The Progressive Caucus held several events in the fall of 2015, including a briefing on police reform efforts with advocates, a meeting with education advocates to discuss priorities, and a bike safety training for Council offices given the growth of cycling infrastructure. They also held their first ADVANCEMENT conference to discuss their legislative agenda focused on reducing inequality, with panels on workers' rights, democracy, community safety, and a greener city.

1. Fall 2015 In This Issue
About Us 2
Policy 3
Events 6
Actions 9
Meetings 12
Victories 13
PROGRESS REPORT
WORKING TOWARD A MORE EQUAL,
MORE JUST NEW YORK

2. Progress Report | Fall 2015
ABOUT US
The Progressive Caucus was formed in 2010 with the mission to
combat all forms of discrimination and advance public policies that
offer genuine opportunity to all New Yorkers, especially those who
are marginalized and who have been unable to access the full
benefits of our city's prosperity.
Membership for the 2014-2017 term includes:
Council Member Antonio Reynoso, Co-Chair
Council Member Donovan Richards, Co-Chair
Council Member Ben Kallos, Vice-Chair for Policy
Council Member Helen Rosenthal, Vice-Chair for Budget
Council Member Margaret Chin, District 1, Manhattan
Council Member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland, District 21, Queens
Council Member Corey Johnson, District 3, Manhattan
Council Member Brad Lander, District 39, Brooklyn
Council Member Stephen Levin, District 33, Brooklyn
Council Member Mark Levine, District 7, Bronx
Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, District 8
Council Member Carlos Menchaca, District 38, Brooklyn
Council Member I. Daneek Miller, District 27, Queens
Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, District 10, Manhattan
Council Member Deborah Rose, District 49, Staten Island
Council Member Ritchie Torres, District 15, Bronx
Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, District 26, Queens
Council Member Jumaane D. Williams, District 45, Brooklyn
OUR
ADVANCEMENT
GOALS
Affordable Housing
Opportunities
Defend Workers’
Rights
Vital Investments in
Public Services
Address
Employment
Discrimination
Neighborhood Fair
Share System
Community Safety
& Empowerment
Expand &
Modernize
Democracy
Minimize Inequality
Environmental
Justice &
Sustainability
New, Livable
Streets Model
Tenant Protection
& Preservation
Our ADVANCEMENT
Agenda hopes to promote,
better and develop the
capacities and economic
circumstances of working
class New Yorkers.
A
D
V
A
N
C
E
M
E
N
T

3. Progress Report | Fall 2015
POLICY
Labor Hearing • Grocery Worker Retention Act
Caucus Endorsement • Retirement Security for All
On September 25th
, the Council heard testimony on
Int. 632. This bill would establish worker protections
for grocery employees working for at least six
months and a minimum of eight hours a week
following a change in ownership of a store. The
GWRA mandates a 90-day retention period for
employees in preparation for possible new job
placement as well as to settle pending grievances.
“By retaining skilled grocery workers to handle
sensitive items such as our produce, poultry and
meats, we protect the public and the communities
which these stores serve,” said Council Member I.
Daneek Miller, Chair of the Committee on Civil
Service and Labor. “Hardworking people deserve an
opportunity to maintain their independence and this
this legislation provides them with that opportunity.”
legislation provides them with that opportunity.”
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In October, Caucus members met with advocates from
Effective NY and later voted to support Retirement
Security for All. This proposal would create the first
ever city-run retirement vehicle for private sector
workers. Members signed onto Int. 692A sponsored
by Public Advocate James creating a Retirement
Security Review Board to evaluate recommendations
for the establishment of universal retirement funds,
open to anyone without access to a retirement plan.
The is an urgent need to discuss retirement
planning and options in this country, as many
Americans with limited or no retirement savings are
approaching retirement age. It is estimated that by
2035, there could be over 644,500 retired senior
New Yorkers living on less than $540 a week. New
Yorkers are saving less, in part because fewer
employees are offering retirement plans.
– RSFA Committee Report

