Assemblymember
Deborah J. Glick's
- Community E-Update -

October 2015

In September, Utica College (Utica, NY) announced they would be cutting tuition for the 2015-16 school year by 42 percent, significantly decreasing the financial burden experienced by students. This comes as a relief to students and families in New York who are looking for college options that do not bury graduates in debt. I praise Utica College for their decision to lower tuition and was pleased to see that this university proves the College's main commitment is to students and education, rather than capital expansion. With 70 percent of students in the United States graduating on average with nearly $30,000 in debt, Utica College has taken a step toward ensuring higher education can remain accessible to all.

Earlier this month, I had the honor of taking part in the Larry Selman Way co-naming of Bedford Street between Grove and Barrow. As many of you know, Larry was a mainstay of our community, and a developmentally disabled man who inspired so many people with his unique story and dedication to helping others. The street co-naming was a touching tribute, where community members who knew him best were able to share some of their favorite stories about Larry. Larry Selman Way is a small honor that ensures his legacy will forever be a part of the unique history of our community.

The local Community Education Councils, community members and advocates have consistently rejected charter schools proposed for Districts 1 and 2, including the most recent application by Charter School of the Arts. On October 1, I presented testimony against the application by the Charter School of the Arts to open in either community school district 1 or 2. I have concerns about this charter school coming into the district, and siphoning resources from our public schools. Community School District 1 and 2 are popular because of our high-quality elementary schools, and we do not need a charter school. What we need are more elementary school seats in our public schools. I hope that this application will be denied.

A woman's right to choose how and when to start a family is a fundamental right that should not impacted by politics or lack of financial means. And yet, attacks against women, and particularly their reproductive freedom, have only increased in intensity and frequency throughout the country. Earlier this month, I wrote to the Governor to request his support of a bold initiative that would have an overwhelming positive effect on women and families in New York. As the Governor prepares his next Executive Budget, I asked that he consider funding a program for long-acting reversible contraceptives for women in New York, especially those on Medicaid.

There was a recent study conducted in Colorado regarding long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC), such an intrauterine device. In this six year study, Colorado received private funding to implement a program in which participants were counseled about LARCs and provided free contraception if desired. The study found that access to LARC not only had a profound impact on the lives of women, but this program also resulted in significant financial savings for the State.

Between 2009-2013, teenage birthrates among study participants declined by 40% and abortions dropped by 42%. Enormous benefits to the health and wellness of the participants was not the only benefit of this program; there was significant financial benefit to the State as well. Between 2010-2013, enrollment in the Federal nutrition program for women and children (WIC) declined by 23 percent. For every $1 spent on the program, it is estimated that there was a saving of $5.85 of State Medicaid savings. While the Colorado study is the most extensive study done so far, other studies have had similar results.

Unintended pregnancies derail women's lives. This simple program gives women real power to reduce unwanted pregnancies. With control over reproductive choices, women are more likely to pursue higher education, and therefore obtain higher paying jobs. This is good for the women, but also good for New York which in return benefits from the increased contributions from these women. I hope as the Governor prepares his next budget, he will consider a program such as this, to allow women, especially poor women, throughout New York to truly have autonomy over their bodies and reproductive choices.

Good news! Following my request, the Army Corps of Engineers has agreed to extend the public comment period until November 19th.

As you may know, Hudson River Park Trust, in partnership with the Diller - von Furstenberg Family Foundation, is proposing the creation of a new pier- Pier 55. This would replace Pier 54 currently located between Little West 12th and 13th Streets. Pier 55 is proposed just north of Pier 54, in what is currently undeveloped water. It would rise 71 feet above shore-line and the whole project would involve the drilling of 896 new piles into previously undisturbed riverbed. The project also includes the mooring of a 4,000 square foot barge for events.

Since this plan was first unveiled, I have advocated for a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to be conducted in order to determine the true impact this project would have not just on the water and wildlife, but also the surrounding community. There are serious concerns that drilling into previously untouched water and riverbed will be detrimental to the sensitive marine habitat. Furthermore, the impact the drastic change of use will have on the surrounding community is yet to be understood.

Prior to being able to move forward with development, this project needs permits from the Army Corps of Engineers and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The public comment period for the Army Corps of Engineers is open now through November 19th.

