On his radio show last night, Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) earned support from NY State’s and NY City’s top leaders. Both NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo and NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio had effusive praise for Hikind and made it clear that they support his key initiatives.

Hikind thanked Cuomo for all he has done to aid the Jewish community this year, including the passage of the Transportation bill. But Cuomo was quick to share the credit with Hikind, stating, “You, Assemblyman, with your talent and knowledge of the needs of the community–you fashioned the right solution.” Hikind went on to reiterate his personal commitment to community parents by securing yeshiva tuition relief beginning with Education Investment Tax Credits. He thanked the Governor for making it clear at a recent public meeting that he supported the Assemblyman’s agenda.

“I remember the respect that my father had for you and the esteem that he held you in,” said the Governor. “Assemblyman Hikind, you have been such a constant force, a positive constant force for your community—a force for truth and justice. I’ve had such admiration for you and the role you’ve played in public service.”

Mayor de Blasio joined the show and Hikind thanked him for his roll in securing an agreement this year which helped parents whose children need Special Education–Hikind had fought long and hard for these benefits. “It was one of the greatest accomplishments of your administration,” said Hikind to the Mayor. “Our parents have had such difficulties year after year receiving the funding they deserved, and now that’s been solved because of you.”

Then Assemblyman Hikind turned to the issue of sanitation pick-ups which have plagued his community as they interfere each morning with school busses and wreak havoc on drivers. “No one is more familiar with our community than you are,” said Hikind. “We love the Sanitation Department and they do their jobs. But we’d love to have them not do their runs while our school busses are taking our kids to school in the morning. As you know, I’ve reached out to the [Sanitation] Commissioner to find a solution and we are going to meet soon to figure this out.”

The Mayor made it clear that he supported Hikind’s bid to change morning sanitation runs in Boro Park. “We worked on this issue when I was on the City Council,” he said, “and I’m going to work with Sanitation to help find a solution.”

(YWN Desk – NYC)