Page 8 - qt edition #52

PAGE 8 THE QUEENS TIMES THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025

Attorney General James, Senator Comrie, And AM Colton Appreciates Efforts by
Assemblymember Lasher Celebrate Signing of Historic Residents, Elected Officials And
Consumer Protection Law Organizations to Replace Stolen Toys

FAIR Business Practices Act fairness endures throughout the business practices that cost New (Continued from page 7) This is the Brooklyn way, and I’m
Updates New York’s Primary 21st century,” said Senator Leroy Yorkers more money, such as thankful to Assemblyman Colton
Consumer Protection Law for Comrie. “Far too many consumers lenders, including auto lenders, Assemblyman William Colton’s for quickly mobilizing the com-
First Time in 45 Years and small businesses across New mortgage servicers, and student office was particularly upsetting,” munity,” said Borough President
Legislation Championed by AG York state have faced deceptive fi- loan servicers, that deceptively said Don Hong, president of UA3. Reynoso.
James, Senator Comrie, and nancing schemes, abusive contract steer borrowers into higher cost “We quickly joined Brooklyn Bor- The toys collected will be split
Assemblymember Lasher Will terms, and predatory practices loans. The new law will also ough President Reynoso, Coun- between Toys for Tots, a project
Protect Small Businesses and that have spiraled individuals and reduce unnecessary and hidden cilmember Zhuang and National of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
Consumers, Stop Predatory Lend- smaller businesses into insolvency fees, stop unfair billing practices Grid to replenish the toys so that that began in 1947, and children at
ers, Reduce Junk Fees, and Lower and legal battles they often can- by health care companies, and no child will be forgotten during the Marlboro Houses, with distri-
Costs not afford. With this bill becom- prevent companies from taking the holidays.” bution to families in need coordi-
ing law, that ends today. This advantage of New Yorkers with “The holiday season is about nated by the Marlboro Residents
New York Attorney Gen- legislation codifies case law that limited English proficiency. spreading love and cheer, not tak- Association.
eral Letitia James, Senator Leroy maintains transactional safety and New York’s current consumer ing from others. I am happy my Toys can be dropped off
Comrie, and Assemblymember provides the enforcement tools to protection law, GBL §349, was office and so many others have Thursday from noon to 8 p.m.,
Micah Lasher applauded Gover- hold bad actors accountable so we passed in 1970 and, unlike 41 oth- stepped up to replace the stolen and Friday, from 10 a.m. to noon.
nor Kathy Hochul’s signing of the may all strive towards a good faith er states, only prohibited decep- toys and ensure the community’s The last day for donating toys is
Fostering Affordability and In- business climate. I look forward to tive business acts and practices, children will have a joyful holiday. Friday, December 19.
tegrity through Reasonable Busi- continuing our work with Attor- leaving New Yorkers vulnerable to
ness Practices (FAIR Business ney General James, our economic a broad array of exploitative acts Meeks Issues Statement on NDAA
Practices) Act. The legislation, development partners, and busi- by companies. The FAIR Business
introduced by Attorney General nesses of all sizes to ensure that Practices Act will bring New York Representative Gregory W. “This bill also includes my
James and sponsored by Senator New York remains a place where in line with the vast majority of Meeks, Ranking Member of the legislation, the Haiti Criminal
Comrie and Assemblymember markets, lending, and all other other states by protecting New House Foreign Affairs Com- Collusion Transparency Act,
Lasher, updates New York’s pri- transactions remain fair.” Yorkers from unfair and abusive mittee, issued a statement fol- which targets the flow of illegal
mary consumer protection law, “Today is a victory for every business acts, such as: lowing the signing of the FY26 arms fueling Haiti’s crisis and
GBL §349, for the first time in 45 New York consumer. With Gover- • Student loan servicers that steer National Defense Authorization holds accountable those elites
years. The new law protects New nor Hochul’s signature, the FAIR borrowers into the most expensive Act (NDAA) into law: enabling it. It also restores the
Yorkers from unfair, abusive, and Business Practices Act becomes repayment plans; State Department’s Office of
deceptive business practices. law in New York, and we are • Car dealers that refuse to return “This NDAA package in- Haitian Affairs, a bipartisan re-
“The FAIR Business Practices sending an unmistakable message: a customer’s photo ID until a deal cludes several priorities I have buke of Secretary Rubio’s rushed
Act will help us tackle rising costs while the Trump administra- is finalized and charge for add-on spent years working to enact, and illegal reorganization. And
and protect working families and tion abandons working families, warranties that the customer did including the historic repeal of the NDAA preserves the Rangel,
small businesses,” said Attorney New York will stand up and fight not actually purchase; the 2002 Authorization for Use Payne, Pickering, and Veterans
General James. “I am proud to back,” said Assemblymember • Nursing homes that routinely of Military Force (AUMF). I was Innovation fellowships, sustain-
have worked alongside Senator Micah Lasher. “For too long, our sue relatives of deceased residents honored to carry forward the ing bipartisan commitments to
Comrie and Assemblymember state has had one of the weakest for their unpaid bills despite not work of former Representative diversity, equity, and inclusion
Lasher to update our most impor- consumer protection laws in the having any basis for liability; Barbara Lee, whose leadership at the State Department.
tant consumer protection law for country — and that ends today. • Companies that take advantage made this long overdue repeal “While the reauthorization of
the first time in 45 years to stop Now, Attorney General James of consumers with limited English possible. For too long, presidents the Development Finance Cor-
predatory lenders, abusive debt will have far stronger legal tools proficiency and obscure pricing of both parties have misused poration was not finalized on a
