New Accessible Taxi Tax Credit Will Help Get Accessible Cabs on the Road
January 3, 2012
Statement from Assembly Member Micah Kellner regarding Governor Cuomo signing the accessible taxi tax credit into law.
Taxi Agreement Is Something We Can All Hail
January 3, 2012
Statement from Assembly Member Micah Kellner on the new taxi and livery agreement.
Kellner to Cuomo: Veto ‘Livery Street Hail Bill’
December 19, 2011
Today, I sent Governor Cuomo a letter outlining my opposition to the controversial ‘Livery Street Hail Bill’ and requesting that he veto it.
The bill, which passed the Legislature in June, would add 30,000 new livery vehicles that would be able to pick up street hails in the outer boroughs of New York City. Mayor Bloomberg has contends that the goal of this legislation is to expand access, but the bill fails to require any of the new vehicles to be accessible to wheelchair users and other people with disabilities. If we are going to radically change our city’s transportation system, we must embrace a plan that provides access to all people, including those with disabilities.
I commend Governor Cuomo for drawing a line in the sand and refusing to sign the bill until it provides meaningful access to people with disabilities. When the Legislature returns in January, I will work very closely with him to develop a plan that expands service to all New Yorkers, whether they are on two feet or four wheels.
You can read my letter below:
Justice Dept. to TLC: Make Taxis Accessible
October 14, 2011
I am thrilled that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has heeded my call that every taxi needs to be wheelchair accessible. As a person with a disability, I find it unfortunate that in the most progressive city in the world, the civil rights of people with disabilities are not being enforced.
On March 29th, I initiated a DOJ investigation which centered on whether or not the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) has been willfully disregarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The City responded by stating that taxi officials were developing a program that meets ADA guidelines through a system that dispatches accessible taxis for people with disabilities, but this program is for too reminiscent of the City’s pilot dispatch program which I proved to be ineffective in my 2009 report, Stranded. Clearly, the DOJ agrees with me.
In this most recent filing, the DOJ agrees with what I have been trying to legislate — within a short period of time every taxi needs to be wheelchair accessible. My legislation, A.4406, which has already passed the Assembly, best meets this requirement and I hope that both the City and State will embrace it.
You can read about this in today’s Wall Street Journal here.
Putting Taxi Accessibility in the Fast Lane
August 2, 2011
Much has been made by the Mayor about providing New Yorkers who live in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Northern Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island with access to street hail taxi service, but what about the thousands of New Yorkers who use wheelchairs and live in these areas? This issue has continued to elude the Mayor for years, but luckily I have found a solution.
I am proud to announce that after working in concert with the largest taxi and livery associations in New York, I have developed the Access-for-All Taxi and Livery Plan (A4ATL), a plan which will vastly increase wheelchair accessible taxi and livery service for New Yorkers in all five boroughs. This landmark agreement requires all newly auctioned yellow taxi medallions to be accessible and includes the establishment of a task force to improve taxi and livery accessibility for all New Yorker’s with disabilities. The A4ATL plan will increase the number of accessible taxis and liveries from roughly 300 to 3,000 over the next three years.
Specifically, my plan modifies the existing “livery street hail” plan by:
- Requiring all 1,500 of the new yellow taxi medallions be accessible, rather than just the 569 in the original plan
- Replacing the 30,000 non-accessible livery street hail permits with a far more feasible 6,000 livery street hail medallions, 1,200 of which will be wheelchair accessible.
Not only will this plan deliver better transportation opportunities to wheelchair-users, but it raises much-needed revenue for the City and saves the cash-strapped MTA scarce funds. This will create an incredible opportunity for the MTA’s Access-A-Ride to take advantage of these new cabs to save money while at the same time providing a superior service.
While I will continue to push for 100% accessibility, I’m encouraged that the taxi and livery industries recognize that they can do well by doing good and I commend them for it. With groups like the Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade, the Livery Round Table, the Federation of New York State Taxi Drivers, the Greater New York Taxi Association, the Committee for Taxi Safety, the League of Mutual Taxi Owners and the Taxicab Service Association all in favor of the plan, the entire industry has shown that they are ready to pull up to the curb and turn on the meter for wheelchair-users.
Whether a person is on two feet or four wheels, in Manhattan or the Bronx, everyone should be able to hail a taxi.
You can read my full press release below:
Strengthened Rent Regulations Pass the Legislature
June 25, 2011
- Raising the Vacancy Decontrol limit from $2,000 to $2,500. Currently, vacancy decontrol allows landlords to remove an apartment from regulation if it is unoccupied and the rent reaches $2,000. Landlords often reach this limit by doing minimal improvements to the apartment. Since there is no check on landlords, there is no way to ensure these improvements have taken place. In the new law, if a landlord claims 10% or more in a rent increase due to improvements made before a tenant moves in, DHCR must certify this work and the tenant retains the ability to challenge the increase. More importantly, the limit for vacancy decontrol has been raised from $2,000 to $2,500. This will allow a new generation of tenants to enjoy the protections of rent regulation.
- Raising the High Income Decontrol limit from $175, 000 to $200,000. Currently, high income decontrol allows a landlord to remove an apartment from regulation if the residents’ combined income is over $175,000 for two consecutive years and the apartment’s rent has reached $2,000. Under the new law, landlords will not be able to deregulate a family’s home unless their income is over $200,000 for two consecutive years and their rent is over $2,500. This is the first increase in the income limits that tenants have seen since 1997, despite well over a decade of inflation.
