Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum

Legislative Initiatives

RESOLUTIONS

Resolutions cosponsored by Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum. Click here to view local laws.

Abide by the court order in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit. (0014-2006-A)
Description: Resolution calling upon Governor George Pataki to immediately abide by the court order in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit and fully fund New York City?s public schools, in consideration of the emergency facing our school system.

Amend the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) program. (0016-2006)
Description: Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to amend the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) program in order to provide parity with respect to the exemptions provided in the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program.

Determining that a public emergency requiring rent control in the City of New York continues to exist and will continue to exist on and after April 1, 2006. (0079-2006)
Description: Resolution determining that a public emergency requiring rent control in the City of New York continues to exist and will continue to exist on and after April 1, 2006.

Urging the NYS Board of Elections to promptly certify precinct based/optical scan voting systems. (0131-2006-A)
Description: Resolution urging the New York State Board of Elections to promptly certify Precinct Based Optical Scan voting systems that are compliant with the New York State Board of Elections voting system standards for procurement by the county Boards of Elections and urging the Board of Elections in the City of New York to select a Precinct Based Optical Scan system that is compliant with the New York State Board of Elections voting system standards as the new voting technology for the City of New York.

Increase penalty for those who impersonate police officers and for those who illegally sell police uniforms. (0146-2006)
Description: Resolution calling upon the Legislature of the State of New York to increase the penalty for those who impersonate police officers and for those who illegally sell police uniforms.

Supporting the American Jewish World Service’s “Save Darfur: Rally to Stop Genocide,” and declaring April 30, 2006 to be “Save Darfur Day”. (0177-2006-A)
Description: Resolution supporting the Save Darfur Coalition?s ?Save Darfur: Rally to Stop Genocide,? and declaring April 30, 2006 to be "Save Darfur Day"

Denouncing The Border Protection, Anti-Terrorism, and illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 (HR 4437). (0193-2006)
Description: Resolution denouncing The Border Protection, Anti-Terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 (HR 4437).

Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) (0228-2006-A)
Description: Resolution urging the Board of Elections in the City of New York to take various measures to ensure public input and inspire public confidence in any election systems procured pursuant to the Help America Vote Act of 2002.

Approving the amendment to Exhibit 1 of the Agreement to authorize the expenditure of payments in lieu of taxes as set forth in the addition to Exhibit 1 entitled “New Queens Stadium Project” attached hereto. (2060-2006)
Description: Resolution approving the amendment to Exhibit 1 of the Agreement to authorize the expenditure of payments in lieu of taxes as set forth in the addition to Exhibit 1 entitled "New Queens Stadium Project" attached hereto.

Expand the number of senior citizens who would be eligible to participate in the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program. (0272-2006)
Description: Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass legislation that will expand the number of senior citizens who would be eligible to participate in the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program.

Designating June of 2006 as “Caribbean Heritage Month”. (0338-2006)
Description: Resolution recognizing the contributions of Caribbean Americans and people of Caribbean descent to the City of New York and designating June of 2006 as "Caribbean Heritage Month".

Place a moratorium on the confiscation of students’ cellular phones during random searches of middle and high schools.(0342-2006)
Description: Resolution calling on the Department of Education (DOE) to place a moratorium on the confiscation of students? cellular phones during random searches of middle and high schools, to immediately convene public hearings in every community school district to discuss its policy banning cellular phones in public schools and to develop, in consultation with all interested parties, an alternative policy governing the presence of cellular phones on school property.

Exempt contributions made by an employer to an accident or health plan for the benefit of an employee’s domestic partner from State and City taxes. (0365-2006)
Description: Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass Assembly Bill 7577 and Senate Bill 4795-A which would exempt contributions made by an employer to an accident or health plan for the benefit of an employee?s domestic partner from State and City taxes.

Congress to pass the Uniting American Families Act (H.R. 3006 - S.1278) (0366-2006-A)
Description: Resolution calling upon the United States Congress to reintroduce and pass the Uniting American Families Act, which would provide a mechanism under the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow United States citizens and legal permanent residents in binational same-sex relationships to sponsor their foreign-born partners for immigration to the United States in a manner consistent with the legal requirements and rights currently enjoyed by opposite-sex couples.

Recognize that human trafficking is a crime and to pass legislation criminalizing human trafficking and providing services and programs to trafficking victims. (0504-2006)
Description: Resolution calling upon the State of New York to recognize that human trafficking is a crime and to pass legislation criminalizing human trafficking and providing services and programs to trafficking victims.

LU 240 - Landmarks, Public School 64, Manhattan (20065578HKM)
Description: Resolution affirming the designation by the Landmarks Preservation Commission of (Former) Public School 64.

Declare a symbolic moratorium on the use of the “N” word in NYC during the month of February, also known as Black History Month. (0693-2007-A)
Description: Resolution calling on the Council of the City of New York to declare a symbolic moratorium on the use of the "N" word in New York City.

School reforms, and to delay the implementation of these reforms until the potential impact has been fully assessed. (0780-2007)
Description: Resolution calling upon the New York City Department of Education to consult with educators, parents, community leaders and other interested stakeholders regarding the recent school reforms, and to delay the implementation of these reforms until the potential impact has been fully assessed.

