Friday, June 3, 2016

Senate passes Klein’s NYC day care report card bill



  The New York State Senate passed legislation by State Senator Jeff Klein requiring day care facilities inspected in New York City to prominently display “report cards” at their doors to better inform parents and guardians of their track records.

The legislation (S.5676A) comes on the heels of a major investigative report released in November by Senator Klein and State Senator Diane Savino (D-SI/Brooklyn), “The Hidden Dangers in Day Care,” which exposed child care facilities that consistently racked up violations. In an undercover video sting, day care providers with repeat violations lied to investigators about current and past violations.

“This report card will be presented right at the door, allowing parents to make informed decisions when choosing a day care for their child. We’ve seen too many tragedies borne out of negligent day cares with repeat violations and in unlicensed centers. This report card is a game changer because it places the most critical information in plain sight and will be an indicator of whether a facility is licensed,” said Senator Klein.

“New York City parents have been left in the dark when it comes to violations inside day care facilities. This new report card brings to light the most important information on staffing, possible suspensions, and violation history that parents must know before making a decision to leave their child in the hands of a provider,” said Senator Savino.

This legislation codifies an initiative Senator Klein negotiated with the City of New York to implement performance summary cards at the city’s 2,300 day cares. The inspection cards include information on:

  • The number of years in operation
  • The number of children permitted on site
  • The number of teachers present
  • The number of program suspensions over the past three years
  • The average number of violations from its most recent inspection versus the citywide average;
  • The average number of public health hazard violations from its most recent inspection versus the citywide average; and
  • The number of public health hazard violations racked up over the past year   Final Child Care Performance Report Posting Xs 5-20-16-page-001.jpg  
  • The report, “The Hidden Dangers in Day Care,” exposed a total of 18,102 violations issued to day cares between 2013 and 2015. The average number of violations is eight per day care. With parents unable to easily obtain complete and accurate information, many families were left to discover the perils of their day care only after enrolling their child. Day cares inspected by the State Office of Children and Family Services are already required by law to prominently display their recent inspection and violation histories.

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Join the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and NY Plumbing Wholesale & Supply




North Bronx Democratic Club Petition Training Thursday June 2nd



Join Us
June 2, 2016
Petition Training 

Memorial Day Services at the Rudy Macina Peace Memorial Plaza



The Rudy Macina Memorial Peace Plaza at the corner of Williamsbridge Road and Pelham Parkway came alive for a wonderful Memorial day ceremony. As you can see in the photo above there are monuments to soldiers who fought in World War 1, World War 11, The Korean War, The Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War. The photos should tell the story.


Above - Silvo as his friends call him, was the master of ceremonies for this memorial day celebration at the Rudy Macina Peace Plaza. elected officials, veterans, their families, and friends made up the over 100 people in attendance.
Below - State Senator Jeff Klein talks about the disservice that veterans are getting as the government tries to cut back on veteran benefits. 





Above - Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj explains that he is proud to be an American Albanian.
Below - The laying of the wreath on the monument. 




Above - The firing of the ceremonial gun, by the Theodore Korony American Legion Post 253.
Below - The bugler finishes playing taps in the background as the ceremony comes to an end for this year. 










Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Endorses Jamaal Bailey for New York State Senate



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    Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. endorsed Jamaal T. Bailey for the 36th Senatorial District. Borough President Diaz has worked with Jamaal in several capacities over the years. In 2015, Borough President Diaz awarded him the Inaugural Jonathan Hicks Memorial Award.
“Jamaal Bailey is a hardworking, dedicated young man who will be a wonderful addition to our borough's delegation in Albany and a strong member of an amazing team of Bronx elected officials. Jamaal understands the needs of the 36th State Senate District and the needs of our borough, and he will be a strong fighter in Albany for us on the issues that matter the most--economic development, job creation, healthcare, education and more. I am proud to support Jamaal Bailey's candidacy, and I urge all Democrats to show him their support and vote for him on September 13," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

“I’m honored to accept the endorsement of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.  His dedication to the revitalization of the Bronx has served as an inspiration and it’s a privilege to garner his support in my effort to represent the constituents in the 36th Senatorial district,” said Jamaal Bailey. “I look forward to working with Borough President Diaz to continue to uplift the residents of the Bronx.”

Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joins the prominent list of Bronx elected officials supporting Jamaal Bailey, including Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Bronx Democratic County Chair, Assemblyman Marcos Crespo.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The 36th State Senate seat is currently held by State Senator Ruth Hassel-Thompson who will be leaving to join the Cuomo administration in July. Since there is no incumbent the Bronx Democratic County organization is free to endorse any candidate in the race, as all incumbents this year are being endorsed by the county organization. 

Perillo Tours and Bronx Chamber of Commerce presents Six-Day Trip to Cuba: Sept 21-26



Perillo Tours, in partnership with
The Bronx Chamber of Commerce, presents A Trip to Cuba
Experience Havana, Cuba on a 6-day trip with Perillo Toursfrom September 21 - 26, 2016
TODAY IS THE LAST DAY FOR
THE MAY 31st EARLY BIRD SPECIAL
to receive $100 off per person!

Sunday, May 29, 2016

News From Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman


AG banner_NEW

Holding Domino’s Accountable For Mistreating Its Workers


The Attorney General announced a lawsuit against Domino’s Pizza, Inc., and three franchisees for allegedly underpaying workers over $565,000 at ten stores in New York. This is the first case the Attorney General has alleged that a fast food corporation is liable as a joint employer for labor violations at its franchise stores. The lawsuit revealed that Domino’s allegedly urged franchisees to use payroll reports from a computer system called “PULSE” that under-calculated gross wages. His office’s investigation found that the company also knowingly caused many store operation violations and pushed an anti-union position on franchisees. 
Dominos


Expanding Mortgage Assistance Efforts for Homeowners

 

The Attorney General announced a $100 million expansion of foreclosure prevention efforts to help New York families avoid foreclosures and remain in their homes. The expansion is expected to help over 3,000 families across the state and could preserve $875 million in property value through no-interest loans that will help New Yorkers pay off their mortgage. 
MAP


Receiving a Fair Shot to New York Housing


Three settlement agreements were announced with real estate brokerage firms that conducted unlawful housing discrimination against potential applicants with Section 8 housing vouchers. The Attorney General’s office conducted an investigation which found that all three companies violated local law by discriminating on the basis of source of income. Operating in New York City, Nassau County, and Westchester County, the three firms agreed to reforms including developing new non-discriminatory policies and forwarding any complaints about housing discrimination to the Attorney General’s office. 
Have a question, comment, or complaint? Click here. You can also learn more about the various initiatives of the Attorney General's office by visiting our website atag.ny.gov. You can also call our General Hotline: 800-771-7755

