Outlook for 2014: A New Day for New Yorkers

This holiday season, as we gather to celebrate with friends and loved ones, counting down the days until the New Year, it is also a time for reflection. After a very high-profile election season, New Yorkers all across the City are an iously awaiting the arrival of a new administration and with it, hopes for a new beginning. ! am confident that the coming year will be a period of transformative and progressive action on the issues affecting us right here in our "arlem Community. !ssues like economic revitali#ation, community renewal, and innovative housing solutions for options that are truly affordable$ %nsuring the continuation of funding for workforce development, at-risk-youth assistance, and supportive service programs remain among my highest priorities. As ! prepare for the &'() legislative session, ! want to build on past accomplishments that will have a meaningful and lasting impact both here in "arlem, and beyond. *hether its affordable housing or racial profiling, ! will continue to advocate for common sense policies that effect real change. +nder new leadership and a revamped governing board, ! am hopeful that the New York City "ousing Authority will embrace this opportunity to fulfill its mission to serve the )'',''' residents who entrust them to provide healthy, safe, and affordable housing for their families. %ven though the ,reat -ecession has technically ended, the struggle for affordable housing and living wages continues. .ast session ! sponsored legislation in the Assembly that raised the /tate0s minimum wage and on 1ecember 2(st, it will increase to 34.'' per hour, which is the first step in a series of increases that will bring thousands of hardworking men and women all over New York 5ust a few steps further from the grips of poverty. !t is my goal that with the support of the dedicated residents of the 6'th Assembly 1istrict, local leaders and advocacy groups, we will be successful in achieving these goals. Throughout the years, ! have remained committed to being an outspoken advocate for those in need, and my office stands ready to help in any way that we can. As we make our preparations to embrace &'() with renewed dedication to improving the lives our families and neighbors and our beloved "arlem Community, ! want to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support throughout &'(2 and to offer my best wishes for your "oliday season and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS
ATT%NT!7N A.. *7-8%-/$$ %ffective December 31, 2013, New York /tate0s minimum wage will be $8.00 per h !r. 9or more information on how this affects you, whether you are a business owner or employee, please visit the New York /tate 1epartment of .abor0s website at

TEAM "#IGHT AT "O#$

As. 8imberly ,reen, who resides in a womenBs shelter in "arlem contacted the 7ffice of Assemblyman 8eith *right in desperate need of assistance regarding her NYC"A housing application. As. ,reen had been on the waiting list for two years with no movement. 1uring this time, she also had another child. 9ollowing the rules and regulations of NYC"A, As. ,reen added her new child to the family composition, but later learned the addition pushed her further back on the waiting list. /pecial Assistant and /enior /cheduler, Aaurice A. Cummings got right on the case$ Ar. Cummings was able to contact NYC"A 7fficials and have As. ,reen0s application restored to its original position on the waiting list and not soon after the agency contacted her for an available apartment in a NYC"A development, right here in "arlem. 9or two and a half years As. ,reen waited, and Ar. Cummings was able to help her in eight weeks.

https:;;labor.ny.gov;workerprotection;laborstandar ds;workprot;minwage.shtm 9or <uestions on how to file a claim for unpaid wages, or to get general information about your rights as a worker under the *age Theft =revention Act, you can reach the 1epartment of .abor0s local .abor /tandards 7ffice for the New York City region at >&(&? 66@-244'.

That0s Team *right at work in Y7+- community$

A12ANY UPDATE
"e MUST #)&.e *he A3e ( Cr&m&')- #e.p '.&b&-&*+ &' Ne/ Y r4 S*)*e New York remains one of the only two states in the entire nation that pr .ec!*e. A11 + !*h ((e'0er. ). )0!-*. once they have reached the age of (C years old. This means that each year, )-m .* 50,000 (C and (6 year-olds who are arrested face the likelihood of being prosecuted as adults. Nationwide, A(r&c)'6Amer&c)'. repre.e'* 278 ( 9!,e'&-e )rre.*., ))H of youth who are detained, :78 ( *he + !*h /h )re 9!0&c&)--+ /)&,e0 * cr&m&')- c !r*, )'0 588 ( *he + !*h )0m&**e0 * .*)*e pr&. '.. 7n %r&0)+ December 7*h, the Assembly /tanding Committee on Codes will hold a 5oint public hearing with the Committees on IudiciaryJ Children and 9amiliesJ %ducation, and the NY/ Klack, =uerto -ican, "ispanic, and Asian .egislative Caucus to e amine the laws governing the age of adult criminal responsibility. The hearing will be held at 250 2r )0/)+ ' *he 1;*h %- r, )* 10<00 ).m.

2USINESS SPOT1IGHT
The New York City Council0s Klack, .atino L Asian Caucus >K.AC?, Co-Chaired by Councilmember -obert Iackson L Councilmember 9ernando Cabrera, invites you to its &'(2 %mployment L /mall Kusiness 7pportunities % po. The event will take place on S)*!r0)+ December =*h (r m 10AM * 3PM at M!rr+ 2er3*r)!m H&3h Sch -6 :11 Pe)r- S*ree* Ne/ Y r4, NY 10038. The e po includes Power Hour sessions on New York City0s Training ,rant =rogram, resume review and 5ob matching strategies for high growth industries, small business fundamentals, tips on developing a business plan, financing facts L fictions, advice on conducting business with government, and tips for successful bidding, and employment opportunities. Misit http:;;bit.ly;blacNe poN&'(2 to register.

$ID>S CO#NE#
35*h A''!)- $/)'?)) Ce-ebr)*& ' )* *he Amer&c)' M!.e!m ( N)*!r)- H&.* r+ ' December 28*h
OOOOOO "osted by storyteller .inda "umes, this year0s festivities will include family-friendly activities, raffles and an international marketplace. The celebration will begin with +gandan poet %milia 7ttoo, and will feature performances by 7scarnominated youth ensemble !A=ACT -epertory Theatre. The -estoration 1ance Theatre Company will bring an eclectic mi of African, Caribbean, 5a##, and modern dances. Kalance 1ance Theatre, led by acclaimed choreographer 7bediah *right, performs a brand-new work. Award-winning author and filmmaker A8 Asante introduces his landmark film, narrated by Aaya Angelou, The Klack Candle: A 8wan#aa Celebration.

The (!' .*)r*. )* ' ' ' S)*!r0)+ December 28*h )* Amer&c)' M!.e!m ( N)*!r)H&.* r+ Ce'*r)- P)r4 "e.* )* =;*h S*ree* 1002:

% r m re &'( rm)*& ' r &( + ! h),e )'+ pr b-em. /e c)' he-p . -,e, p-e).e 0 ' * he.&*)*e * c '*)c* !r ((&ce 0&rec*-+. "e )re )-/)+. here * he-p. Assemblyman 8eith ..T. *right (C2 *est (&@th /treet, /uite D(( Albany, New York (''&6 &(&-4CC-@4'D- =hone &(&-4C)-(2C4- 9a wrightkEnysa.us http:;;www.facebook.com;assemblymanwright http:;;www.twitter.com;wright)harlem http:;;assembly.state.ny.us;mem;FadG'6'