WFUV News

NY Legislature to Move Primary From Sept. 11

George Bodarky — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:15:45 +0000

Legislative leaders say primary would move to Sept. 13.

New York's legislative leaders agree to move the Sept. 11 political primary to honor the memory of deaths and rescues in the 2001 terrorist attacks.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon silver and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (SKEH'-lohs) say an agreement has been struck to move the primary to Thursday, Sept. 13.

Skelos says it is tempting to hold the primary as scheduled in defiance of terrorism, but says he is honoring a request by New York City firefighters and police.

The 2001 attacks came on a primary day, which was suspended.

Connecticut To Begin Rolling Out New Education Law

George Bodarky — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:11:24 +0000

Governor Malloy signed legislation into law Tuesday.

Connecticut's education commissioner says work will begin immediately on some of the key provisions of a new, wide-ranging education overhaul bill.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy officially signed the legislation into law on Tuesday during a packed ceremony at the state Capitol.

Commissioner Stefan Pryor said the state plans to begin introducing the first of 1,000 early childhood slots in low-income communities over the next year. He said a "small number" of 25 struggling schools that will receive supports and interventions under the new Commissioner's Network, will also be chosen.

Also, he said the state will begin working with low-performing districts on plans for turning around their schools and how they'll spend additional state funding. Additionally, the state plans to roll out a pilot evaluation program in eight to 10 schools.

NY March Against Police Street Stops Planned

George Bodarky — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:26:15 +0000

March will coincide with Father's Day.

Civil rights activists are planning a silent march to protest the New York City police department's policy of stopping hundreds of thousands of people in the street each year and frisking them for weapons.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, leaders from the NAACP, religious leaders and politicians will hold the march June 17th in Harlem. It will coincide with Father's Day.

The police department last year stopped more than 600,000 people, mostly black and Hispanic men. Half were frisked, and about 80 percent were never arrested. The department says it's a necessary, crime-fighting tool that saves lives.

Critics say it is racial profiling. NAACP president Benjamin Todd Jealous says the practice needlessly humiliates law-abiding people.

NJ Delays Release of New Revenue Report

Alen Kanlic — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:18:26 +0000

Low revenues could force budget cuts.

Analysts say a new state revenue report could change Gov. Chris Christie's budget plans and force new spending cuts.

In a memo sent out earlier this month, the Office of Legislative Services reported April revenues were less than expected, but didn't say by how much. They also were on pace to trail the same period a year earlier.

Lawmakers then asked state Treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff to provide specifics on the shortfall. But he declined, saying it wouldn't be prudent.

The new revenue report was due out Monday, but that did not happen. Treasury officials declined to explain the delay.

OLS officials say there's not much breathing room in the current budget. That means low revenues could force budget cuts and changes in budget plans for the coming fiscal year.

Officials: Higher Minimum Wage Dead in NY

George Bodarky — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:54:37 +0000

Senate Republican Majority Leader says the measure won't reach the Senate floor.

Officials say a months-old proposal to raise the minimum wage for millions of New Yorkers is dead.

The Assembly's Democratic majority plans to pass its version of the bill Tuesday. It's sponsored by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

But Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who supports raising the wage, didn't include it last week on a list of a half-dozen active issues with a chance of passage this legislative session. The session ends June 21.

Senate Republican Majority Leader Dean Skelos, whose approval is essential, said the measure won't reach the Senate floor.

Silver has proposed raising the minimum wage to $8.50 an hour from the current $7.25.

Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and 15 other states have higher rates.

Thousands of Dancers Will Take to The Streets For Sixth Annual Dance Parade

Will Germain — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:48:09 +0000

Parade Meant to Highlight Effort to Repeal Cabaret law

The sixth annual Dance Parade takes off from Broadway and 21st Street Saturday afternoon at 1, and ends at Tompkins Square Park.

The parade features bands, DJ's, floats, and even a stage where spectators can go to learn some new moves. But the parade itself is not just for fun.

It's meant to highlight an effort to repeal New York's Cabaret law. The law requires venues to obtain a license for hosting dancing and live music. Rebecca Myles, an organizer with the parade says it dates back to 1926.

"When there was prohibition, and also there was a concern about interracial dancing up in Harlem. They were very discriminatory and racial laws that were brought in."

Critics say the law is outdated, but a judge struck down a 2006 effort to repeal it, saying dance is not considered expressive activity protected by the first amendment.

Malloy to Announce Conn. Tourism Campaign

Alen Kanlic — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:27:04 +0000

Taking cues from "I Love NY."

Two weeks before the traditional start of summer on Memorial Day, Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is set to announce a new state tourism campaign.

Connecticut economic development officials launched a tourism campaign in February, asking residents to define what sets the state apart in an initiative that looks to the "I Love N.Y." brand of the 1970s.

Malloy has linked tourism and marketing of the state to his economic development program.

He made money available last year so the state could pay $100,000 in dues and renew its membership with Discover New England. The regional tourism group left Connecticut off a website map after the state slashed its tourism marketing budget and failed to pay the dues.

Malloy has scheduled a news conference Monday morning at the Old State House in Hartford.

Sen. Gillibrand Touts Veteran Education for Jobs

Alen Kanlic — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:21:28 +0000

Gillibrand says she wants training more accessible.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is making the rounds of upstate New York college campuses to promote legislation to help veterans get education and training needed for civilian jobs.

Her schedule Monday includes stops at Syracuse University, Nazareth College in Rochester, and D'Youville College in Buffalo.

Gillibrand held roundtable meetings last year with business and veterans leaders around the state to discuss ways to address veterans' unemployment problems. Now, she's working on legislation to make training more accessible, protect veterans' access to education, and streamline certification processes for civilian jobs.

Last year, Gillibrand was involved in the passage of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act, which gave employers incentives to hire military veterans.

Smallpox, Vaccination and Civil Liberties in NYC

George Bodarky — Sat, 12 May 2012 11:30:00 +0000

The New-York Historical Society explores the history of vaccination in new exhibit.

It’s the kind of story that keeps moviegoers on the edge of their seats -- a lethal pandemic quickly spreads through a crowded city as the medical community races to stop it. But, throughout history, health officials in New York City have had their own real-life dramas dealing with disease, including bouts with smallpox.

Today there are vaccines available to protect adults and children against at least 17 diseases, but health officials sometimes struggle to convince people that vaccines are safe. A new exhibit set to open Tuesday at the New-York Historical Society explores the history of vaccination, including the conflict between the need to manage disease in an urban environment and the rights of individuals to resist government interference in their private lives. Joining us on this week's Cityscape is the exhibition’s team, as well as an immunization expert from the New York City Health Department.

Dr. Olivia Hooker and the Tulsa Race Riots

Robin Shannon — Sat, 12 May 2012 11:00:00 +0000

One Professor's Contribution to the Women’s and Civil Rights Movement

Dr. Olivia Hooker talks about surviving The Tulsa Oklahoma Race Riot of 1921 and becoming the first African-American woman to enlist in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War 2.

We also hear from Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins who proposed and helped pass a legislative resolution in the New York State Senate honoring Dr. Hooker for her achievements and contributions to both the women’s and the civil rights movements.