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EDITOR’S NOTE / Contents
JON LENTZ Senior Editor
New York is famous for its diversity. Nearly 18 percent of the state’s residents are AfricanAmerican, 19 percent are Hispanic or Latino and another 9 percent are Asian. As minorities make up a large and growing share of the population, they have made inroads politically, most recently with Carl Heastie becoming the first black speaker of the Assembly. But representation continues to fall short. In the state Legislature, for example, only about a quarter of lawmakers are people of color. That dynamic puts the onus on black, Latino and Asian lawmakers to push even harder for policies that are critical to their constituents. In this special edition, which serves as the official guide to the New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators’ 45th Annual Legislative Conference in Albany, City & State delves into several of those issues, from the Dream Act to MWBEs. We also hear from Heastie and other association members about their priorities for the year. And don’t miss Jeff Coltin’s illuminating Q&A with Bronx resident and civil rights figure Claudette Colvin – a woman who refused to give up her seat on an Alabama bus nine months before Rosa Parks.
YOUR GUIDE TO THE CONFERENCE SCHEDULE on page 7 MAP on page 8
FIRSTHAND INSIGHTS Association and Assembly members Carl Heastie, Michele Titus, Crystal Peoples-Stokes and Rodneyse Bichotte on the challenges New Yorkers face, and how to solve them. page 16
MWBE OVERSIGHT Reporter Gabe Ponce de León investigates a troubling lack of oversight among government programs to help minority- and womenowned businesses. page 12
ROCKY ROAD FOR THE DREAM ACT Albany reporter Ashley Hupfl finds that winning approval in the state Legislature is likely just the first hurdle for the Dream Act. page 14
MEET THE ASSOCIATION What are the key issues for the 52 members of the Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators this year? page 25
BACK & FORTH Jeff Coltin asks “the original Rosa Parks,” Bronx resident Claudette Colvin, about her decision not to give up her seat on an Alabama bus in 1955. page 30
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NYS ASSOCIATION OF BLACK AND PUERTO RICAN LEGISLATORS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Chair’s Reception - Convention Center
9 p.m. - 12 a.m.
City & State Official Kickoff Reception - The State Room, 100 State St.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13 8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli Breakfast - Convention Center
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Craft/Career & Business Exhibition - Empire State Plaza, Concourse Level
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Youth Summit: The Rev. James N. Hassell - Convention Center
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Issue Forums/Workshops - Convention Center
12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Annual Labor Luncheon - Convention Center
4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Capital District Black & Hispanic Bar Association Reception - Hilton Albany
4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Democratic Conference Reception - Convention Center 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
MWBE Statewide Networking Reception - Hilton Albany
7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Ginuwine Concert - Convention Center
10 p.m. - 3 a.m.
After Concert Dance featuring DJ Chuck Chillout - Hilton Albany, Grand Ballroom
10 p.m. - 3 a.m.
Latin Music Revue featuring Orquesta Sabor Caribe - Hilton Albany, Hudson Ballroom
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Church Service with the Rev. Leah D. Daughtry - Wilborn Temple First COGIC
2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Awards Ceremony - Hilton Albany
6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Gala Cocktail Reception - Convention Center
6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Gala VIP Cocktail Reception - The Egg, Hart Lounge
7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
45th Annual Scholarship Gala Dinner featuring Donna Brazile - Convention Center
10 p.m. - 3 a.m.
After Gala Dance - Hilton Albany
10 p.m. - 3 a.m.
After Dinner Jazz Revue featuring Norman Connors - Hilton Albany
INDOOR CONCOURSE
EMPIRE STATE PLAZA
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State Department of State/Consumer Protection
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CUNY Citizenship Now
Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders, NYC, Inc.
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State DEC
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NYS Public Employees Federation
Con Edison
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Thompson & Company, CPA
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Stony Brook EOP
New York City Comptroller
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National Alumni Association of the Black Panther Party
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& Women-Owned Business Enterprises
State Office of Mental Health
State Office of General Services, Minority
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Department of Veterans Affairs
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Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus Inc.
Empire State Development
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VETs Affairs
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DASNY - Opportunity Programs Group
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State Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance
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Organization of NYS M/C Employees, Inc.
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Catholic Charities Community Services/Archdiocese of New York
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Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery
State Department of Labor
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Family Planning Advocates of New York State
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State Department of Civil Service
State Assembly
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Proctors & Capital Repertory Theatre
VENDOR NAME
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Booth
Local Initiatives Support Corporation New York City
The Fashion Field/Ashanti Fields
New York State Justice Center
TLC - Total Life Chances
Infrastructure Engineering, Inc.
D.O.P.E. Chic Accessories
DACK Consulting Solutions, Inc.
D.O.P.E. Chic Accessories
Ralik’s Associates
Gadgets and Collectibles
BLACKSTOCK60 - Black Heritage Series
Daff’s Fashion
Chriscerrines
Jayne’s Crafts & Things
Margaret Fashions
Gracie’s Accent
mistergoodstuff.com
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Jewelry Fanatic
Tracy Lynn Fashion Jewelry
J PINKS Culturally Conscious Collection
Kenechi Fashions
PosiGen
PosiGen
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PosiGen
PosiGen
PosiGen
New York’s 529 College Savings Program
A Quiet Place with a Taste of Glass
New York State & Local Retirement System
Mane Attraction Hair & Co.
Office of the State Comptroller
Forever Treasures
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Thousand Islands Winery - Alexandria Bay N.Y.
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Medicaid Inspector General
Higher Education Services Corporation
State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman
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SUNY EOC will host demonstrations and a booth in the well of the Legislative Office Building.
Complimentary AT&T charging station can be found in the lounge.
Mildred Elley & Austin Beauty School
J Strategies
Fight for fair $15
Healthcare Education Project 1199SEIU/GNYHA
State Department of Corrections & Community Supervision
Food Bank For New York City
Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York
Myndsheer, Inc.
Mason Tenders
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Finishing Trades
Embellish Designz by Kim Michelle
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Casey’s Art
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CityAndStateNY.com
re astie speaks at the
y Speaker Carl He Then-new Assembl
ception.
