Epstein to Hold Forum on Rent Law Changes
Assembly Member Harvey Epstein (D-Lower East Side, East Village) will be hosting a forum on historic changes to rent laws at the end of the month.
Epstein will be joined by a plethora of other lawmakers, including Assembly Member Deborah Glick (D-Greenwich Village, East Village), State Senator Brad Hoylman (D-Chelsea, Midtown) and Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens). The forum will cover topics ranging from rent regulation to tenant stability to affordable housing protections.
The forum is slated for Thursday, July 25 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at NYU Dental, 345 East 24th St.
Espaillat Issues Statement on 2020 Census
Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-Washington Heights, Sugar Hill) released a statement following the Trump Administration’s decision not to include a citizenship question on the 2020 Census.
Espaillat, while satisfied that the Administration reneged on their attempt to exclude undocumented immigrants from the full count, maintained that there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure nobody gets left out.
“I am pleased that the Administration is relenting in its attempt to undermine the census and is moving forward to print the 2020 Census without the citizenship question,” said Espaillat. “The Supreme Court’s decision underscores the false narrative around the census, and I am grateful for the tireless efforts by activists around the country who petitioned to ensure that this harmful question was not included in the census.
“However, much work remains to ensure there is a full and accurate count in the upcoming census. To make sure that our communities receive vital government funding, we must join together and promote active engagement in the census so that everyone is counted. Preventing the citizenship question was only the first step, and I am dedicated to continuing to work with my colleagues, neighbors, and communities across the country to ensure everyone is counted.”
New York Lawmakers Pledge Support for Pro-LGBTQ Amicus Brief
The de Blasio Administration announced last Wednesday that a coalition of 66 local governments across the country had filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of three LGBTQ employees in their legal fight to remain covered by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in the workplace.
Since the announcement, the amicus brief has seen an outpouring of support from several prominent NY lawmakers, including Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer (D), Assembly Member Deborah Glick (D-Greenwich Village, East Village) and Assembly Member Richard Gottfried (D-Chelsea, Midtown).
“It’s only common sense that the LGBTQ community be extended the same rights and protections from discrimination that others already enjoy,” said Brewer. “We can hope that the Supreme Court will view this case through the lens of common sense. I’m grateful that New York and other local governments across the country have filed briefs in support of our point of view.”
“Full equality in the workplace ensures that economies are strong, workers are protected, and our society grows to allow all citizens to rise to higher levels of achievement and security,” said Glick. “No one should face the possibility of losing a job or be threatened with unemployment because of sex-based discrimination. New York City is an amici participant in this initiative because we value anti-discrimination measures that ensure residents are safe and protected in the work place.”
“Federal law shouldn’t be re-interpreted by the Trump administration to deny LGBTQ individuals protection from losing their jobs or being discriminated against in the workplace,” said Gottfried. “New Yorkers know that all of us win when bigotry loses, and I’m proud of New York City for standing up for what’s right by submitting this amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court.”
