SENATOR BIAGGI AND SENATE MAJORITY PASS THE JOSÉ PERALTA ​NEW YORK STATE DREAM ACT

  Senator Biaggi and the Senate Majority Conference passed the José Peralta New York State DREAM Act (​S.1250​) on Wednesday, January 23. The DREAM Act will allow undocumented children, who are already students in New York State to access state aid for higher education. New York State is now the fifth state to pass the DREAM Act, making college affordable for undocumented students. Senator Biaggi is a cosponsor of the bill. The State Assembly has passed it, and it is expected to be signed by the Governor.

“​New York was built and made great by immigrants from all over the world. Now, when immigrants are under attack, New York must be a leader in defending them and providing them the opportunity to continue to contribute to our state and our country​,” Senator Biaggi said. “​The ​José Peralta New York State​ DREAM Act offers hard working youth, the children of immigrants, the same access to education as all other New Yorkers, so they can build their careers, keep New York growing, and fulfill the dreams that brought them to the United States.​”

The passage of this legislation will remove the barriers that prevent undocumented students from college saving programs by creating the Dream Fund for college scholarship opportunities. This is a step to make the American Dream possible for aspiring young dreamers.

DE BLASIO ADMNINISTRATION LAUNCHES GENDER-BASED ANTI-HARASSMENT UNIT

Housed within NYC Commission on Human Rights, new unit investigating gender-based and sexual harassment complaints in the workplace

  Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today that a new unit tasked with more effectively intervening and investigating claims of sexual and gender-based harassment in the workplace is operational. The Gender-Based Anti-Harassment Unit will be housed within the NYC Commission on Human Rights and will charged with escalating high priority cases more quickly, reducing instances of retaliation, such as such as losing jobs or other adverse actions, and identifying widespread harassment within entities. This unit will help strengthen New York City’s ongoing efforts to combat gender-based harassment in the workplace.

“Workplaces must be safe and supportive environments that are free from harassment,” saidMayor de Blasio. “This new unit will help the city double down on its commitment to investigate cases and help bring justice to all New Yorkers who have been victims of workplace harassment.”

“Sexual harassment has no place anywhere, and we are taking big strides to eradicate it in New York City workplaces,” said First Lady Chirlane McCray. “The creation of this team will help ensure that all claims of sexual harassment are investigated quickly and thoroughly.”

“Workplace discrimination and issues affecting NYC workforce are major focuses of my work in the de Blasio administration,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives Phillip Thompson. “We know sexual and gender-based harassment can have devastating consequences on individual employees and the workplace as a whole and can hinder the social and economic advancement of populations disproportionately impacted by this issue. I am confident this new unit at the NYC Commission on Human Rights will help better address the increasing numbers of incidents reported by New Yorkers and will bring them the justice they deserve and need to get on with their lives.” 

“As reports of sexual and gender-based harassment continue to come in from every corner of the city, the need for swift intervention could not be more crucial,” said Chair and Commissioner of the NYC Commission on Human Rights, Carmelyn P. Malalis. “Victims of sexual and gender-based harassment – who frequently experience additional discrimination such as race, immigration status or disability-based harassment - are often afraid to come forward, fearing they will lose their jobs or worse, not be believed. This new unit will allow the Commission to immediately addressing ongoing harassment and retaliation and rooting out widespread harassment more effectively. We look forward to utilizing this new unit to stop harassment in its tracks and make sure that every victim gets the justice and protections they deserve.”

Under the Stop Sexual Harassment Act, signed by Mayor de Blasio last May and enforced by the Commission, the statute of limitations for filing cases at the Commission was extended from one to three years. It expanded the jurisdiction of the Law to cover employers of any size, and requires City agencies and employers to post signs on the law. The Act also requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide sexual harassment training to employees. The Commission will offer a free, online gender-based and sexual harassment training to employers citywide in April 2019. By providing these resources to employers and through the creation of the dedicated unit at the Commission, the City hopes to raise awareness about both employer obligations and employee rights, and provide another avenue for justice to all New Yorkers. 