Yo rk ’s ome of New s m o fr s e v o nce m C it y F e a tu ri n g d a , la s t y e a r’ s s re u g fi l a c ti u l p o li b la s t. m o s t p o w e rf e p ti o n w a s a c e R d n e k e e us W ig h t & S ta te C a u c 9 p .m . to m id n m o fr r, a e y is e fu n th lb a n y. D o n ’t m is s th S ta te S t. in A 0 10 , m o o R S ta te F ri d a y a t th e York C
Then-new Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie speaks at the reception. ity C
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Heastie is joined by Bronx Boroug h President Ruben Diaz Jr. and City Council members Andy King and Vanessa Gibson.
King and state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli listen as Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes speaks.
State Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson adds her voice to the festivities.
SHANNON DECELLE
New
CityAndStateNY.com
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SHANNON DECELLE
LAST YEAR’S LAUNDRY LIST
By JEFF COLTIN
The 2015 state legislative session marked a milestone for minorities: For the first time, nearly a century after the first black state lawmaker was elected in New York, one of their own would be leading the Assembly as speaker. The new Assembly speaker, Carl Heastie, who is African American, promised that people of color “are going to be sitting at that table with me for the first time.” But having a seat at the table doesn’t guarantee much in Albany. A month after Heastie was elevated to his leadership role, the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Asian and Latino Legislative Caucus released its 2015 legislative session priorities. Here’s a look at what happened with several top goals: URGING THE STATE TO FULFILL ITS COMMITMENT TO THE CAMPAIGN FOR FISCAL EQUITY DECISION AND GAP ELIMINATION ADJUSTMENT FUNDS Legislators and the governor could not quite come to agreement on providing the level of education funding ordered in the 2006 Supreme Court decision. Still, the Gap Elimination Adjustment – essentially a cut in state school aid – was significantly reduced in last year’s budget. It is already looking to be a big focus in 2016 even outside the caucus, with Cuomo calling for its elimination over two years and state Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan saying he would not approve a budget that does not end the GEA. Photo by Darren McGee/Office of the Goveror
RE-EXAMINING HOW POLICE OFFICERS INTERACT WITH MINORITY AND LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES The caucus kept its promise of holding public hearings on criminal justice reform and relations between communities and the police. The caucus led a legislative push largely focused on transparency, including a bill that would force a special investigation whenever a police officer killed an unarmed civilian. That bill failed to pass, though Gov. Andrew Cuomo took executive action to appoint Attorney General Eric Schneiderman as a special prosecutor in certain cases. The caucus took another public stand on that issue, filing an amicus brief with the state Supreme Court calling for grand jury minutes to be released in the Eric Garner case, although that legal case failed as well. Photo by Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of the Governor RAISING THE AGE OF JUVENILE JURISDICTION Cuomo led a push for “raise the age” legislation that would keep 16- and 17-yearolds from automatically being tried as adults in the criminal justice system. Talks broke down, however, and the legislation never got a vote in either house, with one anonymous legislator telling Gotham Gazette that he blamed Cuomo for his lack of effort. The governor’s December executive action to remove youth offenders from adult prisons was a small consolation, and “Raise the Age” language was included in this year’s preliminary budget. Photo by Philip Kamrass/Office of the Governor
Beyond those three main priorities, the caucus vowed to focus on a variety of others, like passing the Dream Act and the Farmworker Bill of Rights, which are likely to be priorities once again in Heastie’s first full session as speaker.
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RISING MWBE SUPPORT SPOTLIGHTS FRAUD, LACK OF OVERSIGHT
WHEN POLITICIANS TALK about government programs to boost minorityand women-owned businesses, they tend to talk about the numbers. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has garnered praise for more than doubling the share of state contracts going to MWBEs to 23 percent, is aiming for an ambitious utilization target of 30 percent. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, on the other hand, has faced questions about his commitment to the city’s program, which awarded just 5.3 percent of public contracts to MWBEs in fiscal year 2015. De Blasio has established an MWBE target of his own, promising that $16 billion will flow through the city’s program in the coming decade. While ambitious targets can help spur people to action, they also create incentives to game the system – including through criminal fraud – which can artificially inflate utilization rates. In 2014, a grand jury impaneled by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance found “systematic criminal conduct” within MWBE programs in the construction industry. With the release of those findings, Vance, joined by Maya Wiley, counsel to de Blasio, and New York City Department of Investigations
Commissioner Mark Peters, pledged to rigorously root out such abuses. Though multiple sources said that investigations are ongoing, there appear to have been no high-profile indictments for MWBE fraud since 2014 report. “People still don’t take this seriously because, in my estimation, this is about minorities,” said Bertha Lewis, president of The Black Institute. “If a bunch of big white companies were being defrauded, we would see some real action.” One of the more common fraudulent schemes involves MWBE subcontractors serving as shell companies, or “pass-throughs,” with public dollars circling through them back to the prime contractor. Investigators have also uncovered cases in which the actual subject matter expertise of a certified subcontractor belongs to an individual other than the purported principal. “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” said Katherine Lemire, a former federal prosecutor who is now president of an investigations firm that has been selected by a state agency to conduct compliance reviews of its MWBE contracts. “Once you start to dig, you can spot the fraud pretty quickly. This
as minor felony larcenies – or else business isn’t going to change,” Vance said in 2014. In the few instances that multimillion-dollar fines have resulted from investigations of MWBE fraud – including cases brought against Schiavone Construction and Skanska USA Civil Northeast – the penalized companies remained eligible for public contracts with minority participation requirements. “It’s like jaywalking or something,” Lewis said. “There is no serious enforcement on these programs – none at all. You’ve got to put some teeth into this, and on the state level, Gov. Cuomo, and on the city level, Mayor de Blasio, have failed to enact meaningful oversight.” According to Muncie, the Manhattan district attorney’s office worked closely during the last legislative session with state Assemblyman Robert Rodriguez on a bill to address both the scheme-todefraud statute and larger criminal fines for MWBE fraud. Yet to be introduced, the bill “remains a priority for us in the current session,” Muncie said. When coupled with criminal schemes, recent revelations that contracting authorities misreported MWBE participation data have
