Global News: Swedish teen climate activist Greta Thunberg testified to the House of Foreign Affairs and Climate Crisis Committee joint hearing in Washington, D.C, on Sept. 18.
The hearing starts at the 4:30 mark.
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Teen Climate Activist Greta Thunberg Testifies to U.S. Congress
Global News: Swedish teen climate activist Greta Thunberg testified to the House of Foreign Affairs and Climate Crisis Committee joint hearing in Washington, D.C, on Sept. 18.
The hearing starts at the 4:30 mark.
Governor Cuomo Announces Emergency Executive Action to Ban the Sale of Flavored E-Cigarettes
This video was published on YouTube on September 15.
New York City - Governor Cuomo announces an emergency executive action
to ban the sale of flavored electronic cigarettes in New York State -
the latest in a series of actions to combat the increasing number of
youth using vape products, largely driven by e-cigarette companies
marketing flavors that are intended to get children addicted to
nicotine.
Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Mayor de Blasio Presents Key to the City to Honor Det. Luis Alvarez
This video was published on YouTube on September 17.
The New York Public Library to Celebrate 'Back to School Week'
The following announcement was submitted by Brian Bannon, the Merryl and James Tisch Director for the New York Public Library
September is a time of change: the end of summer, a new school year,
cooler temperatures, and for me, a new role at The New York Public
Library. I am very excited to be joining the Library
as the new Merryl and James Tisch Director, overseeing educational
planning and other important work happening in our 88 branches across
the city.
I moved to New York from Chicago just a few weeks ago, and every day
since I've arrived, I've seen so many examples of what our libraries
mean to each local community. It’s clear—The New York Public Library is
the heart of this city.
There are a lot of things to look forward to across our branches this year. You may know that September 21–28 is Back to School Week at The New York Public Library.
If you are a parent or caregiver, bring your kids and teens into the
Library and learn more about all the ways we're here to support you all
year long. Kids and teens will receive a special prize if they check out
two or more books, while supplies last.
Learn more about Back to School Week events.
September is also Library Card Sign-Up Month. If you don't yet have a library card—or know someone who doesn't—it only takes a minute to sign up for a library card online.
Anyone who lives, works, attends school, or pays property taxes in New
York State is eligible. Library cards give you access to millions of
materials, resources, and services across all of our locations. Why not start today?
Whether you're new to the Library like me or have been a lifelong patron, it's clear just how much is happening here. To
help stay on top of it all, I invite you to sign up for our
e-newsletters, which deliver details on upcoming events at your local
branch every other week. Never miss out on another author talk, lifelong learning class, or kids' story time in your neighborhood.
Add yourself to the NYPL Now and NYPL Kids e-newsletters, and we'll take care of the rest.
I look forward to meeting you as I spend time at our branches in the
coming months. Until then, I wish you a happy fall from all of us at The
New York Public Library.
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
New Report Details Successes of New York's First-in-the-Nation Out-of-Network Law
The Department of Financial Services has issued a new report detailing the successes of New York's first-in-the-nation out-of-network law, which protects consumers from emergency and surprise bills from out-of-network doctors and other healthcare providers, including an increasing number of dispute resolution requests.
The
law, which takes consumers out of the dispute process, has saved New
Yorkers more than $400 million with respect to emergency services
alone.
"New
York has made extraordinary progress when it comes to enforcing
fairness in healthcare costs," Governor Cuomo said. "These findings show
how the out-of-network law has been effective in protecting patients
and making it clear to everyone that getting the care New Yorkers need
is a right, not a luxury."
Click here for the full announcement.
Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Rev. Al Sharpton, Gwen Carr to Testify Before House Judiciary Committee in First Hearing on Police Misconduct
WASHINGTON — On September 19 at 10 a.m., Rev. Al Sharpton and Gwen Carr, the mother of Eric Garner,
will testify before the House Judiciary
Committee in an oversight hearing on policing practices.
The hearing, organized after National Action Network (NAN) and Ms. Carr campaigned
for Congressional action on police misconduct, is Congress’s first on
the issue in the wake of recent misconduct cases
throughout the country that led to the deaths of Garner and others.
Attendees will include James Blake, former professional tennis player, author, and analyst for the Tennis Channel, Ron Davis, former director, U.S. Department of Justice, COPS Office, Phillip Atiba Goff, Ph.D., Center for Policing Equity, Chief Vera Bumpers, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Professionals, and Lynda Garcia, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.
