Senator Jeff Klein Joins TV Star Padma Lakshmi and Students from JHS 141 in Riverdale to Kick-off Teen Health Awareness Campaign

Launch of New Online Survey for Teens, www.TeenHealthNY.com and Education Fund Announced

   At the State Capitol on Wednesday, Padma Lakshmi, host of Bravo TV’s Top Chef and co-founder of the Endometriosis Foundation of America, joined Senator Jeff Klein (D-Westchester/Bronx) and members of the Senate’s Independent Democratic Conference to kick-off a Teen Health Awareness Campaign.  The campaign focuses on reducing adolescent obesity, educating students about the health consequences of short and long-term alcohol and substance abuse, and raising awareness among young women and health professionals about endometriosis, an often undiagnosed but debilitating disease.  March is Endometriosis month.  

Senator Klein was joined at the press conference by seventh graders from JHS 141, a middle school in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. Following the press conference, the students received a private tour of the Capitol.

As part of the awareness campaign, the Independent Democratic Conference launched a new online survey, www.TeenHealthNY.Com, which encourages young New Yorkers to “weigh-in” on how much they know about these important health issues. TeenHealthNY.com will provide policymakers with input straight from the source about where additional educational resources may be needed.  Additional educational resources for these three health areas will be provided through a newly created Healthy Teen Awareness and Education Fund.  The IDC, which included the Fund as part of this year’s Senate budget resolution, is hoping to raise as much as $1 million for the Fund’s programs through voluntary taxpayer donations, beginning next year. If enacted in the state’s final budget package this year, the Healthy Teen Awareness and Education Fund will appear as a “check-off box” on all future state income tax forms. The check-off box will enable New Yorkers to make donations directly on their tax form.

Senator Klein said, “Focusing on our teens’ health is critical to New York’s future.  By learning more about where our current health education is lacking, we can more effectively and efficiently distribute these additional resources. The purpose of the Teen Health Fund is simple -- we want to give kids the tools they need to make smart choices about their health. By creating this fund and directing resources where they’re needed, we can ensure that New York students are being given a full spectrum of health education. I am thrilled that seventh graders from JHS 141 in my district were able to come and show their support for this initiative right at the start of the campaign. With student support and the past success of our Cyber Bully Census, I am also excited to launch the online survey today. I believe this will be a very powerful tool for kids and lawmakers. ”

Padma Lakshmi, co-Founder of the Endometriosis Foundation of America and award winning author said, "We must educate our children in a broader, more comprehensive manner. If we are to prepare our youth for a bright future we must ensure their physical and emotional well being is addressed before we can raise their academic levels and intellect. This focus on health should include sex education that openly speaks about issues such as endometriosis to both genders at a critical time in a young person's life. The value of such education helps not only these adolescents but whomever their lives should touch."

  

Assemblyman Marcos Crespo (D-85th District) said, "Senator Jeff Klein's relentless work on chronic illnesses now taking a heavy toll on our residents and stressing our health care delivery system is welcomed leadership that will force positive change in the way health care is delivered in our State.  To combat alarming rates of obesity, asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and substance abuse we must focus our efforts on problems which can no longer be ignored for the sake of our families, as well as to protect the financial stability of our health care system.  I'm proud to join Senator Klein in his effort to reshape healthcare in New York," stated Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, member of the Assembly Standing Committee on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. 

32BJ SEIU Endorses Tish James for NYC Public Advocate

  Councilwoman Letitia “Tish” James’ campaign announced that she has earned the endorsement of 32BJ SEIU, one of the most influential labor unions in New York, in her bid for Public Advocate. The announcement marks the first major endorsement of the campaign season and a significant show of support for James, who currently serves as a City Councilwoman from Brooklyn.

“I am honored to earn the support of 32BJ SEIU, a great union whose members are a crucial part of the larger labor movement that has built our city. I am running for Public Advocate because New York’s working men and women need a strong voice fighting for them in government,” said James. “As a City Council member I have led the way on passage of the Safe Housing Act which helps improve conditions for tenants in some of the toughest buildings, fought to improve our schools, preventing cuts to after-school programs, and worked to bring good-paying jobs to our city. I’ll be a Public Advocate with the same passion and vision who will fight for New Yorkers from every part of our great city.”

