Assemblyman Dinowitz and State Senator Klein Sponsor Legislation Prohibiting Employers from Demanding Facebook Password in Interviews

Here is more on our state representatives attempting to protect our privacy and rights as employees.

Gregory

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Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx) and State Senator Jeffrey Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) are sponsoring new legislation that would prohibit employers from demanding login information, including usernames and passwords, to popular social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter as part of their hiring process. Assemblyman Dinowitz has introduced the bill in the Assembly (A.9654), and State Senator Klein will soon introduce the legislation in the State Senate. The legislation would also protect the privacy of current employees.

Employers are beginning to use various new tools in decisions concerning the hiring, promotion, and discipline of prospective and current employees. Recently, there have been reports of employers demanding login information, including usernames and passwords, to popular social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as to email accounts and other extremely personal accounts. This information is being used as a condition of hiring, promotions, and lateral movement within companies, and in matters relating to disciplinary action including firing of individuals.

This type of request can lead to unfair and discriminatory hiring practices and constitutes a serious invasion of privacy by the employer. Employees have the right to make their social media public or private through the individual websites, and they should have every right to maintain this level of privacy in their workplace or during an interview. In this economy, many people cannot walk away from a job and are forced to submit to employers’ requests for passwords for fear that they will not be hired otherwise. This bill would remedy this serious issue, maintaining prospective employees’ right to privacy and reducing the risk of unfair and discriminatory hiring practices by employers.

“This legislation will address a terrible and growing abuse by certain employers. Employers should not be snooping on social media communications that are private, and they certainly should not be given passwords that are supposed to be kept secret. It’s like an employer asking for a copy of your house keys so they can have a look around your home,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “The right to privacy and protection from coercion and discrimination must be maintained. I urge all of my colleagues in the State Legislature to protect the rights of job seekers and support this bill.”

“Even in this digital age, turning over your password to an employer is a bridge too far,” said Senator Klein. “I’m proud to stand with Assemblyman Dinowitz in taking this stand to protect an individual’s privacy.”

Dinowitz Blasts Republican Candidates for Silence on Limbaugh’s Disgusting Comments

Of all the "legal consideration" Rush Limbaugh could have requested in his twisted argument against women receiving free contraception, he asked for them to make and distribute "free porn" ?????

Please see what Assemblyman Dinowitz has to say on the foolishness.

Gregory

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Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx) blasted the leading Republican presidential candidates for their silence on the recent controversy over Rush Limbaugh’s disgusting behavior. Weighing in on a debate over contraception coverage, the extreme right-wing radio show host referred to a student supporting the right to contraception as a “prostitute” and a “slut” and made several more egregious comments over the course of several days.

“If Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum can’t stand up to Rush Limbaugh, how can we expect them to stand up to Iran or any other country that might threaten the United States? Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum should be ashamed of themselves for not standing up to this big bully. It’s a disgrace that some people like Limbaugh feel the need to make such vicious attacks, but it’s even worse that these weak-kneed presidential candidates seem to think it’s okay to do so, as evidenced by their silence.

“The extreme right-wing is more interested in turning back the clock on the availability of contraception than talking about the real issues that face the nation. They know they can’t win if they talk about the improving economy, so instead they resort to divisive social issues. What they don’t realize is that they’re out of step with the vast majority of Americans,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz.

Dinowitz Slams Unfair Parking Violations: Sponsors Legislation to Stop Them

Here is more on the fight against predatory ticket practices in NYC. Kudos to Vacca, Dinowitz and all our elected officials making laws to promote fairness in NYC parking policies. Please do read some of the ridiculous instances sited by Dinowitz below, proving that many of the parking tickets issues were nothing more than a hidden tax on hard working New Yorkers.

Gregory

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Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx) contacted the New York City Police Department and the Department of Finance today to demand a halt to predatory ticketing practices by traffic agents and unfair convictions by administrative law judges. Citing bogus parking tickets that constituents had brought to his office, he lambasted particularly egregious practices that are unfortunately all too common. He is also sponsoring legislation to ensure that wrongfully issued tickets are dismissed.