Workplace gender-based and sexual harassment claims at the Commission increased over the past three years. Of 117 claims filed in 2017 alleging gender discrimination in the workplace, 56 included a claim of gender-based harassment up from 48 in 2014. The Commission is currently investigating 180 claims of workplace gender based harassment.

New York City is home to one of the strongest anti-discrimination and anti-harassment laws in the nation, the NYC Human Rights Law, which prohibits discrimination and harassment in housing, employment, and public accommodations. Along with the launch of this new unit, the Commission is also announcing the addition of gender identity definitions in legal guidance regarding discrimination on the basis of gender expression, with updated terms such as transgender and intersex.

The Commission has the authority to fine violators with civil penalties of up to $250,000 for willful and malicious violations of the Law and can award compensatory damages to victims, including emotional distress damages and other benefits. The Commission can also order trainings on the NYC Human Rights Law, changes to policies, and restorative justice relief, such as community service and mediated apologies.

“The creation of this unit strengthens our administration's bold leadership on these important issues,” said Cecile Noel, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic Violence and Gender-Based Violence. “I look forward to collaborating with the unit and exploring ways that we can collectively work to address gender-based harassment in New York City.”

“There is no place where the intersection of safety and economic mobility is more clearly defined than in the workplace. New Yorkers of all gender identities, gender expressions, and backgrounds have the right to safety and security in all public and private spaces, and to have responsive, transparent, and fair resources and processes to turn to when that right is compromised. I applaud the Mayor and Commissioner Malalis, and the Commission on Human Rights on the launch of the Gender-Based Harassment Unit, and look forward to their continued partnership in promoting the safety and well-being of all New Yorkers,” said Jacqueline Ebanks, Executive Director, NYC Commission on Gender Equity.

“This new unit is a crucial addition to the City's continued efforts to protect workers, especially those who might be most vulnerable to ‎harassment in the workplace,” said DCA Commissioner Lorelei Salas. “We are proud, under the NYC Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law, to have a robust right to safe leave for anyone who experiences harassment and we look forward to continuing to work with the our sister agencies as we ensure gender-based harassment has no place in New York City.”

“Under Mayor de Blasio’s leadership, the City is prioritizing the well-being of all New Yorkers in the workplace and creating a more inclusive local economy,” said Gregg Bishop, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services. “The Department of Small Business Services is proud to be a partner in the effort to educate businesses about the expanded harassment laws signed into law by the Mayor last year and being enforced by the NYC Human Rights Commission.”

New York City remains at the forefront of the fight to combat gender-based harassment in the workplace and has launched several initiatives to combat harassment head on, including:

·The Commission is proactively educating employers and small businesses about the new expansion of gender-based harassment laws in New York City. This includes visiting every BID (Business Improvement Districts) in New York City, which represents more than 85,000 businesses; engaging business associations, advocates, lawyers, and elected officials to further educate businesses about the new law; and partnering with the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs, Chambers of Commerce and NYC Small Business Services, which distributes information to over 220,000 small businesses in the City.

· Launching an award-winning citywide ad campaign through the NYC Commission on Human Rights earlier this year, encouraging New Yorkers to report sexual harassment to the Commission. The campaign ran more than 5,000 ads in subway cars, bus shelters, LinkNYC kiosks, nail salons, bodegas and barber shops. The campaign also ran print ads in local outlets and videos on NYC and TaxiTV and across digital media.

· Holding the first public hearing in more than 40 years in December 2017 to learn about New Yorkers’ experiences with gender-based harassment in a number of industries. The report included the challenges New Yorkers face in reporting harassment and obtaining justice. Industries represented included hospitality, retail, domestic work, construction, media and entertainment, and fashion and modeling.

