Samuel Vasquez Martinez
@svasquez14.bsky.social
Chief of Staff to NY Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal | Colombian 🇨🇴
Reposted by Samuel Vasquez Martinez
Members of Congress should get an annual pay raise. Better yet, raise their salaries to match the President’s salary ($400k/yr), prohibit any individual stock purchases or sales while in office, and put in a lobbying ban after office.
December 22, 2024 at 5:09 AM
Members of Congress should get an annual pay raise. Better yet, raise their salaries to match the President’s salary ($400k/yr), prohibit any individual stock purchases or sales while in office, and put in a lobbying ban after office.
Reposted by Samuel Vasquez Martinez
when you have anti-DEI proponents openly going after black military officers for recruiting from HBCUs and suing schools for their black and Hispanic enrollment *even after the schools ended any racial preferences* then the only honest label for these people is "segregationist"
I genuinely think we should start calling businesses and schools falling to the anti-DEI movement “segregationists” because they are re-segregating. And earlier rounds of segregationists *also* explained their preferred policy in race-neutral terms (“state’s rights” and “freedom of association”).
December 22, 2024 at 4:26 PM
when you have anti-DEI proponents openly going after black military officers for recruiting from HBCUs and suing schools for their black and Hispanic enrollment *even after the schools ended any racial preferences* then the only honest label for these people is "segregationist"
Reposted by Samuel Vasquez Martinez
BIG deal for the regulation of e-bike batteries. an extremely rare bipartisan bill that has now passed in the Senate, and earlier in the House. could take effect by year's end:
Bill Banning Off-Brand E-Bike Battery Sales Passes Congress, Spurred by New York Tragedies
Federal budget package includes long-delayed measure to prevent fires that have killed and injured hundreds, steered by Schumer, Gillibrand and Torres.
www.thecity.nyc
December 18, 2024 at 1:44 PM
BIG deal for the regulation of e-bike batteries. an extremely rare bipartisan bill that has now passed in the Senate, and earlier in the House. could take effect by year's end:
Reposted by Samuel Vasquez Martinez
Really is amazing we’ve had six weeks of takes about how Trump “remade the GOP” and no we’re getting: enormous corporate tax cuts; huge cuts to the social safety net and privatization.
BREAKING: Trump confirms our scoop over the weekend that he is looking at privatizing the United States Postal Service
December 16, 2024 at 7:37 PM
Really is amazing we’ve had six weeks of takes about how Trump “remade the GOP” and no we’re getting: enormous corporate tax cuts; huge cuts to the social safety net and privatization.
Reposted by Samuel Vasquez Martinez
Latest @citibikenyc.bsky.social expansion has been announced by @nyc-dot.bsky.social. 🤩
December 13, 2024 at 5:11 PM
Latest @citibikenyc.bsky.social expansion has been announced by @nyc-dot.bsky.social. 🤩
Reposted by Samuel Vasquez Martinez
State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, master of the bill name acronym game, is reintroducing a bill to create an adult vaccine opt-out information system as the Registry for Keeping Justified Records Act -- or the RFK, Jr. Act
December 13, 2024 at 5:26 PM
State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, master of the bill name acronym game, is reintroducing a bill to create an adult vaccine opt-out information system as the Registry for Keeping Justified Records Act -- or the RFK, Jr. Act
Reposted by Samuel Vasquez Martinez
Reposted by Samuel Vasquez Martinez
NEW: In Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro diverted $153 million in federal funds from highways to mass transit.
If Hochul did the same, it could help keep the MTA's projects on track after she lowered the congestion pricing toll.
nysfocus.com/2024/12/09/j...
If Hochul did the same, it could help keep the MTA's projects on track after she lowered the congestion pricing toll.
nysfocus.com/2024/12/09/j...
Josh Shapiro Is Using Highway Money to Save Mass Transit. Could…
New York has a little-noticed tool to shift billions of highway dollars to climate-friendly public transit projects. The governor doesn’t seem interested.
nysfocus.com
December 9, 2024 at 2:32 PM
NEW: In Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro diverted $153 million in federal funds from highways to mass transit.
If Hochul did the same, it could help keep the MTA's projects on track after she lowered the congestion pricing toll.
nysfocus.com/2024/12/09/j...
If Hochul did the same, it could help keep the MTA's projects on track after she lowered the congestion pricing toll.
nysfocus.com/2024/12/09/j...