4. Progress Report | Fall 2015
POLICY
Housing Hearing • Illegal Hotel Bills
Council Introduction • Stand for Tenant Safety Bills
On October 30th
, the Committee of Housing and
Buildings discussed legislation aimed at reducing
cases of illegal hotels. Council Members
Rosenthal and Rodriguez introduced bills that
would respectively, stiffen penalties for anyone
operating an illegal hotel (Int. 826) and increase
transparency on enforcement of illegal
conversions of dwelling units (Int. 823).
“Our current fines are too low to deter illegal
hotel operators, some of whom made millions in
the last year alone. By increasing fines for illegal
hotels, getting a violation will no longer be the
cost of doing business. This bill will aid our
efforts to preserve housing in New York City,”
said Caucus Vice-Chair, Council Member Helen
Rosenthal.
Caucus members joined Stand for Tenant Safety
(STS), a coalition of community-based
organizations, legal service agencies and tenant
advocates, to combat cases of “construction as
harassment” used to displace rent-regulated
tenants. They supported a package of 12
Council bills that aim to reform the Department
of Buildings, the agency tasked with issuing
permits to developers and responding to tenants
who report violations.
“Since I’ve taken office, landlords using construction
as a means to displace tenants has become an
increasingly pervasive problem in my district. My
bills in this package seek to raise fines for building
owners who do construction work without a permit or
in violation of a stop-work order, and to require
additional oversight for contractors who do this
illegal work. The DOB must do more to protect
tenants from unscrupulous landlords,” said Caucus
Co-Chair Council Member Antonio Reynoso.

5. Progress Report | Fall 2015
NYC Passes • Caregivers Discrimination Law
NYC Passes • Hit and Run Justice Bills
On December 16th
, the New York City Council
passed two pieces of legislation (Int. 603 and
604), which will for the first time in the City of
New York penalize repeat offenders who are
found guilty of hit-and-run crashes as well as
require the NYPD to expand its existing hit-and-
run reporting to the Council by including data on
civil penalties that are levied in hit-and-run
crashes and the amount paid.
“The NYPD’s shocking statistics really show
just how important it is for our City to punish
the 4,000 people who hit another human being
with their vehicle this year, left them to die on
the street and thought they could get away with
it,” said Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer.
“This legislation is not meant to measure the
value of the lives lost, but to act as a forceful
deterrent to our city’s most dangerous drivers.”
5
“I believe that no worker should face negative
consequences because of their familial responsibilities. In
our city, the majority of parents are in the workforce and
the population of disabled, elderly adults is expected to
grow significantly. This bill will protect caregivers from
discrimination in hiring, firing, compensation and terms
of employments,” said Council Member Debi Rose.
At the December 16th
Stated meeting, the
Council voted in favor of Int. 108A, a
landmark bill that will protect workers by
prohibiting employment discrimination
based on caregiver status—similar to
prohibitions against discrimination based
on race, religion, and disability.

6. Progress Report | Fall 2015
EVENTS
Education Policy Meeting • NYS Black, Puerto Rican,
Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus
Briefing on Floyd v. City of NY • Council Black,
Latino and Asian Caucus
On October 6th
, members held a
Council briefing on the latest policy
efforts around NYPD’s stop-and-
frisk practices. After a federal court
found the program to be
unconstitutional in 2013, the court
mandated a series of changes and
next steps. Last term, the City
Council exercised historic
leadership in calling for an end to
racial profiling with the passage of
the Community Safety Act.
Advocates presented the upcoming
citywide reform process and
monitoring of the court compliance
process as an opportunity for
continued community engagement
on issues of safety and justice.
On September 3rd
, Caucus members
along with the NY State BPRHA
Caucus and education advocates met
to discuss priorities for the upcoming
school year. The organizations
included the Alliance for Quality
Education of NY, Coalition for
Educational Justice, Urban Youth
Collaborative and others. Included in
the issues raised were charter school
accountability, expanding community
schools, raising investment in public
education, supporting renewal
schools and implementing restorative
justice policies.

7. Progress Report | Fall 2015
Council Bike Safety Training
ADVANCEMENT Conference
With growing opportunities for cycling exemplified by DOT bike lane installations and Citi
Bike’s arrival to Queens, the Progressive Caucus held a training on October 14th
to empower
Council offices with the resources and skills to bike throughout the five boroughs. Co-
sponsors Bike New York exposed Council offices to important techniques for safe
navigation and important education programs to offer constituents in their district.
The Caucus has established the 11-point ADVANCEMENT framework that shapes the Caucus’ vision
for public policies that reduce inequality. On October 19th
, the Caucus held its very first conference
designed to bring together allies to discuss legislative priorities and victories for the 2014-2017 term.
The program included a keynote address by Caucus founding member and former Co-Chair, Council
Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. Panels explored the following goals;
 Defending Workers’ Rights
 Expanding and Modernizing Democracy
 Community Safety and Empowerment
 Moving Toward a Greener City
We are thankful to our event sponsors Local Progress, Working Families Organization and host SEIU
32BJ along with advocate participants from VOCAL NY, Communities united for Police Reform, Bag
It NYC, Streetwise and Safe, BRT for NYC and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.
The Progressive Caucus and Women’s Caucus held an informational briefing for Council offices on domestic
violence programs and prevention efforts in the city. Members welcomed the Mayor’s Office to Combat
Domestic Violence along with organizations CONNECT, and Day One to present on the impact of
relationship violence including: reports of the latest statistics regarding incident rates, case management and
educational services and new initiatives that address incidental issues including legal, health and housing.
7