· Issuing a report by the NYC Commission on Human Rights with recommendations from victims and advocates across different industries. Details and recommendations in the report were taken from a public hearing in 2017 that examined how employers can better address and prevent gender-based harassment in the workplace.

· Expanding and renaming the Mayor’s Office to End Gender-Based Violence to add gender-based violence protections

· Creating the Gender Equity Commission to create a deep and lasting institutional commitment to tearing down equity barriers across New York City.

If you believe you are the victim of gender-based harassment or any other type of discrimination under the NYC Human Rights Law, call the Commission’s Infoline at 718-722-3131. Reports may also be filed anonymously and reported on the Commission’s website.

For more information on the protections against sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination, read a factsheet and brochure on the Commission’s website at NYC.Gov/HumanRights, and these instructions on how to report gender-based harassment.

City Hall in your Borough

Next week, City Hall is coming to the Bronx and you have an opportunity to meet with top city commissioners and senior staff during scheduled office hours to address your questions and concerns.

DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION UNVEILS PLAN TO IMPROVE CAPITAL PROJECT DELIVERY AT THE DEPARTMENT OF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

  The de Blasio Administration announced a comprehensive plan to improve capital project delivery at the Department of Design and Construction, the City’s leading construction management agency. This plan will decrease construction costs and project timelines to deliver projects faster and within budget, making more efficient use of City resources and delivering essential public works projects faster for New Yorkers in neighborhoods across the city.

“We are overhauling operations in order to deliver City capital projects more efficiently and within budget. This plan will ensure critical infrastructure projects are finished faster and with less disruption to our neighborhoods,” said Mayor de Blasio.

“In just 100 days, the DDC team was able to lay out a comprehensive plan to address challenges and prepare for future projects. Lorraine’s experience at the School Construction Authority was invaluable in guiding this blueprint for action,” said Deputy Mayor Laura Anglin.  “This bold interagency plan will streamline processes so that municipal projects can be built faster and better for all New Yorkers.”

“DDC is an essential part of the City, adding new infrastructure and public buildings in every neighborhood, and it plays an important role in addressing the challenges posed by growth and climate change,” said DDC Commissioner Lorraine Grillo. “The vast majority of DDC’s projects are completed on time and on budget, but delays are too common and we can address them. Our Strategic Blueprint gives us the tools to be better project planners and managers, to get more out of the outside services we pay for and better negotiate the City’s highly structured capital budget process and regulatory environment.”

A Strategic Blueprint for Construction Excellence addresses issues in early project stages that can undermine a project’s success and provides flexibility to work around the most common causes of project delays. The plan provides more incentives for contractors to meet ambitious construction schedules while also allowing for better evaluation of contractor performance. It also invests in DDC staff, giving project managers the tools and decision-making capability to be more nimble and responsive.

Strategies outlined in the plan include:

Modernize Procurement – The procurement of services can take more than nine months, and some projects go through multiple procurement cycles. DDC will work with the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services to delegate more independent authority to DDC, propose rule changes to the Procurement Policy Board, and expand the efficient use of contractor pre-qualified lists. DDC will also create a new Business Development Unit to create more opportunities for M/WBE firms.

Use Innovative Project Delivery Methods – The agency will continue to advocate for the expanded use of  effective tools like the Design-Build method of contracting, while exploring alternative project delivery methods such as CM-Build, CM-at-Risk and insurance reforms with the State Legislature.

Streamline Change Order Approval and Payment – Change orders, project modifications that occur during construction from changed conditions, can delay projects for months while payment for the changes is processed. The City will streamline processing by creating allowances in project budgets for common project delays to give DDC the ability to pay contractors as soon as change order work starts, a benefit that will reduce project costs and particularly aid smaller and M/WBE contractors who work with the city.

Get Projects Approved and Started Faster – DDC will improve its internal business process to move projects through preliminary review more quickly, and coordinate with OMB to advance project review and shorten the time to get a Certificate to Proceed, the critical approval that allows work to start on a project.