In announcing the endorsement, Hector Figueroa, president of 32BJ SEIU said: “For years, Tish James has demonstrated a deep commitment to the working people of our city. She has worked hard to help improve the lives not only of our 70,000 members in New York City but for all working families in New York. In addition, she has strongly supported initiatives to improve our transportation and educational systems through her committee work."

A Brooklyn native, Tish James has been a long-time public servant. Prior to being elected City Councilwoman in 2003, James was a top-level aide to members of the State Assembly, where she played a crucial role in bringing resources to some of New York’s most vulnerable communities. In the City Council, James has been an outspoken advocate for economic and social justice.

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CRESPO & EXPERTS: SHOW US THE NUCLEAR ACCIDENT EVACUATION & PREPAREDNESS PLANS

Bronx Assemblyman Marcos Crespo Calls for Senate Action on Legislation requiring study of Emergency Plans of Local & State Governments in Communities Near Six Nuclear Reactors, National Expert, Riverkeeper, NYPIRG, Clearwater Join Call to Examine Emergency Plans 

  Two years after one of the worst nuclear power plant catastrophes on the planet and almost one year after the Assembly passed legislation mandating a comprehensive review of emergency plans in communities within 50 miles of New York’s six nuclear reactors, Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo is calling for the State Senate to take action on his proposed legislation (A.2303/S1338).

According to Assemblyman Crespo, member of the Assembly Standing Committee on Energy, “There are serious questions as to the ability of local, state and federal government agencies to communicate and react to a nuclear emergency. In fact during Super Storm Sandy, three nuclear power reactors had to be shut down because of safety problems caused by the storm.  It is time that New York review the evacuation and emergency preparedness of communities near the six nuclear reactors located outside New York City, Syracuse and Rochester.” He added, “My legislation requires such an examination so that New Yorkers will be better prepared in the event of a major release of radiation due to an accident or an act of nature.”

According to Doctor Irwin Redlener, Director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, "Safe operations of a nuclear power plant must include detailed response plans that will protect the public in the event of a catastrophic emergency.  The Indian Point facility does not satisfy this very basic requirement because, among other problems, should there be a large-scale radiation release, the evacuation plans designed to move people out of harms way are inadequate to the extreme.  Evacuation planning for Indian Point remains inconsistent with a real understanding of population density, likely area of contamination, human behavior expectations, transportation realities or readiness of host communities. "

According to Crespo, “As scrutiny of nuclear energy facilities across the nation grows and with the revelation that the Indian Point nuclear power plant is located over fault lines that make it vulnerable to a strong earthquake, the public is entitled to know that New York has in place a comprehensive and well-prepared plan that can save the lives of tens of millions of New Yorkers, including those downwind of the Indian Point nuclear power plant.” 

“The Bronx is 24 miles from Indian Point and all of New York City’s 9 million residents are within 50 miles of those nuclear reactors. In addition, two other nuclear reactors are within 50 miles of the City of Syracuse and its 145,000 residents. Another nuclear reactor is within 21 miles of the City of Rochester with its 210,000 residents.  That reactor is one of the oldest nuclear reactors in the nation, going online in 1970. Combined over 70% of the entire population of New York State lives near these reactors,” declared Crespo.

"The Fukushima crisis clearly demonstrated that radioactive releases from nuclear plant accidents can have significant impacts well beyond the 10-mile zone currently covered by emergency planning requirements," said Dr. Edwin Lyman, senior scientist in the Union of Concerned Scientists' Global Security Program.  "Computer modeling performed by the Union of Concerned Scientists in 2004 predicted that a severe accident or terrorist attack at Indian Point could expose New York City's children to high levels of radioactive iodine and could even trigger the need for the evacuation of Manhattan.  The NRC needs to overcome its pervasive attitude of denial and take action now to protect the millions of people who are being exposed to needless risk."

Hudson River Sloop Clearwater shares Assemblyman Crespo’s concern. “Given the fact Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant is located at the intersection of two earthquake faults, as identified by a 2008 study by Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, and that ’spent’ but still highly radioactive fuel rods are stored on-site in unprotected fuel pools, a much more robust emergency plan is needed," said Manna Jo Greene, Clearwater's Environmental Director. "In addition to the chaos and gridlock that would rapidly ensue throughout the greater metropolitan area, our emergency medical response system would quickly be overwhelmed in the event of a radiological disaster,” she added.

“We cannot wait until a potentially deadly catastrophe involving the accidental release of radiation by any nuclear power plant before we realize that New York State does not have available the first-line-of-defense resources that can save the lives of millions of our fellow residents, including millions of children,” stated Assemblyman Crespo.