The Black Institute’s Bertha Lewis
SARINA TRANGLE
Maya Wiley, counsel to the New York City mayor
does not take an army of forensic accountants to figure out.” Agencies may also fail to detect abuses due to lack of resources dedicated to oversight. “It’s impossible for the city and the state to police this issue,” Lemire said. “They don’t have endless budgets. They don’t have endless compliance staff housed within each agency that can make sure that every MWBE out there is really what it purports to be.” Patrick Muncie, a spokesman for the Manhattan district attorney, described the problem of MWBE fraud as “persistent.” According to Steven Pasichow, the Port Authority’s deputy inspector general, “there are quite a few contractors who do perpetrate the fraud to meet the goals that the program requires.” While conceding that fraud within government programs is a “very real issue,” the Rev. Jacques DeGraff, chairman of the city’s School Construction Authority Diversity Council and a longtime MWBE advocate, argued that certain actors depict the problem as more pervasive than it truly is – particularly those who favor “business as usual.” “The same people often say, ‘We’re concerned about capacity (of MWBEs),’” DeGraff said. The 2014 grand jury report recommended two legislative actions that could deter MWBE fraud: adding gradations to the scheme-todefraud statute (under which many MWBE fraud cases are prosecuted), so that criminal charges are commensurate with the magnitude of the offense, and increasing criminal fines to remove the profit incentive from fraud. Under the current statute, a scheme to defraud a victim of $10 million is punishable to the same extent as one to defraud a victim of $10,000. “Time has shown us that those mega larcenies should be treated as mega larcenies and not, essentially,
ARMAN DZIDZOVIC
By GABE PONCE DE LEÓN
CityAndStateNY.com
cast a degree of doubt over official utilization figures. In a September 2015 audit of the MTA, the state comptroller’s office found that “weakness in controls over MWBE reporting continue and have resulted in inaccurately reported utilization numbers as well as an increased risk of fraud.” The audit also found that the MTA did not follow its own oversight requirements regarding site visits and inspections. A second state comptroller audit found that the state Dormitory Authority, through double counting and other reporting flaws, had “overstated its MWBE contract participation” by millions of dollars. “You really do have to be an archeologist to get under (the state’s) numbers,” Lewis said. Like subcontracting fraud and misreported data, advocates believe
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that loopholes in program requirements have a similar effect of holding back historically excluded groups and limiting job creation in minority communities. Contracting agencies, for instance, can waive MWBE mandates on projects – such as those requiring hard-to-find specializations or undertaken in localities with homogenous populations – in which prime contractors are unable to find a qualified and available MWBE subcontractor. However, some question the ease with which such waivers can be granted, and believe that instances in which contractors do not undertake “good faith” efforts to locate MWBE subcontractors slip through the cracks. There have also been reports of contractors failing to pay MWBEs, or even removing them from projects without notifying the responsible agencies.
“We are confident in our process certifying MWBEs,” Wiley, de Blasio’s counsel, told City & State in a statement. “We take multiple steps to ensure that this program will not be taken advantage of. Any case of fraud is taken seriously, and we use all legal resources to make sure that those behind fraudulent acts are penalized.” According to City Hall, 176 site visits were conducted in the 2015 fiscal year after MWBE applications or supporting documentation raised questions. Sixteen businesses were subsequently denied certification. The Cuomo administration said that companies participating in the state program can be assessed damages for violating a contract, but that relatively few instances of fraud have been discovered, and of the complaints that have arrived through the state’s anonymous fraud hotline,
no instances of fraud have thus far been substantiated. “We are certainly supportive of increasing penalties, or creating additional systems to prevent fraud,” said Alphonso David, the counsel to the governor. “The goal is to ensure that we have the best and most integral state, county, and local systems to support and sustain MWBE growth.” Given last month’s announcement that the state will invest $100 billion in public infrastructure – a plan that would create 250,000 jobs, according to the Cuomo administration – scrutiny of subcontracting oversight in MWBE programs is unlikely to diminish in the coming years. “We didn’t create the (MWBE) fronts, and we don’t finance the fronts, so we’ve got to work together because it’s a stain on the program,” DeGraff said.
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THE DREAM ACT FACES HURDLES, EVEN IF IT PASSES
Assemblyman Francisco Moya stands with fellow lawmakers to urge the state to pass the Dream Act. FOR FIVE YEARS, supporters of the Dream Act – which would allow undocumented immigrants to apply for state college tuition assistance – have watched the legislation pass the Assembly but ultimately stall in the Republican-controlled state Senate. Advocates are optimistic that the bill could finally be approved this year – but even if it is, some worry that young undocumented immigrants might not take advantage. Driftnery Martinez, director of immigrant services at the Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement House, said immigrants may stay away out of fear that they could be deported if they apply for the statefunded tuition aid. “I think with any sort of city, state or federal programs that are implemented and immigrants are given access to, there’s always some sort of fear,” said Martinez, who nonetheless supports the bill. “I think that’s where they would have to be given more information about it and told their information will not be given to (U.S. Immigration
and Customs Enforcement) or any immigration authorities.” Assemblyman Francisco Moya, a Queens Democrat and a sponsor of the legislation, emphasized that any information students submitted would be kept private and would not be reported to the federal government. “They’re not asking them if they were born here or not, so none of that information gets disclosed,” he said. “It’s very simple. It opens the door for anyone, regardless of your immigration status, if you meet the qualifications of any U.S. citizen or legal residents, to apply for (the Tuition Assistance Program).” Some high school graduates also have trouble providing documentation to apply for the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, Martinez said, which leaves them unable to find work. “I’ve met really smart individuals who have nowhere to go. And yes, they would work to pay for school, but they can’t work because they don’t even have authorization to work here in the U.S.,” she said.
