Press Releases

“Rebuilding and resiliency for HHC hospitals are essential investments for a City prepared to take on the next Sandy,” said Council Member Ben Kallos, who represents Coler Specialty Hospital on Roosevelt Island. “Senator Schumer and Mayor de Blasio merit recognition for their leadership in securing FEMA federal funding and investing it in our public hospitals.”

Skyrocketing costs of waste disposal at the 91st St. Marine Transfer Station have shot up to $632.5 million over a 20-year period, nearly three times the amount of the current waste disposal method, according to an independent report released today. The Independent Budget Office (IBO) issued the report in response to an April 8 letter from Council Member Kallos requesting update from a 2012 report to previous Council Member Jessica Lappin. The 2012 IBO report showed that the cost of waste disposal through the 91st St. Marine Transfer Station would be at $238/ton. It has since shot up by $40 per ton, to $278 per ton. Download the IBO Report

New York, NY– Today, Fifth Grade Students from PS290, in partnership with the office of City Council Member Ben Kallos, took part in a mock election in advance of tomorrow’s election. New York City has one of the lowest turn-out rates in the nation. In the 2013 general election, a mere 24 percent of registered New York City voters cast a ballot. There are 1.1 million public school children in New York City and 4.3 million registered New York City voters. Studies show that increased civic participation through activities like mock voting increase engagement and participation later in life.

The students received a lesson on civics, voting and the candidates and offices. Then, they filled out their own printed ballots in order to absorb the value of voting and to practice. The students used their arithmetic skills to tally the votes and then discussed the results as a class.

Council Member Kallos plans to expand mock voting to schools district-wide next year. He has also championed a “Vote with Kids” initiative, encouraging parents to bring their children with them to vote.

Digital Divide Would be Greatly Diminished by James/Kallos Proposal for Free and Low-Cost Internet for Millions of New Yorkers

New York, NY– Public Advocate Letitia James, Council Member Ben Kallos and elected officials today called on the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) to guarantee universal broadband and consumer protections in the prospective Comcast-Time Warner Cable Merger, which the PSC will approve or reject on November 13. The coalition of 22 state and local elected officials argued that for such a merger to be in the public interest, it would require key public benefits.

The merger of the two cable giants would provide Comcast with Time Warner Cable’s 2.5 million customers in New York State and 40 percent of Internet subscribers across the nation. The FCC has delayed a decision on the merger, but states such as New York State and California are conducting their own review processes.

The New York coalition demanded specific guaranteed public benefits for the Public Service Commission to consider the merger, including, but not limited to:

• Universal broadband to bridge the digital divide, providing free wi-fi programs to NYCHA, senior, youth and community centers, and expanding affordable broadband services to all who qualify for means-based federal, state and city subsidies;
• Improvements in infrastructure, transparency, and customer service to keep New York competitive and ensure residents have effective and reliable cable by reducing wait times, vastly improving service and reducing consumer complaints;
• Increased transparency around interconnect transmission data to ensure compliance with Net Neutrality standards and a commitment to an Open Internet.

The standards were outlined in a letter sent to the Public Service Commission today, with a broad coalition including State Senator Kevin Parker, State Senator Jose Peralta, State Senator Brad Hoylman, Assembly Member Karim Camara, Assembly Member Walter Mosley, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Council Member Antonio Reynoso, Council Member Donovan Richards, Council Member Brad Lander, Council Member Stephen Levin, Council Member Deborah Rose, Council Member Paul Vallone, Council Member Mark Levine, Council Member Margaret Chin, Council Member Danny Dromm, Council Member I. Daneek Miller, Council Member Helen Rosenthal, Council Member James Van Bramer, Council Member Carlos Menchaca and Council Member Alan Maisel.