Reposted by Samuel Vasquez Martinez
Acadia is profiting off the opioid epidemic and fighting my bill to expand access to lifesaving methadone treatment. Their corporate greed should have no place in health care. www.nytimes.com/2024/12/07/h...
Acadia Healthcare’s Methadone Clinics Face Fraud Complaints
Acadia Healthcare falsifies records at its methadone clinics and enrolls patients who aren’t addicted to opioids, a Times investigation found.
www.nytimes.com
December 9, 2024 at 2:18 AM
Acadia is profiting off the opioid epidemic and fighting my bill to expand access to lifesaving methadone treatment. Their corporate greed should have no place in health care. www.nytimes.com/2024/12/07/h...
Reposted by Samuel Vasquez Martinez
1968: one federal minimum wage was enough to keep a family of 3 above the poverty line.
Now: one federal minimum wage falls over $5,000 BELOW the 2024 poverty line for a family of two.
Working a full time job used to mean getting paid enough to afford a comfortable life.
Now: one federal minimum wage falls over $5,000 BELOW the 2024 poverty line for a family of two.
Working a full time job used to mean getting paid enough to afford a comfortable life.
December 8, 2024 at 1:00 AM
1968: one federal minimum wage was enough to keep a family of 3 above the poverty line.
Now: one federal minimum wage falls over $5,000 BELOW the 2024 poverty line for a family of two.
Working a full time job used to mean getting paid enough to afford a comfortable life.
Now: one federal minimum wage falls over $5,000 BELOW the 2024 poverty line for a family of two.
Working a full time job used to mean getting paid enough to afford a comfortable life.
Reposted by Samuel Vasquez Martinez
A trans person didn’t deny your health insurance claim, a giant corporation did.
An asylum seeker didn’t raise your rent, a billionaire’s private equity firm did.
Our focus must be taking on the billionaires & corporate greed.
An asylum seeker didn’t raise your rent, a billionaire’s private equity firm did.
Our focus must be taking on the billionaires & corporate greed.
November 18, 2024 at 7:42 PM
A trans person didn’t deny your health insurance claim, a giant corporation did.
An asylum seeker didn’t raise your rent, a billionaire’s private equity firm did.
Our focus must be taking on the billionaires & corporate greed.
An asylum seeker didn’t raise your rent, a billionaire’s private equity firm did.
Our focus must be taking on the billionaires & corporate greed.
Reposted by Samuel Vasquez Martinez
The City Council's ridiculous ban on winter outdoor dining is a jobs issue: Fewer tables means fewer customers and more people out of work. evgrieve.com/2024/12/why-...
Why this East Village restaurant is refusing to remove its curbside dining structure
EV Grieve is the leading news, entertainment and lifestyle blog about the East Village of New York City.
evgrieve.com
December 6, 2024 at 6:03 PM
The City Council's ridiculous ban on winter outdoor dining is a jobs issue: Fewer tables means fewer customers and more people out of work. evgrieve.com/2024/12/why-...
Reposted by Samuel Vasquez Martinez
The number of young people without shelter in New York has more than doubled in a year, but the city is not considering adding beds to the system, as @katiehonan.bsky.social and @gwynnefitz.bsky.social report. www.thecity.nyc/2024/12/03/h...
Unsheltered Homeless Youth Population Doubled, Annual City Report Finds
A count conducted last January found the number of youth sleeping in drop-in centers, places of worship, subways, fast food joints and other crash spots spiked as migrant arrivals grew.
www.thecity.nyc
December 4, 2024 at 3:19 PM
The number of young people without shelter in New York has more than doubled in a year, but the city is not considering adding beds to the system, as @katiehonan.bsky.social and @gwynnefitz.bsky.social report. www.thecity.nyc/2024/12/03/h...
Reposted by Samuel Vasquez Martinez
Mentions on CNN and MSNBC since Election Day:
Woke, wokeness, or identity politics: 482
Populism or populist: 166
Labor unions: 55
Woke, wokeness, or identity politics: 482
Populism or populist: 166
Labor unions: 55
December 3, 2024 at 4:24 PM
Mentions on CNN and MSNBC since Election Day:
Woke, wokeness, or identity politics: 482
Populism or populist: 166
Labor unions: 55
Woke, wokeness, or identity politics: 482
Populism or populist: 166
Labor unions: 55
Reposted by Samuel Vasquez Martinez
Citi Bike has gotten more and more expensive.