“Maybe people don’t see the immediate effects right now in the short term, but in the long run it’s going to be a great issue, because you have a rising number of young individuals who are just stuck with a high school diploma.” Of course, the state legislation would have to be approved by the Assembly and Senate and then signed by the governor before such issues could arise. For a second straight year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has included the Dream Act in his executive budget, allocating $27 million annually for the cost. Although the measure was ultimately dropped from last year’s budget, supporters in the Assembly hope the governor’s backing will be the catalyst that finally leads to its passage. “Enacting the Dream Act is critical to expanding educational and economic opportunity for immigrants across New York,” Cuomo administration spokeswoman Abbey Fashouer said in a statement. “Governor Cuomo continues to support the Dream Act and strongly urges the state
Legislature to pass it this session.” When Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie opened the 2016 session, he vowed that the Assembly would once again make passing the Dream Act a priority. Moya said the governor’s shift to the left has increased the bill’s chances of passing this year. “I think we’re in for a fight, and we’re very happy that it’s again included in the executive budget, but we really need a champion, and that champion is the governor,” Moya said. “We see him fighting for all of these left, progressive issues that we’ve seen come to fruition. Now, it’s time for him to continue that fight and get it done this year with the Dream Act.” Though it has the support of both Cuomo and the Assembly, the bill faces steep opposition from state Senate Republicans, who hold a narrow majority. In 2014, the Senate voted 30-29 in favor of the measure, falling short of the 32 votes needed to pass. State Sen. Jose Peralta, the Democratic sponsor in the Senate, argued the bill is a good economic decision. “If you break (the $27 million) down, it’s about $20,000 per student. According to the latest numbers state Comptroller (Tom) DiNapoli has put out, anyone who graduates with a B.A. will earn over their lifetime an extra $60,000,” he said. “So, three times as much as we would invest in that individual, we would get a return if that individual stays here, works here and pays taxes.” But such fiscal arguments have not swayed Senate Republicans, who have remained united against the bill. “We’ve made it very clear that we’re not doing the Dream Act,” state Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan said last year. “Republicans have argued taxpayers shouldn’t have to fund incentives for students in the country illegally.”
PROVIDED BY ASSEMBLYMAN FRANCISCO MOYA’S OFFICE
By ASHLEY HUPFL
CityAndStateNY.com
Governor Cuomo & Members of the NYS Senate & Assembly, We call on you to fully fund implementation of the Ending the Epidemic (ETE) Blueprint, including critical investments in housing to ensure all New Yorkers with HIV can access and benefit from lifesaving treatment. We also urge you to include the following ETE policy initiatives in your Budget language: • • • •
Extend routine HIV testing beyond age 64. Remove impediments to the Expanded Syringe Access Program. Improve data systems to keep people in care. Broaden HIV testing, treatment, and prevention consent laws for minors.
New York has been the epicenter of HIV/AIDS in the U.S. for 30 years. We now have a viable plan to stop new infections and end AIDS deaths. We ask for your continued support to implement the Blueprint to end the AIDS epidemic statewide. Together, we can end AIDS by 2020 in New York State! Sincerely,
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ENSURING FAIRNESS AND EQUITY FOR ALL NEW YORKERS students they serve. We will once again pass the Dream Act so that no student will be denied the opportunity to advance their education because of factors beyond their control. The Dream Act will grant access to all students who want to further their education and grant them access to lasting careers allowing them contribute to our communities. New York is known as the financial capital of the world, but our minimum wage keeps workers below the poverty line. No one who works hard 35 hours or more per week should have to rely on government assistance to survive.
CARL HEASTIE EVERY YEAR, THE Legislative Conference of the New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators provides a unique opportunity to discuss pressing issues facing people of color in the state. In my first year serving as speaker of the state Assembly, I tasked myself with the responsibility of spending time and learning the issues in Assembly districts throughout the state. In my travels I’ve learned that the needs from Buffalo to the Bronx, or from Mineola to Middletown, don’t vary a great deal. We all want an even playing field, a fair shot at success, better resources for education, economic development and access to employment that provides a living wage. When you look at the state in its entirety, we are doing well, but if you look closer you see large pockets where poverty is high, economic growth is stagnant and resources are scarce. Far too often those pockets are majority minority.
The theme for this year’s conference is “Restoring faith and justice: In pursuit of empowering our communities,” and the road to that restoration begins with the Legislature fighting for policies and legislation that promote fairness and equity for all New Yorkers. The Assembly’s Democratic majority is ready to lead that fight. My upstate and suburban tour brought me to state-of-the-art public schools looking for funding for second computer labs, recording studios and swimming pools. But it also brought me to public schools bursting at the seams due to overcrowding, out-of-date resources and poor infrastructure, and this is unacceptable. The mission of our schools to educate students is further complicated by a lack of access to adequate resources. The Assembly majority is pushing for the highest funding level possible in the coming budget to ensure that all schools have the resources and tools they need to fulfill their duty to the
burden on those who can least afford it. Under the plan, more than 5 million middle-class earners would see a reduction in their personal income tax rate, allowing the state’s working families to keep more of their income right where they need it most. For the state’s lowest-earning workers, the Assembly proposal would increase the Earned Income Tax Credit by five percentage points over two years, thereby boosting the average credit for more than 1.6 million New Yorkers. Lastly, no one should have to choose between taking care of a loved one and losing pay. The Paid
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE STATE IN ITS ENTIRETY, WE ARE DOING WELL, BUT IF YOU LOOK CLOSER YOU SEE LARGE POCKETS WHERE POVERTY IS HIGH, ECONOMIC GROWTH IS STAGNANT AND RESOURCES ARE SCARCE. The Assembly has fought for and passed an increase in the minimum wage for years, and we are glad to now have Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s support. We hope we can count on the Senate Republicans to raise the wage and help restore fairness and access to workers throughout the state. It is critical that we fight for a fair and progressive tax structure that leads us toward a future where working families have more of the income they need to achieve their goals. The Assembly majority’s multi-pronged tax proposal provides much-needed tax relief for the middle class and the state’s lowest-earning families, while generating over $1 billion in yearly revenue. We must ensure that the income tax code does not place an unfair
Family Leave Act provides workers with up to 12 weeks of paid leave each year to care for family members in need. There is nothing more important than the health of our families and loved ones, so we have taken steps to put families first in New York. During the course of the paid family leave, workers would be paid two-thirds of their average weekly wage, up to a maximum benefit level, allowing them to bond with child or care for an ailing parent without facing financial ruin. We do not have an easy road ahead, but we are ready and willing to fight to ensure fairness and equity for all New Yorkers. Carl Heastie is the speaker of the New York state Assembly.