Phillip Musegaas, Hudson River Program Director at Riverkeeper, stated, "Riverkeeper joins Assemblyman Crespo in demanding better for New Yorkers. The 10-mile emergency plan New Yorkers have in case of a disaster at Indian Point is wholly insufficient and gives no meaningful thought to the 20 million of us who would be affected. Assemblyman Crespo is right to call out the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to develop a real plan for evacuation, an issue that the agency won't even allow into Indian Point's relicensing hearing."

Crespo added, “New York must learn from the tragic events that have taken place in Japan and examine recent storm’s impact on nuclear power facilities in our own state so that we can ensure the safety of all our State’s residents.”

According to Crespo, “While current federal requirements mandate a 10-mile radius action plan in the case of an emergency at the nuclear power plant, New Yorkers are absolutely unaware of any such plans. Simultaneously, logic and historical precedence dictate that the proliferation of any radiation potentially released will not be limited to 10 miles of a nuclear power reactor.”

In fact, within 5 days of the nuclear catastrophe in Fukushima, Japan, dangerous levels of radiation had traveled 160 miles and hovered over Tokyo, prompting the United States military to issue potassium Iodide pills to armed forces and their families and ordering American military ships out of Tokyo ports to avoid contamination.”

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LIU TO HOLD SERIES OF TOWN HALL MEETINGS ON STOP & FRISK, PUBLIC SAFETY

   Events Planned for New Yorkers to Air Civil Rights, Security Concerns

   City Comptroller John C. Liu today announced that he would be holding three Town Hall Meetings on the NYPD’s stop & frisk policy and public safety issues, with more planned in the near future so that New Yorkers can voice their concerns on civil rights and security issues.

“Stop and frisk has driven a deep chasm between communities and police, which makes everyone less safe,” Comptroller Liu said. “Furthermore, it diverts police resources from strategies proven to reduce crime in other cities that do not resort to stop and frisk. As stop and frisk has increased, we have also seen a marked increase in lawsuits and claims against the NYPD, bills that taxpayers are on the hook for. These are among the issues we will discuss, with an eye toward promoting greater involvement of the community in policing.”

“When the overwhelming majority of New Yorkers who are stopped and frisked are people of color, it’s hard to avoid calling stop and frisk what it really is — racial profiling.  Being stopped and frisked is not a minor inconvenience; it is deeply humiliating and absolutely offensive when based on skin color.  There’s simply no place for racial profiling, by the police or anyone.  It’s not what New York City is about.”

The meetings are co-sponsored by local elected officials and civic groups, including the National Action Network, NAACP, Legal Aid Society, and the John Jay College Center on Race, Crime & Justice. Meetings will be held:

·         In Queens on Wednesday, March 13, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Greater Springfield Community Church, 177-06 129^th Ave. in Jamaica.

·         In The Bronx on Monday, March 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Latino Pastoral Center, 14 W. 170^th St.

·         In Brooklyn on Wednesday, March 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Concord Baptist Church of Christ, 833 Gardner C. Taylor Blvd.

“The police are stopping hundreds of thousands of law-abiding New Yorkers every year, and the vast majority are Black and Latino. More than eight out of 10 stopped-and-frisked New Yorkers have been innocent, according to the NYPD’s own reports. The unusually high number of youths age 14 to 24 (51 percent of stops) that are stopped and frisked by the police will result in these kids having some sort of a record that will affect them in the future,  including obtaining gainful employment,” said State Senator James Sanders Jr. of Queens.

“The practice of stop and frisk has had a disproportionately negative impact on the Latino and African-American communities, especially the youth within these communities.  It is my belief, and the belief of many others, that this has made our communities less safe by creating a wedge of mistrust between law enforcement, whose job it is to protect our streets, and the very people they should be protecting,” said State Senator Jose M. Serrano of The Bronx.

“Stop and frisk has been an unfair practice that has been used against minority communities. Let’s put a stop to it once and for all. Treat all communities with dignity and respect,” said Assemblyman Eric A. Stevenson of The Bronx.

“I am glad to join in efforts to make our City streets safer. From street harassment to gun violence, public safety remains a serious issue on Brooklyn streets and Citywide,” said City Council Member Letitia James of Brooklyn.