Plan Projects Better and Minimize Mid-Stream Scope Changes – More than half of DDC’s projects are delayed by late-stage modifications. DDC will enhance its innovative Front End Planning units and work with sponsor agencies to establish realistic project scopes and budgets before work begins.

Work With Utilities More Effectively – Interference with utilities under City streets is a leading cause of delays to infrastructure projects. DDC is working to establish early, regular coordination with utility companies so that schedules are clear and delays avoided. DDC will expand the use of joint bidding when utility work and City work can be performed simultaneously, eliminating months of potential disruptions and saving valuable time.

Empower DDC Project Managers – DDC project managers have extensive responsibilities to ensure projects are built on time and on budget. DDC will provide managers with better training and more support to ensure professional development around the most innovative project delivery and management methods.

Become More Active Community Partners – DDC will take a more proactive approach to community outreach and communication with project stakeholders, and expand the use of borough-specific liaisons to better manage public concerns.

Transform Information Technology – DDC will upgrade aging systems and create new tools to better manage projects including new mobile technology that gives staff access to project management information in the field. DDC will work with MOCS to integrate new systems with its PASSport payment system – ensuring speedy electronic payments to vendors.

The 27 page Strategic Blueprint for Construction Excellence can be viewed and downloaded here. 

The plan was created in conjunction with the Office of Deputy Mayor for Operations Laura Anglin, and includes input from elected officials, construction industry groups, sponsor agencies, local utilities and entities charged with oversight of DDC and the City capital budget, including the Office of Management and Budget, the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services and the Office of the Comptroller.

DDC is organized around two main construction divisions. Its Infrastructure Division works mostly with the NYC Department of Transportation and NYC Department of Environmental Protection to upgrade and expand streets and water and sewer systems. The Infrastructure Division also builds public plazas and oversees the City’s large coastal protection programs such as East Side Coastal Resiliency. The Public Buildings Division works with agencies and non-profits funded by the City to renovate and create structures such as firehouses, police precincts, marine transfer stations, community health centers, courthouses, libraries, homeless shelters, museums and theaters.

The agency employs over 1,300 people, and since it was created in 1996 has completed more than 4,000 capital projects valued at over $20 billion. DDC’s capital commitments have more than doubled in the last ten years as its responsibilities have grown, to more than $2 billion in Fiscal Year 2018.

Upcoming Events from the New Bronx Chamber of Commerce

Wave Hill events February 7-14

Sat, February 9

Family Art Project: Love for Seals

As we look ahead to Valentine’s Day, let’s spread the love like a herd of seals! Pick your pinniped—a harp, harbor or Weddell seal—and show your love for these playful, fin-footed creatures. Hear touching tales, and capture the unique characteristics of your species of choice as you make a stuffed seal sock puppet. Give your seal puppet as a heartwarming valentine gift, or keep it to remind you of our wonderfully fine, furred friends. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Sun, February 10

Winter Birding

The Hudson River Valley hosts an impressive diversity of bird species during the winter months. Explore Wave Hill’s tranquil gardens and woodlands with naturalist Gabriel Willow to observe birds in their winter habitats. Birders of all levels welcome. Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. Severe weather cancels. Free with admission to the grounds; NYC Audubon members enjoy two-for-one admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 9:30AM

Sun, February 10

Family Art Project: Love for Seals

As we look ahead to Valentine’s Day, let’s spread the love like a herd of seals! Pick your pinniped—a harp, harbor or Weddell seal—and show your love for these playful, fin-footed creatures. Hear touching tales, and capture the unique characteristics of your species of choice as you make a stuffed seal sock puppet. Give your seal puppet as a heartwarming valentine gift, or keep it to remind you of our wonderfully fine, furred friends. Free with admission to the grounds.

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Sun, February 10

Winter Workspace Drop-In Sunday

Artists in the Winter Workspace program share their studio practice with visitors on this Drop-In Sunday. Shervone Neckles, Christopher K. Ho and Melissa Calderón will be present. Free with admission to the grounds.