Less than meets the eye in Cuomo Budget There’s less than meets the eye in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed state budget. It’s particularly clear in the failure to meet basic human service needs. Consider mental health. There’s plenty of lofty rhetoric about new state initiatives to reach out to homeless people with mental illness. There’s not a word of acknowledgement about flawed state policies that have contributed to the problem by downsizing facilities and services without ensuring alternative care.
underfunding of the entire sector along with an unwillingness to address clearly identified service needs. More than 11,000 individuals and families are on waiting lists in need of services.
IT’S PARTICULARLY CLEAR IN THE
FAILURE TO MEET BASIC HUMAN SERVICE NEEDS
But it’s not just a homeless problem. Today, there are more individuals receiving mental health care in jails and prisons than state mental health facilities. This not only costs local taxpayers, it also brings New York back to an intolerable practice of incarcerating people for mental illness that was supposedly ended in the 1840s! To make matters worse, the governor is proposing to eliminate another 400 mental health beds in state psychiatric facilities. The budget’s lack of transparency not only fails to identify where, but also asks for a blanket waiver from the legal requirement to provide a year’s notice to the affected communities! It’s just as bad in developmental disabilities services. There’s a continued erosion of state services and
The administration’s inadequate commitment to developmental disabilities services is shocking considering the high profile challenges in this area. These are just a few examples of things that are unacceptable in this budget.
How we treat the most vulnerable people in our midst is a reflection of who we are and how we should be judged as a society. But it is more than just a moral obligation. It is the responsibility of government to address these needs and provide help with compassion and care. The proposed budget falls far too short in doing what is right and necessary.
DA N N Y D O N O H U E , P R E S I D E N T
Danny Donohue is president of the nearly 300,000 member CSEA – New York’s Leading Union – representing workers doing every kind of job, in every part of New York.
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RESTORING FAITH AND JUSTICE BY FIGHTING FOR WORKING FAMILIES MICHELE TITUS
EVERY YEAR, the New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators, Inc., is proud to sponsor the Legislative Conference, a weekend of events and workshops targeted to New York state’s communities of color. This year is our 45th annual conference, and our theme, “Restoring Faith & Justice: In Pursuit of Empowering our Communities,” provides a lens
through which we can address an array of issues that impact our communities. From raising the minimum wage, enacting paid family leave and improving child care access to higher education and criminal justice reform, the Legislative Conference fosters an environment where people can have lively discussion, brainstorm effective strategy and network to strengthen our
The Must-Read Morning Roundup of New York Politics and Government As an advertiser, an advocacy campaign including City & State First Read provides a targeted way to reach New York State’s most influential leaders and political professionals. For more information of advertising opportunities and availabilities, please contact Jasmin Freeman at jfreeman@cityandstateny.com or call 646-442-1662
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community. We have a full schedule of events, many of which coincide with the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus’s session goals. The Legislative Caucus promotes legislation that supports working families and fights for the benefits that labor unions and hardworking New Yorkers have rightfully earned. New Yorkers work hard in all industries, working in restaurants, painting nails and caring for our families. For too long, the minimum wage has been stagnant at an unlivable rate. A New Yorker working 40 hours per week for 52 weeks at the state minimum wage of $9 per hour will earn $18,720 before taxes, or under 130 percent of the federal poverty line. Adjusted for inflation, the minimum wage was highest in 1969, at $11.27. It’s time we raise the wage so all workers can support their families
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without working themselves into an early grave. Though the cost of living continues to rise, the quality of life for working families in New York should not suffer. The Legislative Caucus is dedicated to protecting the stability of our community and advancing the livelihood of our constituents. Paid family leave would allow hardworking individuals to take the necessary time to care for a new baby or sick family member without fearing for their job. This legislation helps New Yorkers avoid financial disaster and, in turn, bolsters family earnings and the state’s economy. Additionally, this legislation helps codify work-life balance, an issue that affects almost every worker. Yet without affordable child care, increased wages and paid leave will not go far enough to help struggling families. That’s
why we are also working to protect affordable child care and pay child care workers a good wage. The impact of this legislation is huge: not only will it bolster the economy, but it will ensure that women are able to stay in the workforce, thus closing the wage gap. Over 45 years, the Legislative Conference has also funded hundreds of student scholarships. We are committed to ensuring that working families can continue to make it in New York, and higher education is one pathway to the middle class and financial stability. Clearly we have big goals. The workshops are chock-full of brilliant thinkers and strategists from all over the state who will help us lay the foundation from which we can build our 2016 legislative goals. The hot-button topics that engage us are front and center at the conference –
and these topics come from our members and constituents. The association’s staff works hard to curate a workshop schedule that reflects the breadth of our community’s interests and concerns. Our communities are entitled to all the resources required to seize all available opportunities. We could not create such an invigorating weekend of events and panels without the cooperation of unions, elected and appointed officials, and community leaders – and of course, the conference attendees. Thank you for your participation, and I look forward to this year’s events! Michele Titus is an Assemblywoman representing District 31 and the chairwoman of the New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators.
New York City Food Policy Center at Hunter College was created in 2012 to develop collaborative, innovative and evidence-based solutions to preventing diet-related diseases, promoting healthy eating, and food security in NYC and other urban centers. The Center works with policy makers, community organizations, advocates and the public to create healthier, more sustainable food environments. THE NYC FOOD POLICY FOR BREAKFAST SEMINAR SERIES
Next Event: Labels Decoded: Finding Meaningful Labels In A Sea Of Marketing Claims and Why It Matters In Creating A Healthier Food Production System. Date:
March 10th, 8:45am-10:15am
Speaker:
Dr. Urvashi Rangan, Director of Consumer Safety and Sustainability at Consumers Reports.
Location:
Hunter College Silberman Building - 2180 Third Avenue, Main Auditorium (on 2nd Floor).
RSVP:
There is no charge for Center events, however registration is required, go to: nycfoodpolicy.org/eventcalendar
Sign up for the NYC Food Policy Center at Hunter College’s Newsletter at www.nycfoodpolicy.org.