The Army Corps has acknowledged that "any benefit which reasonably may be expected...must be balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments." Factors that are considered relevant while evaluating this permit include, but are not limited to: general environmental concerns, wetlands, historic properties, fish and wildlife value, flood hazards, recreation and the needs and welfare of the people.

I strongly urge you to submit written comments about this project and the potential environmental damage this pier might have on our sensitive marine sanctuary. All comments in writing must REACH the Army Corps offices by November 19th (address below). This will require you to leave time for mail delivery, and so I urge you to attend to this quickly. Please be sure to reference public notice number: NAN-1998-00290.

Army Corps of Engineers
New York District
Jacob K. Javitz Federal Building
New York, NY 10278-0090
Attn: Regulatory Branch

I am excited to announce the next installment in moving one step closer to the reality of the 75 Morton Middle School. On November 2nd, at 6:30pm, the 75 Morton Street Alliance, will be hosting an envision meeting at the newly opened Clinton School for Writers and Artists at 10 East 15th Street. This meeting encourages parents and community members to attend to discuss the educational philosophy for the new school. They will also be recruiting District 2 and D75 parents to serve on the leadership team for the new school. We are thrilled by this expansion of education in Greenwich Village, and hope you can join us in discussing the vision for 75 Morton Street.

I recently wrote a letter to Attorney General Eric Schniederman asking him to release New York University's full IRS Form 990 in an effort to better understand the real estate holdings of NYU. As part of the NYU expansion plan, representatives of the university consistently indicated that a lack of academic space was a driving force behind their massive expansion plans. Additionally, NYU has frequently compared itself to "peer" institutions like Columbia or Yale, although these schools have lower student populations, lower acceptance rates, and a larger amount of space for enrolled students. A full list of NYU's real estate holdings will help to understand if NYU is actually lacking space for students.

Not surprisingly, NYU has continued to raise tuition for students to astronomical levels while continuing to make real estate purchases that drive up local real estate prices and force local tenants and business owners out. These actions alter our neighborhood and contribute to a City-wide problem of inflated real estate cost.

Earlier this month, I wrote a letter to the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) in support of Tribeca Trust's efforts to expand the historic districts within Tribeca. For years, the Tribeca Trust has tried to expand Tribeca North, East and South so that our iconic buildings and architectural history is preserved for future generations. In my letter, I urged the LPC to quickly schedule a hearing for this expansion. This comes on the heels of testimony I presented to the Landmark Preservation Commission in September in which I highlighted the threat our communities are facing from avaricious real estate developers who want to convert our neighborhoods into high rise luxury enclaves.

I testified before the New York City Public Design Commission (PDC) regarding proposed changes by New York University (NYU) to the streetscape of the southern side of Bleecker Street and interim landscape changes to a public space along West 4rd Street known as LaGuardia Park (aka "the park strips"). In July, the PDC rejected designs which negatively altered the general makeup of the community and the Commission requested that NYU reevaluate their plans to be more in line with community support and high standards of design.

While the PDC did approve the new plan, I am pleased that recommendations from the commission and a simplification of designs were incorporated into the plan. I happy that leadership on the PDC board seeks to ensure high standards of public design in New York City are maintained. Communities should be well-planned and designed for the needs of residents and local businesses despite further corporate encroachment and development.

Citizens Committee for New York City, a charity organization committed to improving the quality of life for low income neighborhoods in New York City, is currently offering a few grants.

The Love Your Block Grant, offers up to $1,000 in funding to volunteer-led community groups looking to improve the quality of their neighborhoods while leveraging city services. Deadline to apply for this grant is November 6th. For more information, contact Imani Brown at 212-822-9567, or by email at ibrown@citizensnyc.org. The grant can be found at: www.citizensnyc.org/grants/loveyourblock.

Another grant, the Neighborhood Grant, offers an award of up to $3,000 dollars to grassroots organizations for a project to improve the state of their neighborhood. This grant is application based, and the deadline to apply is January 25th, 2016. More information on the grant and the application itself can be found on the organization's website, at www.citizensnyc.org/grants. Any questions about the grant or the application can be directed to Tehmina Brohi at 212.822.9563 or to grants@citizensnyc.org . The agency also offers feedback to final drafts of applications if submitted by January 8th.

Take part in advocating for animal rights by joining the Humane Society of the United States in a free NYC workshop. The evening will highlight priority legislation on the topics of wildlife, companion animals, and animal cruelty. The event will take place on December 10th, from 6:30 to 8:30pm, at 44 West 44th Street.