Comments on DACA From Congress Members Crowley and Engel

Chairman Crowley Statement on the 6th Anniversary of DACA

  House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley issued the following statement in recognition of the 6th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program:

“DREAMers were brought to this country by their parents, looking for a better life. The DACA program allowed them to live in the only country they’ve ever known, the only country they’ve ever loved. They have started careers, families, and businesses, and contributed immeasurably to our economy and society.

“Six years after this program brought relief and stability to these young adults, these DREAMers have now been put in limbo thanks to the xenophobic policies of the Trump administration and the heartlessness of the Republican Congress. They no longer know if they can continue pursuing their education, or get the job they have been working so hard for, or keep taking care of their young children.

“Republicans are now pursuing a highly partisan bill that is a reiteration of President Trump’s harshest immigration policies. The real solution for DREAMers lies in finally passing the DREAM Act and a pathway to citizenship, so that these students, doctors, service members, teachers, parents, neighbors, and friends can continue living the American dream.”

Engel Statement on 6^th Anniversary of DACA

“Six years ago, President Obama established the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, giving protected status and work authorization to 800,000 hardworking young DREAMers brought to this country as children. DACA recipients are our neighbors, teachers, servicemembers, health care professionals, and friends. Their contributions have made our country great.

 “President Trump’s decision to end DACA and force hundreds of thousands into legal limbo was cruel and unnecessary. I have spent the past 10 months fighting to protect DREAMers and their families. Earlier this week, 216 members of Congress had reached a bipartisan compromise to offer a permanent legislative solution to DACA. Unfortunately, GOP leaders derailed the process and are holding DREAMers hostage to enact the President’s hyper-partisan, anti-immigrant agenda. And all this is happening while immigrant families are being torn apart at the border by an Administration run amok.

“We’re better than this. The American people overwhelming support DREAMers and I will continue fighting to ensure our country remains open and free to all.”

Wave Hill Events June 29‒July 6

Sat, June 30    Family Art Project: Love-a-Tree Canvas Bags

Trees give us so much—shade, beauty, food, even oxygen. Why not make more of them and showcase them on a classy canvas bag! Use stencils and fabric paints, in the form of sprays, stamps and crayons, to make tree art on your own reusable bag and honor the natural areas in the Bronx that nourish us with breathing space. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sat, June 30    Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

Sun, July 1    Family Art Project: Love-a-Tree Canvas Bags

Trees give us so much—shade, beauty, food, even oxygen. Why not make more of them and showcase them on a classy canvas bag! Use stencils and fabric paints, in the form of sprays, stamps and crayons, to make tree art on your own reusable bag and honor the natural areas in the Bronx that nourish us with breathing space. Free with admission to the grounds. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sun, July 1    Yoga in the Garden

Enjoy a morning yoga class in the gardens, offered in partnership with Yoga Haven. All levels welcome; please bring a mat and be on time. Meets indoors in case of rain. Online registration suggested, at wavehill.org, or register day-of at the Front Gate. Yoga sessions continue through July 29. $25 per session. Wave Hill Members save 10%.

ON THE GROUNDS, 10–11AM

Sun, July 1    Summer Exhibitions Opening

Meet the artists and curators of our summer exhibitions. Ecological Consciousness: Artist as Instigator continues Wave Hill’s efforts to examine the ways that artists engage in ecological projects that present calls to action. The exhibition documents environmental art that explores persistent problems throughout New York City. In the Sunroom Project Space,Priyanka Dasgupta and Chad Marshall’s installation uses traditional landscape architecture, such as a conventional English garden maze, to expose the instability of identity in the United States. Dasgupta and Marshall explore the dichotomy of the sanctuary—its ability to protect as well as restrict. In the Sun Porch, Katie Westmoreland’s presentation of kinetic tapestries responds to the space’s architecture, evoking the patterns cast by sunlight through trees and plants. Her immersive installation utilizes the passing light and shadow patterns as active mediums in her work, calling attention to the sun’s enduring, inspirational qualities. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2‒4:30PM

Sun, July 1    Garden 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, July 2

Closed to the public.