CityAndStateNY.com
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CUOMO’S COMMUNITY SCHOOLS PROPOSAL DOESN’T GO FAR ENOUGH
CRYSTAL PEOPLES-STOKES THE 2016 LEGISLATIVE session is in full swing, and with that comes the opportunity to put New York families first. In his State of the State address, Gov. Andrew Cuomo proclaimed that New York is strong, and I couldn’t agree more. His budget proposal aims to build upon
successful initiatives, including a new proposal for community schools funding, which happens to be one of my legislative priorities. Community schools provide each student with a more holistic approach to education through collaboration and access to wraparound services. The proposal is cost-effective, bringing existing services and private entities to the schools where students already are. Leveraging local, state, federal and private resources allows the community school model to reduce duplication of services. The concentration of low-income families limits the time a family can spend together, as parents work more to offset low wages, increasing the need for services outside of traditional public school hours. The community school model also
increases access to services ranging from counseling to Internet access, and lifts the burden on working families of transporting children via mass transit. Reducing these expenses will, in turn, help create more pathways to the middle class. In the 2015 legislative session, I introduced the Community Schools Act (A6791), which proposed a grant program to fund the planning, implementation, improvement and evaluation of community schools. While I was pleased to see that Gov. Cuomo put $100 million in his 2016 budget proposal to fund community schools, I do not believe it is enough and have requested that the amount be increased to $250 million. I believe the investment of $250 million will support the transformation of struggling schools and other at-risk schools into community schools
so that issues of poverty can be addressed with communities working together to ensure that every student is prepared, safe, healthy and ready to learn. I applaud Gov. Cuomo for highlighting this initiative in his budget proposal, as well as Buffalo Public Schools Superintendent Kriner Cash’s six-point plan, “The New Educational Bargain,” which also calls for funding of community schools. Education is the pathway to success, not just for those in poverty, but for the community as a whole. I look forward to another great Caucus Weekend. This year’s theme of Restoring Faith & Justice: In Pursuit of Empowering our Communities is a great fit for 2016. Crystal Peoples-Stokes is a state assemblywoman representing Buffalo.
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THE THREE E’S
Legislators should focus on education, ethics, economy
RODNEYSE BICHOTTE
AS THE ASSEMBLY MEMBER from the 42nd Assembly District, I legislate with purpose. My plan for New York, The Bichotte Plan, maintains three core principles, which I call the “three E’s” – education reform, economic development and ethics reform. These principles will serve as building blocks toward excellence. I believe that for New Yorkers, access to an equitable education is a constitutional right. The future of our global economy is in the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics. STEM should be strongly emphasized in our core curriculum as a way to ensure that the pipeline of college-tojob readiness is accessible for our young adults. But in order to handle the rigors of STEM, we must also ensure that students have a solid foundation with a robust early childhood education. For this reason, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s universal pre-K plan is an indispensable initiative, and I have
supported it from the beginning. Let’s also keep in mind that we have to fully restore the funds that are already owed to our public schools, such as in the case of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity, which calls for $4.4 billion in aid to New York City public schools. The state’s economy is still bleeding from the Great Recession, and many of my constituents continue to feel its effects. By identifying more opportunities for small businesses and mandating higher participation goals on government contracts for minority and women-owned business
statewide proposal; Assembly Bill 9074 seeks to include a mandatory MWBE participation goal for any projects receiving tax incentives and credits, such as the 421-a tax exemption program. I believe that tax exemption programs should include mandates for more affordable housing development and stronger rent laws. Stable and affordable housing is a key component to a high quality of life and the ability to progress. I also support increasing the current minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2018, even though it is clear that this wage would still not be indexed
that would strip taxpayer-funded pensions from public officials convicted of corruption, increase the disclosure of legislators’ outside income to prevent conflicts of interest and close the LLC loophole to reduce the influence of big money in politics. The responsibilities of a state legislator have evolved over time from being a part-time job. Just as the City Council has recently proposed being reclassified as fulltime legislators, we in the Assembly and the Senate should do the same. After all, the work of the people is a full-time job. When Albany is reformed, our
WITH CORRUPTION CONVICTIONS, AND A HISTORY OF LAVISH, UNSUSTAINABLE LIFEST YLES, ALBANY IS PERCEIVED TO BE A SELF-INTERESTED LEGISLATIVE BODY THAT CARES LIT TLE ABOUT WORKING IN THE INTEREST OF NEW YORKERS.
enterprises (MWBE), we can help overhaul the city’s economy. As chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Oversight of MWBEs, I sponsored three pieces of legislation to do just that. Assembly Bill A8044-a increases discretionary award values in New York City; Assembly Bill 8700 mandates that all state funding to municipalities and localities have a MWBE participation goal that aligns with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s
to the current rate of inflation or the cost of living. With corruption convictions, and a long history of lavish, unsustainable lifestyles, Albany is perceived to be a self-interested legislative body that cares little about working in the interest of New Yorkers. I recently wrote an op-ed detailing my position on ethics reform. These reforms are aligned with the proposals Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie introduced last year
economy will thrive through good governance. When our economy thrives, our education system can be more efficiently utilized. The Bichotte Plan is New York’s plan. These goals are idealistic considering the politics involved, but the expected gridlock will not stop my persistence in restoring excellence to New York state. Rodneyse Bichotte is a state Assembly member representing the 42nd District.
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Hosted by:
February 23rd, 8:00am-11am, NYIT
Learn from experts how technology is changing the way New York government and business works at City & State’s fifth annual On Technology Forum.
Agenda
Keynote Address NYC as a Smart City Panel Interview with NYC Chief Digital Officer NY Innovation Pannel
RSVP at: CityandStateNY.com/EVENTS
Speakers & Panelists Kiva Allgood, Qualcomm Technologies Ken Dircks, IBM Jeff Merritt, City of New York Stanley Shore, NYC DoITT Andrew Sriubas, Outfront Media Jessica Singleton, NYC Chief Digital Officer Kurt Becker, NYU Tandon School of Engineering Gale Brewer, Manhattan Borough President Maya Wiley, Counsel to the Mayor
Want to be seen at this event? Learn about sponsorship and advertising opportunities by contacting Jfreeman@CityandStateNY.com
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Meet the Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators ... AND WHAT THEY CALLED THEIR TOP PRIORITIES FOR 2016
STATE SENATE
* Despite repeated requests, the starred lawmakers declined to participate in this project. Their profiles are based on their press releases or previous news reports.
LEROY COMRIE One of my biggest priorities will be the expansion of contracts for Minority and Women Owned Enterprises and ensuring that access to capital is available for small businesses. Also, working to create more streamlined critical health care services and additional health specialty services for underserved populations.