“The current stop and frisk procedure initiated by our NYPD undoubtedly is a masked form of racial profiling. This is a tactic that has proven to be unsuccessful and unproductive in producing a better community, in addition to creating more friction between citizens in minority neighborhoods and police officers. New York needs a police structure that understands the respect of the people comes from first giving respect to the people,” said the Rev. Phil Craig, President of the Queens Chapter of the National Action Network.

“Every day, in every borough, front-line Legal Aid Society lawyers and professional staff see New Yorkers who are improperly stopped, questioned, and frisked and who are then wrongfully arrested,” said Steven Banks, Attorney-in-Chief of The Legal Aid Society.

“Innocent New Yorkers have the right to walk the streets free of police interference,” said Delores Jones-Brown, Director of the John Jay College Center on Race, Crime & Justice.

“Communities of color want to live in a crime-free community but the price should not be the violation of one’s civil rights,” said the Rev. Dr. Raymond Rivera of the Latino Pastoral Action Center in The Bronx.

Visit www.comptroller.nyc.gov for the latest news, events, and initiatives.

Follow Comptroller Liu on Twitter. To receive Twitter updates via text message, text “follow johncliu” to 40404. View the latest Comptroller’s office videos on YouTube.

Our 2013-2014 New York State Budget Propsal

By Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda 87th A.D.

  

I am happy to announce that my colleagues and I in the New York State Assembly have passed a 2013-14 state budget proposal that would:

• Increased education funding
• Spur job growth
• Provide economic relief for local governments
• Protect vital programs that assist New York's most vulnerable residents 

We accomplished this all while managing to close a $1.35 billion (yes, "billion" with a "b") budget gap. The Assembly budget proposal also establishes a considerable reserve to help protect against future budget deficits.

I am proud that I took part in crafting a fiscally sound budget that generally aligns with the governor’s proposal and makes crucial investments in the types of programs and services that hardworking Bronx families rely upon--as an advocate for Bronxites from all walks of life, it was my mission to ensure that our interests were accounted for. As a collective body, we are confident that our budget proposal, if adopted, would ensure that our great state remains economically competitive, while maintaining a sustainable balance between expenditures and revenue. 

Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda-87th District
1973 Westchester Ave
Phone: (718) 931-2620
Bronx, NY 10462

 

 

 

Mayor Bloomberg's Sugary Soda Ban Gets Halted by State Supreme Judge

  On the eve that a new sugary soda ban of sales of over 16 ounces in certain eating establishments, the ban was struck down by Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Milton Tingling. Judge Tingling said that the ban was discriminatory because it only applied to businesses regulated by the city, and did not treat all sugary drinks equally. The ban would not have applied to all establishments only some, and the ban excluded other beverages that have higher concentrations of sugary sweeteners. The ban also had loopholes that defeated its purpose such as no limits on the number of refills.

  Mayor Bloomberg took to the airwaves during the 6 PM newscasts to say that the city will be going back to court to have this ruling overturned. Bloomberg also appeared on the Late Show to discuss his new sugary soda ban, but had to discuss the ruling against the ban further with host David Letterman. Letterman missed what could have been his best line in many years by not saying to Mayor Bloomberg "I guess your soda ban lost its fizz".  Instead Letterman said that he has to agree that people should guide their own destiny not government to which Bloomberg argued that government has a role in it. When Letterman brought up the Mayors infamous fondness for salt (that some want to ban), Mayor Bloomberg argued that the product "Cheese-Its" should not be banned because it is one of his favorite snacks.

  

  The duo went on with Bloomberg saying that 70,000 people nationwide will die from obesity with 5,000 coming from New York City. Bloomberg added that this is the first year that more people will die from overeating than from starvation. The subject then changed to gun control with Bloomberg saying that there are 50,000 gun dealers and only 14,000 McDonald's. The mayor added that 12,000 people will be killed by handguns, and 19,000 will commit suicide from handguns. Bloomberg concluded by saying that 14 states have tough gun laws, and those are the states with the lowest suicide rates.

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NEW YORK KNICKS COMMUNITY INITIATIVE "BASKETBALL IN THE BOROUGHS PRESENTED BY CHASE" VISITS THE BRONX

  The New York Knickerbockers community initiative Basketball in the Boroughs presented by Chase will visit and celebrate the Bronx in March. The month will tip-off with a free basketball clinic for 100 youth at St. Mary’s Recreation Center attended by Knicks great Larry Johnson, former St. John’s star Felipe Lopez and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. As part of the program, the Knicks and Chase will also fund the refurbishment of St. Mary’s Recreation Center, repairing bleachers, making improvements to the scoreboard and resurfacing the gym floor.

