StreetsPAC today announced a new round of New York State Senate and Assembly candidate endorsements for November’s general election, backing several incumbent New York City legislators who’ve been strong voices for safe streets at home and in Albany: State Senators Brad Hoylman and Gustavo Rivera, and Assemblymembers Joe Lentol and Linda Rosenthal.
“The incumbents we’re endorsing today have been dedicated advocates for making streets safer statewide, whether newcomers to Albany, like first-term State Senator Brad Hoylman, or longtime veterans of state government, like Assemblyman Joe Lentol,” said StreetsPAC board member Elizabeth Hamby. “State laws have a huge effect on what happens on the streets in cities and towns across New York, from Buffalo to Montauk, so we consider it a critical part of StreetsPAC’s mission to make sure these standard-bearers for safety are re-elected.”
“Vision Zero can’t be achieved without the state legislature being a full partner,” said Ken Coughlin, a StreetsPAC board member. “We know we can count on today’s endorsees to continue to push for life-saving changes, like eliminating restrictions on speed cameras and changing laws to make it easier to prosecute dangerous drivers. We look forward to seeing them all re-elected next Tuesday.”
Here’s a round up of today’s StreetsPAC endorsees:
Brad Hoylman, Senate District 27, Greenwich Village, Chelsea, Midtown, UWS (Incumbent) – Still serving his first term in the State Senate, Brad Hoylman has already emerged as a leader on street-safety issues. He was a strong supporter of the recently enacted laws lowering New York City’s speed limit and increasing the deployment of speed cameras, and last month, he directed the State Department of Motor Vehicles to stop unlawfully charging cyclists for driver surcharges on summonses. He was also an early backer of the newly implemented East Village Neighborhood Slow Zone. Hoylman supports the campaign to remake Fifth and Sixth Avenues into complete streets, backs the MoveNY fair-tolling plan, and has expressed interest in introducing legislation that would make it easier for law enforcement to secure cell phone records after vehicular crashes.
Joe Lentol, Assembly District 50, Greenpoint and Williamsburg (Incumbent) – Joe Lentol is the second most senior member of the Assembly, and as chair of the Codes Committee, he drafted and passed legislation that increased penalties for driving without a license or with a suspended license. He has been a strong supporter of speed cameras, and has led the fight for installation of a two-way protected bike path on the Pulaski Bridge, now expected for spring 2015. He is committed to improving the suspended/unlicensed driver laws, by uncoupling license suspensions from non-driving infractions and simultaneously increasing penalties for driving without a license and beefing up suspensions for dangerous driving. He’s also committed to working to remove restrictions on speed camera deployments.
Gustavo Rivera, Senate District 33, West Bronx, Kingsbridge, University Heights, Tremont (Incumbent) – Gustavo Rivera was first elected to the State Senate in 2010, where he serves as ranking member of the Health Committee, Rivera is a strong supporter of Webster Avenue Select Bus Service, and believes there should be a real lock on the transit lockbox. He’s committed to turning the West Bronx into a bike-friendly district, and supports traffic-calming and complete-streets treatments on the Grand Concourse.
Linda Rosenthal, Assembly District 67, Upper West Side, Hell’s Kitchen (Incumbent) – Running for her fifth term in the Assembly, Rosenthal has sponsored legislation that would allow prosecutors to seek enhanced penalties against repeat dangerous and reckless drivers, as well as legislation regarding the misguided “rule of two” that would hold drivers accountable for their actions in crashes that injure or kill. She intends to endorse the MoveNY plan (she was a supporter of the previous congestion-pricing effort), and will continue to work with stakeholders and the communities to transform Amsterdam Avenue, one of the most dangerous streets in New York City, into a complete street.
StreetsPAC will help elect its endorsed candidates with cash contributions and volunteer support.
