Support Gilda’s Club on March 2nd
February 25, 2010
In these difficult economic times, it is easy to forget that there are dozens of not-for-profit organizations that could use our support. One such group is Gilda’s Club, which was recently named one of nine most vulnerable charities in the city by New York magazine.
Gilda’s Club was founded in 1995 in honor of Gilda Radner, the brilliant comedian and original cast member of Saturday Night Live who passed away from ovarian cancer in 1989. Since opening, it has offered a place where men, women and children living with cancer – and their families and friends – can join together to build social and emotional support as a supplement to medical care. They offer support groups, workshops, forums, and even a teen and children’s program, all free of charge.
I am proud to be a co-sponsor of the 1st Annual Gilda’s Club Community Gathering on Tuesday, March 2nd at 6:30pm in support of this indispensable organization. The event will be held at Gilda’s Club, 195 West Houston Street. Suggested donations start at $25. For more information on Gilda’s Club call 212-647-9700 or visit their website (www.gildasclubnyc.org).
Micah Kellner is MS Society of NYC Legislator of the Year
February 16, 2010
On February 1st, I was honored to be named 2010 Legislator of the Year by the NYC-Southern New York Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at their annual meeting at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Midtown.
The MS Society, an organization I am grateful to have worked with since my election on a number of critical issues near and dear to my heart, had this to say about selecting me as this year’s awardee:
Assembly Member Micah Kellner is this year’s Legislator of the Year. Since his election to the NY State Assembly in 2007, Assembly Member Kellner has championed many issues important to people living with MS and has become a powerful voice for the rights of persons with disabilities throughout the state.
Over the past year, Assembly Member Kellner introduced legislation that would establish an MTA riders council for people with disabilities, cap fares for paratransit transportation, provide improved access to taxi cabs for people with disabilities, and improved maintenance of subway and bus equipment used to make public transportation accessible. When the MTA proposed to double the fare for access-a-ride last March, Assembly Member Kellner led the opposition holding spirited protests and news conferences. His passionate activism helped secure a victory when the MTA later dropped the proposal. Assembly Member Kellner also joined MS activists as they rallied outside of the Citi Field subway station to raise awareness of the barriers to accessibility within the NYC subway system. He demonstrated his commitment even further when, last April, he introduced legislation that would ban specialty prescription drug tiers within health insurance plans throughout New York State.
Ready New York?
November 24, 2009
On December 1st, I will be hosting, along with the American Red Cross of Greater New York and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, a free emergency preparedness presentation that aims to teach New York City residents how to create a plan, build a supply kit, and keep loved ones safe and informed in the event of a disaster.
All participants will receive an interactive CD that can be used at home to create a customized evacuation plan. The first 100 people to register will receive a complimentary Red Cross Go Bag at the event packed with the essentials you and your family need to have on hand in case of an emergency.
The event will be held Tuesday, December 1st, from 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. in Rockefeller Research Laboratories auditorium (Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center) located at 430 East 67th Street between York and First Avenues. Please call 212-860-4906 or e-mail kellnerm@assembly.state.ny.us to RSVP for this important event.
An Opening for Artists with Disabilities
August 21, 2009
Assembly Member Kellner with artist, Octavia Lanford.
On a beautiful August Thursday, I had the honor of serving as Master of Ceremonies at a ground-breaking art opening at the Roosevelt Island Visual Art Association Gallery (RIVAA), as over 80 stunning works of art created by artists with cerebral palsy went on display. The dozens of artists were joined by family members, friends, and supporters. As someone with cerebral palsy myself, this was an especially proud occasion for me.
I am proud to have helped make this exhibition a reality. For the last year, thanks to the Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State, I have been privileged to display in my office works by three of the artists who are now represented at RIVAA (as I reported in a post last August). Earlier this year, I suggested that the RIVAA Gallery would be the ideal place to stage a broader exhibition featuring pieces by artists with disabilities. Roosevelt Island is a community designed to be inclusive of people with disabilities, and RIVAA is one of the island’s prime cultural treasures — so the show and the location were a natural fit.
Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State Metro Services, United Cerebral Palsy of New York City, and Queens Centers for Progress worked together to produce the exhibition, which features a diverse and colorful collection of paintings, photographs, and sculptures on subjects including nature, life in New York City, and the artists themselves.
Thanks are due to CP of NYS, UCP, and QCP, as well as to RIVAA, for bringing us this wonderful show. The exhibition runs until September 7, and I strongly encourage you to stop by and check it out, whether or not you live on Roosevelt Island. The gallery is at 527 Main Street.
Below, is a poster produced by CP of NYS that is a collage of images from the opening night.
May 21st: Family Court Clinic on Roosevelt Island
May 20, 2009
Are you facing the Family Court system without a lawyer? On May 21, 2009, from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m., my office will partner with LIFT (Legal Information for Families Today), to bring a free legal information drop-in clinic to the Church of the Good Shepherd (546 Main Street, Roosevelt Island). The clinic will offer Roosevelt Island’s parents and grandparents who have questions about child support, custody, and visitation cases the chance to meet one-on-one with LIFT staff for help.