What:          Knicks “Basketball in the Boroughs Presented by Chase” Visits the Bronx

When/       

Where:        March 13 – Free Basketball Clinic

                 4pm-6pm: St. Mary’s Recreation Center 

                 Appearances by Knicks great Larry Johnson, former St. John’s star Felipe Lopez and

                 Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

                     March 19 – Chase Branch Visits

                 12pm-2pm: 2126 White Plains Rd, Bronx, NY 10462

                 Appearances by Knicks legend John Starks

                 4pm-6pm: 3775 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx, NY 10463

                 Appearances by Knicks guard Pablo Prigioni and forward Chris Copeland

                     March 20 – Bronx Theme Night at Madison Square Garden: Knicks vs. Orlando Magic

         

In addition to the free basketball clinic, the Knicks and Chase will host Chase branch visits in the Bronx with appearances by current players, alumni, Knicks City Dancers, and a chance for fans to win exclusive Knicks prizes and tickets. The month-long celebration will culminate with a Bronx Theme Night at Madison Square Garden during the Knicks game on March 20 against the Orlando Magic. The New School for Leadership and Arts Chorus from MS244 will perform the national anthem, while Bronx native Pete Rock will serve as the guest DJ, performing pregame and halftime sets. The night will also feature video recaps dedicated to the borough and a halftime Jr. Knicks game with players from a local Bronx YMCA.

The Knicks, Chase and City of New York Parks & Recreation launched Basketball in the Boroughs presented by Chase in December. The community initiative, which began in Queens, followed by Staten Island and Brooklyn, will serve thousands of youth within the five boroughs.

What You Should Know

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

Hispanic Legislators: Put Up or Shut Up

  You should know that since the last presidential election, the Hispanic vote proved to be crucial throughout the nation, with the Democratic Party being its biggest beneficiary.

Here in New York State, especially in the City of New York, the Hispanic population is growing at such a dynamic pace that any candidates for any public office, let it be City Council, Borough President, Member of the Assembly, Senator, Member of Congress, Mayor, and Governor cannot ignore this fact. I am not afraid to say that without the Hispanic vote, it will almost be impossible for any Governor to win in this state.  However, with all that influence, we are always being taken for granted.  People use our pain and suffering just to promote their agendas and to get our sympathy – and then later play dumb with us.

You should know that in the next few weeks, the Budget for New York State will come before us in Albany for a vote of approval. You should also know there are all kinds of politicians, including many Hispanic leaders and elected officials promoting the Dream Act legislation. Many of them are sending press releases on a daily basis telling the whole world how much they love and care for our immigrant population.  In their press releases, they ask Governor Andrew Cuomo to help our immigrant students and to include the Dream Act legislation in this year’s Budget.

What you dear readers should know is that our “distinguished” elected officials know very well that the Governor will not, and I repeat, WILL NOT include the Dream Act in his Budget.  With their press releases and public posturing these “distinguished” elected officials are trying to show that they support the immigrants, and that they want the Dream Act now.  But, you should know that sometimes and somehow I get the impression that they are just putting on a show with no action to back it up.

You should know that there are six Hispanic Senators in the Senate, and close to fifteen Hispanic Members of the Assembly.  If they really want to fight for the Dream Act and if they honestly want it to be part of the Budget, then let all of the Hispanic legislators – let all of us in the Senate and in the Assembly – come together and take a vote that we will not vote for Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Budget – none of it – not one single part of it – unless it includes the Dream Act. Let the Governor pass the Budget without the Hispanic vote, and let us show our repudiation of him and his Budget plan of ignoring the immigrants.

Now that we are preparing of the yearly event “Somos el Futuro,” let’s once and for all show our community that we really ARE the future.  Let’s show our community that Governor Andrew Cuomo or anybody else cannot continue playing the game of ignoring us – and then invite us to his mansion and with a breakfast or a dinner, think that he can buy our commitment and forsake our responsibility to our community.  Otherwise we will just continue to be not the “Future”, but instead “Somos the puppets.”

Here in Albany, our votes are the only things that we really have to protect, to fight and to defend our community.  Voting for Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Budget without the Dream Act being included, will only be just another act of hypocrisy.

This is Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.