One of the problems with the new electronic muni-meters is that motorists have to walk down the block to feed the muni-meter, opening a window when traffic agents can prey on motorists before they can purchase and display their muni-meter receipts. One such motorist is Margot Stern, who was issued a parking ticket on Riverdale Avenue at 2:17pm before she could return to her car with her muni-meter receipt, which was time-stamped at 2:16pm. Ms. Stern pled not guilty via mail, and shockingly, an administrative law judge found her guilty. Only after Ms. Stern appealed the decision, with the aid of Assemblyman Dinowitz’s office, was her unjust violation dismissed.

“How can you park without getting a ticket if the traffic agents don’t give you a chance to pay the meter? The traffic agent told me I should mail my receipt in, but the judge found me guilty anyway. The ordeal took months to resolve,” said Ms. Stern.

Another victim is Ellen Feld, who was ticketed because she mistakenly placed her muni-meter receipt face-down on her dashboard. She pled not guilty and submitted a copy of the receipt to prove that she had in fact paid the meter, but the judge found her guilty anyway. Again, only after appealing the unfair decision was the ticket finally dismissed.

“I understand why I was ticketed, but when I provided clear evidence proving my innocence, I couldn’t believe that the judge found me guilty anyway. On appeal the decision was finally reversed, but I thought the process was a huge waste of time, money, and effort,” said Ms. Feld.

Assemblyman Dinowitz is sponsoring legislation that mandates that violations be dismissed if the motorist can produce a muni-meter receipt time-stamped before or at the same time that a violation was issued. This will ensure that innocent motorists will not have to go through the annoying appeals process for justice to be served.

“It’s bad enough that too many traffic agents function as predators by issuing many tickets that are unjustified. It’s even more outrageous that there are some Parking Violations Bureau hearing officers who ratify this outrageous behavior by finding innocent motorists guilty of violations when they in fact complied with the law,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “A person should not receive a ticket for failing to feed a muni-meter when they in fact have. Traffic agents need to be a little more aware of what’s going on around them. Administrative law judges who find such people guilty are in serious need of continuing legal education.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Workman's Circle Muticare Center

Here is a photo of a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Workman's Circle Multicare Center. Kudos to all the representatives, staff and volunteers that made the renovation possible.

Gregory
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(Pictured with Assemblyman Dinowitz in the attached photo are Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, Community Board 12 District Manager Carmen Rosa, Assemblyman Carl Heastie, WCMCC CEO Soloman Rutenberg, State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson, and Joe O'Brien representing Congressman Eliot Engel.)

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of the newly renovated Workmen's Circle MultiCare Center. "This facility has served thousands and thousands of people over the past 60 years. As former Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Aging, I'm well aware of the excellent reputation of the Workmen's Circle MultiCare Center. I know that with this renovation, they will be able to provide even better services for the many people who reside there," said Assemblyman Dinowitz.

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz Stands with Phone Company Strikers

Assemblyman Dinowitz has shown his support for the Verizon workers on strike by recently joining the picket line outside the Verizon Wireless Store on Fordham Road. His staff also issued the following press release with strong language in their defense. Once again health care and retirement benefits are a main issue of negotiations.

I am thoroughly entangled with Verizon services, but I must admit the strike and allegations against them will make me reconsider future decisions. Are the other wireless providers any better in how they treat their workers? Does Verizon ship a higher percentage of jobs over seas? Is there any legislation, active or proposed, that protects U.S. workers? Is it a race to the bottom to stay competitive since proper legislation is not in place? Who will purchase Verizon services if a large segment of the population cannot afford them? If any one has any information or data on the topic please do chime in.

It’s a shame that the American worker, which represents the American middle class and protects democracy, is under such heavy barrage by a corporation that is often praised by Wall Street. Are we giving in to corporate greed by remaining Verizon clients?

Gregory
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Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz Stands with Phone Company Strikers

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz joined with Verizon strikers picketing outside the Verizon Wireless store on Fordham Road today. 45,000 workers from the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the IBEW are on strike. The strike involves Verizon telephone field technicians, call center workers and cable installers not just in New York, but from Massachusetts to Virginia.

“New York must not become Wisconsin. Tens of thousands of workers are fighting against efforts to take away benefits won over decades. Stripping Verizon workers of their retirement and health care security is unconscionable. Verizon also wants to reduce paid sick leave days, eliminate job security and cut benefits for workers injured on the job. This is happening while Verizon pays its top executive millions of dollars, makes billions of dollars in profits, and continues to out source countless jobs to non-union contractors and low-wage countries,” stated Assemblyman Dinowitz.