LIFT is an award-winning nonprofit organization that operates community and court-based programs all of which empower vulnerable families to advocate for themselves in Family Court, ensuring that all families – no matter what their income level or ability to hire a lawyer – have the ability to access justice in the complex Family Court system.
There is no need to schedule an appointment for the May 21st event, nor must you be a Roosevelt Island resident. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information about any of LIFT’s programs call 212-343-1122 or visit www.LIFTonline.org.
A Personal Message: Marriage Equality Passes Assembly **AND** Rally for Marriage, Sunday
May 14, 2009
I was proud to be part of history and vote in favor of same-sex marriage when the bill was first passed by a margin of 85-61 in the New York State Assembly back in 2007. On May 12th, I once again cast my vote for equality, after a long and emotional debate (I will post video from the debate here, as soon as I get a chance to). We should all celebrate the fact that the bill was passed by an even wider margin (89-52); the message of the marriage equality movement—that love and family know no gender—continues to win hearts and minds.
In 2007, I said that voting in favor of the right to marry was the most important vote I would ever cast, and I still know this to be true. I hope that the second time will be the charm. I am grateful to my friend Assembly Member Daniel O’Donnell for his leadership in the Assembly and I pray that 2009 will be the year the State Senate will finally pass the bill, under the leadership of Senator Tom Duane, so that Governor Paterson can sign it and we can finally have equality for all.
This Sunday, after AIDS Walk, I will be taking part in an important rally for marriage equality being organized collaboratively by Broadway Impact, Marriage Equality NY, the Empire State Pride Agenda, Broadway Cares, CivilRightsFront.com, and the Human Rights Campaign. The rally, billed as “LET THE SUN SHINE IN!” is being held from 5-7 pm at Sixth Avenue and West 45th Street, will feature the cast of the Broadway production of Hair, along with many other special guests.
The invitation is below, you can click here to download a PDF of the flyer to distribute to your friends, family, and colleagues. I hope to see you there!
May 9th: Free Mammography Screenings
April 14, 2009
My office, in partnership with the American-Italian Cancer Foundation, is coordinating a free mammography screening program on Saturday, May 9th from 10 am to 3 pm in front of Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, located at 331 East 70th Street between First and Second Avenues.
Aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, there were 182,460 new cases of breast cancer in the country last year and 40,480 deaths from the disease. While there are treatments, early detection of breast cancer is the best way to prevent its worst consequences. I hope that by providing this service, women who may not have been able to get a mammogram in the past will take advantage of this important opportunity.
This service is available for any woman over 40 years of age who has not had a mammogram in the past 12 months, regardless of whether or not she has health insurance. Space is limited and appointments are necessary, so women who would like to take advantage of this opportunity should schedule their appointments as soon as possible by calling my office at 212-860-4906. All appointments must be made by May 1st.
It is recommended that women who make appointments come wearing a two-piece outfit, and refrain from using any oil, powder, deodorant, or perfume that day. If you have Medicare, Medicaid or other health insurance, you must bring your card with you, though you will not be charged any co-payment fees. If you do not have health insurance, the mammogram, provided by Multi-Diagnostic Services, Inc., will be paid for by the New York State Cancer Services Program Partnerships. Results will be sent to you will be sent to you within 10 business days.
Join me for the Lenox Hill Democratic Club’s Membership Recruitment Event
February 23, 2009
One of the most common questions I get asked is what regular people can do to get more involved in local politics. There are lots of different ways to get involved, and most involve joining - joining your community board, your PTA, a block association, or your local political club. On the Upper East Side, the Lenox Hill Democratic Club has long been an important organization fighting for progressive politics and responsive government in our community.
So if you’ve ever wanted to get more engaged in local politics, now is the time to get your feet wet. I hope you will join me at the Lenox Hill Democratic Club Membership Recruitment Event this Thursday, February 26th at Rathbone’s (1702 Second Avenue @ 88th Street) from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. I will be attending along with Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Comptroller William Thompson, Jr., Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, State Senators Liz Krueger and Jose Serrano, and Council Members Jessica Lappin and Dan Garodnick.
This is a great opportunity to talk politics and meet new people. All are welcome and there will be free food and drinks. To RSVP or if you have any questions, please email LHDCevents@ymail.com.
Get involved and be a part of change in 2009!
Fighting for the Rights of People with Disabilities
January 17, 2009
As many of you know, advocating on the issues that impact people with disabilities is very important to me. Last week was very busy on the disabilities rights front, and I wanted to give a brief update about what I’ve been up to.