The hearing will be streamed live here.
Source: Mercury
The Mumia Abu-Jamal Commentaries
Big Pharma: Big Money = No Blame
Click here to listen to Mr. Abu-Jamal's statements.
Source: Prison Radio
Trailblazers in Journalism: Cokie Roberts
Legendary Journalist Dies at 75
From The G-Man and The G-Man Interviews offer condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Ms. Roberts. May her legacy live on for generations to come, and may she forever rest in peace.
Monday, September 16, 2019
A Look at the Week Ahead in Washington
"Washington Week" moderator Robert Costa previewed the week ahead in Washington.
This video may not play on certain browsers. Click here if you experience problems.
Abby Ellis Discusses Documentary on Flint, Michigan's Contaminated Water Supply
The PBS Frontline filmmaker talked about her documentary on Flint, Michigan’s contaminated water supply. She spoke via video link from Salt Lake City, Utah.
This video may not play on certain browsers. Click here if you experience problems.
The Power of the Pen: S.3999/A.460 Signed Into Law
Legislation Prohibits New York Courts from Denying Adoptions
to Petitioners Who Are Legally Recognized as the Child's Parent
Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced he signed legislation (S.3999/A.460) prohibiting New York State courts from denying child adoptions to petitioners who are already a legally-recognized parent solely on that basis. The bill protects parents whose names were not on the birth certificate, same-sex couples, and parents who had a child through surrogacy from being denied an adoption when the parent petitioning is already recognized as the child's parent.
"All parents deserve the same rights and the same recognition under the law - period - and it's unconscionable that this isn't the case in every corner of this nation," Governor Cuomo said. "These new protections will help ensure that all families are treated with fairness and equality and that no parent encounters unreasonable barriers in a court of law."
While the spouse of a woman who gives birth to a child is presumed to be the child's parent, same-sex couples find themselves in a legally precarious position when traveling beyond New York State, in places that do not fully respect the rights of non-biological parents.
Under the new law, a New York adoption would be honored in another jurisdiction. This gives children the security that both their parents will be legally recognized wherever family members may be.
Under existing law, judges routinely grant adoptions to petitioners who are a legally-recognized parent of a child. However, courts have at times denied a married same-sex couple an adoption.
This bill codifies existing law to explicitly state that a petition to adopt shall not be denied solely on the basis that the petitioner's parentage is already legally-recognized, ensuring that couples' access to such adoptions could not be fettered by future court decisions.
Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
She Begged Them to Take Away His Police Revolver. He Died Anyway.
New York is facing a record number of police suicides, but has lagged in mental health initiatives for troubled officers.
Click here for the report.
Source: The New York Times
Meet New York State's 'Police Officer of the Year' Award Recipients
Governor Andrew Cuomo announces that three members of the Syracuse Police Department are the recipients of the New York State Police Officer of the Year Award.
Click here for details.
Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Tragedy in the Bahamas: New York Launches Statewide Donation Drive
Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced a statewide donation drive to help the people of the Bahamas recover and rebuild following Hurricane Dorian. To help with the effort, starting Monday, September 16, the Governor will work with the Bahamian Consulate to expand the number of drop sites for priority donations of food, dry goods and personal hygiene. The Governor is urging New Yorkers to donate these desperately needed items to the nearest drop site and encouraging people to donate money to UNICEF and nonprofit partner organizations recommended by the Consulate.
"We understand all too well how devastating and difficult it is to recover from a hurricane," Governor Cuomo said. "In New York, we have a long and proud history of helping those in need and with thousands of Bahamians still suffering in the wake of Hurricane Dorian, we will do everything in our power to help this community rebuild."
The Bahamas is an important economic partner with the United States and New York specifically. As of July 2019, the U.S. imported $239 million and exported $1.97 billion worth of goods from the Bahamas. The value of container cargo imported into the Port of New York from the Bahamas has previously been about 14% of all vessel imports.
Click here for the full announcement and a listing of donation drop-off sites.
Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
MTA Announces $51.5 Billion Capital Plan for 2020-2024
Click here for the report.
