Page 7 - QT CURRENT EDITION #17

THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2024 THE QUEENS TIMES PAGE 7

Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar Declares Victory
In War Against Illegal Smoke Shops, Passes
“Smokeout Act” In State Budget

Assemblywoman’s “Smokeout Act” United New Yorkers To Close All 36,000
Illegal Smoke Shops

After weeks of negotiations,
the SMOKEOUT Act passed in
the State budget. The law will be
effective immediately, and will
allow localities across New York
to quickly close the approximately
36,000 illegal smoke shops that
have ballooned across our State.
Assemblywoman Rajkumar
stated upon her budget victory,
“On the first day of the legislative
session, I pledged to all New York-
ers that I was going to close down
all 36,000 illegal smoke shops
ballooning across our state with
my SMOKEOUT Act. It’s time
to smoke ‘em out and shut them
down. Today is a historic victory
for public safety, common sense,
and the health of our children. The
people have spoken, and Albany
has listened.”
These past few months, Assem-
blywoman Rajkumar launched
“Operation: SMOKEOUT” that
brought New Yorkers together
across all 5 boroughs and back-
grounds with the common cause
of shutting down these illegal
shops. From Queens, to Harlem,
to the Bronx, to Times Square, to Park Side Restaurant
City Hall, to Albany, New York-
ers rallied with Rajkumar to see
SMOKEOUT Act to the finish Queens’Finest Italian Restaurant
line. Partnership, the Cannabis As- Mayor Eric Adams, who endorsed
The SMOKEOUT Act received sociation of New York, the New the SMOKEOUT Act, has pro-
a slew of endorsements by the York Cannabis Retail Association, jected that upon the bill’s passage
Editorial Boards of the New York the Bodega and Small Business in the budget, he can close all of
Post, New York Daily News, Buf- Association, Silent Voices United the City’s 3,000 illegal smoke
falo News, and Queens Chronicle. Inc., and law enforcement across shops in 30 days.
The SMOKEOUT Act was also the State. The SMOKEOUT Act calls for
endorsed by major figures and The next few weeks, Assembly- local control and for the power to
organizations including New York woman Rajkumar will be raiding shut down shops to be put in the
City Mayor Eric Adams, Sheriff illegal smoke shops across New hands of the cities and munici-
Anthony Miranda, Times Square York City with Sheriff Anthony palities. New York City and all lo-
Alliance, the Partnership for New Miranda, padlocking and shutting
York City, the East Midtown them down for good. (Continued on page 9)
Congressman Tom Suozzi Meets With Mayors About Park Side Restaurant - An Italian Landmark in the heart of Corona,
Queens, Park Side Restaurant is truly a destination that is worth the trip.
After one visit, you will be sure to be back again and again for one the
city’s Best Italian restaurants. Bring your appetite and enjoy authentic
and always delicious dishes using the freshest ingredients and attention to
detail served by our professional staff. Park Side is also happy to host your
next function with our private dining area and flexible banquet packages.

107-01 Corona Ave. Corona Heights, NY
(718) 271-9274 • (718) 271-9871
- Reservations Suggested -

Recently, newly-elected Con- and land-use planning, and the town; Mayor Susan Lopatkin,
gressman Tom Suozzi met with scope and reach of village codes. Kensington; Mayor Marvin Na-
more than 30 Mayors from across Mayors from NY-03 that tiss, North Hills; Mayor Pam
New York’s 3rd Congressional attended the meeting with Con- Panzenbeck, Glen Cove; Mayor
District to give them an update gressman Suozzi included: Mayor Bonnie Parente, East Willison;
on the latest news from our na- Pedram Bral, Great Neck; Deputy Mayor Paul Pereira, Mineola;
tion’s capital and to listen to their Mayor Peter Cavallaro, Westbury; Mayor Paul Leone Peters, Ros-
concerns and issues. Mayor Marina Chimerine, Old lyn Estates; Mayor John Pope-
Suozzi praised the work of Westbury; Mayor Elliot Conway, leski, Manorhaven; Mayor Sandy
the mayors and their trustees and Upper Brookville; Deputy Mayor Quentzel, Roslyn Harbor; Deputy
said that “Congress should take Bob DeNatale, Bayville, Mayor Mayor John Colgate, Mill Neck;
a lesson from your bipartisan Daniel DeVita, Laurel Hollow; Mayor Kenneth Riscica, Pland-
work, your commitment to your Mayor Barbara Donno, Plandome ome Heights; Mayor Randall
residents and your abilities to get Manor; Mayor Paul Ehrbar, Wil- Rosenbaum, Flower Hill; Mayor
things done that matter most to liston Park; Mayor Peter Forman, Bernie Ryba. Old Brookville;
the people of your villages.” Sands Point; Mayor Kenneth Mayor Lawrence Schmidlapp,
Suozzi, a former mayor of Glen Goodman, Matinecock; Mayor Centre Island; Mayor Daniel Se- Read Our Paper Online
Cove, knows the workings of local Charles Goulding, Oyster Bay rota, Brookville, Mayor “Kris” Visit Our Website
village government. He served as Cove; Mayor Nora Haagenson, Kouros Torkan, Kings Point;
mayor for four terms and values Baxter Estates; Deputy Mayor Mayor William Warner, Great QueensTimes.com
the doctrine of Home Rule, under- Carol Harrington, Lattingtown; Neck Estates, and Mayor Robert
stands the importance of zoning Mayor James Ligouri, Mutton- Weitzner, Port Washington North.