Increase the number of Family Court judges in New York City. (0783-2007)
Description: Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass legislation to increase the number of Family Court judges in New York City.

Court-Livingston-Schermerhorn BID, Brooklyn (0786-2007)
Description: Resolution concerning the establishment of the Court-Livingston-Schermerhorn Business Improvement District in the Borough of Brooklyn and setting the date, time and place for the public hearing to hear all persons interested in the establishment of such district.

Denouncing the massacre at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University located in Blacksburg, Virginia. (0822-2007)
Description: Resolution denouncing the massacre at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University located in Blacksburg, Virginia, expressing outrage at the senseless casualties suffered by students and faculty, and offering solidarity and support to the Virginia Tech and Blacksburg communities.

Congress to pass the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2005 (S. 910/H.R. 1849). (583/2006)
Resolution urging the United States Congress to pass the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2005 (S. 910/H.R. 1849). Referred to Committee: 10/25/06

LU 278 - UDAAP, Site Central Harlem I (1), Manhattan (20075077HAM) (568/2006)
Application no. 20075077 HAM, an Urban Development Action Area Project known as Site Central Harlem I (1), located in Community Board 11, Council District no. 8, Borough of Manhattan. This matter is subject to Council review and action pursuant to Article 16 of the New York General Municipal Law, at the request of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and pursuant to Section 696 of General Municipal Law for an exemption from real property taxes. Approved by Committee:10/11/06

Recognize that human trafficking is a crime and to pass legislation criminalizing human trafficking and providing services and programs to trafficking victims. (504/2006)
Resolution calling upon the State of New York to recognize that human trafficking is a crime and to pass legislation criminalizing human trafficking and providing services and programs to trafficking victims. Approved by Council: 11/15/06

LU 218 - Zoning Reso., Maspeth/Woodside R7X Inclusion, Queens (N060504ZRQ) (490/2006)
Resolution approving the decision of the City Planning Commission on Application No. N 060504 ZRQ, an amendment to the text of the Zoning Resolution relating to Section 23-90 (Inclusionary Housing), to establish the Inclusionary Housing Program in two new R7X districts in Community District 2, Queens (L.U. No. 218). Approved by Council: 8/16/2006

File on behalf of the Council, an amicus brief in support of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity in the litigation Campaign For Fiscal Equity et al. v. the State of New York et al. (464/2006)
Resolution endorsing the Speaker?s decision to file, on behalf of the Council, an amicus brief in support of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity in the litigation Campaign For Fiscal Equity et al. v. the State of New York et al. Approved by Council: 8/16/2006

Exempt contributions made by an employer to an accident or health plan for the benefit of an employee’s domestic partner from State and City taxes (365/2006)
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass Assembly Bill 7577 and Senate Bill 4795-A which would exempt contributions made by an employer to an accident or health plan for the benefit of an employee?s domestic partner from State and City taxes. Approved by Concil: 6/13/2006

Designating June of 2006 as “Caribbean Heritage Month” (338/2006)
Resolution recognizing the contributions of Caribbean Americans and people of Caribbean descent to the City of New York and designating June of 2006 as "Caribbean Heritage Month." Approved by Council: 6/13/2006

Expand the number of senior citizens who would be eligible to participate in the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program (272/2006)
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass legislation that will expand the number of senior citizens who would be eligible to participate in the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program. Referred to Committee: 4/26/2006

Approving the amendment to Exhibit 1 of the Agreement to authorize the expenditure of payments in lieu of taxes as set forth in the addition to Exhibit 1 entitled “New Queens Stadium Project” attached hereto (260/2006)
Resolution approving the amendment to Exhibit 1 of the Agreement to authorize the expenditure of payments in lieu of taxes as set forth in the addition to Exhibit 1 entitled "New Queens Stadium Project" attached hereto. Approved by Council: 4/26/2006

Approving amendment to Exhibit 1 of the Agreement to authorize the expenditure of payments in lieu of taxes as set forth in the addition to Exhibit 1entitled “New Bronx Stadium Project” attached hereto (259/2006)
Resolution approving the amendment to Exhibit 1 of the Agreement to authorize the expenditure of payments in lieu of taxes as set forth in the addition to Exhibit 1 entitled "New Bronx Stadium Project" attached hereto. Approved by Council: 4/26/2006

Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) (228/2006)
Resolution urging the Board of Elections in the City of New York to take various measures to ensure public input and inspire public confidence in any election systems procured pursuant to the Help America Vote Act of 2002. Approved by Council: 8/16/06

Denouncing The Border Protection, Anti-Terrorism, and illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 (HR 4437) (193/2006)
Resolution denouncing The Border Protection, Anti-Terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 (HR 4437). Approved by Council: 4/26/2006

Supporting the American Jewish World Service’s “Save Darfur: Rally to Stop Genocide,” and declaring April 30, 2006 to be “Save Darfur Day” (177-A/2006)
Resolution supporting the Save Darfur Coalition's "Save Darfur: Rally to Stop Genocide," and declaring April 30, 2006 to be "Save Darfur Day." Approved by Council: 4/26/2006

