Anti-smoke bill proposed

Bronx Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and state Sen. Gustavo Rivera introduced a bill on March 10 banning cigarette smoking within 100 feet of public or private library entrances and exits. The legislation builds on a 2012 bill mandating the same ban at public and private elementary and high schools.

“New Yorkers have the right to go to their local public library without being exposed to secondhand smoke — which despite being secondhand, is still known [to] have detrimental medical side effects to those exposed,” Mr. Dinowitz said a statement.

“This bill is especially important when you consider the number of school age children and seniors who patronize public libraries — they deserve a smoke-free and healthy environment to enjoy our state’s great library systems, and I am thrilled to work with my colleague Senator Rivera again to make New York a healthier place,” he concluded.

The release cited Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data showing that secondhand smoke can result in bronchitis and pneumonia, with children among those most susceptible to the ailments.

Trump ties in #NY13

Donald Trump has crept into seemingly every part of the news cycle. Last week, the controversial Republican presidential frontrunner made a cameo in the race to succeed Rep. Charles Rangel — by way of one candidate’s attack on another.

A recent Daily News column quotes Clyde Williams as saying Assemblyman Keith Wright did Mr. Trump’s bidding in a 1999 fight over a proposal for an American Indian-run casino. Mr. Williams, a former aide to the Clinton White House, said Mr. Wright took Mr. Trump’s side in fighting against the New Jersey casino.

Mr. Williams said Mr. Wright “owes New Yorkers a full explanation of why he got in bed with Trump, how he benefitted from his relationship with the billionaire.”
Mr. Williams’ office declined to comment on how the allegations had been uncovered. Mr. Wright’s office did not respond to an interview request.

Meanwhile, state Sen. Adriano has scored a prominent endorsement. City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito voiced her support at a March 13 rally.

“Adriano Espaillat has always taken on the biggest challenges impacting our communities, and Puerto Rico’s debt crisis is no exception. We need him in Congress to end the relentless gridlock,” she said.

Water testing demanded

Following news earlier this month of lead contamination in the drinking water at two Ithaca, New York schools, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer is spearheading legislation to test for lead in school water fountains across the state. The proposed bill includes $100 million to organize the testing.

“Right now there is a yawning gap in our lead-testing protocols: at the federal level we do not require or support lead testing in schools. This legislation solves that problem by providing grants to schools that want to test their water,” the senator said during a March 9 press conference. “In fact, giving schools the resources to test the quality of kids’ drinking water is the right and safe thing to do because lead poisoning is easily prevented — and because the effects of lead poisoning on our children’s bodies and brains is catastrophic and irreversible. Every drop of water that comes from a school’s faucet or fountain should be pure, safe and clean, and this legislation helps make that goal crystal clear.”

In addition to the ongoing water contamination crisis in Flint, Michigan, New York’s own Hoosick Falls was found to have toxic drinking water as well.