News From State Senator Gustavo Rivera

SENATOR RIVERA JOINS GOVERNOR CUOMO, ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND CIVIC LEADERS TO SET PRIORITY AGENDA FOR THE NEW YORK STANDS WITH PUERTO RICO REBUILDING AND RECONSTRUCTING COMMITTEE

  State Senator Gustavo Rivera released the following statement after attending a meeting with representatives of Governor Cuomo's office, fellow elected officials, and civic leaders in which they discussed and continued the process of identifying key priorities for Governor Cuomo's New York Stands with Puerto Rico Rebuilding and Reconstructing Committee.

It has been almost nine months since Hurricane Maria hit the island, yet lack of federal action to provide adequate aide and Puerto Rico's pre-existing economic crisis, have claimed the lives of thousands of Puerto Ricans and stalled recovery efforts. The goal of this committee is it to help facilitate lasting and forward-thinking solutions that help Puerto Ricans rebuilding their lives and their island. 

"Puerto Ricans have not only seen their lives completely torn apart by a natural disaster, but also by the criminal inaction of our federal government. After attending the first official meeting of the New York Stands with Puerto Rico Rebuilding and Reconstructing Committee, I am encouraged by the thoughtful discussion we held regarding New York's current and future efforts to help Puerto Rico rebuild and thrive. Throughout the meeting, it was clear that our priority was to facilitate a more comprehensive, multi-pronged rebuilding and reconstruction roadmap for Puerto Rico. This meeting made me feel that New York State will continue to be a key supporter of the island's recovery efforts and the Puerto Rican people. 

After countless hours connecting with grassroots organizations in Puerto Rico and a humbling week long visit to the island, which allowed me to see firsthand the utter devastation and the various needs that exist, I presented Governor Cuomo and the committee members with a list of priorities and recommendations that focused on the various issue areas including Counseling and Mental Health Services, Extension of SUNY and CUNY Credit Program, among others. 

This meeting is just a first step.

I look forward to continue working alongside the Governor and members of this Committee to formulate and implement a robust and ambitious plan to help our fellow brothers and sisters of Puerto Rico rise and take the reins of their own future.

NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATURE BANS SMOKING NEAR LIBRARIES

   New Yorkers everywhere can take a collective breath of fresh air, at least near a school or now: your closest library. A bill (A.330B/S.169-B), introduced by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and State Senator Gustavo Rivera, has passed both houses of the state legislature and now awaits delivery to the Governor for signing. In 2012, Dinowitz and Rivera passed legislation enacting a ban on smoking within 100 feet of all entrances, exits, and outside areas of all primary and secondary schools in New York State. This law would apply the same policy to all libraries.

Following the Clean Indoor Air Act in 2003, smoking was prohibited in all workplaces and smokers everywhere were forced to go outside to indulge their habits. These smokers are now frequently found in close proximity to entrances and exits of all buildings, exposing countless passersby to secondhand smoke and increasing their risk of respiratory infections and cancer-inducing abnormal cell growth. Libraries, similar to schools, serve some of our most vulnerable populations when it comes to secondhand smoke, including both young children and senior citizens. 

The legislative process now turns to Governor Cuomo, who signed the ban on smoking near schools along with a ban on e-cigarette sales to minors as part of a package designed to protect New York's youth from harmful effects of cigarettes.

State Senator Gustavo Rivera said: "This bill will help our State further curtail New Yorkers' exposure to the dangers of secondhand smoke, especially around commonly shared spaces, such as public libraries. With smoking bans already in place outside schools and afterschool programs across our State, this bill further ensures New Yorkers, especially our children, are able to access and enjoy learning spaces without worrying about their health. This common sense measure will go a long way in providing our youth with the safe educational environments they deserve. I urge Governor Cuomo to join the Legislature in supporting this measure and sign this bill into law once it reaches his desk."

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said: "Libraries, like schools, are often the heart of a neighborhood. They bring together a huge variety of community members, and I'm willing to bet that most of these folks are not there to inhale somebody else's secondhand smoke. Given that the library is a place we encourage our children to go as often as possible, a smoking ban is common-sense public policy. I thank State Senator Rivera for his continued partnership on this important issue as well as Governor Cuomo again for his support in the fight against tobacco."

Senator Rivera Introduces Legislative Resolution Celebrating the Life of Puerto Rican and Latino Civic Leader Angelo Falcón

   State Senator Gustavo Rivera introduced a resolution paying tribute to the life and community activism of Angelo Falcón, founder and president of the National Institute of Latino Policy (NILP), who passed away on Thursday, May 24, 2018. Mr. Angelo Falcón was an influential Puerto Rican political analyst and journalist who advocated and empowered Latino communities across the United States, especially in New York. Recently, Mr. Falcón became a fierce advocate for Puerto Rico's relief efforts devoting countless resources to bringing attention to the needs of Puerto Ricans on the island and those who were displaced after the devastation of Hurricane Maria. 

"Angelo Falcón was a legendary intellectual, activist, and scholar who spent the majority of his years advocating on issues of equality and social justice in order to help empower and uplift the Puerto Rican and Latino communities across our city, state and country. Mr. Falcón's prolific career was marked by his tireless work engaging and promoting more Latino participation in government in an effort to raise critical awareness on the significant problems facing our communities; while holding those in power accountable through his trailblazing community advocacy and research. His premature death leaves an immense void in our state's civic discourse, one that will be difficult to replace. In his honor, I am committed to continue working diligently to fight for policies that will lift up our communities and make them thrive."