Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez - Amnesty for Fines of Taxi Drivers in New York City

  Monday, May 14th, Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, standing with taxi drivers in Inwood, called on the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission to forgive fines issued not related to pedestrian safety for any TLC licensed drivers.

 

This call comes in response to the critical state of the taxi industry. Over the past fourth months, four taxi drivers have committed suicide while medallion values continue to plummet.

 

"We are in the middle of a crisis in the taxi industry that is hurting hard-working New Yorkers, many of whom are immigrants that came to this country in search of a better future for their families. It is incumbent upon us as policymakers to employ any tools at our disposal to make sure we're not abandoning these families to their fate," said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez.

 

The proposal would benefit the 180,000 TLC-licensed drivers in New York City. Cumulatively, drivers owe between $2 million and $3 million in TLC fines.

 

TLC Chair Meera Joshi said she would be open to taking a closer look at the council member's proposal. She added that her office has already implemented a policy to warn drivers when they commit minor infractions before issuing a fine. The agency is exploring ways for drivers to be able to pay outstanding fines. The TLC Driver Protection Unit is working closely with drivers to create payment plans and they are not pushed out of the industry because they are not able to pay their fines.

Council Member Rodriguez was a taxi driver himself when he first moved to New York when he emigrated from the Dominican Republic. He has a longstanding history of defending the interests of taxi drivers and fighting to level the playing field for yellow taxis, for-hire vehicles, and liveries. Among many other pieces of legislation and oversight hearings on the industry, the council member spearheaded the efforts to pass Local Law 135 to require FHV bases provided a means to allow passengers to provide drivers with a tip (gratuity) using the same method of payment passengers use to pay for the fare. Local Law 58 changes the tax on the transfer of a taxicab license from 5% of the consideration given for such transfer to 0.5% of the consideration given for such transfer.

Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz - WHAT’S ALL THIS FUSS ABOUT TAXI AND LIMOUSINE COMMISSION (TLC) FINES?

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz

District 18 Bronx County, New York

You should know that on Monday, February 12^th, 2018 I convened my first committee hearing for the newly created “For-Hire Vehicle Committee” (FHV). The topic of this first hearing was TLC enforcement and the manner in which the inspectors treat drivers.   

The Committee heard testimony for seven hours, and it became very clear that the laws enacted in 2011 and 2016 (later codified as Local Laws 35 and 52) have succeeded in creating such excessive fines. These fines were both destroying the lives of drivers as well as violating the 8th Amendment to the US Constitution.  How did they manage to accomplish both?

It is important for you to know what happened in the industry between 2011 and 2018 may best be demonstrated with two statistics.  

First, the number of average rides per day has decreased to the point that in January 2011 the average daily trips for the taxi/FHV industry were 482,811.  Seven years later in January 2018, the figure was 282,565.  In other words in just seven (7) years the daily ridership for all taxi and FHV was decreased by almost half.

Second, in January 2011 there were a total of 39,708 total For-Hire Vehicles, and seven (7) years later there were 102,536.  In seven (7) years the numbers of For-Hire Vehicles rose by more than double and the number of daily trips fell by half.

  

Then in 2011 the New York City Mayor, the City Council, and its Speaker decided to greatly increase fines for taxi drivers and For-Hire Vehicles from $350 to $1,000. Not content, these were raised again in 2016 to $10,000. So while the number of For-Hire Vehicles were increasing to more than 150%, the Mayor, Council, and the Speaker added these huge fines. It is no wonder that a $1,000 fine wipes out a driver’s earnings for a month. 

My dear reader, you should know that my legal counsel has informed me these fines are in violation of the US Constitution, specifically the 8th Amendment. Most persons are familiar with the prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, but there's another part which forbids “excessive bail, shall not be required nor excessive fines imposed.” The Supreme Court waited until 1998 to let us know what “excessive” fines are. They are fines which are not proportional to the offense caused.

During the hearing, we learned TLC Inspectors set up drivers by posing as passengers, sometimes as a handicapped individual in need of a taxi. In other situations, the inspector just opens the door and enters the taxi without the driver’s authorization.

  

Could you imagine my dear reader in 2018 that a $1,000 fine is costing a driver his/her monthly take home? It’s even worse to know these fines many times are given when a driver has been set up by the TLC Inspector. Ridiculous!

  

The solution to end this abuse is to repeal the 2011 and 2016 Local Laws 35 & 52. I am not urging lawlessness. I believe anyone who breaks the law should fined, but fines should be proportional to the harm caused. That’s why I have asked for such legislation.  

  

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

STATE SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA INDUCTS CLAUDE S. COPELAND JR. INTO NYS VETERAN'S HALL OF FAME

  State Senator Gustavo Rivera honored Claude S. Copeland, Jr. at the New York State Senate's 2018 Veteran's Hall of Fame Ceremony. This event seeks to honor those across the state that served as members of the United States Armed Forces and who have served their community with the same honor and dedication. Every year, State Senators across New York State nominate one veteran from their district to be inducted to the Hall of Fame.

Claude S. Copeland, Jr., was a Specialist for the United States Army from May 2001 to November 2008. In 2003, he was deployed to Iraq for almost a year. During his service, he received the Army Achievement Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Claude currently serves his neighbors and community through his social justice work as the Climate Justice and Energy Democracy Organizer for the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition. He is a staunch advocate and focuses his efforts on fighting for oppressed individuals within his community and abroad. Claude found his purpose in social justice work after joining New Day United Methodist Church in the Bronx. Claude is an active member of About Face, a progressive-thinking organization where he helped organize hundreds of veteran members to support the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and others aligned against an interstate pipeline that was planned for their territory. On a local level, he worked vigorously with the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Association in successfully securing a Community Benefits Agreement for the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory into the country's largest ice sports complex. Claude selflessly dedicates his time to participate in an array of community organizations to improve access and opportunities in underserved communities. Claude Copeland is originally from Queens, NY, but has chosen to make the borough of the Bronx his home.

"I am very proud to honor Mr. Claude S. Copeland, Jr. by inducting him into the New York State Veteran's Hall of Fame for the 33rd Senate District. Claude works closely with my team, and so many others, to address energy access and sustainability by helping families with utility bills and by fighting for climate and environmental justice for the Bronx. Claude shows us every day what being an armed forces member teaches you about service to our country in the name of peace. His commitment to fostering change within his own community and beyond serves as an example to us all," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera.

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES FIRST-IN-NATION TASK FORCE TO EXAMINE AUTOMATED DECISION SYSTEMS USED BY THE CITY

   Mayor de Blasio announced the creation of the Automated Decision Systems Task Force which will explore how New York City uses algorithms. The task force, the first of its kind in the U.S., will work to develop a process for reviewing “automated decision systems,” commonly known as algorithms, through the lens of equity, fairness and accountability.

“As data and technology become more central to the work of city government, the algorithms we use to aid decision making must be aligned with our goals and values,” said Mayor de Blasio. “The establishment of the Automated Decision Systems Task Force is an important first step towards greater transparency and equity in our use of technology.”

“Fairness and equity are at the heart of human rights, and we are pleased to be partnering with leaders in and out of government to make sure City government itself aligns with these core values,” said Chair and Commissioner of the NYC Commission on Human Rights, Carmelyn P. Malalis. “The NYC Commission on Human Rights is proud to be part of New York City’s groundbreaking effort to ensure equity and transparency in the City’s use of algorithmic tools and we look forward to working with members of the task force and NYC diverse communities on this effort.”

The Task Force, the product of a law passed by City Council in December 2017, aims to produce a report in December 2019 recommending procedures for reviewing and assessing City algorithmic tools to ensure equity and opportunity.

 “We are excited to be the first city in the country bringing our best technology and policy minds together to understand how algorithms affect the daily lives of our constituents. Whether the city has made a decision about school placements, criminal justice, or the provision of social services, this unprecedented legislation gets us one step closer to making algorithms accountable, transparent, and free of potential bias. I thank my former colleague, James Vacca, for spearheading this effort while he was in the Council, and the Mayor for his support,” said Speaker Corey Johnson.

The task force will be co-chaired by Emily W. Newman, Acting Director of the Mayor’s Office of Operations, and Brittny Saunders, Deputy Commissioner for Strategic Initiatives at the Commission on Human Rights. It will be composed of City agency commissioners or their designees, as well as representatives from a variety of fields, including individuals from academic and legal communities, experts in data and technology, and leaders of nonprofits and think tanks. Representatives from the Department of Social Services, the New York City Police Department, the Department of Transportation, the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, the Administration for Children’s Services, and the Department of Education are will also be named to the task force.

“I’m honored to co-chair the ADS Task Force, as its work will no doubt contribute to making New York City the fairest big City in the country,” said Emily W. Newman, Acting Director of the Mayor’s Office of Operations. “With equity and fairness as our guiding principles, I look forward to working alongside leaders and experts from multiple fields as we examine how the city uses algorithms to guide its decision making.”

“As emerging technologies evolve, it is imperative that they are developed and used with equity in mind,” saidDeputy Commissioner for Strategic Initiatives at the Commission on Human Rights, Brittny Saunders. “I am honored to co-chair this important task force and look forward to working alongside leaders and experts to increase transparency around these critical tools.”

“Cities must operate through the lens of understanding the many facets that make up their diverse mosaics,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric L Adams. “This algorithmic data task force, which has an incredibly broad cross-section of members, is a welcome step in ensuring that the City’s day-to-day functions and resource allocations meet New Yorkers’ needs while addressing generational disparities. Equity should be at the forefront of all service delivery in every function of our municipal government.”

"Open data promotes open government. Today, our city makes another big step towards a more transparent government for all New Yorkers," said Council Member Peter Koo, Chair of the Committee on Technology. "The findings of the Automated Decision Systems Task Force will allow us to better understand what data is used, and how it is used, and will help us create a more equal system for all of our residents. I thank Mayor De Blasio and the NYC Commission on Human Rights for making our government more open, fair, and accountable, and I look forward to working with the new task force to ensure these values remains a priority for all city agencies."

Task Force Co-Chairs:

Emily W. Newman, Acting Director of the Mayor’s Office of Operations

Brittny Saunders, Deputy Commissioner for Strategic Initiatives at the NYC Commission on Human Rights

Task Force members include:

Solon Barocas, Assistant Professor, Cornell University

Shelby Chestnut, National Organizing and Policy Strategist, Transgender Law Center

Khalil Cumberbatch, Associate Vice President for Policy, The Fortune Society

Judith H. Germano, Esq., Founder, GermanoLaw LLC; Senior Fellow on Cybersecurity, NYU Center on Law & Security

Afaf Nasher, Esq., Executive Director, Council on American-Islamic Relations – New York

Jennifer Rodgers, Esq., Executive Director, Center for the Advancement of Public Integrity at Columbia Law School

Julie Samuels, Esq., Executive Director, Tech:NYC

Vincent Southerland, Esq., Executive Director, Center on Race, Equality, and the Law at NYU Law School

Julia Stoyanovich, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Drexel University; Data, Responsibly

Meredith Whittaker, Co-Founder, AI Now Institute; Distinguished Research Scientist, NYU

Maya D. Wiley, Esq., Senior Vice President for Social Justice, The New School; Co-Director, Digital Equity Laboratory at The New School

Jeannette M. Wing, Avanessians Director of the Data Science Institute and Professor of Computer Science at Columbia University

Rosa Parks is the name you know. Claudette Colvin is a name you probably should.

Did you know we have a Civil Rights Icon living in Parkchester?

 Join NAACP Parkchester Branch as they pay tribute to

CLAUDETTE COLVIN

HEAR HER REMARKABLE STORY

Question and Answer to follow

Claudette Colvin unsung civil rights heroine refuse to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus nine months before Rosa Parks. Claudette Colvin’s actions and not Rosa Parks’ that became the basis for the court case, Browder v. Gayle that ended segregation on public transportation in Montgomery. 

St. Paul's Church 

1891 McGraw Avenue

Sunday May 20th 3:30 PM

49 PCT NCO SECTOR ADAM "BUILD A BLOCK" MEETING at the Morris Park Community Ctr., 1824 Bronxdale Ave

New York City Police Department

The 49th Precinct

Neighborhood Coordination Officers

Giuseppe Cannova  AND  Janine Varela 

Sector A – Morris Park & Van Nest 

***“BUILD A BLOCK” MEETING***

At Morris Park Community Ctr., 1824 Bronxdale Ave.

THIS Thursday, May 17th 7:30 PM 

***BRONX NYPD 49th Precinct***

Commanding Officer, DEPUTY INSPECTOR Thomas J. Alps

2121 Eastchester Road

Bronx, New York 10461

Precinct: (718) 918-2000

http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/precincts/precinct_049.shtml

News From Congressman Eliot Engel,

Engel Statement on Senate Passing Resolution Protecting Net Neutrality

   “I applaud my colleagues in the Senate for passing a resolution to protect net neutrality today. This vote is a huge victory for the American people, the majority of whom overwhelmingly support maintaining net neutrality. A free and open internet is essential to modern democracy and thus must be protected under any circumstance. Now that the Senate has taken this important step, it is up to the GOP controlled House to follow suit. Leadership must allow the House to vote on this critical resolution, which already has 162 cosponsors, myself included.”  

Engel Speaks in Opposition to GOP Cuts to SNAP in Farm Bill

  Congressman Eliot Engel took to the House floor today to speak in opposition to House Republicans’ proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in their Farm Bill.

“SNAP is a lifeline for 40 million low-income Americans and millions of working families,” Engel said. “It is the most effective anti-hunger program in the country.

“And yet, instead of protecting a successful program like SNAP, this cruel GOP bill would take over $23 billion in benefits away from children, seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and working families struggling to make ends meet.”

Video of Congressman Engel’s remarks can be found at this link. Text of the remarks as prepared for delivery can be found below:

Mr. Speaker,

I rise in opposition to the Rule.

