🌱 Details On Immigrant Voting Bill + New Indoor Mask Mandate

Hello, people of Sunset Park! It's me again, Dashiell Allen, your host of the Sunset Park Daily.

First, today's weather:

A couple of showers. High: 64 Low: 44.

Here are the top stories today in Sunset Park:

1. Here's a more in-depth look into the non-citizen voting bill that just passed through City Council. The measure would give voting rights to approximately 800,000 immigrants with a legal status, such as green card holders and other permanent residents. Councilmember Ydanis Rodriguez who re-introduced the bill said it would create an "increase in the political firepower of immigrant-heavy neighborhoods like Washington Heights, Corona, Sunset Park, and others." Mayor Bill de Blasio, who would ultimately need to sign on for it to pass, says he has mixed feelings about the idea, and questions its legality. (Paywall: New York Magazine Free Version: NYC Patch)
2. The Sunset Park parish of the Catholic Church has produced a total of 5 bishops currently serving in the Dioceses of Brooklyn. That's more than most other churches in the borough. (The Tablet)
3. Governor Kathy Hochul announced she's re-introducing an indoor mask mandate for all businesses or public spaces that don't require proof of vaccination to fight the rise of the Omicron COVID variant. The COVID case rate has increased by 43 percent and hospitalizations are up by 29 percent, according to State health officials. (NYC Patch)

This weekend in Sunset Park:

• SATURDAY: Holiday treats decorating at Sahadi's in Industry City (11 a.m.)
• SATURDAY: Sunset Park Kids cinema club hosts a screening of The Muppet Christmas Charol at Industry City (12 p.m.)
• SUNDAY: Kid's paper-sculpting workshop to make pop-up holiday cards at Industry City (1 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The Fifth Avenue Committee reminds everyone to regularly get a COVID test. To get one for free and with little hassle visit NYC.Gov/COVIDTest or text "COVID TEST" to 855-48. (Facebook)
• In an op-ed a labor leader makes the argument to support Councilmember Francisco Moya to become City Council Speaker because he will support Hispanic communities throughout the city. (Politics NY)
• At the same time Councilmember-elect for Sunset Park Alexa Avilés, along with a group of other current and future members, supports a woman of color being speaker. (Twitter)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with another update!

— Dashiell Allen