him the best of luck in his future endeavors.
“I worked closely with Jose and his son, New York State Senator José M. Serrano, during my time in the state legislature and have long admired their involvement throughout New York City and each of the five boroughs,” said Espaillat. “Rep. Serrano welcomed me to Washington with grace and has consistently been a mentor, friend, and an ally through our collective fight to ensure immigrant rights, fairness, and equal access to opportunities for all residents and families. On behalf of New Yorkers, I extend to Rep. Serrano and his entire family well wishes upon his retirement and stand ready to lend my support and friendship during this transition in his career in public service. ”