Increase penalty for those who impersonate police officers and for those who illegally sell police uniforms (146/2006)
Resolution calling upon the Legislature of the State of New York to increase the penalty for those who impersonate police officers and for those who illegally sell police uniforms. Referred to Committee: 3/01/2006

Determining that a public emergency requiring rent control in the City of New York continues to exist and will continue to exist on and after April 1, 2006. (79/2006)
Resolution determining that a public emergency requiring rent control in the City of New York continues to exist and will continue to exist on and after April 1, 2006. Approved by Council: 3/22/2006

Amend the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) program. (16-A/2006)
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to amend the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) program in order to provide parity with respect to the exemptions provided in the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program. Approved by Council: 11/15/06

Abide by the court order in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit (14-A/2006).
Resolution calling upon Governor George Pataki to immediately abide by the court order in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit and fully fund New York City?s public schools, in consideration of the emergency facing our school system. Aprroved by Council: 2/15/2006

Proposals of the President’s Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform to eliminate the deductibility of state and local taxes (1270/2005)
Resolution rejecting the proposals of the President?s Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform to eliminate the deductibility of state and local taxes and replace the deduction for mortgage interest and calling upon the President and Congress to reject these proposals as well and to index the alternative minimum tax (AMT) for inflation. Approved by Council: 12/21/2005

Commemorating the life and mourning the loss of Rosa Parks (1240/2005)
Resolution commemorating the life and mourning the loss of Rosa Parks, an icon of the civil rights movement whose brave act of refusing to give up her seat on an Alabama bus in 1955 led to the end of legalized segregation in the United States; and further declaring that December 1st shall annually be observed as Rosa Parks Commemoration Day in New York City, and encouraging all businesses in the City, both public and private, to either close on December 1st or allow the many workers and students in the City who will want to attend Rosa Parks Commemoration events taking place during normal business hours, to take the day off, or leave work and school early with impunity. Approved by Council: 11/30/2005

Commemorating the life and achievements of Sandra Feldman (1169/2005)
Resolution commemorating the life and achievements of Sandra Feldman. Referred to Committee: 9/28/2005

Commemorating the life and achievements of Simon Wiesenthal (1168/2005)
Resolution commemorating the life and achievements of Simon Wiesenthal. Referred to Committee: 9/28/2005

Urging President Bush to rescind his recent executive order suspending the Davis-Bacon Act in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina (1167/2005)
Resolution urging President George W. Bush to rescind his suspension of the Davis-Bacon Act in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina so that contractors will not be allowed to pay poverty wages to workers in the rebuilding effort, and calling upon Congress to take appropriate action if he fails to do so. Referred to Committee: 9/28/2005

Amend the State Tax Law to allow the NYC to temporarily suspend the sales tax on heating oil (1166/2005)
Resolution calling upon the State Legislature to introduce and adopt, and the Governor to sign, legislation which would amend the State Tax Law to allow the City of New York to temporarily suspend the sales tax on heating oil. Referred to Committee: 9/28/2005

Amend the NY Tax Law to give NYC the authority to replace its portion of the sales tax on motor fuel and diesel fuel with an excise tax, setting a flat/fixed cents per gallon tax rate (1149/2005)
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to amend the New York Tax Law to give the City of New York the authority to replace its portion of the sales tax on motor fuel and diesel fuel with an excise tax, setting a flat/fixed cents per gallon tax rate. Passed: 9/15/2005

Amend the Retirement and Social Security Law to allow members of NYC’s 5 pension systems on military leave and serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, and who are disabled to qualify for accidental disability benefits (1148/2005)
Resolution calling upon the State Legislature and the Governor to enact legislation amending the Retirement and Social Security Law to allow members of New York City's five pension systems on military leave and serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, and who are disabled as the natural and proximate result of an accident sustained in such service, to qualify for accidental disability benefits equal to three-quarters of their City salary. Passed: 9/28/2005

1083/2005

NYS Department of Labor to keep open the Unemployment Telephone Claims Center in lower Manhattan.

Resolution calling upon Governor Pataki and the New York State Department of Labor to keep open the Unemployment Telephone Claims Center in lower Manhattan. Passed: 9/28/2005

978/2005

HUD not to revise the operating subsidy formula for funding public housing that will cost NYC up to $166 million annually, and calling upon Congress to reject this change if imposed by HUD.

Resolution calling upon President George W. Bush and the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) not to revise the operating subsidy formula for funding public housing that will cost New York City up to $166 million annually, and calls upon Congress to reject this change if imposed by HUD. Passed: 6/09/2005

949/2005

Repudiating the remarks of Lenora Fulani.
Resolution repudiating the remarks of Lenora Fulani and condemning them as racist, bigoted, anti-Semitic and inappropriate to responsible political dialogue and urging all public servants of good conscience to disassociate themselves from any public or political endeavors with which she may be integrally involved. Referred to Committee: 5/11/2005

922/2005

Commemorate the 40th anniversary of the signing of the NYC Landmarks Law and the establishment of the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission.
Resolution to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the signing of the New York City Landmarks Law and the establishment of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Passed: 4/20/2005

