VIDEO: Cynthia Nixon Unveils ‘Democracy For All’ Platform

New York's antiquated voting laws make our state one of the least democratic in the country

  Democratic candidate for governor Cynthia Nixon released ‘Democracy For All,’ her plan to empower voters by ending New York’s system of voter suppression. Cynthia also released an accompanying video on her plan and Governor Cuomo’s failure to reform New York State voting laws.

“New York needs a Governor who is committed to ending voter suppression, and Governor Cuomo has not been up to the task,” said Cynthia Nixon. “The reality is that women, people of color, young people, and low-income New Yorkers who make up the base of the Democratic Party are the most disenfranchised under our current system, and we need to ensure that their voices are heard in our democracy.”

New York's antiquated voting laws effectively work to suppress voter turnout -- and that’s exactly the point. It’s a deliberate strategy by establishment politicians who make it hard to vote because they want to keep regular people out of the process, and keep incumbents in power.

New York is one of just 13 states that still doesn’t allow early voting - locking out countless working people who simply can’t get to the polls on a weekday - and no state in the country is more restrictive when it comes to changing parties. For the upcoming Sept. 13 state primary, the deadline to change party registration was a whopping 11 months prior on Oct. 13, 2017 — preventing 3.6 million registered unaffiliated voters from participating.

During the highly contested 2016 general election, New York’s voter participation came in 41st in the country with a 57.3% voter turnout. In the 2016 Democratic primaries, New York came in second to last in participation with only Louisiana beating us. Cynthia’s plan would make it easier to vote, not harder — by introducing simple, critical measures that are being enacted in many states across the country including early voting, automatic voter registration, and changing the draconian deadlines on party registration. The full plan is available HERE.

Bronx Democratic Party Annual Dinner

MAYOR DE BLASIO, POLICE COMMISSIONER O’NEILL HOLD MEDIA AVAILABILITY ON CRIME STATISTICS

  It was a crowded room full of reporters at the 40th Precinct house to hear the Mayor, Police Commissioner, and Chief of Detectives report on crime figures for the first six months of 2018.

  Police Commissioner O'Neil opened the press conference by speaking about the future new home of the 40th Precinct from its current site on East 138th Street to the newest most modern police facility to be located near the Hub on East 149th Street. The new precinct house will open in 2021, at a cost of $68 million dollars, and the old precinct building will be refurbished, to be used for other police matters. 

The mayor took over saying that for the first six months of 2018 total crime is down by 1.8 percent year to date compared last year. He added that New Yorkers should fell as safe at 138th Street as they do at 38th and 3rd. The mayor spoke about the death of Junior Guzman-Feliz, and alluded to fighting block by block in the Bronx to bring down crime again with the 'Summer All Out' program instituted last year of pulling desk officers out of precincts and back on the streets. He added that the police department will continue to refine its strategies.

But the bottom line is in the Bronx we know we are going to have do exactly what we have done all over the city – fight block by block to make sure we are bringing down crime and throw at the problem whatever is needed. You see a big compliment of officers that have come to precincts in the Bronx through the Summer All Out initiative. You see important actions being taken strategically to shore up any area that needs it. This is what precision policing is all about. And the NYPD will continue to refine its policing strategies.

Chief Terrance Monahan of the NYPD then went over the crime statistics fr the first six months of 2018. Overall crime is down 1.8 percent, while arrests are down 11.5 percent or 17,000 fewer arrests than in 2017. Chief Monahan tried to softsoap the figures by then saying that robberies are down 6.4 percent, burglaries down 5,4 percent, and grand larceny down 2.2 percent. He added that shootings are down 5.6 percent, but then said the NYPD still faces challenges. Murder is up 8.1 percent citywide with 147, with the Bronx leading the way 51 murders up from 21 in 2017. He added that arrests have been made on 33 cases on 70 percent of the murders that have occurred in the Bronx this year. Rape cases are up 33.2 percent for the first six months of 2018, but that was due to more rapes being reported said Chief Monahan. He added that domestic rape is up 45 percent while arrests were up 37.4 percent for rapes. 