Now, two councilmembers want the City to step in and, as @lincolnrestler.bsky.social put it, "invest resources, just like we subsidize every other form of public transit in New York City."
hellgatenyc.com/will-nyc-fin...
Now, two councilmembers want the City to step in and, as @lincolnrestler.bsky.social put it, "invest resources, just like we subsidize every other form of public transit in New York City."
hellgatenyc.com/will-nyc-fin...
How to Make Citi Bike More Affordable
And more news for your Tuesday.
hellgatenyc.com
December 3, 2024 at 2:15 PM
Citi Bike has gotten more and more expensive.
Now, two councilmembers want the City to step in and, as @lincolnrestler.bsky.social put it, "invest resources, just like we subsidize every other form of public transit in New York City."
hellgatenyc.com/will-nyc-fin...
Now, two councilmembers want the City to step in and, as @lincolnrestler.bsky.social put it, "invest resources, just like we subsidize every other form of public transit in New York City."
hellgatenyc.com/will-nyc-fin...
Reposted by Samuel Vasquez Martinez
Across the country, people are starting meal preparations and traveling to be with friends and family.
Tell us your favorite dish on the Thanksgiving table, and we’ll share our knowledge about the work behind the ingredients. #WeFeedYou
Tell us your favorite dish on the Thanksgiving table, and we’ll share our knowledge about the work behind the ingredients. #WeFeedYou
November 27, 2024 at 8:40 PM
Across the country, people are starting meal preparations and traveling to be with friends and family.
Tell us your favorite dish on the Thanksgiving table, and we’ll share our knowledge about the work behind the ingredients. #WeFeedYou
Tell us your favorite dish on the Thanksgiving table, and we’ll share our knowledge about the work behind the ingredients. #WeFeedYou
Reposted by Samuel Vasquez Martinez
For the first time in a while overdose deaths are declining - seven straight months of declines. The cause is complicated but appears to be the culmination of a number of different Biden admin policy initiatives coming to fruition. And yet it meant absolutely nothing politically.
What’s the TLDR?
November 28, 2024 at 12:35 AM
For the first time in a while overdose deaths are declining - seven straight months of declines. The cause is complicated but appears to be the culmination of a number of different Biden admin policy initiatives coming to fruition. And yet it meant absolutely nothing politically.
Reposted by Samuel Vasquez Martinez
Voters clearly rejected the failures of "moderate" policy. What's needed now from Democrats is bold leadership on housing, child care, public transit, utility & medical bills, and wages to tackle affordability and prevent further slide toward authoritarianism. www.nydailynews.com/2024/11/17/w...
What Trump’s big win means: Albany Dems must enact advances on affordability
As Democrats pick ourselves up off the mat after the elections, there is no time to lose in addressing the fundamental causes that led to the reelection of Donald Trump. It is now clear that, among…
www.nydailynews.com
November 17, 2024 at 1:47 PM
Voters clearly rejected the failures of "moderate" policy. What's needed now from Democrats is bold leadership on housing, child care, public transit, utility & medical bills, and wages to tackle affordability and prevent further slide toward authoritarianism. www.nydailynews.com/2024/11/17/w...
After so much progress on PFAS, we are in danger of the Trump admin rolling it all back. Even more reason to protect NY from dangerous forever chemicals with S.5648 by @bradhoylmansigal.bsky.social www.nrdc.org/bio/kate-don...
November 24, 2024 at 6:36 PM
After so much progress on PFAS, we are in danger of the Trump admin rolling it all back. Even more reason to protect NY from dangerous forever chemicals with S.5648 by @bradhoylmansigal.bsky.social www.nrdc.org/bio/kate-don...
Reposted by Samuel Vasquez Martinez
One thing I find interesting about the echo chamber complaint is that an echo chamber just won a presidential election.
Put aside the convo of whether it’s “good” or “bad” for a moment. The far right has devoted enormous resources + time to building echo chambers & loathes spaces they don’t control
Put aside the convo of whether it’s “good” or “bad” for a moment. The far right has devoted enormous resources + time to building echo chambers & loathes spaces they don’t control
The "bluesky is an echo chamber" think pieces that keep popping up really tickle me because they show how certain people genuinely believe social media should be for debating and arguing and not talking about the things that make you happy and sharing art with the world.