919/2005

Commemorating Yom Ha’Atzma’Ut, Israeli Independence Day, on May 12, 2005.
Resolution commemorating Yom Ha'Atzma'Ut, Israeli Independence Day, on May 12, 2005. Passed: 4/20/2005

918/2005

Commemorating May 11, 2005, as Yom Ha’Zikkaron
Resolution commemorating May 11, 2005, as Yom Ha'Zikkaron, a day of remembrance for the Israeli soldiers killed in the struggle for Israeli Independence. Passed: 4/20/2005

917/2005

Commemorating Yom Ha’Shoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, on May 6, 2005
Resolution commemorating Yom Ha'Shoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, on May 6, 2005. Passed: 4/20/2005

914A/2005

Amend tax exemptions for certain properties rehabilitated and sold under the Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s HomeWorks Program.
Resolution to amend tax exemptions previously approved by the City Council pursuant to Section 696 of the General Municipal Law for certain properties rehabilitated and sold under the Department of Housing Preservation and Development's HomeWorks Program. Passed: 5/11/2005

913A/2005

912/2005

Commemorating and honoring the life and achievements of Pope John Paul II.
Resolution commemorating and honoring the life and achievements of Pope John Paul II and his 26 years of service as the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Passed: 4/12/2005

892/2005

Expand the number of senior citizens who would be eligible to participate in the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program.
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass legislation that will expand the number of senior citizens who would be eligible to participate in the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program. Referred to Committee: 3/23/2005

890/2005

Maintain federal funding of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG).
Resolution calling upon Congress and the President to maintain federal funding of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and to renew our nation?s commitment to combat poverty, ameliorate racial and ethnic inequality and empower low-income communities. Approved by Committee: 4/07/2005

866/2005

Enact legislation declaring psuedoephedrine, an essential ingredient in the making of methamphetamine, a controlled substance.
Resolution calling upon the Governor of the State of New York to consider enacting legislation declaring psuedoephedrine, an essential ingredient in the making of methamphetamine, a controlled substance in order to restrict the of sale of over-the-counter cold medicine containing this ingredient, and further calling on the federal government to support the "Combat Meth Act of 2005." Passed: 9/28/2005

840/2005

Increase penalty for those who impersonate police officers and for those who illegally sell police uniforms.
Resolution calling upon the Legislature of the State of New York to increase the penalty for those who impersonate police officers and for those who illegally sell police uniforms. Referred to Committee by Council: 2/16/2005

804/2005

Support of a posthumous presidential pardon of former boxing great John Arthur “Jack” Johnson.
Resolution in support of a posthumous presidential pardon of former boxing great John Arthur "Jack" Johnson for his racially-motivated conviction in 1913 and calling upon President George W. Bush to exercise his constitutional authority to grant a pardon in this case. Passed: 2/16/2005

798/2005

Commemorating the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp in Poland on January 27, 1945.
Resolution commemorating the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp in Poland on January 27, 1945. Passed: 2/16/2005

796A/2005

Provide for a minimum staffing level of one conductor and one operator on trains operated on safety-sensitive lines in the NYC transit system.
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to amend the public authorities law to provide for a minimum staffing level of one conductor and one operator on trains operated in passenger service on lines in the New York City transit system that travel through tunnels, under a body of water, or over a bridge; or during instances when trains in passenger service are composed of more than four cars, or are greater than three hundred sixty feet in length, or are able to carry a passenger load of more than 750 persons. Passed: 3/09/2005

795A/2005

Execute the Memorandum of Understanding required for the implementation of the landmark 2003 NYS Brownfield Cleanup Program.
Resolution calling upon the Governor and New York State Legislature to execute the Memorandum of Understanding required for the implementation of the landmark 2003 New York State Brownfield Cleanup Program and distribution of funding through the Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program. Passed: 3/09/2005

775/2005

125 Beach 17th St., 120 Beach 19th St. & 17-21/31 Seagirt Blvd., Queens
Resolution approving a project summary, related tax exemptions and a regulatory agreement for a Project located at 125 Beach 17th Street, 120 Beach 19th Street, 17-21/31 Seagirt Boulevard (Block 15638/Lot 1), Far Rockaway, Queens, pursuant to the Private Housing Finance Law (L.U. No. 360; 20055117 HAQ). Passed: 1/19/2005

Amend the Real Property Tax Law to exclude from the definition of income all unreimbursed medical and prescription drug expenses paid by a senior citizen (674/2004) (A.6518)
Resolution urging the New York State Assembly to pass A.6518, which would amend the Real Property Tax Law to exclude from the definition of income all unreimbursed medical and prescription drug expenses paid by a senior citizen for purposes of determining eligibility for Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) benefits, and further urging the New York State Senate to introduce and pass a companion bill. Referred to Committee by Council: 11/10/2004

Emergency Flu Response Act of 2004 (649/2004)
Resolution calling upon the Congress of the United States to pass S.2968, the "Emergency Flu Response Act of 2004," introduced on October 8, 2004, by a bipartisan group of Senators, which would address the crisis created by the current shortage of flu vaccine.
Passed: 11/10//2004