Source: amNEWYORK
Statement from Governor Andrew Cuomo
"Last week I laid out my priorities for the MTA Capital Plan, including improving signal technology, increasing accessibility, addressing quality of life concerns, ensuring equity for LIRR and Metro-North Railroad, and upgrading bus service - and I will review the details of the plan to make sure it fulfills those priorities. The Senate Leader, Assembly Speaker and Mayor of New York City must approve the plan in order to move forward as they each have unilateral discretionary veto power. For decades the MTA was mismanaged and underfunded - that is why in 2017 we invested $836 million for the Subway Action Plan and $8 billion in State capital funds and $2.6 billion in New York City Capital funds. The success of that plan is inarguable - it led to the recent 84% on-time performance rate, a six-year high - but its implementation was delayed, and that cannot be repeated with this new plan. We have secured $25 billion during this year's legislative session that will go directly towards the MTA's capital needs outlined in this plan, and I support an additional State investment of $3 billion, to be matched by the City, that will go toward making our subways more accessible. We have an historic opportunity to institutionalize the lessons learned, build on the progress made under the Subway Action Plan and make crucial upgrades so riders get the 21st century transit system they deserve."
Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
MTA: Bus Operator Exam Announced
Filing Closes on September 30, 2019
MaBSTOA operates in the Bronx and Manhattan with nine (9) Depots and a fleet of over 1800 vehicles that include Standard Buses and Articulated Buses using Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel, Hybrid and CNG energies.
There are multiple opportunities available for Bus
Operators who have a passion for public service. Our goal is to provide
our customers with safe, reliable, and clean buses, while delivering
excellent customer service.
Bus Operators, under general
supervision, operate a bus carrying passengers in accordance with the
rules and regulations of MTA, New York State law and New York City
traffic regulations. They ensure proper payment of fare; issue and
collect transfers; ensure passengers' safety; protect the assigned
vehicle; write reports concerning revenues, accidents, faulty equipment
and unusual occurrences and perform related work.
Special Work Conditions: Bus Operators may be required to work various shifts
including nights, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
The current minimum salary for Bus Operator is $23.84 per hour for a
40-hour week increasing to $34.06 in the sixth year of service. These
rates are subject to change. The benefits of this position include, but
are not limited to, night and weekend salary differentials, paid
holidays, vacation and sick leave, a comprehensive medical plan and a
pension plan.
Additional information is available here: http://web.mta.info/nyct/hr/pdf_exams/0100.pdf
Source: Richard E. Green via Facebook
NYPD Cop Killed by 9/11-Related Cancer 18 Years Later
Detective Spent Weeks Digging at Ground Zero for FDNY Brother
Click here for the report.
Source: The New York Daily News
GGE Update: Applications for YWAC & SIS Closing in 1 Week
The following announcement was submitted by Girls for Gender Equity (GGE).
YWAC is a forum where young transgender and cisgender women and gender non-conforming youth of color between the ages of 16-24 come together in community to support and honor all lived experiences.
YWAC members engage in youth organizing and civic engagement strategies to push for transformative change. They identify important issues impacting young people of color and their communities, build siblinghood with their peers, and develop their own agency. They also gain core skills to enact effective and transformational change.
Young people are provided metrocards and stipends as well as one-on-one check-ins for communal and individual support. Click here to apply.
YWAC members engage in youth organizing and civic engagement strategies to push for transformative change. They identify important issues impacting young people of color and their communities, build siblinghood with their peers, and develop their own agency. They also gain core skills to enact effective and transformational change.
Young people are provided metrocards and stipends as well as one-on-one check-ins for communal and individual support. Click here to apply.
GGE has partnered with the Me Too movement and Firecracker Foundation to drive an inaugural series of youth-centered survivor circles to serve as a place to heal from sexual violence, learn advocacy skills, and experience joy.
Sisters in Strength (SIS) holds space for cis and trans girls and gender non-conforming youth of color between the ages of 15-18 years old. SIS provides space for survivor-centered healing justice approaches in the movement to end gender based violence, sexual violence and child sexual assault. Members share a vision for ending violence, building sisterhood/siblinghood, engaging in healing tools, and a willingness to advocate for change.
Young people are provided Metrocards and stipends as well as one-on-one check-ins for communal and individual support.
Tell the young people in your life to mark their calendars!
Recruitment for the listed programs ends September 23. Click here to apply.
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