Tue, July 3    Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

Tue, July 3    Gallery Tour

Learn about Glyndor Gallery exhibitions on a tour led by Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow. Ecological Consciousness: Artist as Instigator continues Wave Hill’s efforts to examine the ways that artists engage in ecological projects that present a call to action. The exhibition documents environmental art that explores persistent problems throughout New York City. In the Sunroom Project Space, Priyanka Dasgupta and Chad Marshall’s installation uses traditional landscape architecture, such as a conventional English garden maze, to expose the instability of identity in the United States. Working collaboratively since 2015, Dasgupta and Marshall’s work explores the dichotomy of the sanctuary—its ability to protect as well as restrict. In the Sun Porch, Katie Westmoreland’s presentation of kinetic tapestries responds to the space’s architecture, evoking the patterns cast by sunlight through trees and plants. Her immersive installation utilizes the passing light and shadow patterns of the day as active mediums in her work, calling attention to the sun’s enduring, inspirational qualities. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Wed, July 4    Independence Day

Wave Hill is open.

Thu, July 5    Stories in the Garden

Each week, Wave Hill educators share some of their favorite nature stories. These stories—classics and more—will come to life through interactive book readings, sing-alongs and movement. Programs are held outdoors. Rain cancels. Ideal for children ages three to six with an adult. Free with admission to the grounds.

ON THE GROUNDS, 11AM

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–5:30PM,  March 15–October 31. Closes 4:30PM, starting November 1.

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 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.

Cynthia Says It's Time for Free College for Dreamers

On DACA Anniversary, Cynthia Says it's Time for Free College for Dreamers

  This week, Cynthia Nixon unveiled her education plan, which included a College for All New York. Cynthia's free college plan will not carry any of the prohibitive restrictions of the Governor's Excelsior Scholarship. It will open up free tuition to more than seven times as many New York students as are currently being served. Cuomo's plan currently only serves 3.6 percent of CUNY/ SUNY students. And while Cuomo’s Excelsior Scholarship denied free tuition to DREAMers and other immigrant New Yorkers, Cynthia will make them eligible.

"Dreamers are New Yorkers. And while our federal government attacks them, it is more important than ever that our state embrace them and provide them the say opportunities as every other person who calls this state home," said Cynthia.

Cynthia has also repeatedly called for the passage of the NY Dream Act, which would further open the doors to higher education for Dreamers.  Undocumented young people cannot currently access state financial aid through the Tuition Assistance Program.

"Just this year, New Jersey and Connecticut passed their versions of the Dream Act. But what about New York? Nothing. That’s a devastating reality. And it’s the responsibility of Andrew Cuomo, who has led the state for more than seven years without lifting a finger in this critical fight," said Cynthia.

EVANGELICAL CHILDREN CHRISTIAN PARADE TO TAKE PLACE THIS SATURDAY

 WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz

District 18 Bronx County, New York

Tel. 718-792-1140

THE EVANGELICAL CHILDREN CHRISTIAN PARADE TO TAKE PLACE THIS SATURDAY

You should know that this Saturday, June 16th, the Evangelical Children Christian Parade will take place.

Beginning at 12 noon on 97th Street and 3rd Avenue, we will be marching through 3rd Avenue up to 121st Street. Hundreds of churches will parade with their children demonstrating that even in these difficult times, when most have forgotten God, there are still people, believers, children and pastors who are not ashamed to testify that Jesus Christ is their Savior and Redeemer.

It is important for to you know that I, as a Minister, am an active part of this parade and will also be participating with "The Christian Community Church" which I am honored to be its Pastor.

The platform, where dignitaries, press, and guests can view the churches will be located in 3rd Avenue between 116th and 117^th Street.

The parade will be headed by Rev. José Martinez, President of Radio Visión Cristiana Internacional, who has been named the Grand Marshal of the Parada.

For more information please contact Parade President Rev. Andy Torres - 917-204-3222 or the Parade Coordinator Mr. Willie Sanabria, Jr. - 917-939-3233.