Supporting the NYPD's participation in the AMBER Alert broadcast system (624/2004)
Resolution supporting the New York City Police Department's participation in the AMBER Alert broadcast system, which allows police to rapidly notify the public that a child has been abducted, and urging that additional methods of alerting the public with comprehensive information be developed and implemented. Passed: 12/15/2004

Amend the Penal Law to include the denial of a weapons permit for any applicant convicted of violating NYC's assault weapons ban (597/2004)

Resolution calling on the State Legislature to amend the Penal Law to include the denial of a weapons permit for any applicant convicted of violating New York City's assault weapons ban.
Passed: 1/05/2005

Allow persons who are in dating relationships and experience abuse to petition for orders of protection in Family Court (589/2004)

Resolution urging New York State to allow persons who are in dating relationships and experience abuse to petition for orders of protection in Family Court.
Passed: 10/27/2004

Adopt more stringent legislation in relation to training, background checks and licensing/registration for private security personnel (569/2004)

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to allow municipal legislative bodies to adopt more stringent legislation in relation to training, background checks and licensing/registration for private security personnel to address the deficiency of current security measures.
Passed; 11/23/2004

US Dep't of Health and Human Services to withdraw its proposed implementation approach for Section 1011 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (568/2004)

Resolution calling upon the US Department of Health and Human Services to withdraw its proposed implementation approach for Section 1011 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003. Re-reffered to Committee by Council: 10/13/2004

Plant trees in the communities of color, low income and highest rates of asthma (512/2004)
Resolution calling upon the United States Department of the Interior, the New York State and City Parks Departments and private sector nurseries to plant trees in communities of color, communities of low income and communities with the highest asthma rates, that have historically had to the fewest tree plantings. Passed; 9/28/2004

Request an extension of the project Liberty Program (443-A/2004)
Resolution excoriating Governor Pataki and the New York State Office of Mental Health for failing to request an extension of the Project Liberty Program, which provided counseling to individuals, families and groups who were seriously traumatized by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City, and to petition Governor Pataki to request that the Federal Emergency Management Agency reopen the program. Passed: 10/13/2004

Supporting the "Berlin Declaration" (399/2004)
Resolution supporting the "Berlin Declaration," a document summary of the second international conference on anti-Semitism recently held by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Passed: 10/27/2004

Government officials to protect and uphold First Amendment rights to freedom of speech, association and assembly (389-A/2004)
Resolution calling upon government officials to protect and uphold First Amendment rights to freedom of speech, association and assembly. Passed: 6/28/2004

Require hospitals to provide patient language assistance services for the communication of clinical and other information (371-A/2004)
Resolution urging the New York State Senate to adopt S.5161B, which would require hospitals to provide patient language assistance services for the communication of clinical and other information. Passed: 10/13/04

Punishing dangerous and deadly drivers, particularly in relation to drivers who cause death or serious injury due to intoxication or criminal negligence (338-A/2004)
Resolution calling on the State Legislature to adopt more stringent legislation for punishing dangerous and deadly drivers, particularly in relation to drivers who cause death or serious injury due to intoxication or criminal negligence.
Laid Over by Committee: 1/10/2005

Offering the Council's full support for the"Invisible No More" campaign (324/2004)
Resolution offering the Council's full support for the "Invisible No More!" campaign that is dedicated to winning home health aide contracts that mandate a Living Wage of $10 an hour by 2006, health benefits for home health aides and their families, paid vacation time and sick leave.
Passed: 6/28/04

Security Officers Appreciation Month, May 2004 (318/2004)
Resolution designating the month of May 2004 as Security Officers Appreciation Month.
Passed: 5/19/2004

Nielsen Media Research to delay the introduction of Local People Meter service in the NYC media market (268/2004)
Resolution calling upon Nielsen Media Research to delay the introduction of Local People Meter service in the New York City media market until such time as sufficient studies have been conducted to ensure fair and accurate counting of all New York City viewers regardless of race, ethnicity or national origin
Laid Over by Committee

"Timothy's Law," which would provide New Yorkers with fair insurance treatment for mental health and chemical dependency services. (248/2004) (S.5329/A.8301)
A resolution calling upon the New York State legislature to adopt S>5329 and A.8301 also known as "Timothy's Law" which would provide New Yorkers with fair insurance treatment for mental health and chemical dependency services
Passed: 6/21/04

Amend Megan's Law to mandate community notification regarding sex offenders (247-A/2004)
Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to amend Megan's Law to mandate community notification regarding sex offenders and to require local law enforcement to provide education to the public regarding such notification.
Passed: 12/15/2004

Decrying the sexual violence and killing of women in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico (238-A/2004)
Resolution decrying the sexual violence and killing of women in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico over the past ten years, calling upon the Comptroller of the City of New York to develop and enforce procedures, short of disinvestment, that ensure that corporations receiving New York City pension funds respect the basic human rights of their employees and calling on the appropriate authorities in Mexico to take steps to end the killings in Ciudad Juarez.
Passed: 10/27/2004

