Mayor de Blasio’s Promises At The State of The City 2019
BROOKLYN — Mayor de Blasio wants all New Yorkers to have a better quality of life, and Hizzoner is making sure that happens one law at a time.
De Blasio’s State of the City which was held at Symphony Space on the Upper West Side of Manhattan roared with cheer as the mayor announced one progressive measure after another to a packed auditorium.
For the Tenants:
Weeks after the city placed NYCHA at the top of its 100 Worst Landlord’s List, the mayor vowed to protect New Yorkers from bad landlords. He signed an executive order to establish a new arm of the city — the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants, a measure he actually signed on stage during his address. He promised stricter penalties on realtors who take advantage of tenants.
“When the city’s worst landlords cheat their tenants, we will take their buildings away from them,” he said with no word of whether NYCHA’s landlords will also be held accountable.
New Yorkers will now be able to participate in a city-sponsored retirement plan. According to the mayor, you’ll be able to set aside a portion of your paycheck which is job transferable.
More job protections services come with the renaming of the Department of Comsumer Affairs. The mayor announced handing the city’s arm some additional responsibilities. Nannies, home health aide workers, freelancers and drivers will now have access to additional protections under the agency.
“When a home healthcare aide, when their pay is withheld or any worker is mistreated, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection will intervene,” the mayor said.
For the Children:
The mayor announced the expansion of 3K For All which includes a Bushwick and East New York rollout along with other neighborhoods throughout the city.
The city introduced a pilot program in 2017 in Brownsville where Public Advocate candidate Latrice Walker sits as assemblywoman of the area. 1700 students were enrolled at the time and the city expects to serve 20,000 3-year-olds by 2020.
“3-K for all has transformed early learning in our city,” said Walker. “When the program initially launched in 2017 we have seen a multitude of parents inquiring about enrollment for their little ones. The extra year of instruction provided our children with a level of academic and social development that they cannot get later on. 3-K for All assisted families who were searching for adequate childcare that would provide them with an unparalleled learning experience.
Chalkbeat broke the mayor would ensure all grade schoolers now have free access to eyewear. The measure already exists for some schools throughout the city but the expansion looks to increase the number of participants from 26,000 to 140,000.
On Transporation:
Coney Island finally received long-awaited ferry service. Service will shoot to Wall St. with a stop at the 69th St. pier in Bay Ridge. Their neighbors across the New York Harbor, Staten Island also get a ferry.
Daniel Ioannou, who has been advocating for ferry service since the initial May 2017 rollout was happy about the expansion. “Coney islanders are rejoicing the news of ferry service, which will cut commute times by half,” he said. “Coney Island is thankful for the continuous efforts of Councilmember Treyger, local neighborhood groups and most importantly, residents whose voices have been heard.”
De Blasio buffered the announcement of a new NYPD tow truck unit when he led with an expansion of the Select Bus Service. The city adjusts traffic signals along bus routes so that they travel faster. The city will increase all-door service and off-board fare collection. Brooklyn ‘s three of the 15 lines which participate in the service are the B44, B46 and the B82 routes.
Subway service repair was again volleyed to the state.
“Come heck or high water, we will get Albany to fix our subways, shifting the responsibility to the governor.
The mayor sang the praises of the styrofoam ban, NYC Care (affordable healthcare for New York City residents) and paid personal time for all New Yorkers, all announced within the past 10 days.
“There’s plenty of money in the city, it’s just in the wrong hands,” he said. “You deserve a city that gives you the prosperity that you have earned.”
Imagine a city that’s focused every day on making things more fair,” de Blasio said. “Your health care guaranteed. Your wages and benefits protected. Your home and your rent affordable. Your time is given back to you. Your child on the right path from 3-K all the way to college. Your subways and buses actually improving. Your streets safer than ever. And your retirement secured.”
“Imagine a city where New Yorkers can live their lives more fully,” he said. “That’s the quality of life I want for every New Yorker.”