JAN. 6TH FALLOUT: Citizens Union, the good-government group, is urging the state Legislature to develop a plan to disqualify candidates for engaging in insurrection under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Several states have done so with former President Donald Trump as the case heads to the U.S. Supreme Court, and the group urged New York to do the same. There is legislation in Albany to do so. “Citizens Union believes, as did the framers of the 14th Amendment, that it is essential to our democracy and the rule of law that persons who served as public officers and participated in an insurrection should be disqualified from holding office. That is especially so because they may then exercise power to do so again, contrary to law and their oaths of office,” the group said. The issue would usually fall into the hands of the Board of Elections, a bipartisan agency composed of two Republicans and two Democrats, meaning any decision on the matter likely would end in a deadlock. In the event of a deadlocked decision, the group wants to authorize the state attorney general to act as a tiebreaker. “The fate of our democracy is literally on the ballot this November. And those who have proven they would undermine it by fomenting insurrection should have no place on it,” it said. — Shawn Ness ADVISING OPIOID TREATMENT SITES: Assemblymember Tony Simone and Sen. Brad Holyman-Sigal are promoting a bill to enhance community oversight on methadone clinics, which are sites where individuals suffering from opioid addictions can receive treatment and medication. The bill would establish community advisory boards for the clinics, enabling community members to submit recommendations and guidance to the clinics’ providers. Residents, however, would not be given any power to reject or regulate the clinic's activities. The bill comes as residents of Hoylman-Sigal and Simone’s districts have grown increasingly concerned about safety around the spots, including one clinic on 35th St. and 8th Ave. where residents say drug dealers have congregated to prey on victims seeking addiction treatment. “Methadone clinics are a life-saving resource for those struggling with addiction, and assist many throughout their recovery,” Simone said. “They are also important members of their communities, and they should actively engage with local stakeholders to ensure that they are operating in the best interests of everyone." — Jason Beeferman PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE: State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal hosted a virtual press event today to advocate for a law that would require EpiPens to be in public venues across the state. The bill would also require the venue’s staff to be trained to use the devices. “25 percent of children who have severe reactions did not receive a prior diagnosis. If they don't know that they might be in danger. They can't carry an EpiPen,” Rosenthal said. The two lawmakers were joined by Lucia Zaremba, a Brooklyn who began advocating for the cause after her brother suffered a severe anaphylactic shock. Zaremba likened the bill to AEDs being a requirement for public venues to have. She approached Gounardes with her idea, who then introduced the legislation in the Senate. Rosenthal then introduced a companion bill in the Assembly. — Shawn Ness EDUCATION: Advocates are urging Adams and schools Chancellor David Banks to engage parents more in their efforts to revamp reading instruction in New York City public schools. Advocates for Children of New York, an advocacy group, released a report with recommendations based on a series of virtual learning sessions with 19 mothers over the summer. The school system rolled out a new reading curriculum mandate in roughly half of the city’s 32 school districts this school year — the first phase of the mandate. Schools have to choose one of three curricula. The group urged the Department of Education to set clear expectations for principals and offer guidance and coaching to educators on partnering with families — as well as training for teachers and administrators. Other recommendations include giving families information about the curriculum in their schools and how their children are progressing. “New York City Public Schools has taken on the critically important challenge of improving the way they teach children to read,” Kim Sweet, executive director of Advocates for Children of New York, said in a statement. “Effective partnership with families is an essential component of that work.” — Madina Touré
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