Supporting comprehensive programs for the diagnosis and treatment of Hepatitis C (237/2004)
Resolution supporting comprehensive programs for the diagnosis and treatment of Hepatitis C, and educational efforts for substance abusers and persons with psychiatric disabilities who are substance abusers in order to stem the current epidemic of Hepatitis C infections.
Passed: 11/10/2004

Adopt a zero waste policy (174/2004)
Resolution calling upon the city of New York to adopt a zero waste policy to be achieved in the long term with leadership, commitment and stabilized funding.
Laid over by committee

Opposing state interference with same-sex couples who choose to marry (171/2004)
Resolution opposing state interference with same-sex couples who choose to marry and share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities and commitment of civil marriage and calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass the New York Right to Marry Bill (currently A.7392 and S.3816).
Referred to Committee by Council

Acknowledging the crucial role that grandparents in NYC play in raising grandchildren (165/2004)
Resolution acknowledging the crucial role that grandparents in New York City play in raising grandchildren, and calling upon the appropriate Council committee to hold a hearing to further explore this issue
Passed: 05/05/2004

Opposing Governor Pataki's recent proposed cuts to public assistance spending (154/2004)
Resolution opposing Governor Pataki's recent proposed cuts to public assistance spending, which would harm families struggling to make ends meet and would not provide appropriate supports for recipients of public assistance working towards permanent self-sufficiency.
Passed: 6/21/04

Conduct oversight hearings to examine the consequences of aggressive motorcycling on City streets (143/2004)
Resolution calling upon the appropriate committee of the Council of the City of New York to conduct oversight hearings to examine the consequences of aggressive motorcycling on City streets and to explore ways to the make the streets safer for both drivers and pedestrians.
Referred to Committee by Council

Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program (141/2004)
Resolution calling upon the Legislature of the State of New York to amend the Real Property Tax Law to provide rent increase exemptions to qualified disabled heads of households modeled on the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program.
Passed; 11/10/2004

Greater parity in the provision of mental health services (140-A/2004)
Resolution calling upon Congress to adopt and the President to enact legislation that would promote greater parity in the provision of mental health services.
Passed: 10/13/2004

Opposing any amendment to the Federal Constitution that would define marriage as a union that can only exist between a man and a woman, opposing the Federal Defense of Marriage Act of 1996 (137/2004)
Resolution opposing any amendment to the Federal Constitution that would define marriage as a union that can only exist between a man and a woman, opposing the Federal Defense of Marriage Act of 1996, and also opposing any attempts by New York State elected officials to pass similar discriminatory legislation.
Referred to Committee by Council

Food and Drug Administration to approve emergency contraception (Plan B) for over-the-counter sale (92-A/2004)
Resolution calling upon the Food and Drug Administration to approve emergency contraception Plan B for over-the-counter sale.
Passed: 02/26/2004

"Ballistics, Law Assistance, and Safety Technology Act" ("BLAST Act") (85-A/2004)
Resolution calling upon the United States Congress to approve legislation that establishes a national ballistics fingerprint database. Passed: 1/05/2005

NYS Legislature to increase the penalty for the failure to register or verify an address as required by the Sex Offender Registration Act (81-A/2004)
Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to increase the penalty for the failure to register or verify an address as required by the Sex Offender Registration Act, and to require that convicted sex offenders perform their annual address verification in person.
Passed: 12/15/2004

Amend Penal Law to better combat illegal gun trafficking (78-A/2004)
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to amend various sections of the Penal Law to better combat illegal gun trafficking. Passed: 1/05/2005

Amend the Pistol and Revolver Ballistic Identification Databank Law (49/2004)
Resolution calling upon the Governor and the New York State Legislature to amend that section of the New York State General Business Law known as the Pistol and Revolver Ballistic Identification Databank Law, to require that assault weapons, rifles and other long-barreled weapons be included in New York State's ballistics fingerprint database
Passed: 1/05/2005

Requires agencies to conduct a cost/benefit analysis prior to making a decision to privatize city services (37-A/2004)
Resolution urging the Mayor and all city agencies to comply with Local Law 35 (Section 312(a) of the New York City Charter) which requires agencies to conduct a cost/benefit analysis prior to making a decision to privatize city services, and in particular, urging the city to abandon its current efforts to privatize the custodial workforce in New York City schools, and instead to continue and expand the use of a unionized, civil service custodial workforce by rehiring civil service Custodian Engineers in schools currently using private contractors. Passed: 5/19/2004

March for Women's Lives Day, April 25, 2004 (0003-A/2004)
Resolution recognizing April 25, 2004 as "March for Women's Lives Day," in honor of the landmark 1973 United States Supreme Court decision of Roe. v. Wade, which established a woman's constitutional right to decide when and if to have a child, and further supporting the March for Women's Lives, an event demonstrating overwhelming support for a woman's right to choose safe and legal abortion and birth control, and offering the Council's full support in ensuring the protection of the right of women to control their reproductive health, lives and futures in an ever-increasingly hostile anti-choice environment. Passed: 04/21/2004

US Dep't of Veterans Affairs to maintain current levels of inpatient and outpatient medical care at the Manhattan Veterans Affairs Medical Center (1067/2003)
Resolution calling upon the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to maintain current levels of inpatient and outpatient medical care at the Manhattan Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Passed: 10/24/2003

