Page 1 - QT CURRENT EDITION #13
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TI MES
QUEENS
Published for the Borough of Queens
VOLUME 29, NO. 13 THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024 25 CENTS
The Italian Community Thanks
Community Op-Ed: Yes to
Congresswoman Meng For The private
Housing in God’s Backyard
When we came into office, we had a clear mission: protect Screening of Cabrini
public safety, rebuild our economy as quickly as possible, and
make our city more livable for everyday New Yorkers. The
key to livability is affordable housing. It is the bedrock on
which New Yorkers can build a family, build a life, or simply
continue to live in the city they love. But there is currently not
enough affordable housing to meet our city’s needs.
The New York City Department of Housing Preservation
and Development’s 2023 Housing and Vacancy Survey showed
that our city has a vacancy rate of 1.4 percent, the lowest this
measurement has been since 1968. The only way to create
more rental availability and lower prices is to build more
housing. To build more affordable housing, we must think
creatively and bring every partner to the table. No partner
has been more willing to answer the call than our faith-based
organizations. They have been on the frontline of every crisis
(Continued on page 2)
Pheffer Amato Passes Bill To Get Bad
Lithium-Ion Batteries Off The Street
Congresswoman Grace Meng was joined by some of those who attended the private screening
(l to r) Scott Murphy and Joseph Natalle, representing the Italian Mass at St Leo RC Church;
Congresswoman Grace Meng; James C Lisa, President of the Italian American PAC, the
Congresswoman’s husband Wayne, and Maria Becce and her husband. See story on page 2.
Meng And Malliotakis Introduce Legislation
Expanding Housing Benefits For
Queens-NYC Veterans
Bill Expands the
Veterans Home Loan
Guarantee Program to
Include Co-Ops
U.S. Reps. Grace Meng (D-
New York State Assemblywom- setting a standard and mandat- NY) and Nicole Malliotakis (R-
an Stacey Pheffer Amato voted ing only safety-proven batteries NY) announced the introduction
yes and passed a groundbreaking can be sold and operated, we can of the Fair Access to Co-Ops for
piece of legislation to target the prevent fires, but also tragic in- Veterans Act (H.R.7703), a bi-
ongoing crisis of fires caused juries and deaths. This bill holds partisan bill to make it easier for
by lithium-ion batteries. Pheffer retailers and sellers accountable. veterans in Queens and across the
Amato serves as the prime co- I believe we have more work to nation to purchase co-ops.
sponsor of A.4938 which makes it do in addressing issues caused by The legislation would expand
illegal to sell lithium-ion batteries e-bikes and my sleeves are rolled the Veterans Home Loan Guar-
for devices, like e-bikes, unless up,” said Assemblywoman Pheffer antee program to include co-ops,
the battery is certified by a nation- Amato. Those who violate this allowing the U.S. Department of Affairs Subcommittee on Eco- City about two in three apartment
ally accredited testing laboratory. new law will be charged with a Veteran Affairs (VA) to guarantee nomic Opportunity. buildings are co-ops…Co-ops on
Illegally made or second-hand penalty between $500-$1,000. co-op loans taken out by veterans. “The VA home loan program average are more affordable in
batteries have been traced back Assemblywoman Pheffer The bill would also direct the VA has been a transformative ben- New York than condos or homes.
to 200 fires in NYC throughout Amato is also working to set a new to advertise this co-op program efit for servicemembers for 80 They offer a realistic way for New
2022, which resulted in 6 deaths standard and require e-bikes and to eligible veterans, participating years,” Meng said during the Yorkers to own their place and
and over 100 injuries. e-scooters to have license plates, lenders, and interested realtors. hearing on Capitol Hill. “But this build equity. Currently, a vet-
“This is a bold step forward in and force all operators of e-bikes The legislation comes as Meng program cannot be fully enjoyed eran or service member can use
addressing the problems we face and e-scooters to have liability last week testified in support of by New Yorkers who served in
with lithium-ion batteries. By insurance. the bill before the House Veteran our armed forces. In New York (Continued on page 3)
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