Happy New Year 2018! Looking forward to a new and exciting time in New York City. This was truly the year of the progressive shift, not only in New York City, but in communities across the United States and the world. So many rose up, came together and brought important issues to the forefront of our social discourse that helped for foster change and set the framework for a brighter future.
I also want to take this opportunity to update you on some of the milestones we have reached at the City Council, specifically in my role as Chair of the Transportation Committee.
We started 2017 with hearings on the Progress of Vision Zero & strategies to reach our goals more quickly, and on how public transportation can better serve the needs of its riders and provide more equitable service for many New Yorkers, who depend on public transit as their only option to go to work, school or the doctor's office.
In a city with over 8.5 million residents and over 60 million tourists, pedestrian safety must always be at the top of our minds. The terror attacks in May 2017 and October 2017 are stark reminders of how pedestrians in our city and around the world have become more vulnerable as cars are more and more frequently used as weapons. We passed a law at our last stated meeting of the 2014-2017 session, requiring the DOT to study areas of high pedestrian traffic and install Pedestrian Safety Bollards throughout the city.
New York City witnesses 4,000 hit and run crashes a year that result in serious injury or death. New York City joined other cities in the nation in creating the "Hit and Run Alert System" that would notify the public of information about a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run crash. With this law, the over 8 million residents of this city can better help authorities bring justice to the families tragically affected by this cowardly act.
I drove a taxi to sustain my family and make ends meet; therefore, I can relate to many of the challenges drivers face and the importance that good service be rewarded to supplement fares. We passed a law to require for-hire vehicle bases allow passengers to Tip Drivers through the same method the passenger used to book the trip, including through a website or smartphone application.
We also passed laws to safeguard our youth, primarily in communities of color, who are easily drawn in to consuming hookah by alluring advertisement and packaging. Now the laws require that Hookah product sellers post signage stating the health risks associated with smoking hookah and raise the age of consumption to 21. These were part of a package of bills aimed at busting the myth that hookah is not harmful to New Yorkers' health and assert that it be treated like cigarettes.
These accomplishments exemplify the continued push for a more just and more safer City and make me particularly excited for the coming year.
The coming year, we will continue the push for Immigration Reform, making New York City streets safer, and supporting Amanda Morales-Guerra, her children, DACA recipients, refugees, immigran
I would like to thank you for your continued advocacy in and on behalf of our community. Thanks for your support and look forward to a productive 2018.
"PA' LANTE."
Sincerely,
Ydanis Rodriguez
Representing Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill
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