U.S. Dept of Veteran Affairs not to eliminate or reduce acute psychiatric, neurological or rehabilitative medical services at the NY Campus of the VA NY Harbor Healthcare System (1027/2003)
Resolution calling on the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs not to eliminate or reduce acute psychiatric, neurological or rehabilitative medical services at the New York Campus of the VA NY Harbor Healthcare System, and to provide the public with full and accessible opportunities to express its views regarding the Draft National Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services Plan
Passed: 10/24/2003

Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride, October 4, 2003 (996/2003)
Resolution calling for immigration reform that provides fair opportunities for persons to apply for legalization of immigration status and citizenship; reiterating the City Council's commitment to working together in coalitions with immigrant, labor, community, business and religious groups to protect the rights of New York's immigrant families; and endorsing the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride, which will arrive in New York on October 4, 2003 at Flushing Meadow Park in the great borough of Queens and is designed to draw attention to the importance of immigrant rights.
Passed: 09/30/2003

Decrease the required proportion of income to be paid toward rent from 1/3 to 1/4 for residents of rent-controlled and rent-stabilized units to qualify for the SCRIE program (993/2003)

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass A. 6198 and S. 2677, which would amend Real Property Tax Law (RPTL) Section 467-b to decrease the required proportion of income to be paid toward rent from one-third to one-fourth for residents of rent-controlled and rent-stabilized units to qualify for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program, and to enact legislation which would amend RPTL Section 467-c to decrease the required proportion of income to be paid toward rent from one-third to one-fourth for residents of Mitchell-Lama units to qualify for the SCRIE program.
Passed: 10/24/2003

Decrease the required proportion of income to be paid toward rent from 1/3 to 1/4 for residents of rent-controlled and rent-stabilized units to qualify for the SCRIE program (959/2003)

Resolution calling upon the Occupational Safety and Health Hazard Abatement Board of the New York State Department of Labor to promptly establish strong and enforceable track safety standards to protect transit workers and riders that mirror or exceed the safety standards used by the Federal Railroad Administration
Passed: 09/30/2003

HRA's administration of the City's Food Stamp Program (908/2003)
Resolution calling upon the appropriate committee of the Council of the City of New York to conduct an oversight hearing on the administration of the City's Food Stamp Program by the Human Resources Administration (HRA).
Passed: 12/03/2003

Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (867-A/2003)
Resolution calling upon the Federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to reverse its decision to promulgate rules requiring the working poor to meet a higher standard of proof of eligibility for the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit than it requires for other tax benefits, and, if the IRS fails to reverse itself, calling upon Congress to act legislatively to stop the proposed action.
Passed: 05/28/2003

Homeland Security Funding (866-A/2003)
Resolution commending the United States government for taking threat information, critical infrastructure and population density into consideration when distributing homeland security and bioterrorism funding, and further calling upon the United States government to continue to account for such factors when distributing additional homeland security and bioterrorism funding and to distribute such funds directly to the City of New York and other high-risk localities across the nation.
Passed: 05/28/2003

U.S. Gov't to enact a national counter-cyclical revenue sharing program (865-A/2003)
Resolution calling upon the United States government to enact that portion of the United States Senate-adopted version of the President's economic stimulus package providing for $20 billion in state and local fiscal assistance, as well as to enact a national anti-recessionary revenue sharing program that would provide states and cities with direct federal assistance to mitigate the loss of revenues and increased service obligations during this current economic recession and other such recessions in the future
Passed: 05/28/2003

Governor Pataki to withdraw a FY'03-'04 budget proposal to cut funding to CUNY (843/2003)
Resolution calling upon Governor George Pataki to withdraw a Fiscal Year 2003-2004 budget proposal to cut funding to the City University of New York, and further calling upon the New York State Legislature to reject all Fiscal Year 2003-2004 budget proposals that limit funding for the City University of New York
Passed: 04/30/2003

Governor and the NYS Legislature to fully restore State funding for the education of NYC's schoolchildren (826/2003)
Resolution calling upon the Governor and the New York State Legislature to fully restore State funding for the education of New York City's schoolchildren and to take such further steps as are necessary to ensure that the City of New York has the financial resources to provide each of its schoolchildren with an appropriate education
Passed: 04/30/2003

Governor Pataki to withdraw a FY'03-'04 budget proposal to cut Medicaid funds (825/2003)
Resolution calling upon Governor George Pataki to withdraw a Fiscal Year 2003-2004 budget proposal to cut Medicaid funds received by cities and counties, and further calling upon the New York State Legislature to reject all Fiscal Year 2003-2004 budget proposals that limit Medicaid funds received by cities and counties
Passed: 04/30/2003

Governor to withdraw a FY 2003-2004 budget proposal to amend Article VI of the Public Health Law (806-A/2003)
Resolution calling upon Governor George Pataki to withdraw a Fiscal Year 2003-2004 budget proposal to amend Article VI of the Public Health Law to limit state matching funds received by cities and counties for eligible public health activities; and further calling upon the New York State Legislature to reject all Fiscal Year 2003-2004 budget proposals which limit state matching funds received by cities and counties for eligible public health activities
Passed: 04/30/2003