On January 14th, I testified at the MTA hearing in Manhattan in opposition to the fare hikes and service cuts being proposed. I urged to give the state legislature and the federal government the time we need to come up with the funds that are needed. Paramount in my testimony was my opposition to fare hikes proposed for Access-A-Ride riders. While the MTA is considering raising the fare for those straphangers who are physically able to use the regular mass transit system by as much as 50% (from $2 to as much as $3), they are asking riders with disabilities to absorb an outrageously disproportionate fare increase of as much as 300% (from $2 to as much as $6).
Affordable and accessible transportation is a lifeline for people with disabilities and the frail elderly. 64% of Access-A-Ride users have total household incomes at less than 250% of the federal poverty level. It is a matter of simple mathematics. The many riders who depend on Access-A-Ride will literally be unable to leave their homes under this proposed fare structure. My testimony can be found in the Publications area of my website.
I am pictured here with Paul B. Feuerstein, Board Chair of the Disabilities Network of NYC and President/CEO of Barrier Free Living
(left) and Lawrence Carter-Long, Executive Director of DNNYC (right). Note: We are standing in front of the VISIONS banner, the organization which hosted the meeting. VISIONS is a tremendous organization serving and advocating for people who are blind or visually impaired.
I had the great pleasure of addressing the Disabilities Network of New York City at their visioning meeting on January 15th. This is a truly diverse organization representing people with physical, vision, and hearing disabilities. The community gathering’s purpose was to determine the shared vision for advocacy goals of DNNYC. I delivered welcoming remarks at the event. Here is a brief snippet of those remarks:
As someone with a mobility disability myself, I understand from firsthand experiences the myriad of challenges that people with disabilties face. We need to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to transportation options that serve them and the MTA and the TLC won’t do this without our continued advocacy and creative thinking. We need to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to affordable, comprehensive, and quality health care. And this will not happen without our vigilance and persistence. The secret of effective politics is participation. That’s it. And is must come from people with disabilities in order for our issues to be at the forefront. It is the task and the responsibility of everyone here to make your voice heard by those that represent you, be they in City Hall, Albany or Washington, DC.
We are not an insignificant minority that can brushed aside. We are 20% of the general population and the attention the media has given to our issues while increasing, has never matched our numbers.
In less than a week we will be witnessing a changing of the guard in Washington, DC and last week we saw one in Albany —now is the time for DNNYC to make a coordinated effort to ensure we leverage our community’s growing political strength.
If you are interested in getting involved in advocating for the rights of people with disabilities, I highly recommend giving your time to this important organization.
Assembly Member Alan Maisel and I talking about health policy with PJ Weiner, Manager of Advocacy Programs for the MS Society of NYC (far right) and Robin Einbinder, Vice President of the MS Society of NYC (second from the right).
After the DNNYC event, I headed over to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of New York City inaugral legislative reception. I had the great honor of being asked to co-host this event. An impressive gathering of members of the MS Society met with their legislators including the newly minted Chair of the Senate Health Committee, Tom Duane, Assembly Members Linda Rosenthal and Alan Maisel, NYC Council Members John Liu and Gale Brewer, and representatives from the offices of Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Senator Daniel Squadron, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Assembly Member Jonathan Bing, and Council Members Jessica Lappin and Oliver Koppell.
There were many issues discussed at this event, but paramount on the minds of the MS Society members I spoke to was the issue of Tier IV pricing — and the need for support for a ban on this practice in New York. The MS Society has worked with Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith on legislation that would ban Tier IV drug pricing, a bill that I am excited to support in the New York State Assembly.
The proposed legislation would ban the creation of a fourth tier in a company’s prescription drug pricing forumlae. In states where this has been allowed to happen, medication treating diseases such as anemia, cancer, MS, and hepatitis C are categorized separately from other prescription drugs and co-payments have amounted to up to 33% of the total cost of each prescription. Patients with chronic diseases are seeing fees dramatically increase to hundreds or even thousands of dollars per prescription per month. This can never be allowed to happen in New York and I am greatful to the MS Society of New York City for raising this important issue and working with the legislature to protect all New Yorkers from this unacceptable threat to access to health care.
Lighting Up the Night for Marriage Equality
January 5, 2009
On December 20th, State Senator Tom Duane and I took part in a powerful event organized by Join the Impact, a grassroots national organization that is fighting for marriage equality. The march and rally was coined “Light Up the Night for Equality” and hundreds of LGBT people and their friends braved some pretty cold temperatures to march from Bryant Park to Times Square and rally for marriage rights. In the video above, Senator Duane’s remarks start at about 2:30 and mine start at about 3:15.
The event was a national one with similar rallies being held all over the country. The candles were held in vigil in rememberance of the rights that may have been lost to the over 18,000 couples in California whose legal status is now up in the air after the passage of the homophobic Proposition 8 last November.
Last year, I was proud to be part of history and vote in favor of same-sex marriage when the bill sponsored by Assembly Member Danny O’Donnell was passed by the New York State Assembly. While there is a long way to go until same-sex couples can legally marry in New York (the New York State Senate must also pass the bill before the Governor can sign it into law), step by step we are coming closer to marriage equality.