New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, Alta Bicycle Share incoming CEO Jay Walder, and Citi Executive Vice President for Global Public Affairs Edward Skyler today announced an agreement between the City of New York and Alta Bicycle Share to operate, improve, and double the size of the largest bike share program in North America. A $30 million infusion of private capital from Bikeshare Holdings LLC, a group of private investors acquiring Alta, supported by an increased sponsorship commitment from Citi of up to $70.5 million extended through 2024, and a $15 million increase in the credit facility from the Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group will allow for the expansion and ensure the long-term stability of the system, making it more reliable and accessible for the thousands of New Yorkers who rely upon it. New Yorkers currently take more than one million trips every month on Citi Bike.

Intro 508 to allow New York City residents to register online was introduced today by Council Member Ben Kallos, Chair of the Committee on Governmental Operations and Progressive Caucus Members Co-Chairs Antonio Reynoso and Donovan Richards, as well as Council Members Danny Dromm, Mark Levine, Helen Rosenthal, Stephen Levin, Brad Lander, Ydanis Rodriguez, Debi Rose, and Carlos Menchaca. The bill requires the Board of Elections to provide a secure website for registration. Twenty four States offer online voter registration in some form, many with a fully paperless process that can be submitted directly online. New York City consistently struggles with voter participation and turnout.

New York, NY--Oct 7, 2014--A City Council bill introduced today by Council Member Julissa Ferreras and co-sponsored by Councilman Ben Kallos aims to improve transparency at the Environmental Control Board (ECB). The outstanding debt to the City of New York for ECB judegements is $1.5 billion, of which 84% is over 24 months old.   

Part I: Dangerous Intersections (PDF)

Part II: Street Improvements (PDF)

New York, NY– A crowd-sourced safe streets report released by the office of City Council Member Ben Kallos today consolidated public feedback identifying dangerous intersections, street corners that have become inaccessible to the disabled. The report also features necessary improvements to transit and the streetscape such as desired areas for bike racks and seating. The two-part report follows a mailing by the Council Member to 60,000 households in the district (available on the bottom of the release), five forums and numerous public appearances seeking to empower residents to improve their streets.

Resident feedback in the report shows:

• Dangerous intersections in District 5 from Midtown East to the Upper East Side, including a top ten list;
• Bus transit remains a priority, despite cuts in service, as seniors in the district are too far from other transit options;
• High demand for bus shelters, benches and countdown clocks;
• Streets and corners are poorly maintained in certain locations, making some corners inaccessible for walkers and wheelchairs while other conditions contribute to trip and falls;
• Bike lanes remain highly controversial in this area of Manhattan.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio today unveiled Digital.NYC, a first-of-its-kind online platform that will serve as a centralized hub for the City’s tech ecosystem, providing information and resources to help turn ideas into businesses, deliver valuable tools for digital startups, and connect New Yorkers to opportunities in the City’s tech ecosystem.

NEW YORK -- Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn) was joined City Councilman Ben Kallos and Trudy Mason, Manhattan Representative, MTA Citizens Advisory Committee as she presented a check to Dr. Michael Horodniceanu, President, MTA Capital Construction for more than $203 million in federal funds appropriated for the current fiscal year. 

The East Side Access Project will be the first major expansion of the Long Island Railroad in generations.  The project will create a stop at Grand Central Terminal which would reduce the burden on Penn Station and afford faster, easier access to the East Side. Presently LIRR passengers have to go all the way to the West Side and then take a subway back to the East Side.

"East Siders will travel more freely when East Side Access opens and the Second Avenue Subway opens. Federal funds are integral to these important transit projects, and I applaud Congresswoman Maloney for her efforts to secure resources," said City Council Member Ben Kallos.

The following statement can attributed to Council Member Ben Kallos, Chair of the Governmental Operations Committee (which oversees the Board of Elections) following a City Council hearing to consider Board of Elections Commissioner appointments:

New York, NY -- New York City has added its to voice to the growing call for a National Women’s History Museum in DC, after a resolution in support passed the City Council today. The Council, under the leadership of Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito, passed Resolution 354, calling for the Senate to end delays and pass legislation advancing the museum's formation on the National Mall. Congresswoman Maloney successfully passed legislation to move forward with a National Women’s History Museum in the House of Representatives 383-33, but two Senators, Mike Lee of Utah and Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, are holding up the companion bill in the Senate, which has the support of all 20 women senators. 