Right before taking questions from reporters The commissioner said that the hot spot seems to be the Bronx where murder was up 64.5 percent accounting for 51 of the 147 murders citywide. He added that rapes in the Bronx were up 36.7 percent slightly above the citywide average. 

I was able to get a question in about the three people who were shot and killed opposite the Castle Hill Houses over two weeks ago. I said people there told me that it was a retaliation shooting, and robberies, drug activity, and gang violence is a common occurrence. The people fell unsafe, you have a photo of the suspected shooter, and people want an update on the case. Chief Monahan replied that it was an ongoing dispute between families in the area who knew each other, that the police have identified the perpetrator who fled the state. He added that the warrants team is currently looking for him to bring him back for trial. I also told the mayor that police officers on the streets had diminished over past few years. Commissioner O'Neil said that in 2017 there were 2,561 police officers in the Bronx, and in 2018 there were 2,661, an increase of 100 officers. I replied back that I am talking about a three year period going back to 2016, and the commissioner replied we have here only the figures for last year. 

I was able to get another question in about Speed Cameras, telling the mayor of the flawed way the DOT did a survey not of a road in front of PS 81 in Riverdale, but a survey of a road several blocks away. The road was at the back exit of the Russian Mission which led to the southbound Henry Hudson Parkway, into a private community, and was on a downhill slope. I said that the DOT survey recorded over 90 percent of drivers speeding even only one mile above the speed limit. I said Senator Jeff Klein had surveyed the street in front of the school, and recorded a much lower figure, to which the mayor chastised Senator Klein for being against speed cameras. 

 Mayor Bill de Blasio answering my question if he would survey the street in front of PS 81 for speeders. NO he said as he chastised Senator Jeff Klein for not voting to renew speed cameras. 

MAYOR DE BLASIO MEETING WITH NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT PRESIDENT ANDY BYFORD

  This afternoon, Mayor Bill de Blasio met with New York City Transit President Andy Byford. The 90-minute meeting was held at City Hall. The meeting focused largely on how the City and MTA can continue to work together to expand bus service, implement the L train shutdown mitigation plan, and improve accessibility. The Mayor and Transit President agreed to establish a joint working group tasked with improving collaboration, alongside quarterly meetings between the Mayor and Mr. Byford.  Mayor de Blasio renewed his demand for New York City investment to go toward New York City transit, and for a long-term revenue source paid for by a tax on New York City's wealthiest residents. Mr. Byford discussed the need to fully fund his plan, and emphasized that he was asking all elected officials to help him find a sustainable funding source. The Mayor pledged his support for Mr. Byford and his “Fast Forward” plan, before wishing the Transit President success in his challenging mission.

NY LT. GOV. CANDIDATE JUMAANE WILLIAMS ARRESTED WHILE PROTESTING TRUMP'S SUPREME COURT NOMINEE

NYC Councilman and NYS Lt. Governor Candidate Jumaane Williams was arrested during a protest led by the National Action Network of Supreme Court Justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh outside of Trump Tower. Photo credit: Kyle O'Leary

 Lieutenant Governor candidate Jumaane Williams was arrested outside Trump Tower last night as he protested President Donald Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court-- D.C. Court of Appeals Judge Brett Kavanaugh. He was charged with disorderly conduct and released from NYPD custody shortly after midnight EST.

Before being arrested with a group of protesters and being removed from the area in a police van, Williams called on Democrats to find the moral conviction to stand up to President Donald Trump and his extremely conservative Supreme Court nominee.

"My message is to the Democrats who think resistance is just a hashtag," he said to protestors outside of Trump's skyscraper on Fifth Avenue and East 56th Street. "We have fought for protections for so many, fought hard for black, brown, LGBT, for women. All of that is now at risk, not because of bigoted Republicans, but because of Democrats who refused to step up because they were afraid. I am begging all Democrats-- all those that claim leadership-- to take a risk, show courage. If you are in your comfort zone, you are not doing enough."

