Newsroom

Queens Tribune wrote about the press conference Senator Gianaris held in response to the crashes at Queensborough Bridge.

In the wake of two similar disastrous car accidents on the Queens side of the Queensboro Bridge, local officials are asking the city to change the traffic pattern that they say has caused two accidents that killed two and destroyed a business - twice.

In the span of two weeks, two Volkswagen Jettas crashed into a store on Queens Plaza South and Crescent Street. Both cars collided with the store after jumping the curb exiting the Queens-bound outer roadway of the Queensboro Bridge. Both accidents occurred at about 4 a.m., when the normally-congested bridge is nearly empty. Tragically, both drivers each lost an arm.

The Western Queens Gazette wrote about a rally to protest the placement of a dirty asphalt plant in Long Island City.The rally was hosted by Senator Gianaris along with Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer and Community Board 2 Chairman Joe Conley.

Elected officials and community leaders are asking the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to rescind a permit it issued to an asphalt plant in Long Island City until a proper Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is issued.

The Western Queens Gazette wrote an article about Senator Gianaris' bill regarding the outlawing of concealed vehicular compartments These hidden spaces can be extremely dangerous and can aid drug, gun and human trafficking.

State Senator Michael Gianaris’ (D-Astoria) legislation making it illegal to install or possess a concealed compartment in a vehicle passed through the New York State Senate Codes Committee.

Law enforcement personnel nationwide as well as within New York state have witnessed a surge in the number of hidden compartments found in motor vehicles, which often aid drug and gun trafficking. With the advent of advanced electronics, concealed vehicular compartments have become even more difficult to find.

Utica Observer-Dispatch editorialized on redistricting reform and calls on constituents of Senate Republicans to remind them of their promise of reform. Redistricting reform should be passed without delay.

One would suppose that by now we should be used to politicians talking out of both sides of their mouth. Just once it’d be nice to see them actually keep a promise — especially when it’s good for the people.

But alas, redistricting in New York state by independent commission no longer is in the best interest of state Senate Republicans. Ergo, the promise made last year to create an impartial, independent panel on redistricting seems to be kaput.

Over the weekend the New York Times called for substantial reforms to the way New York State Government funcitons. One of the reforms they highlighted was my  call for independent redistricting.

Check out the full article here

Queens Chronicle wrote an article about the electricity rate increases and power companies' property tax cuts that will affect all New Yorkers. I am calling on the federal government to reverse this decision.

Federal regulators are reconsidering a decision that could hike electric rates in the city 16 percent this year for residential customers and 21.5 percent for businesses, though there’s no guarantee they’ll change their minds, a state senator from Queens said this week.