Paid Sick Leave Voted Through City Council

As you may know, the City Council voted on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 to require employers with 20+ workers to provide paid sick days.

The Paid Sick Leave legislation was introduced into the Council in 2010, and received strong support by the Council's Progressive Caucus and a wide coalition of labor organizations, women's and immigrant groups, business associations, and public health organizations. Yesterday's 45-3 vote constituted over the two-thirds majority ("super-majority") needed to override a veto.

The measure, set to take effect April 1, 2014, will expand its reach to businesses with 15+ employees a year later. It will also require all city employers to provide unpaid sick leave starting in 2014.

Currently, there are 1 million New Yorker residents who don’t receive paid time off for illness and would become eligible for the benefit by 2015.

"I join my colleagues in supporting this common sense measure, and consider this a major win for all New Yorkers. Paid sick leave is good for business, and good for families," said Council Member Letitia James.

ATTENTION: Clean Up Your Credit; 5/16; 6PM; CH

For more information, contact the Office of Council Member Letitia James at (718) 260-9191.

CM James Criticizes Rent Guidelines Board for 2013 High Rate Increases

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
APRIL 2, 2013

Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis (212) 788-7081

Council Member Letitia James Criticizes Rent Guidelines Board for 2013 High Rate Increases

(New York, NY)— The Rent Guidelines Board (RGB), the panel that sets annual rent increases on rent-stabilized apartments throughout New York, has recommended larger increases for 2013 in comparison with 2012— between 3.25 and 6.25 percent for one-year leases, and 5 to 9.5 percent for two-year leases. In a 2012 report entitled “Rents Through The Roof”, New York City Comptroller John Liu stated that almost 50% of City households spend over 30% of their income on rent, compared with 26% of households nationwide. Federal benchmarks deem rent unaffordable when it costs 30% or more of the household income.

"It is deeply concerning that the Rent Guidelines Board consistently ignores tenant advocates who push for a 1-year rent freeze," said Council Member Letitia James. "The comparably small increases voted on in 2012 seemed to indicate that the RGB recognized that many low-and-middle-income New Yorkers were struggling. Apparently this year it’s business as usual."

In 2012, the RGB voted for increases that fell 50% below the previous year— between 1.75 and 4 percent for new one-year leases, and between 3.5 and 6.75 percent for two-year renewal leases.

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Bike The Branches; 5/11; BK Central Library

Bike the Branches is a one-day bike ride to help raise critical funds for Brooklyn Public Library

On Saturday, May 11, follow one exciting route. Be sure to visit as many branches as you can, and get your official “passport” stamped at each location.

WHERE: Brooklyn Central Library

WHEN: Saturday, May 11, 2013
5:00- 7:00PM

Registration is $20 for adults and $10 for kids.

CM James Celebrates SUNY’s Withdrawal To Close Long Island College Hospital

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
APRIL 26, 2013

Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis (212) 788-7081

Council Member Letitia James Celebrates SUNY’s Withdrawal To Close Long Island College Hospital 

(New York, NY)— On April 26, 2013, SUNY withdrew its plan to close Long Island College Hospital.

“This is a major victory for Brooklynites, as well as the health providers, unions, and elected officials who fought to keep LICH open,” said Council Member Letitia James. “I hope that this win demonstrates that our public institutions need administrative support and re-development, not more cuts and closures. Brooklyn is not for sale!”

According to media reports, SUNY Downstate is believed to be developing a bigger plan for the delivery of medical care and education in Brooklyn. LICH will likely be a part of such a plan, with the hospital potentially falling under new operation.

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ATTENTION: Citi Bike Town Hall Meeting; 4/24; Benjamin Bannekar Academy

WHAT: a public town hall to review and discuss the Citi Bike (bike share) program.

WHEN: April 24, 2013
6:30PM- 8:30PM

WHERE: Benjamin Bannekar Academy
71-77 Clinton Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205

ATTENTION: Education Town Hall; 4/24; Bed-Stuy

WHAT:  a public town hall to discuss the City's education system, including co-location, special education reform, testing, and early-childhood education.

WHEN:  April 24, 2013
5:30PM- 7:30PM

WHERE:  Antioch Baptist Church (Bed-Stuy)
826-828 Greene Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11221

ATTENTION: CM James and DOT Host Bicycle Helmet Fitting Event; 4/21; Commodore Barry Park

Council Member Letitia James and the NYC Department of Transportation Will Sponsor a Bicycle Helmet Fitting-

WHEN: Sunday, April 21, 2013
12:00- 4:00 PM

WHERE: Commodore Barry Park
Flushing Avenue and Navy Street

ATTENTION: SYEP Application Now Available!

The application for the Summer Youth Employment Program is now available. Youth between the ages of 14 and 24 are encouraged to apply. The deadline to apply is May 10, 2013.

ATTENTION: Free Tree Giveaway; 4/13; Bed-Stuy

Pratt Area Community Council (PACC) is hosting a Spring Tree Giveaway Saturday, April 13, 2013, and will be donating 200 FREE trees! Individuals, families and community groups within NYC are eligible to receive a tree for planting on private property only. Trees will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis until supplies run out. Simple tree planting and care instructions come with each free tree.


WHEN: Saturday, April 13, 2013
11:00am

WHERE: PACC's Affordable Housing Building
Magnolia Plaza, 686 Lafayette Avenue
(Between Marcy and Tompkins)