Jackson Endorsed by CWA District 1
Last week, Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 1 announced its endorsement of State Senator Robert Jackson (D-Washington Heights, Fort George, Inwood).
CWA District 1 represents over 145,000 workers across the northeastern U.S. and eastern Canada. Its members work in a wide range of different fields, ranging from telecommunications to healthcare to education.
“Thank you to the members of the CWA for their support and the work they do to make our city fairer and our future brighter,” said Jackson. “CWA played an important role in changing Albany and protecting the economic security of all New Yorkers.”
Stringer Audit Finds Widespread Misuse of Funds at 47th BID
Last Friday, City Comptroller Scott Stringer (D) released a damning new audit of the 47th Street Business Improvement District (BID).
The audit found that the 47th Street BID, also known as the “Diamond District”, engaged in financial mismanagement by improperly spending BID funds and possibly misreporting its financial activities. Most notably, it spent $210,835 on security services in FY 2017 for a building located outside of the District, and paid between over $25,000 more for the salary of its former Executive Director than other similarly sized BIDs in the City.
“New York City’s Business Improvement Districts are charged with bolstering our commercial corridors, beautifying our streets and connecting residents and visitors with the small local businesses that fuel our economy,” said Stringer. “Instead, this audit of the 47th Street BID revealed blatant misuse of funds, and potentially a violation of the public trust. I urge the 47th Street BID to heed the recommendations in the report and implement best practices for greater oversight, accountability, and transparency New Yorkers deserve.”
Maloney, Durbin Introduce Legislation to Expand Family Leave Protections
Last week, Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens) and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced legislation to update the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
The Family Medical Leave Modernization Act would broaden the act’s definition of “family”. The new definition would include parents-in-law, domestic partners, grandchildren and other domestic relationships. It would also guarantee that parents and guardians can take time off to attend school functions, such as parent-teacher conferences.
“It is unacceptable that some American workers are still forced to choose between caring for their loved ones or losing their jobs. Even with the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, 40 percent of the work force is still ineligible for FMLA leave – it’s time to bring leave into the 21st century,” said Maloney. “The FMLA Modernization Act reflects that families – and caregiving – comes in all shapes and sizes. These changes are long overdue.”
