News in New York – City Legislation, Migrant Report, Chief Judge

NYC Council Passes and Introduces Legislation

Last Wednesday, the NYC Council convened a Stated meeting, where they passed and introduced multiple pieces of legislation. The Council voted on the Language Access Act, which aims to strengthen language access for New York City residents and small business owners, and increase the translation of city documents into more languages. Legislation was also passed to improve the efficiency of parks capital improvements projects. Additionally, the Council approved legislation to create a workforce development program for people with disabilities, along with legislation requiring five-year accessibility plans from every city agency. You can find all of the bills that were passed and introduced here.

City Council Proposes Policy Reforms for Migrant Crisis

New York City Council has released a report on the Adams administration’s approach to the asylum seeker crisis. Council has also outlined short-term and long-term policy recommendations. Some of the immediate recommendations include increasing the number of beds for unaccompanied young migrants, establishing partnerships with local restaurants, and expanding legal services via public-private partnerships. Long-term recommendations, aimed at structural issues within the City, include reducing the documentation needed to enter City shelters, expanding job readiness programs through the City, connecting migrants with free and low-cost healthcare, and increasing the number of bilingual and multi-lingual teachers. You can find the full report here.

Governor Appoints Hon. Hector D. LaSalle as Chief Judge of the NYS Court of Appeals

Governor Hochul nominated Honorable Hector D. LaSalle as the next Chief Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals. The Chief Judge oversees the entire New York State judiciary branch. Judge LaSalle currently serves as Presiding Justice of New York Supreme Court’s Second Department. If confirmed, LaSalle would become the first Latino Chief Judge in state history. However, the nomination has been controversial, due to his conservative and anti-abortion judicial record. Several progressive Democrats and organizations, including the Working Families Party and the Center for Community Alternatives, have called for the State Senate to reject the nomination. 32 Senators would need to vote for LaSalle’s confirmation. Given the current party makeup of the Senate, only 11 Democrats voting against LaSalle would effectively derail the nomination.