MARTIN DILAN Infrastructure. The list of projects, upgrades and improvements that are needed from Buffalo to Brooklyn, from roads and bridges to expanded MTA service and station upgrades, are too many to list.
ADRIANO ESPAILLAT Securing a larger state investment in the construction of affordable and supportive housing, and working to improve rent laws and invest more in NYCHA to protect the affordable housing we have.
JESSE HAMILTON My top priorities include combating the stigma around mental illness, increasing financial literacy and opening pathways to success for all New Yorkers, especially the vulnerable populations whose needs are currently unmet or underserved.
RUTH HASSELL-THOMPSON Her Domestic Violence Survivor’s Act and Special Prosecutor Bills. The Senator will also be fighting for CFE/state aid to public schools, a measured response to recent reports about the Ramapo School Board and a review of violence inside New York’s state prisons. She is also ready for another round of Raise the Age advocacy.
VELMANETTE MONTGOMERY * ON UPSTATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: (W)e need fresh perspectives and new ideas on how to grow our economy and improve New Yorkers’ lives. That is why the Senate Democratic Policy Group was created and I am proud of the initiatives we’ve put forward to help struggling upstate communities.
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KEVIN PARKER The number one thing I’d like to see done would be a special prosecutor bill for the police departments in the state of New York.
JOSE PERALTA The Dream Act.
BILL PERKINS The menu of priorities contains multiple options. We’ll be investing a great deal of effort in: New York Health – “Your Health Is Your Wealth,” correctional system reform, including ending solitary confinement and NYCHA reform.
ROXANNE PERSAUD There are several, so I’ll give my top two: curbing youth violence and creating alternatives and assistance for small businesses.
GUSTAVO RIVERA One of my main priorities in 2016 will be to enact policies that were identified in the blueprint to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in New York State by the end of 2020, such as decriminalizing syringe possession and the Healthy Teens Act.
JAMES SANDERS New York City has a cap on MWBE: once they make over $1 million they have to get out of the program. That is much too low, especially for New York City. We need to change it to the state threshold, which is $2 million. Also, the Community Reinvestment Act.
JOSÉ M. SERRANO My bill S.1165, which passed the Senate, would mandate the New York State Department of Health to conduct an intensive study on the alarmingly high asthma rates in the Bronx.
ANDREA STEWART-COUSINS While the Senate Democrats have many priorities for the Legislative Session ahead, my top priority remains improving the opportunities and quality of education that all New York students have access to and making New York state a more affordable place to live, work and raise a family.
STATE ASSEMBLY CARMEN ARROYO * ON THE MINIMUM WAGE: Continue fighting for a higher minimum wage because hardworking families deserve a wage they can live on.
JEFFRION AUBRY * ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM: The governor’s executive order to appoint Attorney General Eric Schneiderman as a special prosecutor in cases where an unarmed person dies at the hands of a law enforcement officer is a vital first step in rebuilding trust in the criminal justice system.
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CHARLES BARRON Poverty, unemployment and closing the wealth and income gap between blacks and Latinos versus whites.
RODNEYSE BICHOTTE I will continue to focus on education and economic development. This would include issues around increasing capacity for more Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises, as well as addressing poverty and its multiple facets.
MICHAEL BLAKE Minority and Women-Owned Enterprises.
BARBARA CLARK * Clark sits on the Children and Families, Education, Health, Labor, Libraries and Education Technology and Rules committees.
Business
VIVIAN COOK Education, jobs and fair wages.
MARCOS CRESPO Anti-poverty initiatives.
MARITZA DAVILA Education equality and preventing and ending homelessness.
ERIK DILAN Increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour.
HERMAN FARRELL * ON MINIMUM WAGE: Every time that we’ve raised wages, and people have said it would eliminate jobs, based on the times that’s been said on the floor, there would be no jobs left. It would appear that maybe it doesn’t do what you’ve said, and has helped the economy grow.
DAVID GANTT * ON RIDESHARING COMPANIES UPSTATE: I will be as fair as I can but I will not sit and watch my committee pass a bill out that does not prove to be fair to everybody – and I mean everybody. Those who have taxis already, I think they have a right to run their business. We don’t have a right to run them out of business.
PAMELA HARRIS * ON SANDY RECOVERY AID: As we look back on the storm and its impact on our communities, we must continue rebuilding and fighting for the recovery aid we were promised. I helped my neighbors when they needed me then, and now I want to go to Albany to keep fighting to make our communities safer and stronger.
CARL HEASTIE * ON A $15 MINIMUM WAGE: In the Assembly, we believe in leading by example so I am pleased to announce that we will undertake efforts to ensure that all our employees are paid in a manner that is consistent with the recent wage board’s recommendations.
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EARLENE HOOPER * ON LOCAL FUNDING: Discussions have begun and are ongoing with Nassau County leaders for a fair share of the sales tax up to $4.5 million for the Villages of Hempstead and Freeport.
PAMELA HUNTER Education, employment development.
ALICIA HYNDMAN My top priority will be working with my colleagues in government to tackle the tough issues that all of our communities face. I will particularly be focused on education issues.
KIMBERLY JEAN-PIERRE Raise the Age (raising the age of criminal responsibility), increasing the minimum wage and education reform.
LATOYA JOYNER I am particularly concerned about securing the resources that the struggling schools in my district need to succeed. I would also like to focus on the educational needs of children growing up in shelters.
RON KIM I want to make sure our classrooms receive every cent granted to our public schools by the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit more than ten years ago. Every child deserves a “sound basic education� and must be able to learn with purpose, not just taught to the test.
GUILLERMO LINARES Improving our public education system. Our schools are essential to ensuring our youth are prepared to go on to lead productive, healthy, meaningful lives as adults.
WALTER MOSLEY My top priority for 2016 will be tackling the issue of poverty, which is prevalent throughout our state. This is why I have reformed the Legislators Eradicating All Poverty coalition. This bipartisan group of legislators will examine the root causes of income disparity and create a budgetary platform to address it.
FRANCISCO MOYA Dream Act.
