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What’s Happening in Our District?
Heather| Senator Krueger Introduces Bill to Revise Charter Revision Commission Process |
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| Last month, I joined Assemblymember Tony Simone to introduce A.5661a/S.9935, a bill that would place democratic and transparency safeguards on the New York City Charter Revision Commission process. The legislation would repeal the “bumping” provision in state law that allows a mayor to use a Charter Revision Commission to block ballot proposals initiated by New Yorkers or the City Council. It would also require a Charter Revision Commission to be created at least 180 days before submitting any proposal for election ballot and publicly release any proposal 30 days before submission for the ballot. The way that Mayor Adams wielded his Charter Revision Commission like a political cudgel against the City Council this year makes clear that the state laws around charter revision ballot questions need to be fixed. These may seem like arcane details, but this year’s events make it evident that a rebalancing of the powers between the Mayor and the City Council is needed to ensure that New York City’s democracy remains strong and functional. In New York, the City Council, or voters (by petition), may propose a city charter amendment to go on the ballot for approval in a referendum. However, the mayor can “bump” that proposal off the ballot simply by appointing a charter revision commission and having that commission propose any charter amendment. Under state Municipal Home Rule Law, if that commission puts a proposal on the ballot – regardless of the subject or how minor it might be – then no other proposal may be put on the ballot that year by the City Council or by petition. Mayors have used this power to effectively suppress charter revision proposals they oppose. In 1998, there were proposed city charter amendments relating to a proposed sports stadium and campaign finance. Then Mayor Giuliani opposed these proposals, so he appointed a charter revision commission to put proposals on the ballot, bumping not only the Yankee Stadium question, but a campaign finance initiative as well. In 2024, the New York City Council proposed a charter amendment to require that more mayoral appointments of City agency leaders be subject to City Council advice and consent confirmation, much like the New York State Senate conducts for gubernatorial appointments and many local legislative bodies do throughout the country. Mayor Adams blocked this from being on the ballot for voters to decide by appointing a charter revision commission that came up with a handful of proposals in less than two months that were put on the 2024 ballot. This blocked the City Council proposal from appearing on the ballot. This legislation would prevent a charter revision commission from being hastily organized or misused for political purposes, or its proposals put on the ballot without adequate public input or thorough policy review. |
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| My staff and I often hear from constituents about myriad housing issues that affect everyone, from young renters to rent-regulated tenants to co-op and condo owners. In the upcoming weeks, I am hosting a four-part virtual lunch hour series with housing attorneys and advocates on a wide range of housing. At these virtual events, you will learn how to get repairs, steps to take if you are behind on your rent, informative tools for navigating housing court, and resources for co-op and condo owners. Below please find the date, time, and speaker for each webinar along with an individual RSVP link for each event. Session 1: How to Get My Landlord to Make Repairs Tuesday, November 19, 12 pm – 1 pm Michael Grinthal, Take Root Justice |
Session 2: You’ve Fallen Behind on Your Rent, Now What? Thursday, November 21, 12 pm – 1 pm Jenny Laurie, Housing Court Answers |
Session 3: Appearing in Housing Court Without a Lawyer Tuesday, December 3, 12 pm – 1 pm Pablo Zevallos, The Legal Aid Society Click Here to RSVP for Session 3 Session 4: Co-op and Condo Owner Rights and Resources Thursday, December 5, 12 pm – 1 pm Rose Marie Cantanno, NYLAG Click Here to RSVP for Session 4 You will have the option of joining the events online through Zoom or watching them live-streamed on Facebook. You do not need a Facebook account or profile to view the events through Facebook. You will also have the option of calling in to access the audio-only portion of the events. Each event will feature a question-and-answer session with Senator Krueger and the webinar presenter. Attendees can submit questions through Zoom and Facebook during the events but are strongly encouraged to submit them in advance. The events will be recorded and available to view afterward at krueger.nysenate.gov and facebook.com/statesenatorlizkrueger, along with the slides and links that were shared. They will also be emailed to everyone who RSVP’d for the events. After you register, a confirmation email with the Zoom link and the call-in information will be sent immediately and you will receive a reminder email one week before the events. Please let us know if you plan to attend any or all sessions of the Virtual Housing Lunch Hour Series by registering at each RSVP link above. |
| Senator Liz Krueger’s Annual Virtual Senior Resource Fair |
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| Please see below for details and registration information for Senator Krueger’s 2024 Virtual Older Adult Resource Fair. Session I: Connecting While Solo Aging Friday, December 6th2 pm – 3:30 pm Loneliness is a growing epidemic in the United States but aging solo does not mean you are alone. In this session you will hear from presenters that offer programs to help you connect and from older adults who are having new adventures. Beverly Bartlett, Associate Pastor, Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church Grace Morton, Center for Healthy Aging, New York Academy of Medicine Detective Anothony Nuccio, Crime Prevention Office and Older Adult Liaison, 19th Precinct Robin Stratchun, Volunteer Director, Search and Care, With Solo Agers Lauren Taylor, M.A., M.S., L.C.S.W., SPOPTo RSVP for the Friday, December 6th event, CLICK HERE. Session II: Arts and Culture Thursday, December 12th2 pm – 3:30 pm New York is the cultural capital of the world! Hear from a selection of leading cultural institutions to learn about no- and low-cost options for older adults providing access to the best of what the City has to offer. Laura Schweller, Associate Educator, Community and Access Programs, MoMA Eleni DeSiervo, Senior Director Government Relations, Lincoln Center John-Morgan Bush, Dean, Juilliard Extension Program David Knapp, Deputy Director, Hiram Brown Center for Older Adults, 92YGladys Perez-Mojica, Associate Director of Public Engagement Programs, TDF (Theater Development Fund) |
| Session III: Legal Resources Friday, December 13th2 pm – 3:45 pm Many of us need legal resources as we age to create later life planning documents, access home care, and to help obtain benefits. Hear from legal services organizations that offer no- and low-cost services. (Be aware there are income eligibility requirements which vary for each program.)Elisa M. Tustian, Director, Senior Law Project, Volunteers of Legal Services (VOLS)Libby Vasquez, Director of Legal Services, Legal Hotline and Planning and Estates Law Project, New York City Bar Association Michele Kirschbaum, Director of Programs, New York Peace Institute Rebecca Wallach, Director, Evelyn Frank Legal Resource Program, New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)Erin Shahinfar, Staff Attorney, Advanced Planning Practice, Public Benefits Resource Program, NYLAG Nic Shugar, Law Graduate, Elder Law Practice, NYLAG |
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| As we enter the holiday season, my office has received many calls asking about Thanksgiving-specific meal programs. Please see the resources below for Sunday, November 24th – Thursday, November 28th. Not all of these locations are in the district but are accessible via public transportation. Turkey Giveaway On Nov, 20th Grand Central Neighborhood Service Corp will do a turkey giveaway from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm at 120 East 32nd Street (between Park and Lexington). All are welcome. You can contact them at admin@gcnssc.org or 212-883-0680 Ext. 108.Grand Central Neighborhood Service Corp offers sit-down hot meals on Thursday and Friday from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm at 120 East 32nd Street. |