Saturday, May 28, 2016

Mayoral Succession City Charter Sections S9 and S10


     § 9. Removal of mayor. The mayor may be removed from office by the governor upon charges and after service upon him of a copy of the charges and an opportunity to be heard in his defense. Pending the preparation and disposition of charges, the governor may suspend the mayor for a period not exceeding thirty days. § 10. Succession. a. In case of the suspension of the mayor from office, the mayor's temporary inability to discharge the powers and duties of the office of mayor by reason of sickness or otherwise, or the 3 mayor's absence from the city, the powers and duties of the office of mayor shall devolve upon the public advocate or the comptroller in that order of succession until the suspension, inability or absence shall cease. While so acting temporarily as mayor neither the public advocate nor the comptroller shall exercise any power of appointment to or removal from office or any power lawfully delegated by the mayor to a deputy mayor before the commencement of such suspension or inability, or before or after the commencement of such absence; and shall not, until such suspension, inability or absence shall have continued nine days, sign, approve or disapprove any local law or resolution, unless the period during which the mayor can act thereon would expire during said nine days in which case the public advocate or the comptroller shall have the power to disapprove the same within forty-eight hours before the time to act expires. b. In the case of a failure of a person elected as mayor to qualify, or a vacancy in the office caused by the mayor's resignation, removal, death or permanent inability to discharge the powers and duties of the office of mayor, such powers and duties shall devolve upon the public advocate, the comptroller or a person selected pursuant to subdivision c of section twenty-eight, in that order of succession, until a new mayor shall be elected as provided herein. Upon the commencement of the term of the person first elected mayor pursuant to the provisions of subdivision c of this section, the person then acting as mayor pursuant to the provisions of this subdivision, if an elected official, shall complete the term of the office to which such person was elected if any remains. c. 1. Within three days of the occurrence of a vacancy in the office of the mayor, the person acting as mayor shall proclaim the date for the election or elections required by this subdivision, provide notice of such proclamation to the city clerk and the board of elections and publish notice thereof in the City Record. After the proclamation of the date for an election to be held pursuant to paragraphs four or five of this subdivision, the city clerk shall publish notice thereof not less than twice in each week preceding the date of such election in newspapers distributed within the city, and the board of elections shall mail notice of such election to all registered voters within the city. 2. If a vacancy occurs during the first three years of the term, a general election to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term shall be held in the year in which the vacancy occurs, unless the vacancy occurs after the last day on which an occuring vacancy may be filled at the general election in that same year with party nominations of candidates for such election being made at a primary election, as provided in section 6-116 of the election law. If such a vacancy occurs in any year after such last day, it shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term at the general election in the following year provided, however, that no general election to fill a vacancy shall be held in the last year of the term, except as provided in paragraph nine of this subdivision. Party nominations of candidates for a general election to fill a vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term shall be made at a primary election, except as provided in paragraph five of this subdivision. 3. If a special or general election to fill the vacancy on an interim basis has not been previously held pursuant to paragraphs four, six, seven and eight of this subdivision, the person elected to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term at a general election shall take office immediately upon qualification and shall serve until 4 the term expires. If a special or general election to fill the vacancy on an interim basis has been previously held, the person elected to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term at a general election shall take office on January first of the year following such general election and shall serve until the term expires. 4. If a vacancy occurs during the first three years of the term and on or before the last day in the third year of the term on which an occurring vacancy may be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term at a general election with party nominations of candidates for such election being made at a primary election, as provided in section 6-116 of the election law, a special or general election to fill the vacancy on an interim basis shall be held, unless the vacancy occurs less than ninety days before the next primary election at which party nominations for a general election to fill the vacancy may be made and on or before the last day on which an occurring vacancy may be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term at the general election in the same year in which the vacancy occurs with party nominations of candidates for such election being made at a primary election, as provided in section 6-116 of the election law. 5. If a vacancy occurs after the last day in the third year of the term on which an occurring vacancy may be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term at a general election in each year with party nominations of candidates for such election are being made at a primary election, as provided in section 6-116 of the election law, but not less than ninety days before the date of the primary election in the fourth year of such term, a special or general election to fill such vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term shall be held. 6. Elections held pursuant to paragraph four or five of this subdivision shall be scheduled in the following manner: a special election to fill the vacancy shall be held on the first Tuesday at least sixty days after the occurrence of the vacancy, provided that the person acting as mayor, in the proclamation required by paragraph one of this subdivision, may schedule such election for another day not more than ten days after such Tuesday and not less than forty days after such proclamation if the person acting as mayor determines that such rescheduling is necessary to facilitate maximum voter participation; except that (a) if the vacancy occurs before September twentieth in any year and the first Tuesday at least sixty days after the occurrence of the vacancy is less than ninety days before a regularly scheduled general election or between a primary and a general election, the vacancy shall be filled at such general election; and (b) if the vacancy occurs before September twentieth in any year and the first Tuesday at least sixty days after the occurrence of the vacancy is after a regularly scheduled general election, the vacancy shall be filled at such general election; and (c) if the vacancy occurs on or after September twentieth in any year and the first Tuesday at least sixty days after the occurrence of the vacancy is after, but less than thirty days after, a regularly scheduled general election, the vacancy shall be filled at a special election to be held on the first Tuesday in December in such year. 7. All nominations for elections to fill vacancies held pursuant to paragraphs four and five of this subdivision shall be by independent nominating petition. A signature on an independent nominating petition made earlier than the date of the proclamation required by paragraph one of this subdivision shall not be counted.