Queens Lawmakers On The Move Nov. 19, 2019

Meeks’ Corporate Diversity Bill Passes House

U.S. Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (D- Jamaica, Laurelton, Rosedale, Cambria Heights, Saint Albans, Springfield Gardens, The Rockaways, JFK Airport) yesterday saw the House pass his legislation, “Improving Corporate Governance Through Diversity Act of 2019” (H.R. 5084).

The measure does the following:

• Disclosure Requirements – Public companies will be required to publish diversity data annually in their proxy statements, based on voluntary self-identification, regarding the racial, ethnic, and gender composition of their board of directors, nominees for the board of directors, and executive officers. Similarly, companies will publish data on those who have voluntarily self-identified as veterans.  Public companies will also have disclosure requirements on the adoption of any board policy, plan or strategy to promote diversity.
• Institutes Best Practices – The bill directs the Director of the Office of Minority and Women Inclusion of the SEC to publish, every three years, best practices for compliance with the disclosure requirements of this bill, including through solicitation of public comments. 

The bill also directs the Office of Minority and Women Inclusion at the SEC to establish an Advisory Council, that includes issuers and investors, to advise on these best practices. 

“The ‘Improving Corporate Governance Through Diversity Act of 2019’ is the culmination of years of work dedicated to increasing transparency so that the highest levels of corporate America can begin to reflect the diversity of America,” said Meeks.

‘Studies have shown that the lack of diversity in C-suites and corporate boards is not only an injustice, it is a detriment to business and a hindrance to innovation. Bringing diversity to the highest levels of corporate governance will make companies more accountable to the public and to the economy, and improve their financial performance, as studies have shown.

“The benefits achieved through these disclosure requirements are why HR. 5084 has earned broad bipartisan support across civil rights groups, corporate America and investors alike. I am very proud to have passed this legislation through the House, and look forward to working together with the Senate to pass it into law,” meeks added.

Katz Queens Borough Board Hear Snow Removal Plan Update

Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and the Queens Borough Cabinet today will hear a Department of Sanitation (DOS) presentation regarding its boroughwide snow removal plan for the 2019-20 winter season.

Representatives from the DOS will discuss its pre-winter planning process, plow routes, storm response, snow removal priority, staffing and more ahead of the upcoming winter months.

The Borough Cabinet will also hear a presentation from the Queens Economic Development Corporation (QEDC) that will include an overview of the QEDC’s work and its available programs. The QEDC’s mission is to create and retain jobs in Queens through programming that grows our neighborhoods, assists small businesses and promotes tourism and business development.

AM Miller Reminds Constituents That HEAP Is Here

Assemblymember Michael Miller (D- Woodhaven, Ridgewood, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, Glendale) is reminding low-income constituents that with winter here they can again apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) to defray some or all of their heating costs.

HEAP is a federally funded program that helps renters and homeowners keep their homes warm by covering the costs of electricity, wood, kerosene, coal, oil, propane, natural gas or other heating fuels. The program also offers funds to eligible families for any repairs and necessary home-heating equipment.

The application for regular HEAP benefits is now open. Eligibility for the program is based on income, household size, primary heating source and whether a member of the household is under the age of 6, over the age of 60 or permanently disabled, with applications for assistance accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. 

This year, a family of four that has a household income of up to $4,797 a month may qualify for help and each household can receive up to $726 in assistance. Applications for an extra emergency benefit open on Jan. 2, 2020, and are available to households that are in danger of having their service shut off or have run out of fuel.

To learn more or to apply for HEAP, you can visit www.mybenefits.ny.gov.  For more information regarding HEAP benefits in New York City, visit www.nyc.gov/html/hra/html/services/energy.shtml or call 1-800-692-0557.

Addabbo To Bring Private College & University Info To District

State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth, parts of South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodside, The Rockaways) next month is collaborating with the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities in New York (CICU) to bring to his district a College Information Session. 

CICU represents New York’s 100+ private, not-for-profit colleges and universities.

“Providing students and other members of the community who are interested in continuing their education with information on a wide variety of colleges and universities is vital in ensuring that these individuals have what they need to make a decision on which school can give them the best resources to succeed in life,” Addabbo, a member of the Senate Education Committee, said. 

“Since these are private colleges and institutions, it was my main goal when setting up this event to ensure that financial aid advisors would be on hand to give prospective students information on how they can cut down the cost of tuition at these schools. I would like to thank CICU for participating and spreading the word about their schools to students within my district, as well as MELS for once again opening their doors to an important community event,” he added. 

The info session is slated for between 6 – 8 p.m., Monday, Dec. 2 at the Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School (MELS), 91-30 Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills.