Spring report

Spring 2015 In This Issue

About Us 2 Policy 3 Events 7 Actions 9 Meetings 12 Victories 13

PROGRESS REPORT WORKING TOWARD A MORE EQUAL, MORE JUST NEW YORK

Progress Report | Spring 2015

ABOUT US The Progressive Caucus was formed in 2010 with the mission to combat all forms of discrimination and advance public policies that offer genuine opportunity to all New Yorkers, especially those who are marginalized and who have been unable to access the full benefits of our city's prosperity.

Membership for the 2014-2017 term includes: Council Member Antonio Reynoso, Co-Chair Council Member Donovan Richards, Co-Chair Council Member Ben Kallos, Vice-Chair for Policy Council Member Helen Rosenthal, Vice-Chair for Budget Council Member Margaret Chin, District 1, Manhattan Council Member Daniel Dromm, District 25, Queens Council Member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland, District 21, Queens Council Member Corey Johnson, District 3, Manhattan Council Member Brad Lander, District 39, Brooklyn Council Member Stephen Levin, District 33, Brooklyn Council Member Mark Levine, District 7, Bronx Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, District 8 Council Member Carlos Menchaca, District 38, Brooklyn Council Member I. Daneek Miller, District 27, Queens Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, District 10, Manhattan Council Member Deborah Rose, District 49, Staten Island Council Member Ritchie Torres, District 15, Bronx Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, District 26, Queens Council Member Jumaane D. Williams, District 45, Brooklyn

OUR ADVANCEMENT

GOALS A Affordable Housing

Opportunity Improvements

D Defend Workers’ Rights

V Vital Investments in Public Services

A Address Employment Discrimination

N Neighborhood Fair Share System

C Community Safety & Empowerment

E Expand & Modernize Democracy

M Minimize Inequality

E Environmental Justice & Sustainability

N New, Livable Streets Model

T Tenant Protection & Preservation

Our ADVANCEMENT

Agenda hopes to promote, better and develop the

capacities and economic circumstances of working

class New Yorkers.


POLICY NYC Passes Gender Identity Bill

Sanitation Hearing • Waste Equity Bill

On January 8th, Int. 491 was adopted into the City Charter. The bill allows individuals to change their gender designation by having a medical or mental health professional fill out an affidavit or affirmation attesting that the changed sex designation more accurately reflects the applicant's sex gender identity.

“Having such a critical document that correctly reflects your gender identity is a basic human right that too many transgender people have been denied for far too long,” said Council Member Corey Johnson, Chair of the Committee on Health. “These measures will transform transgender individuals’ lives in ways that other people take for granted.”

“My community and others have been suffering the effects of high concentrations of waste transfer stations for too long. Our children have asthma and other associated health problems, and our streets are dangerous and in disrepair. We need action on the City’s commitment to borough equity for processing waste,” said Council Member Antonio Reynoso, Chair of the Committee on Sanitation.

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On February 13th, the Council held a hearing on legislation that will ensure the fair distribution of garbage handling. Int. 496 follows through on the City Solid Waste Management Plan’s commitment to ensure relief for communities long overburdened by waste impacts. Currently, nearly three-fourths of all waste handled in NYC is trucked to transfer stations in just three communities – North Brooklyn, the South Bronx and Southeast Queens.


Policy NYC Passes • Worker Cooperatives Bill

NYC Passes • Employee Credit Check Ban

On March 18th, Mayor de Blasio signed Int. 423 into law. The City is now required to report the number of worker cooperatives awarded city contracts and assisted by SBS. Worker cooperatives are owned and managed democratically by their employees and tend to provide higher wages, better hours, and more job security to workers than other small businesses.

“We live in a world where CEO’s live in luxury and their workers depend on food stamps,” said Council Member Helen Rosenthal, Chair of the Committee on Contracts. “It doesn’t have to be this way. Worker co-operatives can help lift people from dead-end jobs into the middle class. I am committed to finding ways for the City to support and expand worker co-operatives.”

“This week, we heard from a recently laid-off single mom, worried about finding a new job because of her daughter’s college loans on her credit report. She wrote that this law gives her ‘a new lease on life.’ Thank you to Speaker Mark-Viverito for consistently standing up for the most vulnerable New Yorkers, to Co-Sponsor Debi Rose, Chair Mealy, and to my colleagues supporting this legislation,” said Council Member Brad Lander.

On May 6th, the NYC Coalition to Stop Credit Checks celebrated the passage of Int. 261 that eliminates the unfair and discriminatory use of credit checks by employers. The bill also restricts the use of credit checks for any promotion, demotion, or compensation decisions. Getting more New Yorkers back to work will also help the city and the state to increase economic growth.


Consumer Affairs Committee • CLEAN Act

NYC Passes • Fair Chance Act

On June 29th, New Yorkers with criminal records and their advocates celebrated the adoption of Intro 318. Progressive Caucus Council Members Jumaane D. Williams, Corey Johnson, and Ritchie Torres introduced this legislation that is designed to help ensure that people with conviction histories have a fair chance at employment and are not unlawfully shut out of the job market. “The Fair Chance Act will ensure that all New Yorkers, including those with convictions for previous mistakes, will have an equal opportunity to compete for jobs that they qualify for. Not only does employment strengthen communities and lower recidivism, but employers will have access to a broader range of qualified candidates to consider. NYC joins more than 17 states and 100 cities to give all applicants a fair chance,” said Council Member Jumaane D. Williams.

“Through smart licensing and regulation, the CLEAN Act will create a level playing field in the industry while protecting public health. This vital legislation will benefit everyone who stays at New York City’s hotels, eats at its restaurants, and seeks care at its healthcare facilities,” said Council Member Ritchie Torres.

On June 18th, the Council held a hearing on the CLEAN Act, or Int. 697. This bill would extend licensing and regulation to industrial laundries and laundry delivery while establishing minimum standards of cleanliness. Ensuring best practices would transform irresponsible laundries into responsible businesses and benefit us all.

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POLICY NYC Passes • Hotel Public Safety Committee • Conversion Bill Right to Know Act

On June 29th, during a Committee on Public Safety hearing on several pieces of policing legislation, coalition members called for the Council to demonstrate national leadership by passing the Right to Know Act as common sense legislation that can help protect New Yorkers and improve accountability and transparency with identification and consent to search during NYPD interactions.

On June 2nd, Mayor de Blasio signed Int. 592 that preserves important hospitality jobs by placing limitations on the conversion of certain hotel space for purposes other than transient use. The bill allows converting approximately 20% of the area used for sleeping to a different use. To convert additional space, a hotel owner would have to apply to the Hotel Conversion Review Board, created by this bill.

Social Media Update Facebook | facebook.com/nycprogressives | 166 New Likes | ^110% Twitter | @nycprogressives | 385 New Followers | ^30% Blog | nycprogressives.com | 4,721 Views | ^40%


EVENTS Domestic Violence Council Briefing

Albany Education Lobby Day

Spring Social Hour March 4th • Dark Horse Tavern

On February 25th, the Progressive Caucus and Women’s Caucus held an informational Council briefing on domestic violence programs and prevention efforts in the city. Members welcomed the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence along with organizations CONNECT, and Day One to present on the impact of relationship violence including: reports of the latest statistics regarding incident rates, case management and educational services and new initiatives that address consequential issues including legal, health and housing.

In March, the Caucus urged lawmakers at the state level to address staggering inequalities by investing $2.5 billion to public schools, a result of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity. In a letter addressed to Governor Cuomo and legislature leadership, members outlined education priorities including: reducing high stakes indicators, limiting charter expansion, rejecting public school privatization and establishing local school control.

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EVENTS Solidarity with Ayotzinapa Families

NYCC Bike to Work Day • May 14, 2015

Albany Housing Lobby Day

On April 22nd, the Caucus welcomed the Ayotzinapa Caravana 43 to New York City. The Caravana—a coalition of affected persons, allies, and advocates hoped to bring attention to the disappearance of 43 Mexican students in fall of 2014. The investigation that followed the kidnappings was widely covered and debated in Mexico as well as across the Americas.

“The level of organizing in NYC in the name of these students and their families—largely led by Guerrero natives--has been incredibly inspiring, and has offered us all the opportunity to call for justice and transparency in Mexico, while raising the voices of those who have suffered locally at the hands of brutality,” said Council Member Carlos Menchaca, Chair of Committee on Immigration.

During National Bike Month, Caucus members invited Council offices and advocates to celebrate the many benefits and opportunities of biking across all communities. Council members stood in support of a number of cycling initiatives including: increasing bike safety, creating biking infrastructure, improving bike access, and expanding Citi Bike.

In June, Council Members met state officials and protested in an effort to renew and reform NYC’s rent laws. They proposed the following reforms in order to address problematic rent law loopholes that are endangering vulnerable New Yorkers including: repeal vacancy deregulation, honor preferential rents, reform major capital improvement increases (MCI) and individual apartment increases (IAI), and protect Mitchell-Lama/Section 8 Tenants along with rent controlled tenants.


ACTIONS Members Rally against Illegal Hotels

Caucus Advocates for Citywide Bus Rapid Transit

On January 20th, a diverse coalition of elected officials, housing advocates, and tenants rallied against illegal short-term apartment rentals. Illegal hotels pose a grave threat our city’s already limited stock of affordable housing, encourage landlord harassment, and create building-wide security, safety, and nuisance issues that disrupt the quality of life for tenants and illegal renters alike.

In February, the Caucus sent a letter urging the commissioners of DOT and the MTA to bring full-featured BRT to New York City The inequality of transit access across the city, job-growth in the outer boroughs underserved by public transit systems, as well as patterns of displacement have limited transit options for lower income families and communities of color.

“The safety and affordability of our city must be protected. We need to ensure that AirBnB is not putting profit over people by allowing unsafe or illegal practices that threaten New Yorkers and the affordability of our neighborhoods. Thanks to the proactive leadership of Chair Jumaane Williams and others, the New York City Council can ask the hard questions about what the sharing economy really means for residents,” said Council Member Ben Kallos.

“By prioritizing funding to expand Bus Rapid Transit service our City will provide better public transportation access to thousands of New Yorkers that are disproportionately faced with longer commutes in Queens,” said Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer. “Bolstering BRT lines will provide borough residents with a reliable public transportation alternative that they currently lack by putting in place a cost effective solution they can begin to rely on.”

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ACTIONS Caucus calls on Governor for Special Prosecutor

Call for Action on Bag Bill by Earth Day

The Caucus sent a letter to Governor Cuomo urging him to take immediate action for cases of police brutality. Joined by surviving family members of New Yorkers killed by police, members called for a special prosecutor in killings by police. As a result, on July 7 the Governor by executive order designated Attorney General Schneiderman as a Special Prosecutor in cases of unarmed civilian deaths by police officers.

“We are dealing with an antiquated justice system where grand jury decisions are hidden behind closed doors and clouded with half-truths and bias,” said Council Member Mark Levine. “We will continue to fail those we have sworn to protect until we bring fairness back into our courts by appointing special prosecutors without vested interests and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.”

In March, environmental advocates rallied to shed light on the harmful effects of plastic bag pollution on the city’s infrastructure and ecosystems, the millions of dollars spent each year disposing of plastic bag waste, and the disproportionate impact of bag waste on low-income communities. As a result, a commitment to address disposable bags was included in the ambitious zero waste goals in the One NYC plan.

“As our coalition continues to grow and more New Yorkers recognize just how easy it is to curb the wasteful and costly use of disposable plastic bags, it’s clear that our city is ready to move forward,” said Council Member Margaret Chin. “Let’s take this historic step to reduce the waste stream in every New York City community by joining so many other cities in the worldwide effort to cut back on plastic bags.”


Caucus calls for Port Ambrose Veto

Caucus Campaign to Eliminate School Lunch Fees

In April, Caucus members joined a coalition of over 140 advocacy organizations, business leaders, and many colleagues in State government urging Governor Cuomo to reject an environmentally detrimental proposal for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility several miles off the shore of Long Island. Members proudly co-sponsor Resolution 549 calling on a veto of Port Ambrose LNG terminal application.

