Dear Friend,

As we mark the midpoint of the summer season, I have had an opportunity to interact with community residents at a variety of events across my district. Though the New York City Council is in recess, we remain committed to addressing the needs and concerns of our constituents.

 From human rights to civil rights, we have been reminded by current events that the fight for fairness, respect, and equality is alive and well. As a progressive society, we must move forward -- not backward. It is our responsibility to ensure that the nation inherited by the next generation of leaders is inclusive and not exclusive. The full participation of our family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors in local and national government is vital in the preservation of our rights. I want to encourage you to stand up and be counted, speak out and be heard.     

Yours in Partnership,

Laurie A. Cumbo

Member of the New York City Council 

• Introduced a resolution calling upon the New York City Housing Authority, or NYCHA to provide an annual report to the City Council containing information concerning Section 3 and the hiring practices of the Resident Employment Program.
• A hearing was held on Intro 187, which would require the Administration for Children's Services (ACS) to provide information regarding high school graduation rates of youth in foster care, and we are confident that this will become law. 
• If you work in NYC for more than 80 hours a year, you can earn up to 40 hours of sick leave each year to care for yourself or a family member. If you are an employer, including a not-for-profit or a small business, you must provide paid sick leave if you have five or more employees who work in NYC or unpaid sick leave if you have fewer than five employees. Domestic workers who have worked for you for more than one year are entitled to two days of paid sick leave, which is in addition to the three days of paid rest mandated by New York State Labor Law. The new paid sick leave law goes into effect on July 30, For more information or to file a complaint, call 311 or click here.

• The New York City Housing Authority has launched a new website to increase transparency around its open work orders. Click here to visit the new NYCHA Metrics webpage, which will be updated monthly.
• The NYCDOT has launched a new online mapping tool as part of its outreach for Mayor de Blasio's Vision Zero initiative. This map is designed to let all New Yorkers call out the specific pedestrian safety issues they encounter every day. These comments will provide valuable community input for the new Pedestrian Safety Action Plans that are currently being prepared for each borough. The last day for comments is July 31st.
• The Social Security Administration will continue to provide benefit verification letters in field offices until further notice. For security and privacy reasons, the Administration will move forward with plans to eliminate the issuance of Social Security number printouts in field offices effective August 1, 2014.
• If you are interested in the Citizens Police Academy for the Fall 2014 session with the 71st Precinct. please send your contact information to Detective Vincent Martinos at [email protected].  

Monday         Appointment Only

Tuesday        10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Wednesday    4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Thursday        1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Friday             Appointment Only