FDR Hope Memorial: A True Inspiration
March 31, 2011
Franklin D. Roosevelt was a testament to the ability of the human spirit and mind to overcome physical limitations. Yet his disability, a significant piece of his life, is often left out of history.
I am proud to see that on Roosevelt Island, also named after our former president, his image will be fully represented. The FDR Hope Memorial will depict President Roosevelt how he was during much of his time in the White House: seated in the wheelchair he designed for himself.
I was also pleased to hear that Meredith Bergmann, a New York based artist, was chosen to design the monument. Ms. Bergmann’s experience in public art, and thoughtful approach, will not only allow her to develop and communicate the mission of the FDR Hope Memorial, but will help to bring about a work of art that will inspire generations.
On Saturday, April 9, 2011 from 6 PM to 7 PM, the RIVAA Gallery at 529 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, will unveil the design of the FDR sculpture that is to be placed in the fully accessible FDR Hope Memorial Park.
President Roosevelt’s inspiring story gives hope to individuals with disabilities. This sculpture of President Roosevelt, a personal hero of mine, will honor his enduring message.
For more information or to make a donation, visit http://www.FDRHopeMemorial.org/>
Forcing the TLC to Follow the Law
March 30, 2011
Yesterday, I called on the United States Department of Justice to investigate whether the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission has been violating the wheelchair accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
As a person with a disability I find it unfortunate that in the most progressive city in the world, once again, we must turn to the Justice Department to ensure that the rights of people with disabilities are enforced. The Taxi and Limousine Commission doesn’t get to pick and choose which laws they’re going to abide by.
You can read more about my complaint in today’s Wall Street Journal or watch it on NY1.
A copy of my letter to the Department of Justice is below:
3.29.11 Letter to the Department of Justice re: TLC
Time to Leave Plastic Bags Behind
March 16, 2011
Walking around New York City, you can see discarded plastic bags everywhere—clogging up storm drains, hanging in trees, blowing across the sidewalk. And this ugly litter is only the tip of the iceberg: New York City residents throw away 5.2 billion plastic carryout bags every year.
The environmental consequences are devastating: plastic bags don’t biodegrade, they photodegrade—breaking down into smaller and smaller toxic bits, contaminating soil and waterways, and entering the food chain when animals accidentally ingest them. They take 1,000 years or more to degrade. And they’re financially wasteful, too: It costs $4,000 to process and recycle one ton of plastic bags, which has a resale value of only $32. Plastic bags increase our dependence on foreign oil for their manufacturing- every ton of plastic bags produced requires 11 barrels of oil.
That’s why I’ve introduced legislation that will dramatically reduce plastic bag usage, saving our environment while also saving everyone money. My bill will create incentives for New Yorkers to use environmentally-friendly reusable tote bags, while imposing a 25-cent tax on every plastic carry-out shopping bag provided by large grocery stores or pharmacies in New York City. Stores would be required to offer customers the option of taking reusable shopping bags for a deposit of 25 cents or less. This will make it convenient—and free—to use environmentally-friendly bags instead of plastic—so customers won’t have to pay the tax if they don’t want to.
For the past few years, I have been handing out free reusable tote bags on the Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island, as part of my GO GREEN! Challenge to raise awareness about the alternatives to plastic. Feel free to stop by my office at 315 East 65th Street during business hours Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. to get your free tote bag (while supplies last).
Recently, I sat down for an interview with Liz Benjamin of Capitol Tonight to talk about my legislation and why it’s so important. You can watch the interview below.
Stamping Out Corruption in Albany
March 14, 2011
As a legislator, it truly saddens me that every time Albany is in the news it’s because of yet another corruption scandal—and I can only imagine how it makes everyday New Yorkers feel. It seem there is a never-ending tide of graft and corruption, which reinforces the perception that all lawmakers are crooks or clowns.
As a member of the state Assembly, I know that isn’t really the case. The vast majority of my colleagues work tirelessly—and honestly—on behalf of the people of New York. But until we finally step up and pass real, comprehensive ethics reform, we’ll deserve every ounce of the public’s scorn.
The only way to stop corruption is through tough and thorough reform legislation. This is why I introduced the Public Corruption Prevention and Enforcement Act (PCPEA), the most comprehensive anti-corruption bill in state history. This important reform legislation will clean up Albany by closing the ethical loopholes that some politicians have become adept at exploiting.
The bill:
Enacts a Duty of Faithful Public Service: Incredibly, there’s no such duty on the books today. The Joe Bruno scandal showed what a glaring hole this is. If we want to eliminate the culture of corruption, we need a law that makes clear that public officials must serve the public first and foremost.
Punishes Corrupt Schemes to Defraud the Government: Currently, the law only punishes schemes to defraud government agencies of property, services, or resources. The PCPEA expands the crime of defrauding the government to punish any and all corrupt schemes involving public servants and others who seek to corrupt the operation of government in any way.
Reforms Criminal Bribery Statutes: The bill takes action to ensure that bribery of apublic official is punished just as seriously as completed bribes, and it makes sure that public bribery is treated in the same way as bribery in the private sector.
Reforms the Member Item Process: The bill creates new standards and prohibitions for community projects grants, which are commonly known as “member items.” Among other protections, it stops lawmakers from funneling taxpayer money into shady nonprofits that don’t even provide real services, but in which they or their relatives have a financial interest.
Enhances Financial Disclosure for State Officials: As it stands, the clients that legislators represent in private practice are hidden from public view. While this makes sense in a few instances — such as when the clients are involved in family court cases, where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy — there’s no reason why most of lawmakers’ private clients shouldn’t be disclosed, just as they are in other states. This bill will allow the public to monitor the sources and values of outside income earned by our elected officials.
Strengthens Campaign Finance Rules: Up until n ow candidates have legally been allowed to get away with disguising loans intended for campaign use as personal gifts—allowing them to circumvent campaign contribution limits. This bill closes that loophole.
Ultimately, I believe that we should ask why our system encourages lawmakers to have outside income at all. We should make representing New Yorkers a full-time job. Then there will no longer even be a perception of any conflict of interest with our official duties as legislators.
Today, I published an op-ed in the New York Post about the importance of passing comprehensive ethics reform now. You can read the op-ed here.
If we enact these reforms, instead of being synonymous with scandal, it is my hope that Albany will once again be recognized as an incubator of progressive innovation.
- @hilary_keller I'm so glad your interns are getting this great life experience
10 hours ago from webRT @MicahKellner: Showing #Gasland Tonight at @lenoxhilll's #EinhornAuditorium @ 7pm-to RSVP call my office @ 212-860-4906 or click http://t.co/0vhvoBvh
1 day ago from web