“Today’s resolution calls on Governor Cuomo to make the decision to promote renewable energy and reject the further proliferation of “natural gas” and other fossil fuels,” said Council Member Donovan Richards. “A liquefied natural gas port is an unnecessary and dangerous imposition upon coastal communities, marine life and future efforts to develop off shore energy.”

Throughout budget negotiations the Council City advocated for the expansion of free school lunch in every NYC public school. Unfortunately, the FY16 city budget did not reflect this important opportunity to combat hunger and increase student achievement.

“Free lunch for all ensures that no child is left hungry due to stigma,” said Council Member Daniel Dromm. “Students perform best when they are not hungry. Offering free lunch to all our students pays for itself in many ways and should be implemented citywide.”

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MEETINGS

JANUARY POLICY COMMITTEE FEBRUARY CAUCUS FEBRUARY POLICY COMMITTEE MARCH POLICY COMMITTEE MARCH CAUCUS

APRIL POLICY COMMITTEE APRIL STRATEGY MEETING MAY CAUCUS MAY POLICY COMMITTEE JUNE CAUCUS


VICTORIES FY16 Budget

EXECUTIVE BUDGET RESPONSE… ADVANCEMENT GOAL Capital investment of $300M for public library repairs and $43M for city-wide 6-day service

- Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer

Minimize Inequality

Anti-gun Violence Initiative and Cure Violence sites receive additional $2.14M totaling $8.84M

- Councilman Jumaane D. Williams Community Safety & Empowerment

Over $20M in living wage expansions for 30,000 city contract workers

- Councilman Brad Lander Defend Workers’ Rights

Commission on Human Rights received $1.5M for additional personnel.

- Councilwoman Debi Rose Address Employment Discrimination

Funding to HRA to increase IDNYC program, outreach and sites

- Councilman Carlos Menchaca Expand & Modernize Democracy

The Progressive Caucus applauds Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Finance Chairwoman Julissa Ferreras-Copeland and Mayor Bill de Blasio for proposing and adopting a fiscally responsible and socially inclusive budget for the upcoming year. We were proud to have been active partners in ensuring that the city can provide opportunities to not only support but advance residents in a significant way. Transparency and collaboration were evident at every stage of negotiations and we’d like to highlight a series of member-driven outcomes that were successfully achieved.

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BUDGET OUTCOMES

CITY COUNCIL INITIATIVES… ADVANCEMENT GOAL Student Voter Registration Day, +$334K - Councilwoman Helen

Rosenthal Expand & Modernize

Democracy Parks Equity Initiative, +$900K - Councilman Mark Levine New, Livable Streets Model

Senior Centers for Immigrant Populations, +$1M

- Councilwoman Margaret Chin

Minimize Inequality

NYC Youth Council, +$349K - Councilman Ritchie Torres Expand & Modernize Democracy

Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention with Center for NYC Neighborhoods,+$250K

- Council Members Donovan Richards & I. Daneek Miller

Affordable Housing Improvements & Opportunities

LOCAL INITIATIVES… ADVANCEMENT GOAL Asphalt Green, $175K for 1,300 children/year free, school day swim program

- Councilman Ben Kallos Minimize Inequality

Brotherhood Sister Sol, $120K to raise awareness about food justice and accessibility

- Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras-Copeland

Environmental Justice & Sustainability

Community League of the Heights, $100K to youth services providing education, job training, internship opportunities, and college assistance

- Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez

Minimize Inequality

Care for the Homeless, $50K for patient-centered health care, human services and shelter to homeless individuals and families

- Councilman Stephen Levin Vital Investments in Public Services

Churches United for Fair Housing, $70K Affordable Housing Counseling Advocacy Program

- Councilman Antonio Reynoso

Tenant Protection & Preservation

0 20 40 60 80 100

III. Initiaves

II. Expense

I. Executive

I. 73%

II. 78%

III. 75%

Government & Nonprofit

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