Queens Lawmakers On The Move Sept. 17, 2019

Katz, Borough Cabinet To Hear Rent Regulation Presentation

Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and the Borough Cabinet today will hear a presentation from New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) about the state’s new rent regulations adopted in June.

The regulatory changes are included in a new law called the “Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019” that impacts about one million rent-regulated apartments in the city. They include a provision that indefinitely extends rent regulations so they don’t expire every four to eight years like they have in the past. The changes also include the repeal of vacancy decontrol and other steps intended to shield tenants from large rent increases.

In addition, the Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY), will offer a presentation on its Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, which advocates on behalf of the residents in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other long term care facilities.

The presentations are slated for 9:30 a.m., today Sept. 17 at Queens Borough Hall, 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens.

Meng Demands Answers On Treatment of Children A Border

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D- Bayside, Flushing, Forest Hills, Fresh Meadows, Glendale, Kew Gardens, Maspeth, Middle Village, Rego Park), a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, yesterday announced that she sent a letter to Acting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kevin McAleenan to demand answers on the appalling treatment of children at the border, including the deprivation of menstrual hygiene products for detained girls.

The letter comes in response to a lawsuit filed by 19 states and the District of Columbia about the DHS’s treatment of migrant children in its custody. The lawsuit found that migrant children were living in “appalling” conditions and included testimonials from girls who described the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products, and the unsanitary conditions they have had to endure.

“The Trump administration’s daily injustices against migrant families and children seeking refuge is monstrous and must end,” said Meng. “Our system must be compassionate and humane. Children left in cages and in solitude, having food thrown at them, and girls with periods being left to bleed through their clothes and denied showers for days on end – such abhorrent treatment of children is morally reprehensible. I await the Secretary’s answers to my questions and demand the administration to immediately offer the basic necessities children and families need, including menstrual hygiene products.”

Earlier this year, Meng introduced the Menstrual Equity For All Act which would – among other things – ensure that all Department of Homeland Security detained individuals have full and free access to menstrual products.

Addabbo Continues Support Of Mobile Sports Betting

State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth, parts of South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodside, the Rockaways) yesterday said he believes that implementing mobile sports betting could help drive more fans to the games, at least here in New York.

The lawmaker’s remarks come as there are reports that attendance is dropping at stadiums across Major League Baseball (MLB) over the past few seasons, 

“It is no secret that MLB, and our Mets in particular, have been losing fans over the last couple of seasons, which isn’t good for the franchise or baseball as a whole,” said  Addabbo, chair of the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering. “I believe that if fans have another reason to go to a stadium watch a game — because they have a bet placed on which team will win or an in-game situation — it has the potential to bring in more fans. With the technology of mobile sports betting, fans can make up-to-the-minute bets during the game, which can lead to increased interest.”

Addabbo highlighted the language in his mobile sports betting bill, which soundly passed the Senate this session but was not voted on in the Assembly, which included mobile sports betting inside stadiums and arenas throughout the state.

Addabbo points to Rivers Casino and Resort in upstate New York, which has seen an increase in the number of visitors they have had since sports betting was allowed in their casino, as a success story on how sports betting can bring new fans to the games. 

“We have seen fans flock to our upstate casinos with the start of football season, but I believe our state is still losing out on significant revenue and educational funding because we do not have mobile sports betting,” said Addabbo.

“Many New York residents still find it easier to go over to New Jersey to place bets, rather than going to one of the four upstate casinos that have a sports betting lounge. With the MLB playoffs starting soon, football season starting, and the hockey and basketball seasons right around the corner, money that could be going into our state’s educational fund is going to New Jersey. I hope we can seriously address mobile sports betting in New York when session begins again in January 2020.”

Koo To Announce New Korean Community Liasion

City Council Member Peter Koo (D-Bayside, College Point, Flushing, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Fresh Meadows, Whitestone) today will announce the hiring of Joon Yong Ahn as his Director of Community Affairs and Korean Community Liaison.

Koo will make the official announcement at 12 noon, today, Sept. 17 at his district office, 135-27 38th Avenue, Suite 388 in Flushing.