8. Progress Report | Fall 2015
EVENTS
Local Progress National Convening
Fall Social Hour • November 11th
Beluga Bar
On October 26th
and 27th
Caucus members traveled to
Los Angeles to participate in the annual convening of
Local Progress, a network of hundreds of local elected
officials from around the country committed to a
strong economy, equal justice, livable cities, and
effective government. The agenda featured plenaries
including: Protecting Workers and Tenants in the On-
Demand Economy with CM Lander, Empowering
Immigrant Communities with CM Menchaca, Beyond
Marriage: Winning Full LGBT Equality with CM
Torres and Reimagining Policing and Criminal Justice
Policy with CM Reynoso.

9. Progress Report | Fall 2015
ACTIONS
Stand with Planned Parenthood
Caucus condemns “Peek-A-Boo” campaign
In August, progressive leaders went on record to
defend reproductive health care access in New
York and nationwide, in the face of remarkably
coordinated and vicious attacks. Anti-abortion
extremists have engaged in a decade long pattern
of illegal harassment in an attempt to ban safe and
legal abortion, defund Planned Parenthood, and cut
people off from access to health care.
Also in August, members expressed outrage and
disappointment at the correspondence by Sgt. Ed
Mullins, President of the NYPD Sergeants
Benevolent Association, encouraging the union to
publicize images of some of our most vulnerable
New Yorkers. The letter directs members to a
website seeking pictures of “homeless lying in our
streets, aggressive panhandlers, people urinating in
public or engaging in open-air drug activity, and
quality of life offenses of every type.”
“Family planning is not a luxury, it is a right.
Many women, especially from immigrant and low-
income families rely on these critical services that
anti-abortion extremist are trying to take away. I
am grateful to for Planned Parenthood’s work on
behalf of women in my district, throughout New
York City and nationwide,” said Council Member
Margaret Chin.
“Rather than singling out and stigmatizing
individuals who need our compassion we should
focus on ensuring that city services meant to
help them are accessible, properly funded and
responsive to their needs. What we need to
effectively combat homelessness is a robust
NY/NY IV agreement that must guarantee the
construction of 30,000 new units of supportive
housing over the next ten years,” said Council
Member Stephen Levin, Chair of the
Committee on General Welfare.
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10. Progress Report | Fall 2015
ACTIONS
Caucus Endorses Move NY Fair Plan
Caucus Fights for $15
On October 31st
, the Caucus continued to promote
transportation reforms and investments that
address inequality by supporting the Move NY
plan. This proposal is an important opportunity to
increase city-wide transit access while in pursuit
of term goals including Vital Investments in
Public Services, Environmental Justice and
Sustainability and New Livable Streets Model.
“The MoveNY plan is the only comprehensive plan
on the table to bring revenue to the struggling
MTA, improve our major infrastructure, and bring
much needed improvements to our local
infrastructure. I am proud to stand in support of
an initiative with such a clear benefit for New York
City,” said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez,
Chair of the Committee on Transportation.
“For well over a century, New York has been a leader
on raising working standards. Raising the wage to $15
an hour for NYS public sector workers is a noble
continuation of that tradition and we must continue the
fight to lift all hardworking New Yorkers out of poverty”
said Council Member Corey Johnson.
This fall, Caucus Members continued to support the
campaign to increase the wages by rallying and
testifying at NYS Wage Board Hearings. They joined
labor advocates in applauding Board recommendations
and Governor Cuomo’s minimum wage increase for
New York State public sector employees