SNAP is a lifeline for 40 million low-income Americans and millions of working families.  It is the most effective anti-hunger program in the country.  It is a proven pathway out of poverty for America’s most vulnerable families. 

And yet, instead of protecting a successful program like SNAP, this cruel GOP bill would take over $23 billion in benefits away from children, seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and working families struggling to make ends meet. 

My colleagues on the other side of the aisle argue that the requirements in this Farm Bill would help people find work.  But if they are really interested in promoting jobs that allow people to care for themselves and their families, then I’d invite them to consider legislation to raise the minimum wage, ensure fair work scheduling, provide paid family and medical leave and paid sick days, and address basic living standards.

Instead, we’re considering a callous Farm Bill that cuts benefits from those who need it most in order to pay for massive handouts to corporations and the top one percent.

I urge my colleagues to vote against this rule.

DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION UNVEILS WOMEN.NYC, NEW PLATFORM DEDICATED TO HELPING WOMEN SUCCEED

New website and marketing campaign will help make NYC fairer for working women

Women across the five boroughs are encouraged to share their experiences, advice and goals with #NYCPowerMove

  First Lady of New York City Chirlane McCray and Deputy Mayor of Housing and Economic Development Alicia Glen today unveiled Women.NYC, a new initiative to  support the advancement of women in their careers and help make New York City fairer for working women. The website and citywide marketing campaign will provide access to key resources and tools that will help advance women in the workplace.

The launch of Women.NYC is in response to known gender disparities in the workplace and seeks to motivate other women to make “power moves” to further their careers and get equal pay for equal work. Campaign ads and videos that will be located throughout the city can be viewed here.

“This Administration has taken bold steps to fight the forces of inequality that are holding society back, and this new initiative will give women the tools they need to succeed in one, easy to access place. I thank the First Lady and Deputy Mayor Glen for spearheading this effort that will help make New York City fairer for women,” saidMayor Bill de Blasio.

"New York City cannot continue as a successful city if women cannot succeed too. And now, for the first time in history, the women of New York City have all the tools they need to succeed in one place with Women.NYC," saidFirst Lady Chirlane McCray, co-chair for the Commission on Gender Equity. "Power means something different for every woman, but we are all better off when every woman can tap into her power."

"Women have waited long enough for equal pay, power and respect. In New York City, we aren’t going to wait any longer. That's why we are launching Women.NYC," said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Alicia Glen. "We know women can do it alone. But we don't have to. Women now have concrete tools for concrete success, all in one, easy-to-navigate place. New York City is already the best city in the world for women. Today, we're making it even better."

The Women.NYC website will function as a one-stop-shop that will provide information, resources, and tools on key topics such as finding a job, starting and running a business, getting legal help, accessing health services, raising a child/family, money management and more.

The initiative is backed by a citywide marketing campaign comprised of traditional and digital media that will be located at various, highly trafficked and visible locations throughout the five boroughs and online. The thought-provoking ads are meant to encourage women across the city to share the story of their career journey and inspire other women using the hashtag #NYCPowerMove.

Despite significant progress made under the de Blasio Administration to date, such as establishing Pre-K For All, instituting paid sick and family leave, and banning questions about salary history to prevent pay discrimination, many women continue to face barriers to success due to a number of factors like inflexible family leave policies and societal reinforcement of gender-normative career tracks.

The Stats

In New York City, women earn about 89 cents on the dollar compared to men, and out of the 55 Fortune 500 companies in New York City, only one has a female CEO.

The numbers are staggering for women-owned businesses too. On average, female-owned businesses generate 61 percent less revenue than male-owned businesses. In NYC, there are 360,000 women entrepreneurs, yet men own 1.5 times the number of businesses, have 3.5 times the number of employees, and generate 4.5 times the amount of revenue. Women own 30 percent of small businesses in the country, but only 4.4 percent of small business loans are allocated to women.

What Women.NYC Can Do

The Women.NYC site will function as a unified platform that will foster an online community of change-makers, local leaders and more. Women are encouraged make their voices heard, get engaged, use their agency to create new partnerships, develop programming and introduce policy ideas that support the advancement of women professionally and personally. 

In addition to positioning NYC as the leading city in the world for women, the initiative is specifically calling on the private sector to do their part to close the pay gap by 2028, achieve gender parity on corporate boards and senior leadership teams by 2025, and offer at least six weeks of paid parental leave for new parents. 

Following the initial campaign launch, there will be a series of workshops, forums and new programs designed to help women and promote the initiative. 

New Yorkers can get involved with Women.NYC by following @Women_NYC on Instagram, sharing power move stories using the hashtag #NYCPowerMove, and logging on to Women.NYC to learn how the city can help you and your sisters, friends, mothers, and daughters achieve more.