- This new bill requires New York State Homes and Community Renewal (NYSHCR) to enforce the provisions of rent regulation. For the last 17 years, NYSHCR has been tasked with overseeing rent regulation, but they have not been given the authority to enforce the law and ensure that landlords are abiding by it. The enhanced rent regulation we just passed truly gives NYSHCR the power to enforce the law and this is a huge step forward.
- Reducing the burden of Major Capital Improvements (MCIs). A tenant’s responsibility for an individual apartment’s MCI has been reduced from 1/40th of the cost of the improvement to 1/60th of the cost for larger buildings.
- The Roberts v. Tishman Speyer case still stands despite the Republican Senate’s attempt to overturn the decision. The J-51 tax break allows the State to share the costs of capital improvements and in return preserves affordable housing through rent regulation. The Court held in the Roberts decision that landlords, who have used J-51 tax break, cannot take advantage of the tax break while deregulating apartments at the same time. Landlords were trying to have the best of both worlds by taking taxpayer dollars and then using a loophole to renege on their side of the deal. Keeping the Roberts decision in place ensures that tenants who have been overcharged by unscrupulous landlords will be able to recoup the money that is rightfully theirs.
While this new law is not perfect, at the end of the day, we must remember that New York’s tenants are better off than they have been in over a decade. I want you to know that I will continue to fight for the middle class–rent regulations are an important part of keeping New York City affordable. Despite these gains, I am sure unscrupulous landlords will continue to abuse the system. This is why I hold a free monthly legal clinic for tenants unable to afford an attorney. If you have any questions about these new regulations or if you would like to sign up for my free legal clinic please contact my office at (212) 860-4906.
Giving Shelter Animals A Second Chance
May 16, 2011
There are tens of thousands animals in New York State shelters waiting to be adopted and most are healthy, well-behaved, and just in need of a home. Unfortunately, shelters oftentimes don’t have the room or resources to care for these or other animals. Even worse, current New York law does not protect or grant access to the qualified rescue groups that are working to save these loving and loyal animals.
This is why I have introduced the Companion Animal Access and Rescue Act or CAARA. CAARA sets minimum standards that allow rescue groups to recover animals from a shelter, a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, humane society or pound that are scheduled to be destroyed.
CAARA goes beyond just giving rescue groups mere access. For the first time, it sets qualifications and guidelines for both shelters and rescue groups. Outlining the responsibilities of those who work directly with the animals will help ensure that the animals receive the proper care. These provisions ensure that animals are given fresh food and water on a daily basis, exercise and socialization with other animals, clean living environments, and prompt veterinary care. Additionally, both paper and digital records are required in order to help facilitate finding these animals a home.
Also for the first time, CAARA extends whistleblower protections to rescue groups. In many cases, rescue groups have been denied access to shelters for speaking out against bad practices, whether it be for abuse or mismanagement. Every time a group is turned away, it adds to the undue burden on the taxpayer who has to foot the bill for every animal kept or killed in a shelter.
Allowing qualified groups to have access is not only the compassionate thing to do, but it saves taxpayers money at a time when they need it the most.
I am proud to say that CAARA has earned the support of many of the leading animal welfare groups like Best Friends Animal Society, Alley Cat Allies, the No-Kill Advocacy Center, and the League of Humane Voters of New York.
Having been a foster parent for an animal rescue group, I am heartbroken that so many animals are being senselessly killed. When humane organizations volunteer their expertise in difficult cases, shelters should work with them to the fullest extent possible. This legislation will give every animal another chance at life.
You can read my full press release below:
Throwing Rescue Dogs a Bone
April 21, 2011
Speaking on Capital Tonight about my legislation
Right now, there are over 12,000 dogs in New York City shelters waiting to be adopted. These animals are unconditionally loving and loyal pets that are just looking for a second chance to become beloved members of a family. I think it’s time that we threw these dogs a bone.
Today I held a press conference with animal advocates and some wonderful rescue dogs that need homes to announce my legislation that would designate the ‘rescue dog’—any dog that has been rescued and adopted from a shelter or rescue group—to be the Official State Dog of New York. By giving these dogs this honor, millions of New Yorkers will be sent the message that in order to find a devoted companion animal, you don’t need to go any further than your local animal shelter or rescue group.
My bill will serve as an important educational tool by generating awareness about the value of adopting rescued animals along with other important information for prospective pet owners like spaying and neutering pets, providing them with microchip identification implants, and providing responsible pet care.
According to a survey done in 2009 by the Humane Society of the United States, approximately 17 million Americans consider getting a pet every year. If only 20% of these people adopt a rescued pet, we could essentially end the killing of healthy and treatable animals in shelters. This could save tens of thousands of animals in New York alone.
Unfortunately, some people perceive rescue animals as damaged, but nothing could be further from the truth. Most of these dogs are healthy, well-behaved, and just in need of a loving home. So if you’re a prospective pet owner, make the right choice and consider checking with a shelter or rescue group first. If you have any questions or need to be directed to a shelter, please contact my office at (212) 860-4906.
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/>
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.
- Via @MicahKellner + @MMViverito NYPD, never sensitive to Trans NYers, but if these allegations true its beyond the pale http://t.co/UGWWI9Tn
10 hours ago from ÜberSocial for BlackBerry
