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.
Unveiling of the FDR Hope Memorial
April 11, 2011
The unveiling of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Hope Memorial at the RIVAA Gallery this weekend was truly inspirational. President Roosevelt’s life stands as a shining example of an individual that was able to overcome his physical limitations to transform our nation and defend liberty worldwide.
It is important to recognize that President Roosevelt’s disability had a huge impact on how he viewed the world, and this memorial statue truly represents him as he was for much of his life: seated in his wheelchair.
As a person with a disability, I am proud that we live in a day and age where we can look past one’s disability and recognize individuals for who they are and what they can accomplish.
I look forward to the day when people will come from far and wide to the fully inclusive and accessible community of Roosevelt Island to enjoy FDR Hope Memorial Park.
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.
A Bionic Budget
January 21, 2011
One of my favorite TV shows as a kid was The Six Million Dollar Man. New York can learn from this 70′s classic: Like Lee Majors’ character Steve Austin, New York State’s budget is on life support – but we can rebuild it: better, stronger and more efficient than it was before!
Video Shows TLC’s Failure to Require Accessibility for NYC Cabs
July 27, 2010
Recently, I posted about the hearing I held on July 14th focusing on the need for New York City’s taxi fleet to be completely accessible to people with disabilities.
Below is a video clip from the hearing, in which Taxi and Limousine Commissioner David Yassky discusses how the TLC’s Taxi of Tomorrow Request for Proposal (RFP) does not make accessibility a requirement in vehicle designs, only a goal. My bill (A.7842) would mandate a 100% accessible taxi fleet by requiring that after June 30, 2011, taxi owners may put only accessible cabs into service when replacing old vehicles.
You can access video footage of the entire hearing here.
Protecting Tenants Against Sex Offenders Working in Their Buildings
February 2, 2010
I was horrified to learn of a situation here in Manhattan where a building superintendent who was sexually harassing tenants was discovered to be a level three sex offender. It is disgusting and unfathomable that someone who abused three children in Long Island was given the keys to 50 apartments in two buildings.
It should also be illegal.
As the New York Post reported today (“Pol: Bar Sex-Fiend Supers“). I have introduced a bill to ban the hiring of dangerous sex offenders as building superintendent or other building agents. The bill will also allow tenants to bring action against landlords if they are being sexually harassed by a landlord or their employees under the Warrant of Habitability.
This is critical legislation because the law requires tenants to allow building owners and their employees access to their apartments–and landlords can seek eviction of tenants who refuse access. Also, while current law forbids landlords from harassing tenants, it does not specifically protect tenants from sexual harassment. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors (as was the case in the two Upper West Side buildings), and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature should have specific recourse under the law.
Assembly Member Kellner on CB8 Speaks
December 16, 2009
Kill the Drill: Protect New York City’s Drinking Water
November 10, 2009
It is difficult to overemphasize the importance of the New York City Watershed to the
City and State of New York. The Watershed is the largest unfiltered drinking water supply in the
nation, providing 1.3 billion gallons of affordable, high-quality drinking water daily to more
than 9 million consumers in New York City — half the population of the entire state of New
York.
I testified before the Department of Environmental Conservation today at a public hearing on the Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement on Gas Development in the Marcellus Shale. (My testimony is below.) In my testimony, I opposed any move to allow natural gas drilling in the Watershed, and I have called upon the Department to issue a moratorium on drilling and am a co-sponsor of A.8748, which would set strict standards for protecting drinking water throughout the state, and prohibit drilling in and around the watershed.
The Department of Environment Conservation has extended the public comment period
related to this application until December 31st. Clean water is one of our most precious resources, and the extension of the public comment period is an important step in assuring that decisions regarding drilling in the Marcellus Shale will not be rushed. I encourage everyone to express their opposition through the comment submission process. As a member of the Kill the Drill Coalition, I urge you to visit Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer’s Kill the Drill webpage to find out other things you can do to make the call for environmental justice issue known and heard.
11.10.09 DEC Testimony Re SGEIS Opp to Drilling in Marcellus Shale
Interviewed on PBS
July 10, 2009
Recently, I was featured in a lengthy interview with Dara Welles on WLIW 21′s “New York Insiders.”
We had a great conversation about what’s next for New York City’s schools, as well as Second Avenue Subway construction issues – and we also discussed broader topics like marriage equality, disability rights, the upheaval in the State Senate, and my own plans for the future.
PBS is linking things strangely, so when you click to see the video of my interview the title will read Suffolk County Legislator Steve Levy – but don’t worry, it’s me.
- Via @MicahKellner + @MMViverito NYPD, never sensitive to Trans NYers, but if these allegations true its beyond the pale http://t.co/UGWWI9Tn
9 hours ago from ÜberSocial for BlackBerry
