Candidate for the Bronx’s 78th Assembly District, Ischia Bravo, castigated her opponent Assemblyman José Rivera for being the least productive member of the New York State legislature. Her words follow a report released by Politico today on those legislators who have backed the least amount of legislation this year.
According to the Politico article, Rivera has reportedly not introduced any legislation in the 2016 session and only a single bill in the past four years. This is by far the lowest amount of legislation of any Assembly person.
“The people of the 78th District deserve better than an absentee representative,” Bravo said in a statement. “Assemblyman Rivera is not doing his job, and it's time we put someone in Albany who will actually do the work. There is too much that needs to be done to have someone asleep at the wheel.”
Bravo highlights there are many public servants who work for free; while Rivera is paid by taxpayer funds to essentially do nothing.
“True public servants don't have the luxury of doing nothing – we have to work for the people,” stated Bravo. “As your Assemblywoman, I will fight to bring affordable housing, better education, and good-paying jobs to our district. I will be a tireless advocate for our community, and my office will always be open to anyone who needs help. It’s time for a change - so let's move forward together towards a brighter future for our district.”
Bravo faces Rivera in the September primary, and is encouraging all residents to take an active role in improving their elected representation in Albany. The Politico article elaborates that Rivera is the only elected official, of the 211-member State Legislature, not to sponsor a bill this year.
“That is absolutely shameful,” says Bravo.
In February 2016 Bravo, the former Executive Director of the Bronx County Democratic Committee, launched her bid to represent the 78th Assembly District of the Bronx, covering the areas of Kingsbridge, Belmont, Fordham and Bedford Park. She previously served the people of the Bronx as Executive Director of the Bronx Democratic Party for 7 years while under the leadership of the current Speaker of the New York State Assembly, Carl Heastie.
