Rivera: Bloomberg Come Home

Mayor Bloomberg first changed his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican before his first mayoral run. Now, he’s neither. Amidst rumors that he may enter the 2008 presidential election, he became an Independent, which means he has no party affiliation at all.

Hearing this news, Bronx Democratic County Committee Chairman Jose Rivera saw an opening and urged Bloomberg to come back to the Democratic Party.

"I had a meeting with him where I asked him to come back home to the Democratic Party," Rivera said. "The mayor would be a great addition."

Rivera’s ‘Skinny Models’ Bill Approved

Both the Assembly and State Senate passed a bill that would create standards for child performers and models under 18. Assemblyman Jose Rivera, chairman of the Task Force on Food, Farm and Nutrition Policy, introduced the legislation after two South American fashion models died from eating disorders.

"New York City is one of the world’s leaders in fashion and entertainment, and we don’t want to do anything to harm those industries," Rivera said. "At the same time, we need responsible protections in place, especially for young workers."

Under the legislation, an advisory board made up of health experts, industry representatives, models and entertainment professionals would report to the Commissioner of Labor on the need for employment restrictions, weight or body mass index (BMI) requirements, medical screenings, and other measures.

Another bill introduced by Rivera requires the state to develop guidelines for schools to prevent and treat life-threatening allergic reactions in schoolchildren. According to Rivera, an estimated 1 to 2 percent of the general population is at risk from anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions) from food allergies and insect stings.

Dinowitz for Medical Marijuana

With time running out on the year’s legislative session, several high-profile efforts (think congestion pricing) stalled, prompting Governor Spitzer to declare that lawmakers would need to return sometime this summer to hammer out their differences and reach agreements on several pieces of legislation.

At the same time, however, local Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz announced the passage of a bill he co-sponsored.

The bill allows "the use of marijuana to treat serious, life-threatening illnesses under the supervision of a doctor," according to a press release. The bill passed easily in the Assembly and awaits Senate approval.

"Medical marijuana can be very beneficial and effective for patients who do not respond well to other medications," Dinowitz said.

Under conditions laid out in the bill, certified and registered patients could possess up to 2.5 ounces of weed and 12 plants. It also allows doctors to certify the use of marijuana as an alternative treatment for those patients suffering under life-threatening conditions.

Recently, New Mexico legalized medical marijuana and the Connecticut legislature also passed a similar bill that is currently awaiting governor approval.

While the federal government has approved THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, for medical use in synthetic pill form, consuming the drug in its natural form (which physicians say is more effective) remains illegal.

The bill would be a pilot program that would expire in four years.

Engel on Stem Cell Setback

President Bush recently vetoed a legislation bill that would lift federal restrictions on the use of stem cells that would be destroyed anyway.

Local Congressman Eliot Engel, a leading proponent of this controversial research practice, spoke out against what he calls the triumph of ideology over science.

Engel is determined to have stem cells become available, giving hope to those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, spinal chord injuries, ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.