“This is another major assault on the middle class in this country. If Verizon is successful in these outrageous efforts it would hurt not only the workers and their families, it would hurt the entire community. Efforts to break unions and tear down the middle class must be fought at every step, and I applaud these hardworking men and women for standing up for their rights and for their families.”

Commumnity Activist Group Gets Results: Assemblyman Dinowitz Office Confirms Williamsbridge Oval Park Will Open ASAP

The Friends of Williamsbridge Oval have been busy rallying to have their new park open in time for the summer season. Their success is proof that our voices can be heard and that our appointed and elected officials do listen when organized constructive criticism is expressed. The following was received by Eileen Markey who has sent multiple e-mails to the BoogieDowner related to the park. Kudos to all the community activists and Bronx Park Commissioner Hector Aponte that worked to make sure the park was open in time for everyone to enjoy the summer season. I look forward to receiving photos taken at the new park.

Gregory
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Sent by Eileen Markey;

"A staff member for Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz says Parks says the playground should be open this afternoon or tomorrow morning. This is wonderful. Once it is open let's call Aponte and Conti and thank them."

Assemblyman Dinowitz Pushes for Historic District in Van Cortlandt Village

Here is news on Assemblyman Dinowitz pushing for a Historical District in Van Cortlandt Village. The proposal would prevent present and future developments believed detrimental to the integrity of the neighborhood due to its historical significance.

Gregory
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Assemblyman Dinowitz pushes for Historic District in Van Cortlandt Village

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx) wrote to the president of the New York City Housing Development Corporation today in support of recognition of a Historic District in the Van Cortlandt Village area.

The proposed area would include both sides of all streets starting at the most southern part of Fort Independence Street at Sedgwick Avenue going north and westward for the entire Fort Independence Street to Orloff Avenue, then northward along Orloff Avenue to Van Cortlandt Avenue West, then eastward to along Van Cortlandt Avenue West to Sedgwick Avenue, and southward along Sedgwick Avenue to Fort Independence Street, including all of both sides of Giles Place. This area includes the largest Revolutionary War Era fort in the Bronx – the Fort Independence – as well as Olmsted’s curvilinear street design of 1877, and the Shalom Aleichem Houses which sit atop the hill at Cannon Place.

Assemblyman Dinowitz has expressed strong reservations about the Housing Development Corporation’s support of construction of a large building on the empty lot located between Cannon Place and Fort Independence Street. He is also concerned about the structural integrity of the retaining wall at Cannon Place. The site, wedged between these two narrow Olmsted streets, is across the street from one of the buildings in Shalom Aleichem Houses which has been identified as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (a formal application to the National Register is pending), and within one block of the Jerome Park Reservoir, which is already listed on the National Register.

“This section of Van Cortlandt Village should have been designated a historic district long ago. The uniqueness of this area and its place in history clearly qualify it for such designation. In addition, we must do everything possible to protect this neighborhood from runaway development and over-building. I commend the Fort Independence Park Neighborhood Association for fighting to protect this beautiful community,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz.

Assemblyman Dinowitz, Council Member Koppell, and State Senator Espaillat Announce Town Hall Meeting

When three heavy hitters like Dinowitz, Koppell and Espaillat set up a town hall meeting, my guess is there are some serious topics on the table. With over a million NYC rent stabilized apartments at risk with present rent stabilization laws set to expire on June 15th, It should be a very lively town hall meeting. If you live in a rent stabilized apartment this is one meeting you might want to attend. Any input out there from our building owners?

Gregory

* Media Advisory *

For Immediate Release

Assemblyman Dinowitz, Council Member Koppell, and State Senator Espaillat Announce Town Hall Meeting

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Council Member Oliver Koppell, State Senator Adriano Espaillat, and the Riverdale YM-YWHA will host a town hall meeting to discuss critical issues such as the City and State budgets, education funding, job creation and economic development, housing and the upcoming expiration of tenant protection laws, senior citizen concerns, the MTA, and parking and transportation issues. They are eager to hear their constituents’ concerns and opinions.

WHO: Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Council Member Oliver Koppell, and State Senator Adriano Espaillat

WHAT: Town Hall Meeting, open to members of the public

WHEN: Thursday, March 10th, 7:30pm

WHERE: Riverdale YM-YWHA
5625 Arlington Avenue
Bronx, New York 10471
(718) 548-8200