During the rally, Williams emphasized his concern that the extreme-right Court could overturn Roe v. Wade, a landmark 1973 ruling that made abortion a constitutional right, and condemned Governor Cuomo for failing to advance legislation that would protect women's rights on the state level by empowering the right-leaning Independent Democratic Conference (IDC).

"Establishment democrats like the Governor Cuomo and Lt. Governor Hochul have led us to where we are today," Williams added. "They have had every opportunity to pass progressive legislation that ensure women have access to safe and legal abortion, but lacked the moral courage to advance what's right, putting their own personal political gain ahead of those they represent. Now that the political winds have swayed and more progressives are demanding action, I would not be surprised to see the establishment follow our lead. But come September, New Yorkers will decide if they want elected officials who follow or lead at the helm of our state's government."

Senator Luis Sepulveda - GANG VIOLENCE IN THE BRONX AND NYS

Legislation would require small businesses across state to offer “safe haven” to endangered children and youth 
 

State Senator Luis Sepulveda and Assemblyman Victor Pichardo announced Tuesday, July 10, introduction of “Safe Havens for Endangered Children” legislation that would require all small businesses to call police when a child or young person in danger seeks help from them. 

 

The proposed law, to be known as “Junior’s Law,” comes after Bronx 15-year-old Lesandro (Junior) Guzman-Felix was dragged from a bodega where he had sought refuge and stabbed to death by members of a violent street gang that had been chasing him, all caught on video. 

  

Joined by the slain youth’s family members, clergy and community leaders at a press conference outside the bodega where the teen was murdered, Senator Sepulveda and Assemblyman Pichardo said the Safe Havens bill would also amend the education law to help create “Safe Walking Home Zones” by having school officials work with local chambers of commerce to create safe pathways to and from schools. 

  

A second piece of legislation would also require small businesses to keep first aid kits. 

  

“While the bodega owner where the incident occurred did try to help, and did call 911 twice, according to police, we want to make sure that any business owner or their employees who encounter a situation involving a minor who has been abused or may be in danger has a duty to try to help,” said Senator Sepulveda. “Community businesses should be safe havens for our youth. They should promptly notify police.” 

                                                        

“The murder of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz has devastated our close-knit Bronx communities,” said Assemblyman Pichardo. “While I applaud the New York City Police Department for swiftly apprehending the suspects, we as legislators must do more to address the scourge of gang violence that has claimed far too many lives here in the Bronx and across our state. The safety of our children and families is always paramount and I’ll do everything I can to get violent gang members off our streets.” 

  

The slain teen’s father, Lissandro Guzman, speaking in Spanish, said “I feel very content, and with all my heart, I hope this bill that carries son’s name gets passed so it can prevent situations like this from happening again, and so we can create more security for our beloved children.” 

Depending on the situation, if a business with fewer than 50 employees fails to “provide a safe refuge for a child who had physical injury inflicted upon him or is in imminent danger of such injury until authorities arrive,” the business would be subject to penalties to be determined by the commissioner of the state Office of Children and Family Services. 

Sepulveda said that he and Assemblyman Pichardo are still looking at what potential fines or other sanctions might be imposed. 

The bill to require first aid kids in small businesses would amend state labor and public health laws to require small businesses with fewer than 50 employes to have and maintain a first aid kit on the premises at all times. Compliance would be checked during regular health or safety inspections of the building and business.

“We need to ensure that businesses are equipped to help those who are injured to save lives,” said Senator Sepulveda. 

  

Twelve alleged members of the Trinitarios gang are now under arrest in connection with the June 20 attack. They face charges of murder, manslaughter, gang assault and criminal possession of a weapon, according to police.

DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION BEGINS CONSTRUCTION ON NEW 40TH PRECINCT STATION HOUSE

New building will help strengthen bond between neighborhood and police with community event space

  The de Blasio Administration today announced that construction has begun on the new 40^thPrecinct Station House. This state of the art building will help to deepen  the bond between neighborhood and police with the first ever community event space in an NYPD facility. The new precinct will be located at 567 East 149^th Street, at the corner of St. Anne’s Avenue in the South Bronx. The $68 million project is expected to be completed in Spring 2021.

“While crime is at a record low in New York City, there is still more work to do to ensure that every New Yorker feels safe in their neighborhood,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This new precinct will strengthen the bond between community and police, which will ultimately help make the South Bronx and our City safer.”

“Today, we’re one step closer to fulfilling the pledge we made to the people of the South Bronx four years ago: To build a new, state-of-the-art NYPD facility that belongs to this community like no other station house in the city,”Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill said. “This is critical, because Neighborhood Policing and the shared responsibility of public safety in our city require us to come together. We’re on this path together, and we’re thrilled that this neighborhood will finally get the station house it needs, and the access to its police department it deserves.”

“The new 40th Precinct Station House is designed to meet the administration’s goals for equal opportunity, community well-being and environmental sustainability,” said DDC Acting Commissioner Ana Barrio. “The building will provide community space in an environment that highlights collaboration, as well as everything NYPD needs to do its job efficiently and effectively. DDC is proud to partner with NYPD on this major investment in the future of the South Bronx.”

This new station house will help to further strengthen the bond between New Yorkers and police.  The 42,000 square foot facility will have space for neighborhood events and meetings. This will be the first NYPD facility to have a room solely dedicated to community events.

The new station house will include areas for officer training and for physical fitness. There will be ample space for storage and maintenance of gear and vehicles. The building includes fuel tanks and backup generators that will enable it to continue to serve the community for several days in case of a blackout or other power loss.

The building is also designed to meet the requirements to be certified LEED Silver for environmental sustainability. The structure will include a planted green roof to reduce stormwater runoff. Potable water usage will be one-third less than comparable buildings, and high efficiency fixtures and control systems will reduce energy usage by over ten percent. The station house’s cooling systems will also not use CFC-based refrigerants.

The 40^th Precinct Station House was designed by a firm in the DDC’s Design and Construction Excellence program. The program, which began in 2004, minimizes the timeline for the design procurement process while ensuring the highest levels of quality and professionalism in design and construction projects managed by the agency. All firms in the program are committed to incorporating design guidelines to ensure that public projects are designed and built to the highest standards that comply with the Administration’s goal to create a sustainable, resilient and equitable City.

Engel Statement on Brett Kavanaugh’s Nomination to the Supreme Court

  “Unsurprisingly, the President has chosen another regressive ideologue to serve on the Supreme Court in Brett Kavanaugh. Over the course of a career that can only be described as hyper-partisan, Kavanaugh has demonstrated a history of anti-women, anti-labor, anti-consumer views, and his ultra-conservatism could turn back the clock on decades of American progress. The fact that Kavanaugh cut his teeth working under Kenneth Starr on the Clinton impeachment tells you almost everything you need to know. His appointment by George W. Bush to the federal bench was stalled for three years because of his partisan record, with Senator Ted Kennedy saying at the time Kavanaugh would be the ‘least experienced and most partisan appointee to the court in decades.’ And Kavanaugh is also on record as saying he believes the President of the United States should be exempt from both criminal prosecution and civil suits while in office. How convenient for our current Commander-in-Chief.

“There was a time when a Supreme Court pick like this was considered too outlandish, even for Republicans. But the GOP has so thoroughly lost its moral center that now this type of reckless choice is par for the course.

“When considering what to do next, Senate Democrats would be wise to remember the lessons learned during the ill-fated Merrick Garland nomination in 2016. There, Republicans completely ignored 200 years of etiquette and obliterated the process by which we appoint Supreme Court judges. They also got what they wanted. The Senate should, at the least, postpone consideration of this nomination until after the November elections.”