Queens Lawmakers On The Move March 27, 2018

Queens County City Council News

Katz To 1000 Donate Easter Hams

Queens Borough President Melinda Katz/via Facebook

Queens Borough President Melinda Katz alongside St. John’s University and in partnership with Stop & Shop will donate 1000 Easter Hams this today.

The hams will be donated to to Elmcor Youth and Adult Activities, Hellenic American Neighborhood Action Committee, Institute for Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, Inc., Jamaica Service Program for Older Adults, Queens Community House, and Services Now For Adult Persons, Inc.

According to Katz’s office, an estimated 234,000 people experienced food insecurity between 2014 and 2016 which is approximately 10% of Borough residents. Additionally, it’s estimated that Queens has nearly 64,000 food insecure children, approximately 10.3% of all the borough’s children.

In addition, out of employed adults in Queens, approximately 93,826, or 8.2% are food insecure. Between 2014 and 2016, there approximately 40, 261 seniors in Queens who experienced food insecurity.

The event is slated for 1 p.m., today, March 27, at 8000 Utopia Parkway (Front of Great Lawn through Gate 1 Entrance) in Jamaica.


Nolan Honored By Irish American Heritage Cultural Committee

Assembly member Catherine Nolan (D-Sunnyside, Ridgewood, Long Island City, Queensbridge, Ravenswood, Astoria, Woodside, Maspeth, Dutch Kills and Blissville) was recently recognized as one of several honorees by the Irish American & Heritage Cultural Committee at their 39th Annual Awards Ceremony last week.

Nolan was awarded the Thomas J. Cuite Award and recognized alongside fellow honorees which included John Samuelson, Maura Mulligan and the Rory Staunton Foundation.

“I am truly honored to be recognized at this year’s Irish American Heritage & Cultural
Committee Ceremony. Thank you to Program Committee Chair Tom Murphy and the organization for including me in this wonderful annual ceremony,” said Nolan.


Lancman Criticizes Nixon’s Ethics Attack On Cuomo

City Councilman rory Lancman. Photo Credit Bradon Jordan.

City Council Member Rory I. Lancman (D-Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, Fresh Meadows, Hillcrest, Jamaica Estates, Briarwood, Parkway Village, Jamaica Hills, Jamaica) denounced newest Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Cynthia Nixon, for her remarks regarding Governor Andrew Cuomo’s ethics.

On Monday, Nixon, in her first appearance in Albany, drew a distinction between Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio’s political ethics, noting that aides to the governor have been either convicted on corruption charges or about to stand trial, according to reports. Nixon was referring to Joseph Percoco, Cuomo’s longtime aide and confidant, who was recently found guilty of three felony corruption counts.

Currently, the Mayor is dealing with a fundraising scandal involving recent court testimony from a donor that allegedly was encouraged by de Blasio to use straw donors to send money to political allies.

“I cringe when one Democrat throws stones at another in a primary, particularly when tossed from the confines of her own glass house. Andrew Cuomo has the most progressive record of any Governor in the country, while the ethical failings of the de Blasio political apparatus propelling Cynthia Nixon’s candidacy are at this very moment being chronicled in lurid detail in federal court, by a witness who has literally pleaded guilty to bribing Mayor de Blasio,” said Lancman.

“I urge Ms. Nixon not to emulate the actor in the White House as she campaigns to be our party’s standard bearer in New York, and to make her case to the voters fairly and on the merits,” added Lancman.


Meng Decries Citizenship Question On 2020 Census

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng

U.S. Representative Grace Meng (D-Bayside, Flushing, Forest Hills, Rego Park, Fresh Meadows, Glendale, Kew Gardens, Glendale, Kew Gardens) criticized the Trump Administration’s decision to include a citizenship question on the 2020 census yesterday.

Late Monday, the Commerce Department announced that the upcoming census will include a citizenship question for the first time since 1950. The census, which is intended to count the entire population, is crucial for determining how federal funds are distributed and congressional districts drawn.

Meng will look to introduce legislation to block the question from being included in the national data collection process.

“The decision to add this question without any testing at this late stage is deeply troubling and reckless. Asking respondents if they are citizens will likely decrease response rates in immigrant communities, and as a result produce an inaccurate and incomplete count that will impact the distribution of federal resources, and the number of Congressional districts that each state receives,” said Meng.

“Many immigrants who are fearful of deportation under the current Administration will simply choose to not participate in the census out of fear that the information they provide will be used against them. I am deeply disappointed with Secretary Ross, and I will now look to introduce legislation to stop this question from being included on the census,” added Meng.