I am Councilman Rev. Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

NEWS FROM STATE SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA

SENATOR RIVERA ON THE NEW YORK HEALTH ACT PASSING THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY  "I applaud the leadership of Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, the bill sponsor, Assemblymember Dick Gottfried, and the members of the New York State Assembly for passing the New York Health Act for the fourth year in a row. With the White House and Republicans in Congress relentlessly attacking our right to healthcare and vigorously working to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, this vote is a critical step in our State's efforts to ensure that every New Yorker, regardless of their wealth or status, has an adequate access to affordable healthcare. It is now time for the members of the New York State Senate to stand up for what is right and work towards the implementation of an efficient and universal healthcare system for New York State. As the Ranking Member of the Senate Health Committee and proud sponsor of the New York Health Act, I will continue to work to make healthcare in our great State a right and not a privilege." SENATOR RIVERA AND MEMBERS OF THE SENATE DEMOCRATIC CONFERENCE CALL FOR EXTENSION OF SUNY AND CUNY CREDIT PROGRAM FOR PUERTO RICAN AND U.S. VIRGIN ISLAND EVACUEES Ahead of SUNY and CUNY Board of Trustees' Critical Vote, State Senator Gustavo Rivera Spearheads Effort to Support Displaced Students to Continue their Education State Senator Gustavo Rivera and 16 members of the Senate Democratic Conference wrote to the Board of Trustees for the State University of New York (SUNY) and to the City University of New York (CUNY) urging them to extend the in-state tuition credit program for Puerto Rican and U.S. Virgin Island evacuees for the 2018-2019 academic year. This program was initially approved by SUNY and CUNY in October 2017 after Governor Cuomo called on both boards to implement such a program. The Board of Trustees for SUNY will vote on this measure tomorrow, June 14, while the Board of Trustees for CUNY will hold the same vote on Monday, June 25. Since the federal response to Hurricanes Maria and Irma has been inconsistent, uncoordinated, and lackluster, the responsibility has fallen on states and cities to make up for the inefficiency of the federal government. Millions of American citizens continue to live in conditions that are not too different from the conditions immediately following the destruction. Programs, such as SUNY and CUNY's offer of in-state tuition, help provide a bridge for evacuees on the mainland United States to have every opportunity to continue their education. "I am extremely pleased that a number of my colleagues have joined me in urging SUNY and CUNY to continue providing evacuees from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands access to the in-state tuition credit program," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. "As a State that hosts a large Puerto Rican and U.S. Virgin Islander communities, we need to ensure that these bright students are able to continue pursuing their education and complete their academic degrees on time. We cannot allow a natural disaster and federal inaction to derail their futures." To read letter to SUNY, click here. To read letter to CUNY, click here. MEMBERS WHO SIGNED ON:  1. Senator Michael Gianaris  2. Senator James Sanders Jr. 3. Senator Liz Krueger 4. Senator Jose Peralta 5. Senator Martin Malavé Dilan 6. Senator Jesse Hamilton 7. Senator Marisol Alcantara 8. Senator Brian A. Benjamin 9. Senator Toby Ann Stavinsky 10. Senator Timothy M. Kennedy 11. Senator Diane J. Savino 12. Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. 13. Senator Luis Sepulveda 14. Senator Neil D. Breslin 15. Senator David Carlucci 16. Senator Roxanne J. Persaud

THE CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION ANNOUNCES NEW ISSUE FORUMS

  The City’s Charter Revision Commission is holding two Issue Forums next week. The issue forums will feature expert testimony on subject matter being considered by the Commission. These meetings are open to the public. Because these are public meetings and not public hearings, the public will have the opportunity to observe the Commission’s discussions, but not testify before it. The meeting information is below:

1.      Community Boards and Land Use

• WHEN: Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 1PM
• WHERE: Pratt Institute 144 West 14th Street Room 213, New York, NY 10011

 2.      Civic Engagement and Independent Redistricting

• WHEN: Thursday, June 21, 2018 at 1PM
• WHERE: NYU’s D’Agostino Hall, 108 West Third St, New York, NY 10012

LIVE STREAM: NYC.gov/charter

FOLLOW US: https://twitter.com/nyccharter and facebook.com/nyccharter

This location is accessible to individuals using wheelchairs or other mobility devices. Induction loop systems, ASL interpreters, and Spanish interpreters will be available. In addition, with advance notice, members of the public may request other language interpreters. Please make language interpretation requests or additional accessibility requests by 5PM no later than 4 calendar days before a meeting date by emailing the Commission atrequests@charter.nyc.gov or calling 212-386-5350.

