Schumer, Pelosi Joint Statement On White House Infrastructure Meeting
U.S. Sen. and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Speaker U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) yesterday issued the following joint statement following their meeting with President Trump at the White House:
“Today, we had a constructive meeting with President Trump agreeing on a big and bold initiative to build the infrastructure of America.
“The purpose of the meeting was to find out the amount of investment the president was willing to agree to. We were pleased he suggested $2 trillion. We agreed to meet again in three weeks, at which time we will hear the president’s ideas for how he would pay for such a package.
“Building America’s infrastructure is about creating jobs immediately, and also bolstering the commerce it facilitates, advancing public health with clean air and clean water, and improving the safety of our transportation system, and addressing climate change with clean energy, clean transportation and resilient infrastructure. We are pleased the president agreed to include a major investment in expanding broadband to rural, urban and other underserved areas to deliver broadband’s benefits for education, health care and commerce.
“In the meeting, our Members emphasized the importance of the infrastructure being for the future, with respect to the prevailing wage and to the imperative to involve women, veteran and minority-owned businesses in construction.
“We have an historic opportunity to build infrastructure for the future, and an urgency to address the safety needs that our crumbling infrastructure represents. Every congressional district in America has urgent needs, which any big and bold initiative must address.”
Powers To Hold Hearing On Transgender Care In City Jails
City Council Member Keith Powers (D-UES, Carnegie Hill, Yorkville, Central Park South, Midtown East, Times Square, Koreatown, Stuyvesant Town, Peter Cooper Village, Waterside Plaza, Tudor City, Turtle Bay, Murray Hill, Sutton Place), chair of the Committee on Criminal Justice, today will hold a hearing on transgender care in city jails.
The hearing will evaluate the experience of transgender, intersex, and gender-nonconforming individuals in New York City jails. In 2014, the Department of Correction (DOC) began offering alternative housing options for transgender individuals in custody.
This hearing will also evaluate access to specialized housing and the quality of services offered to transgender individuals, including the application process, medical care and services, and placement in the Transgender Housing Unit (THU).
Lastly, the committee will also hear pieces of legislation regarding the care, housing, and treatment of transgender, gender nonconforming, and intersex individuals, as well as resolutions related to parole and solitary confinement.
The public hearing is slated for 10 a.m., today, May 1 at City Hall in Lower Manhattan.
Cuomo Announces Program To Provide Immigrant Services In Consulates & Religious Institutions
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo yesterday announced a new program to provide free legal services, immigration clinics, know-your-rights seminars and other immigrant services at consulates and religious institutions in New York City.
This partnership between the Governor’s first-in-the-nation Liberty Defense Project and the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights (NMCIR) will reach the most vulnerable immigrants who may otherwise not be accessing these services.
“While the federal administration advances policies designed to make it harder for immigrants to come here, New York State recognizes that our diversity has always been our greatest strength and that it is in our interest both economically and culturally to protect that legacy,” Cuomo said. “Too many immigrant families are unfairly targeted and victimized despite the fact that we are a nation of immigrants, and this new program will allow some of our most vulnerable New Yorkers to get the legal assistance they need in a safe and supportive space.”
New York City is home to more than 100 consulates for countries around the world, providing services to 4.4 million foreign born New Yorkers. These facilities are safe havens for immigrants seeking services, including renewal of passports and documentation to complete an immigration petition.
Chin, City To Help Chinatown Business Owners Prevent Costly Fines & Penalties
City Council Member Margaret Chin (D-Battery Park City, Civic Center, Chinatown, Financial District, Little Italy, the Lower East Side, NoHo, SoHo, South Street Seaport, South Village, TriBeCa & Washington Square) today will host a press conference to announce a new opportunity for Chinatown business owners to get help navigating City rules and requirements.
The city’s Department of Small Business Services (SBS), and the Chinese American Restaurant Service Association are co-hosting the event.
The conference is slated for between 3-4 p.m., today, May 1 at the Chinese American Restaurant Service Association, 6 Allen St., 7th Floor in Chinatown.