Commemorating Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day on April 29, 2003 (800/2003)
Resolution commemorating Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day on April 29, 2003
Passed: 04/30/2003

Commemorating Yom H'atzmaut, Israeli Independence Day on May 7th, 2003 (799/2003)
Resolution commemorating Yom H'atzmaut, Israeli Independence Day on May 7th, 2003
Passed: 04/30/2003

Fair Share Commuter Tax/Reverse Commuter Reimbursement Program (795/2003)
Resolution calling upon the State Legislature and the Governor to support the imposition of a Fair Share Commuter Tax/Reverse Commuter Reimbursement Program, which would consist of a commuter tax imposed upon non-New York City residents, as well as an undertaking by the City to effectively reimburse the surrounding suburban New York counties for the City residents who commute to those counties at the same rate as that paid by the suburban county residents who commute to the City.
Passed: 04/30/2003

Mayor and HRA to increase food stamp participation (749/2003)
Resolution calling upon the Mayor and the Human Resources Administration (HRA) to increase food stamp participation by providing help to applicants on their first visit to HRA offices and by making HRA office hours more flexible for working families. Not Re-introduced.

Condemning the gender segregation practiced by the Augusta National Golf Club (745-A/2003)
Resolution calling upon the Augusta National Golf Club to cease its practice of gender segregation and urging all television networks and other media, particularly CBS Broadcasting, to refrain from broadcasting the Masters in 2004 and future years as long as it is held at Augusta or any other venue that promotes segregation and discrimination.
Passed: 04/30/2003

FEMA to extend the deadline for the MRA program at least until April 1, 2003 (698/2003)
Resolution calling upon the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to extend the deadline for the Mortgage and Rental Assistance (MRA) program at least until April 1, 2003
Not Re-introduced.

Extending state rent regulation and eviction protection laws (692-A/2003) (A.2716-A)
Resolution calling upon the New York State Senate to pass, and the Governor to approve, A.2716-A, in relation to extending state rent regulation and eviction protection laws and repealing high-rent vacancy decontrol
Passed: 03/12/2003

New York State Legislature to repeal the Urstadt Law (691-A/2003)
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to approve, A.2071, in relation to the repeal of the Urstadt Law.
Passed: 03/12/2003

Determining that a public emergency requiring rent control in NYC continues to exist (690/2003)
Resolution determining that a public emergency requiring rent control in the City of New York continues to exist and will continue to exist after April 1, 2003
Passed: 03/12/2003

Conduct oversight hearings to examine the consequences of aggressive motorcycling on City streets (664/2003)
Resolution calling upon the appropriate committee of the Council of the City of New York to conduct oversight hearings to examine the consequences of aggressive motorcycling on City streets and to explore ways to the make the streets safer for both drivers and pedestrians
Re-introduced as Res. No. 143/2004

Strongly condemning the murderous terrorist attacks against civilians in Israel (432/2002)
Resolution strongly condemning the murderous terrorist attacks against civilians in Israel and calling upon President George W. Bush to condemn the Palestinian Authority's support of terrorists and harboring of terrorists and calling upon the President and the United Nations to work together to seek the closure of the United Nations Mission office of the Palestinian Authority in the City of New York
Passed: 09/12/2002

Campaign for Fiscal Equity v. State of New York in the appeal of the Supreme Court Appellate Division's decision (403/2002)
Resolution calling upon the Mayor of the City of New York to file an amicus brief on behalf of the plaintiff in Campaign for Fiscal Equity v. State of New York in the appeal of the Supreme Court Appellate Division's decision
Passed: 11/07/2002

Restrict the issuance of a license for the possession and purchase of firearms (289-A/2002)
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to further restrict the issuance of a license for the possession and purchase of firearms
Passed: 10/15/2003

Close the background check loophole at gun shows by extending the Brady Law (288-A/2002)
Resolution calling on the United States Congress to pass H.R. 260, which would close the background check loophole at gun shows by extending the Brady Law to all sales at gun shows
Passed: 09/30/2003

70 cents cell phone surcharge, 911 System (193-A/2002)
Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to amend the County Law so that the wireless telephone surcharge collected from residents of municipalities and counties that operate their own 911 emergency telecommunications system, such as New York City, be remitted to those municipalities and counties for payment of the costs related to operation of the emergency response system
Passed: 4/30/2003

U.S. Navy to vacate its training facility on the Puerto Rican Island, Vieques (183-A/2002)
Resolution calling upon the United States Navy to vacate its training facility on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques and to cease and desist from violating the civil rights of the Puerto Rican people to peaceful assembly on the Island Vieques.
Passed: 09/25/2002

Safety of the Airbus A-300-600 (100/2002)
Resolution calling upon the United States House of the Representatives to hold hearings on the safety of the Airbus A-300-600, other aircraft and the adequacy of pilot training programs. Not Re-introduced.

Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise ("M/WBE") (0003/2002)
Resolution calling upon the appropriate committee of the Council of the City of New York to conduct an oversight hearing regarding the need for a Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise ("M/WBE") Program, including the disparity study being conducted by Baruch College
Not Re-introduced.