And Then Came Carl Heastie

 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
District 32 Bronx County, New York

You should know that the 5 cents (5¢) per plastic bag fee that the Members of the New York City Council planned to impose on residents and shoppers in the City of New York has been postponed for one year.

It is important for you to know that the senior citizens, the poor, the needy and everyone else were threatened with the imposition of paying 5 cents (5¢) for every plastic bag they receive at the checkout, every time they shop in the City of New York.

You should also know that the Republican Members of the New York State Senate, under the Leadership of Senator John Flanagan, and with the help of some Democrats: Senator Joseph Addabbo, Senator Tony Avella, Senator Leroy Comrie, Senator Michael Gianaris, Senator Jeff Klein, Senator José Peralta, Senator Roxanne Persaud, Senator Diane Savino, and Senator David Valesky, and myself, Senator Rubén Díaz voted to approve legislation introduced by Senator Simcha Felder to stop the imposition of the 5 cents (5¢) fee.

This measure was supposed to start on February 15, 2017, as a late Valentine’s Day gift, throughout all five boroughs of the City of New York.

There were some who believed that our senior citizens, the poor and needy, along with everyone who shops in the five boroughs were doomed to pay the 5 cents (5¢) per plastic bag fee, with no way out, even though the New York State Senate had approved legislation to oppose this fee.

We were all ready to accept this hardship that would be imposed upon senior citizens, the poor and the needy …

And then came Carl Heastie, Speaker of the New York State Assembly, showing great compassion and concern not only for senior citizens, the poor and the needy, but for everyone in the City of New York.

Speaker Heastie allowed for a Bill to be introduced on the Assembly Floor, and then he led the way for Democratic Members of the Assembly to vote for the postponement of this measure for one more year, while a study is conducted to find ways and solutions for the environmental problems caused by shopping bags when they are thrown in the street.

This move by Speaker Heastie and the Members of the New York State Assembly, controlled in Albany by the Democrats is laudable. This sends a message to everyone in the State and the Nation that senior citizens, the poor and the needy really, really, REALLY have a voice in their Democratic Assembly Members, contrary to what took place within the New York State Senate.

You should know that it was discouraging and painful to see and hear Black and Hispanic Senators standing up on the Senate Floor to fight in favor of having senior citizens, the poor and the needy in the City of New York to pay the 5 cents (5¢) fee for each plastic bag.

It was even more painful and disheartening to see and hear even some of the Hispanic Senators standing and speaking on the Senate Floor in favor of imposing this 5 cent (5¢) per plastic bag fee on New York City residents

As you know, they are six Hispanic Senators in the New York Senate. They are: José Peralta, Marisol Alcantara, Martin Malavé Dilan, Gustavo Rivera, José Peralta, and myself, Reverend Rubén Díaz. Only two of us, Senator José Peralta and myself voted in favor of stopping the 5 cents (5¢) per plastic bag fee.

Ladies and gentlemen, you should know that all of the residents and shoppers in New York City will have some relief for at least one year, and will not have to pay the 5 cents (5¢) per plastic bag while shopping for groceries and other items.

This is all because then came New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and his troops, who like King Leonidas the great Spartan Warrior, who led his 300 hundred warriors against the impossible.

I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.