Dear Neighbors,
Earlier today I joined with Mayor de Blasio and rock star and environmentalist Billy Idol to celebrate the launch of an anti-idling public outreach and enforcement campaign. We are sounding the alarm on the harmful effects of idling, expanding enforcement of anti-idling laws, and encouraging all New Yorkers to turn their engines off whenever possible.
Every year in New York City, idling engines release tens of thousands of tons of pollutants that endanger our health and the climate. Idling is a major source of both smog and soot, which can irritate and damage human lungs, leading to higher risks of asthma, cancer, and heart disease.
No vehicle --personal or commercial-- is permitted to idle for more than three minutes in New York City. The campaign launched today will put all drivers on notice, some of our most overburdened neighborhoods will receive aggressive enforcement support, and we will begin to turn the tide on this threat to public health.
Speaking at City Hall today about our new anti-idling campaign. Billy Idol is pictured to my left!
In January 2018 the City Council passed my legislation creating a “Citizens Air Complaint Program” at the NYC Dept of Environmental Protection. New Yorkers who witness and record a commercial truck or bus idling for more than three minutes can file a complaint online and collect 25% of the $350 penalty.
In just two years, the number of idling complaints submitted to the DEP has soared-- almost 10,000 were filed in 2019. I commend the de Blasio administration for pushing this issue forward. Learn more at billyneveridles.nyc!
STANDING WITH STUDENT SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
Today the City Council overwhelmingly passed my legislation which shines a spotlight on, and demands accountability for, sex/gender-based discrimination and harassment in New York City schools.
According to data submitted to the state, city schools reported over 3,500 sexual assaults during the 2017-18 school year, or 19.6 per day. This deplorable reality was the focus of an April 2019 joint hearing on Federal Title IX and sex/gender-based discrimination in the public school system. There, multiple students described incidents of harassment and assault experienced on school premises.
Discussing my legislation at a City Hall press conference today.
The students confirmed what we already know, that starting from a very young age, girls are taught that if they are harassed, abused or assaulted, coming forward and telling someone may not be a good idea. Students told us about not being believed or supported. They were sometimes blamed, or isolated, or worse. Almost 20 assaults per day is completely unacceptable. And, we all know there are plenty of incidents that go unreported.
That’s why we are taking action. Later this year, data about all forms of sex/gender-based discrimination against students will be easily accessible -- it can no longer be hidden. My bill brings long-buried reports into one shared context, in a clear and organized public website.
We are also forcing the NYC Dept of Education to tell us exactly how they are addressing harassment and abuse. And we are requiring the NYC Commission on Gender Equity to review all of this, and issue annual recommendations about other steps we need to take.
The challenge, of course, is that we do not have direct authority over the DOE. This is a reporting bill. Follow-through --particularly on encouraging survivors to come forward-- is ultimately the responsibility of the schools and the City. We must do everything we can to hold them more accountable for ensuring a fair and safe learning environment for every student.
As always, don't hesitate to contact my District Office at (212) 873-0282 or my City Hall office at (212) 788-6975 with any questions.
Warmly,
|
|
|
|