collectors, dishonest mortgage to go after the unfair and abusive information and fees; AUMFs to justify unrelated fully bipartisan basis, I was able
servicers, and so much more. At a practices that drain billions from • Debt collectors that collect and military actions. The repeal of to secure essential guardrails to
time when the federal government hardworking New Yorkers every refuse to return a senior’s Social the 2002 AUMF removes a dan- protect its core mission and safe-
is abandoning working people and single year. Consumer protection Security benefits, even though gerous blank check and helps guard taxpayer dollars. While I
raising the cost of living, this law is affordability, plain and simple. those benefits are exempt from ensure no president can drag us support what good provisions
will help us stop companies from When we stop companies from debt collection; and into reckless foreign wars the there are in the final package, it
taking advantage of New Yorkers. cheating people, families keep • Health insurance companies American people do not want, is in the interest of the American
I thank Governor Hochul, Senate more of what they earn and can that present customers with long and which Congress has not people for the NDAA to remain
Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, spend it on what they actually lists of in-network doctors who, authorized. a bipartisan process.”
and Assembly Speaker Heastie for need. I am deeply grateful to Gov- in reality, do not accept the insur-
their leadership and look forward ernor Hochul for her leadership, to ance. Gillibrand, Hyde-Smith Applaud Sen-
to working together to make our Attorney General James for her With the federal government
state more affordable.” tireless advocacy, and to Senator rolling back protections for con- ate Passage Of Their Bill To Support
“I commend the Governor Comrie for his partnership in this sumers and small businesses, Victims Of Human Trafficking, Urge
and Attorney General James for fight.” the FAIR Business Practices Act
advancing the FAIR Business The FAIR Business Practices authorizes the Office of the At- President Trump To Promptly Sign It
Practices Act, a critical statu- Act passed the State Legislature torney General (OAG) to protect Into Law
tory modernization of the state’s in June 2025. The legislation will vulnerable New Yorkers from
business climate, and ensuring help stop a range of unscrupulous exploitative practices. (Continued from page 4 Senator Gillibrand first intro-
duced the Trafficking Survivors
St. Mary’s Healthcare System For Children Hosts quent problems finding jobs and Relief Act with a bipartisan
housing because of nonviolent group of colleagues in 2016. She
Legislative Breakfast To Advocate For Essential offenses they committed under reintroduced it in every subse-
Medicaid Funding For Medically Fragile Children duress. I have been working to quent Congress, most recently
get this bill through Congress with Senator Hyde-Smith in
Amid Federal Cuts for almost ten years, and I am July 2025.
thrilled that it has now passed In addition to allowing survi-
(Continued from page 6) Hospital for Children for conven- this legislative breakfast with the House and Senate. I urge vors of human trafficking to have
ing a legislative breakfast and for St. Mary’s, and to Assemblyman President Trump to sign it into nonviolent criminal convictions
guide our work in Albany. I ap- the families who so generously Weprin, Assemblywoman Rozic, law as soon as possible.” or arrest records they incurred
preciate St. Mary’s leadership shared their stories. Listening to and our partners in government “Human trafficking touches while being trafficked vacated
and look forward to continuing parents and caregivers is essential for joining us in this important every corner of our country, and expunged, the Trafficking
our partnership on behalf of the to shaping thoughtful, compas- dialogue.” often leaving survivors facing Survivors Relief Act would also:
children they serve. I am proud sionate public policy, and their As the only center for pediatric ongoing hardships even after ● Allow for an individual’s
to represent this incredible health- voices will continue to guide my long-term and rehabilitative care escaping exploitation. The Traf- status as a victim of traffick-
care organization.” advocacy in Albany,” said Assem- in New York City, St. Mary’s has ficking Survivors Relief Act ing to be a mitigating factor for
“It was an honor to visit St. blywoman Nily Rozic.” served New York’s children for gives survivors a chance to clear courts to consider when impos-
Mary’s Children’s Hospital and “For more than 150 years, St. more than 150 years. St. Mary’s their records of the non-violent ing a prison sentence for violent
to witness firsthand the extraor- Mary’s has stood on the frontlines provides a continuum of care to federal offenses they were forced crimes.
dinary work they do for children of caring for New York’s most children with medically com- to commit as a direct result of be- ● Require U.S. attorneys to
and families across New York. St. medically fragile children,” said plex conditions through an inpa- ing trafficked. Survivors should submit a report one year after
Mary’s is a beacon of hope and Sean Lally, President and CEO of tient hospital facility in Bayside not spend the rest of their lives enactment detailing the number
healing, and I am proud to support St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Queens, as well as home care ser- being punished for crimes that of motions filed under the law.
their mission,” said Assemblyman Children. “We know firsthand that vices and community programs. were tied to their exploitation,” ● Ensure that DOJ Office for
David I. Weprin. “I will continue for our patients continued invest- More than 90 percent of patients Senator Hyde-Smith said. “Pro- Victims of Crime and Office on
to advocate for the resources and ment in Medicaid is not optional at St. Mary’s require a level of care viding true relief and a fresh start Violence Against Women grant
recognition they deserve so that – it is essential. We are grateful that exceeds what their families is essential to long-term healing, funding can be used for legal rep-
every child can receive the care to Assemblyman Braunstein and can afford and what Medicaid is and I’m thrilled this legislation is resentation for post-conviction
they need and thrive.” Senator Stavisky for co-hosting able to cover. on course to be signed into law.” relief activities.
“I’m thankful to St. Mary’s