November 23, 2024 at 1:29 AM
One thing I find interesting about the echo chamber complaint is that an echo chamber just won a presidential election.
Put aside the convo of whether it’s “good” or “bad” for a moment. The far right has devoted enormous resources + time to building echo chambers & loathes spaces they don’t control
Put aside the convo of whether it’s “good” or “bad” for a moment. The far right has devoted enormous resources + time to building echo chambers & loathes spaces they don’t control
Reposted by Samuel Vasquez Martinez
Hi! I put together a fledgling starter pack of lawmakers, reporters and other denizens of the New York State Capitol in Albany.
What other accounts should be on this list? Send 'em my way. Particularly interested in adding lawmakers, reporters and other Albany officials.
go.bsky.app/82vouic
What other accounts should be on this list? Send 'em my way. Particularly interested in adding lawmakers, reporters and other Albany officials.
go.bsky.app/82vouic
November 22, 2024 at 9:23 PM
Hi! I put together a fledgling starter pack of lawmakers, reporters and other denizens of the New York State Capitol in Albany.
What other accounts should be on this list? Send 'em my way. Particularly interested in adding lawmakers, reporters and other Albany officials.
go.bsky.app/82vouic
What other accounts should be on this list? Send 'em my way. Particularly interested in adding lawmakers, reporters and other Albany officials.
go.bsky.app/82vouic
Reposted by Samuel Vasquez Martinez
A month ago, nearly two-thirds of Republicans said that their economic situation was worse than a year ago. One Trump victory later, fewer than half do.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Column | Lots of Republicans suddenly think the economy wasn’t that bad after all
Polling from YouGov shows a sharp shift in Republican opinions over the past month.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 21, 2024 at 6:27 PM
A month ago, nearly two-thirds of Republicans said that their economic situation was worse than a year ago. One Trump victory later, fewer than half do.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Samuel Vasquez Martinez
So, @propublica.org reports that Georgia's maternal mortality review committee determined that two women died after being denied access to care under the state's abortion ban, and Georgia's response is to dismiss all members of the committee.
www.propublica.org/article/geor...
www.propublica.org/article/geor...
Georgia Dismissed All Members of Maternal Mortality Committee After ProPublica Obtained Internal Details of Two Deaths
In a letter, the state’s public health commissioner said the action was taken because “confidential information provided to the Maternal Mortality Review Committee was inappropriately shared with outs...
www.propublica.org
November 22, 2024 at 2:54 AM
So, @propublica.org reports that Georgia's maternal mortality review committee determined that two women died after being denied access to care under the state's abortion ban, and Georgia's response is to dismiss all members of the committee.
www.propublica.org/article/geor...
www.propublica.org/article/geor...
Reposted by Samuel Vasquez Martinez
We need to reform NY’s mental health law to allow more mental health professionals the authority to evaluate & direct treatment for individuals struggling with mental illness on our streets & subways.
I’m introducing the H.E.L.P. act with Assembly Member-elect Micah Lasher to do this ⬇️
I’m introducing the H.E.L.P. act with Assembly Member-elect Micah Lasher to do this ⬇️
November 20, 2024 at 2:52 PM
We need to reform NY’s mental health law to allow more mental health professionals the authority to evaluate & direct treatment for individuals struggling with mental illness on our streets & subways.
I’m introducing the H.E.L.P. act with Assembly Member-elect Micah Lasher to do this ⬇️
I’m introducing the H.E.L.P. act with Assembly Member-elect Micah Lasher to do this ⬇️
Reposted by Samuel Vasquez Martinez
NEW: Trump Boosters Expect Big Returns on Their Investment: ‘The Shackles Are Off.’ Wealthy donors to the president-elect’s campaign anticipate a more business-friendly atmosphere, including the firing of Biden-era regulators. www.nytimes.com/2024/11/17/u...
Trump Boosters Expect Big Returns on Their Investment: ‘The Shackles Are Off’
Wealthy donors to the president-elect’s campaign anticipate a more business-friendly atmosphere, including the firing of Biden-era regulators.
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2024 at 1:39 AM
NEW: Trump Boosters Expect Big Returns on Their Investment: ‘The Shackles Are Off.’ Wealthy donors to the president-elect’s campaign anticipate a more business-friendly atmosphere, including the firing of Biden-era regulators. www.nytimes.com/2024/11/17/u...