Glyndor Gallery, 1–3PM

Sun, February 10

Garden and Conservatory Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 2PM

Mon, February 11

Closed to the public.

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS – Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM–4:30PM,  November 1–March 14. Closes 5:30PM, starting March 15.

ADMISSION – $10 adults, $6 students and seniors 65+, $4 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES – Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

  

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the W. 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES NYPD CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL PARKING TO SPEED UP BUSES

Fulfilling State of the City pledge, seven NYPD tow truck teams will tow vehicles that block dedicated bus lanes in every borough

  Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today that the City was fulfilling one of its State of the City pledges -- to speed up buses Citywide with dedicated NYPD teams towing cars parked in bus lanes. He rallied one of the Police teams headed out to enforce the law and tow cars parked along bus routes with dedicated bus lanes around Manhattan. The seven new NYPD tow teams will operate in all five boroughs. The City has set an ambitious goal to increase bus speeds by 25% by 2020, using increased enforcement and street redesign.

“It shouldn’t be so hard to get around the greatest city in the world,” said Mayor de Blasio. “Buses are a critical link in our public transportation system, but too often they are painfully slow. I hope all New Yorkers get the message that we have to keep bus lanes clear to get people moving and to work on time.”

"The NYPD recognizes the important role that safe, on-time bus performance plays in New York City's transportation network,” said NYPD Chief of Transportation Thomas Chan. "The NYPD is collaborating with our colleagues from the Department of Transportation and the MTA to keep bus routes across all five boroughs clear of illegally parked vehicles. As Mayor de Blasio mentioned in his State of the City address, the NYPD now has a dedicated team of tow trucks and enforcement agents that patrol bus lanes and bus routes across this City with the goal of increasing bus speeds.”

“As part of his State of the City, the Mayor made a bold pledge to increase bus speeds by 25% by 2020, really an incredibly ambitious goal,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “We thank our partners at NYPD for starting their aggressive work today on a critical routes in Midtown and around the City– as they make sure that bus riders can make it where they need to go.”

As part of his State of the City Address, the Mayor noted that on average buses only move at 7.4 mph and in busy commercial districts, the average speed is less than 4 mph. Bus ridership is down across the City as riders avoid trips and choose faster, more reliable modes of transportation. The City and the MTA are committed to working together to improve bus service citywide. Mayor de Blasio, the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the New York City Police Department (NYPD) are building on past efforts to get New Yorkers moving. The City has the power to redesign streets, install new bus lanes, and remove more vehicles blocking bus lanes. The MTA and State may control the buses, but the City has the tools to help reverse downward ridership trends and increase average bus speeds 25% by the end of 2020.

In addition to the efforts to increase NYPD enforcement, as part of “Better Buses for All,” the Mayor announced the following:

Redesigned Bus Networks

· Work with the MTA to optimize the bus network in every borough, work that began last year in Staten Island and will expand to the Bronx in 2019, and pursue street redesigns to improve bus movement and maximize the effectiveness of the new networks

· Press the MTA to restart the SBS program and continue adding SBS routes every year, allowing NYC to fulfill our October 2017 commitment to add 20 SBS routes citywide, doubling the current number of routes

Streets for Buses

· Perform street projects across the city to benefit 600,000 daily riders citywide in 2019

· Install bus lanes at an average of 10-15 miles per year, up from current pace of 7 miles per year

· Upgrade 5 miles of existing citywide bus lanes per year with extended hours, restricted turning, and piloting up to 2 miles of physically separated lanes in 2019

Give Buses Green Lights

· Add traffic-signal priority at 300 intersections per year, doubling the number of intersections where buses get green lights.

· Better Boarding and Rider Experience

· Improve rider experience by pressing for all-door boarding and off-board fare collection, and making bus stop improvements

· Advocate for expanded camera enforcement