Statement from Assemblyman Dinowitz and Senator Kavanagh on Passage of Bill Requiring Contracts be Written in Plain Language

  Today the New York State Assembly passed A1085A, a bill sponsored by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz that requires consumer contracts up to $100,000 be written in plain language that everyday New Yorkers can understand. The Senate version of the bill, S7074A sponsored by Senator Brian Kavanagh, passed the Senate earlier this month. The bill now goes to Governor Andrew Cuomo for his signature.

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz  said: “For too long, unsuspecting consumers have been taken advantage of by complicated legalese in contracts which requires an advanced diploma to understand. Over the past several decades, the costs of goods and services have increased in New York but the law has failed to keep pace. I am proud that the Assembly, which has passed this bill five different times since 2014, and the State Senate were finally able to reach an agreement on this issue. This legislation is an important step forward to ensure that everyone can understand language in the contracts they are signing, and I urge Governor Cuomo to join us in supporting this important consumer protection initiative.”

“New York might be the financial capital of the world — but just because we’re home to Wall Street doesn’t mean New Yorkers should need a degree in business or law to understand a contract they’re signing,” State Senator Brian Kavanagh said. “When New York enacted the plain language contract law in 1977, we were ahead of the curve. Back then, the law covered nearly every consumer contract — but it hasn’t been updated in more than three decades, and no longer covers many common types of contracts for services consumers need. Whether you’re hiring a contractor for repairs or remodeling in your home or buying an SUV, this legislation will ensure that the terms of the deal are clear. I look forward to working with Assemblymember Dinowitz, who has been a longstanding leader on consumer protection, and Governor Cuomo to ensure that this bill is signed into law.”

New York State law defines consumer contracts as those where both: (a) a consumer is a party to the contract and, (b) the money, property or services in the contract are primarily used for a personal, family, or household purpose. Examples includes when someone purchases a car, signs up for cell phone service, or has work done on their home.

In 1977, New York passed one of the first “plain language” laws in the country, requiring consumer contracts valued at $50,000 or less include language that any consumer could understand. At the time, the limit covered nearly every consumer contract. Assemblyman Dinowitz and Senator Kavanagh’s bill doubles the threshold to $100,000.

Assemblyman Dinowitz and the New York State Assembly have passed a similar version of this bill in each year since 2014. Senator Kavanagh worked closely with Assemblyman Dinowitz to amend the bill language to match what was passed by the New York State Senate for the first time on June 11, 2018.

Democrat Amanda Septimo Challenges Assemblywoman Carmen Arroyo to a Series of Debates Across the South Bronx

Amanda Septimo, a Democrat running for Assembly in the 84th District, has challenged her opponent, Assemblywoman Carmen Arroyo, to a series of three debates across the South Bronx.

 

"Debates are important opportunities for voters to hear directly from their candidates on the issues that matter most to them. It's time for change in Albany, and we need more effective leadership to deliver on issues like affordable housing, better schools, and safer communities. I am proud of my record in our community, and I look forward to sharing my experience with voters," said Septimo.

 

Septimo is pledging to work with Assemblywoman Arroyo's campaign to organize the debates at agreed upon locations and dates. She is advocating for each debate to take place in a different neighborhood in the district and to cover a variety of topics.

 

"Voters need to know that their voices are being heard and that leaders are truly listening to their concerns. I have dedicated my career to bettering the lives of people in my community, and I am ready to bring my experience and drive to the Assembly," said Septimo.

 

Born and raised in the South Bronx, Septimo has been involved in community activism since she was teenager as a member of A.C.T.I.O.N., THE POINT Community Development Corporation's teen activism platform. She has worked with the Legal Aid Society, with a specific focus on cases involving domestic violence and Spanish-speaking immigrants. She also worked as the District Director for Congressman José E. Serrano, making her one of the youngest-serving senior staffers in Congress. Most recently, Amanda worked to help working and middle-class families by fighting for stronger worker protections with the Council of School Supervisors & Administrators.