Today, for the first time in the history of the Council, the legislative body passed on a package of legislation addressing significant disparities in maternal health, mortality, and morbidity. While about 30 birthing people in New York City die each year of a pregnancy-related cause, statistics indicate that approximately 3,000 women “almost die,” or experience morbidity, during childbirth, with the majority of cases being people of color. In New York City, Black women are eight times more likely than white women to die from a pregnancy-related cause, and nearly three times more likely to experience severe maternal morbidity than white women. In an effort to address this national maternal health crisis that impacts New York City, the Council passed a package of bills to expand maternal health services and address systemic inequities that affect women and birthing people, particularly those that disproportionately harm Black, Latino and indigenous people.
“Even prior to the pandemic, Black women and birthing people have faced a maternal health, mortality, and morbidity crisis,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “The lived experiences that far too many people have endured are striking, and the disparities for Black, Latino, and indigenous people are horrifying. This package of legislation is an important step to eliminate the inequities so that all women and birthing people are safe and protected. I am proud of this women-majority Council for prioritizing solutions to this dire crisis. When women are in leadership and the majority to make our laws, we lead on longstanding issues of significance that are critical to equitable access to health and safety.”
Introduction 86, sponsored by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams by request of the Bronx Borough President, would require an agency designated by the mayor to administer public education on the city’s standards for respectful care at birth, as well as information regarding: the right to be free from discrimination in relation to pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition, reasonable workplace accommodations for persons who are pregnant or were recently pregnant and caregivers; rights for a person who is pregnant or was recently pregnant under the disability benefits law and paid family leave benefits law, earned safe and sick time act, and temporary schedule change law; and how to access information on appointing a health care proxy.
“Birth equity is a social justice issue — and it’s one that’s especially urgent and deadly in New York City,” said Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. “This public health crisis is both under-acknowledged and under-addressed, but today, City Council will take invaluable and concrete steps to protect pregnant people in New York City. Through the creation of a maternal health bill of rights with dedicated and sustained outreach to inform people of those rights, we are ensuring that these rights are upheld and New Yorkers are empowered to demand what they deserve. New York City cannot end the maternal mortality divide alone, so we are also calling on the federal government to pass and enact the Momnibus Act to save lives across the country. Thank you to Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson for your partnership on both this bill and this issue, and to the City Council for taking up these bills.”
“We are in a state of emergency in our country when Black women are still three times more likely to die during childbirth and the mortality rate is even higher for Black women living in New York City,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “Black birthing individuals in our city and across the United States, deserve to receive culturally sensitive, patient-centered care that is attuned to their unique needs free of bias and racism that has resulted in the deaths of too many pregnant people. With today`s legislation, we are saying enough is enough, and that New York City will take action to ensure birthing persons are aware of their rights and are protected under the law. Thank you to Public Advocate Jumaane Williams for his partnership in pushing Intro 86-A forward, Speaker Adrienne Adams, the Women`s Caucus, and our doulas, midwives, and birth workers for their advocacy in ensuring all birthing individuals in our city receive the unbiased maternal care that they deserve before, during, and after childbirth.”
Land Use
The Lirio – MTA Site – 806 9th Avenue – The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) are proposing several ULURP actions to facilitate the construction of a new nine-story mixed-use building that would include 111 affordable housing units, of which 67 would be designated as supportive units for formerly homeless households; ground-floor retail; and new office space for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The Council is modifying the map amendment to remove lots from the rezoning area that are not necessary to facilitate the development of affordable housing. The Council is also modifying the text amendment to more precisely target the language of the newly created special permit for the creation of affordable housing in this project, in Council Member Erik Bottcher’s district.
1810 Randall Avenue Rezoning – Second Pentecostal Church of God La Hermosa is seeking approval of a zoning map amendment from R4A/C1-2 and R5/C1-2 to R6-1 and a zoning text amendment to Appendix F of the Zoning Resolution to designate the rezoning area as an MIH area, Options 1 and 2. These actions will facilitate the redevelopment of the existing obsolete Church into a new 8 story mixed use building. It will include an upgraded new house of worship and community center for the Church to support their evolving programming needs, 167 affordable senior housing units and approximately 16 accessory parking spaces on the ground floor, in Council Member Amanda Farias’ district.
Finance
Introduction 600, sponsored by Speaker Adams, would implement a state authorizing law allowing the City to provide a rebate of real property taxes for eligible properties on fiscal year 2022 property taxes. The rebate would be the lesser of $150 or the property’s annual real estate tax liability. To be eligible for the rebate: (1) the property must be a one, two or three family residence or a dwelling unit in a cooperative or condominium; and (2) the property must be the primary residence of the owner. In addition, the income of all of the owners for whom the property serves as their primary residence cannot exceed $250,000.
Transparency Resolution approving changes in the designation of certain organizations receiving funding in the Expense Budget.
No comments:
Post a Comment