The New York City Council’s far-left majority plans to push Albany pols to pass a slew of super-woke measures – including bills that could help free killers when they reach age 55, allow felons to vote in prison and stymie federal immigration enforcement.
The leftist Dems recently ironed out a “confidential” wish list that would make Lenin proud — 30 bills currently before the state Legislature that they are lobbying lawmakers to pass and Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign into law, according to a copy obtained by The Post.
“The City Council is out of touch with the needs of their constituents, disregarding critical public safety concerns,” said a centrist Democratic lawmaker briefed on the list.
“They are irresponsibly focused on releasing more prisoners, imposing unfunded mandates that only enrich nonprofits, and protecting illegal immigrants at the expense of legal taxpayers. This is bad governance.”
Council spokesperson Julia Agos said the confidential document was circulated to council members to “gather input.”
Agos added it’s “unfortunate that any member would rather leak a draft and complain, rather than engage in the good faith collaboration required of a legislator.”
Here’s 10 of the measures:
1. Elder Parole Bill
Sponsors: Assemblywoman Maritza Davila (D-Brooklyn) and Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Manhattan)
Guarantees automatic parole hearing for prisoners over 55 who’ve served 15 or more years, even if they’re convicted murderers.
There’s roughly 9,000 New Yorkers serving life behind bars.
“We no longer have the death penalty here in New York, but the new death sentence is death-by-incarceration,” said Hoylman-Sigal in February 2023 while promoting the bill.
2. Fair and Timely Parole Act
Sponsors: Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Queens) and Sen. Julia Salazar (D-Brooklyn)
Prohibits the state parole board from relying on past criminal records — no matter now bad — to deny early release.
Decisions would be made based on whether detainees can prove they are not at “risk” of breaking laws while on parole.
3. Universal Voting Bill
Sponsors: Assemblyman Harvey Epstein (D-Manhattan) and Sen. Julia Salazar (D-Brooklyn)
Allows convicted felons to vote in prison. Supporters say the current rules disenfranchise tens of thousands of New Yorkers behind bars, but opponents have said it’s a ploy to expand Democratic voting rolls.
4. Gender Identity Respect and Safety Act
Sponsors: Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Queens) and Sen. Julia Salazar (D-Brooklyn)
Allows inmates to choose a male or female jail based on the gender they identify with – not their biological sex.
5. New Yorkers for All Act
Sponsors: Assemblywoman Karines Reyes (D-Bronx) and Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-Brooklyn)
Prohibits state and local governments from enforcing federal immigration laws and assisting immigration authorities. As a “sanctuary” state, New York already has some laws limiting the assistance local cops and authorities can give to the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, including prohibiting ICE from making arrests at courthouses.
6. Transparency and Accountability in Charter Schools Bill
Sponsors: Assemblyman Michael Benedetto (D-Bronx) and Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Manhattan)
Requires New York charter schools to “prove” financial need to qualify for taxpayer assistance and caps pay for top charter school execs below $200,000.
This is part of an anti-charter school agenda pushed by the state’s teachers union, which donated more than $400,000 since 2017 to Democratic legislators, including $47,200 to Hoylman-Sigal, The Post reported last year.
Charter schools typically outperform their public school peers.
7. AANHPI Community History Bill
Sponsors: Assemblywoman Grace Lee (D-Manhattan) and Sen. John Liu (D-Queens)
Requires Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history be included in all New York schools’ social studies curriculum.
8. Employee Privacy Act
Sponsors: Assemblyman Kenny Burgos (D-Bronx) and Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Queens)
Prohibits employers from using the federal government’s E-Verify system to check immigration status of prospective workers and whether they’re eligible to work in the United States.
9. Bill to Protect Minors Interrogated by Police
Sponsors: Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D-Queens) and Sen. Jamaal Bailey (D-Bronx)
Mandates minors arrested for crimes be consulted by attorneys before being interrogated by cops and that every effort be made to contact their parents or guardians.
10. Treatment Not Jail Act
Sponsors: Assemblywoman Phara Souffrant Forrest (D-Brooklyn) and Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Queens)
The bill seeks to lower the prison population on Rikers Island by expanding criteria for convicts to be freed and put in “mental health diversion programs” — rather than being off the streets and in jail.
It would require each county to have special mental health courts and send fewer related cases to criminal court.