FELIX ORTIZ Infrastructure. Our municipalities, towns and villages are facing crumbling roads, bridges, tunnels and hardships from worn-out plumbing, heating and electrical infrastructure. It is a matter of public safety that we adequately fund repairs in a timely manner before people are seriously harmed.
CRYSTAL PEOPLES-STOKES Mayoral Intervention Preferred Bid Power Property Auction.
N. NICK PERRY Last year the Legislature failed to respond to the statewide and national demand for criminal justice reform. As chairman of the caucus I will focus a significant amount of my energy to accomplishing some of those goals during our next session.
and
infrastructure
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VICTOR PICHARDO Increasing the minimum wage and passing the Dream Act.
J. GARY PRETLOW Other than the usual education and employment issues one of my top priorities will be finalizing my podiatric scope of practice bill.
PHIL RAMOS Families deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods. Public safety has always been a top priority and I’ll continue working for meaningful and productive changes to reduce crime and gang violence.
DIANA RICHARDSON * ON RENT REGULATION: This is not the time for measures that allow any affordable housing stock of any kind to disappear from the market. What we need are aggressive programs to keep every single affordable unit in our district and to ask ourselves what “affordable” means.
JOSE RIVERA * He has pledged to continue fighting for education reforms.
ANNETTE ROBINSON The continued discussions regarding rent regulations, mayoral control, the Dream Act, raising the minimum wage and criminal justice reform.
ROBERT RODRIGUEZ Recently, the MTA cut $1 billion from their capital plan, resulting in pushing back the construction of Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway. The Second Avenue Subway would provide much needed congestion relief to the 6 line and increase access to the East Side, which has only been accessible via buses for decades.
LUIS SEPÚLVEDA * Sepúlveda chairs the Subcommittee on Transition Services, and sits on the Aging, Agriculture, Banks, Correction and Housing committees.
MICHAELLE SOLAGES One of my main legislative priorities for 2016 is library services. In the digital age, libraries are struggling to keep up with the increased demand for library services. Library staff members are generally spread thin. Moreover, technology in our public libraries is aging while the facilities are in constant need of renovation.
MICHELE TITUS * ON THE MINIMUM WAGE: In the postrecession era, it is our duty to ensure that (workers) are not forced to subsidize the cost of doing business, for wages that are not even enough to reduce their reliance on public assistance for food and shelter.
LATRICE WALKER I represent communities in central and east Brooklyn that have for so long been underserved. My primary focus this upcoming session will be on voting rights and renewable energy and making sure that a major health care institution receives the resources necessary to provide adequate care and services to my constituents.
KEITH WRIGHT In addition to housing issues and social justice, I’ll certainly be looking at ways to reinvest in our youth by fighting for their right to a sound, basic education and getting guns off our streets, provide long-term solutions to homelessness and bring living wage jobs to my community.
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A Q&A WITH CLAUDETTE COLVIN,
THE ORIGINAL ROSA PARKS Nine months before Rosa Parks resisted segregation laws by refusing to leave her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus so a white person could sit down, a 15-year-old girl took the same courageous action in the same city and was arrested. Claudette Colvin wasn’t chosen as the face of the movement, though, and never achieved the level of fame that Parks did. She moved to the Bronx while the South was still under Jim Crow laws, and has lived in relative quiet ever since. This month lawmakers are pushing a resolution to declare a “Claudette Colvin Day” in New York. City & State’s Jeff Coltin spoke with Colvin about life in the Jim Crow South, being passed over and the current state of the movement. The following is an edited transcript. C&S: March 2, 1955. Why did you decide at that moment not to give up your seat? CC: It was just another day. That evening we got out of school early. Why, I can’t recall. Instead of going home we walked downtown to browse around. The bus route went through a predominantly white neighborhood. We sat in the seats that were assigned to us – colored people, at that time. Colored people in the back and white in the front. So the bus driver asked for the seat. I refused. Three other students got up, and I refused. It was an impulsive act. Because we had been studying about Negro history, all the contributions that we’d made to this country. At that time, the encyclopedia only had two African-Americans in it: Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver. So we talked about all our grievances and all the injustice, and we talked about our heroes. My mind was just fed up. I couldn’t take one more second of that Jim Crow system. History had me glued to the seat. I just couldn’t move! I wasn’t breaking the law. I just wanted the white people that was passengers on that bus to know that there was this one little Negro girl who wasn’t going to yield to that injustice. C&S: Despite your stand, you weren’t made the face of the movement. Was that your choice, or somebody else’s choice? CC: The face of the movement was chosen by the MIA (Montgomery Improvement Association) after they organized, and they chose Mrs. Rosa Parks. She was an adult, and she was the secretary of the local NAACP chapter. They didn’t want
to use a teenager as the face of the movement. They wanted to draw in more of the adult people. Who was going to listen to a teenager, whether you had a good idea or a bad idea? Mrs. Parks, when she first heard the story, she thought that I was an overgrown teenager who liked to sass white people. Then when she talked to my instructors, my teachers, and different people, she found out that I was very intellectually mature for my age and I knew my rights. C&S: Tell me about this campaign in Albany to declare a “Claudette Colvin Day.” CC: If you’ve given Mrs. Parks all the recognition, then you haven’t told the true story! Most of the young children, they have this takeaway, especially in New York – down in the South, they understand a little bit more – that the civil rights movement was a failure. But I tell them, it wasn’t a complete failure. Yes, we had our tragedies, but we also had our triumphs. The young group now has a different attitude than the old group, than we veterans. You don’t understand, we had never been accepted before! America as a society, as a country, had never accepted black people. We were still second-class citizens. I think now, they want to understand. A lot of them, they say, “Oh you were the first.” I wasn’t the first person that was arrested! That was the system that went on down South. If you stepped out of your boundaries, you were arrested. But what happened was that in my time, so much injustice was going on to the younger people. Since March the 2nd – and I did that impulsively, spontaneously – there were people saying, what about the 15-year-old girl? And now people want to know, whatever happened to the little 15-year-old girl? And Phil Hoose got that out by writing his biography, “Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice.” So now, I hope it inspires the young groups, that they should use every resource available to them so they can reach their fullest potential and become very productive in this so-called – well, America isn’t flawless, but I still love America – this democratic society that we live in.
For the full interview, visit cityandstateny.com.
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