11. Progress Report | Fall 2015
PC to Bratton: Inappropriate to link protests to murders
Caucus Urges Columbia to Allow Unionization
On December 3rd
, one year after a grand jury failed
to indict NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo for the
death of Eric Garner, a 43-year old black man from
Staten Island, Caucus members sent a letter
rejecting Commissioner Bratton’s accusations
saying that public protests and demonstrations “led
to the murder of two of our police officers.”
“Given the climate of New York City and the nation, it
is imperative that our city’s leadership choose their
words carefully and reliably. It is our belief that this
was not done last week. We believe your comments
were not only false, but also conveyed to your officers
a harmful and counterproductive message about
overwhelmingly peaceful calls for racial justice.”
Caucus members joined over 160 local leaders in
support of organizing efforts by Columbia University
employees. They joined student advocates on
December 4th
to deliver a statement to the President
to stop opposing the right of its research and teaching
assistants to choose to pursue collective bargaining.
“By teaching thousands of undergraduates, and
conducting innovative research that helps bring
roughly $1 billion in grants and contracts to the
University these employees make Columbia a world
leader academically and make it an important
economic engine in New York City.”
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12. Progress Report | Fall 2015
ACTIONS
Caucus Endorses Climate Works for All
Social Media Update
facebook.com/nycprogressives | 49 Page Likes
@nycprogressives | 411 New Followers
nycprogressives.com | 4,643 Views
Council Members joined a diverse coalition of
labor, community, and environmental advocates in
support of two proposals outlined in the “Climate
Works for All” report. The first requires that all
buildings over 25,000 square feet are energy
efficient by 2050 through Passive House Energy
Conservation Code. The second is to expand
renewable energy in public schools by conducting
a full assessment and creating a comprehensive
plan for installations emphasizing solar, wind and
geothermal options.
“The commitment made last year in the OneNYC
plan to make New York a more sustainable,
resilient city by transitioning to renewable energy
was a huge step towards preventing climate
change,” said Council Member Donovan
Richards, Co-Chair of the Caucus. “As we work
toward that grander goal, we need to be thinking
about ways to reduce carbon emissions in every
decision we make and the recent ‘Climate Works
for All’ report outlines several ways to help attain
that goal.”

13. Progress Report | Fall 2015
MEETINGS
CITIBIKE MEETING  MOVE NY MEETING  SEPTEMBER CAUCUS
SEPTEMBER POLICY COMMITTEE  OCTOBER POLICY COMMITTEE
OCTOBER CAUCUS  NOVEMBER CAUCUS  NOVEMBER POLICY
COMMITTEE  DECEMBER CAUCUS• DECEMBER POLICY COMMITTEE
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14. Progress Report | Fall 2015
VICTORIES
INITIATIVE PROGRESSIVE
CHAMPION
ADVANCEMENT
GOAL
Wage Transparency – October 21, 2015
Last year, Caucus members adopted I. 197 that would
outlaw retaliatory personnel actions by employers and
wage transparency. Luckily, this measure was adopted
statewide when Governor Cuomo signed 9 out of 10
planks of the Women’s Equality Act. The Achieve Pay
Equity bill (S.1/A6075) eliminates a loophole that allows
employers to prohibit employees from discussing their
salaries under threat of termination or suspension.
Council Member
Corey Johnson
Defend Workers’
Rights
Port Ambrose Veto – November 12, 2015
In April, Caucus members endorsed Res. 549 calling on
the Governor to reject an environmentally detrimental
proposal for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility several
miles off the shore of Long Island. In May, the resolution
was approved by the Council and in November Governor
Cuomo vetoed the Port Ambrose LNG Deepwater Port,
citing security and economic concerns along with the
potential to negatively impact off-shore wind development.
Council Member
Donovan Richards
Environmental Justice
& Sustainability
Youth Employment Program – December 16, 2015
Fall budget modifications included an expansion of the
Year Round Jobs Program. In the FY16 Budget response,
members called for greater investment in year round jobs.
The modification added $2.2 million and DYCD added
another $2 million for 2,000 more slots for the Work,
Learn, Grown initiative.
Council Members
Julissa Ferreras-
Copeland and
Jumaane D.
Williams
Minimize Inequality
Housing for Homeless individuals and families –
December 16, 2015
The Department of Homeless Services budget would
increase by $88.3 million to support adult and family
shelter operations. Of the $88.3 million, $58.9 million
would support adult shelter operations and $29.4 million
would support family shelter operations.
Council Member
Stephen Levin
Minimize Inequality
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