Council Members Ben Kallos and Laurie Cumbo, Chair of the Women’s Issues Committee, co-sponsored the resolution in support of federal bill H.R. 863 by Congresswomen Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and urging passage of its companion bill in the Senate. The museum would be supported through donations already being raised by 501(c)3 organization, National Women's History Museum.

“With Minerva Tantoco in the historic role of Chief Technology Officer, New York City will continue to grow as one of the most creative, well-run and thriving 21st century cities. Minerva will bring the same innovation to New York City as she has brought to major corporations like UBS as well as agile start-ups,” said Council Member Ben Kallos. “Thanks to Mayor de Blasio for continuing to prioritize technology as central to New York City life. I look forward to working with Minerva, and watching her inspire the next generation of young men and women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math.”

The NYC Century Bike Tour is a one-of-a-kind cycling event. That’s
because all of the routes – 35, 55, 75, or 100 miles – are designed to
show riders the diversity of New York’s neighborhoods and how to
navigate them safely. To illustrate bicyclists’ right to the road,
there are no street closings during the tour – bicyclists ride with
traffic and obey traffic laws.

“There are few things as beautiful as an early morning sea of bikers
coursing through the veins and arteries of New York City’s pathways,
said City Council Member Ben Kallos. “The NYC Century Bike Tour
represents New York City neighborhoods in all our diversity, from the
scenic Rockaways to the Bronx—a real taste of our city’s vast and
varied parks and transportation infrastructure.”

Congresswoman Maloney, Council Members Ben Kallos and Laurie Cumbo, Former Congresswoman, Comptroller and DA Elizabeth Holtzman, Elected Officials Push for National Women’s History Museum in DC

New York, NY–The following statement can be attributed to Council Member Ben Kallos, Chair of the New York City Council Committee on Governmental Operations, on the newly-adopted reforms in the appointment process to the New York City Board of Elections: 

"Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito is adding an unprecedented transparent and open process for appointing a Board of Elections Commissioner. The Speaker's voluntary improvement of appointment practices to the Board of Elections by having a public Rules Committee hearing demonstrates once again her commitment to fair decision-making that empowers members and the public."

New York, NY– Kids’ meals that include toys as incentives would meet specific nutritional standards under a City Council “Healthy Happy Meals” bill to be introduced today. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Ben Kallos and co-sponsored by Council Members Stephen Levin and Corey Johnson and originally introduced by former Council Member Leroy Comrie in 2011, sets standards for the calories, sodium and fat of the incentivized restaurant meals and would require the inclusion of a fruit, vegetable or whole grain serving.

 The following statement can be attributed to Council Member Ben Kallos (D-Manhattan) on improvements to Checkbook NYC:

“Open government means laws and notices are online, where New Yorkers expect to find them,” said Council Member Ben Kallos. “Now, public information printed daily in the City Record, such as meetings, contracts, and City planning, will be online, complete and up to date, so residents can make informed choices and data analysts can help us achieve a smarter city. Putting the law online upholds Hammurabi’s legacy of making the law public on stone tablets millenia ago. In the 21st Century, that means putting all laws online, continuously updated, and Council Member Lander’s Open Law legislation does exactly that. Under Mayor de Blasio, technology and open government to spur business, improve government and close the digital divide, are priorities. I thank him, Speaker Mark-Viverito, and all the activists who worked on this for turning these ideas into law.”

The Free Law Founders (FLF) today announced that The Sunlight Foundation has joined the FLF coalition to overhaul how America’s state-and-local governments make laws, deliver access to legislative and law data, and engage citizens online. Sunlight joins the growing network of government officials, citizens and civic software developers working to reinvent how democracy works on the Internet with the FLF, including: NYC Council Member Ben Kallos, San Francisco Supervisor Mark Farrell, Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza, Boston Principal Data Scientist Curt Savoie, The MIT Human Dynamics Lab, The OpenGov Foundation and the Participatory Politics Foundation.