File #: Res 0221-2010    Version: * Name: U.S. State Department to distribute to NYC withheld foreign aid funds equivalent to unpaid diplomatic parking fines owed to the City.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations
On agenda: 5/12/2010
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the United States Congress to pass legislation which would require the U.S. State Department to distribute to the City of New York withheld foreign aid funds equivalent to unpaid diplomatic parking fines owed to the City.
Sponsors: Vincent J. Gentile, Margaret S. Chin, Inez E. Dickens, Lewis A. Fidler, Rosie Mendez, Michael C. Nelson
Council Member Sponsors: 6
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/31/2013*Vincent J. Gentile City Council Filed (End of Session)  Action details Meeting details Not available
5/12/2010*Vincent J. Gentile City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
5/12/2010*Vincent J. Gentile City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
Res. No. 221
 
 
Resolution calling upon the United States Congress to pass legislation which would require the U.S. State Department to distribute to the City of New York withheld foreign aid funds equivalent to unpaid diplomatic parking fines owed to the City.
 
 
By Council Members Gentile, Chin, Dickens, Fidler, Mendez and Nelson
 
Whereas, According to a recent study released by Representative Anthony Weiner (D-NY), foreign governments currently owe the City of New York $18 million in parking fines accrued by diplomats; and
Whereas, The study also reveals that approximately 85% of countries that owe money to New York City for unpaid parking violations also receive foreign aid from the United States government; and
Whereas, In 2001, Congress passed legislation to withhold foreign aid to countries in amounts equivalent to their outstanding parking fines; and
Whereas, The current law allows the U.S. State Department to move withheld funds to other programs rather than using such funds to pay down the debt owed to the City; and
Whereas, H.R. 4457, sponsored by Representative Anthony Weiner (D-NY), was introduced on January 13, 2010, and would require the U.S. State Department to use the withheld funds to pay New York City directly; and
Whereas, Under H.R. 4457, once New York City receives payment from the U.S. State Department, the parking violations would be considered fully adjudicated and the City's right to pursue collection of the diplomatic parking fines through any other method would be waived; and
Whereas, Currently, there is no Senate companion bill to H.R. 4457; and
Whereas, For many years, New York City has been unable to collect from countries that owe millions of dollars in parking violations; and
Whereas, Passing legislation that would enable New York City to receive the money owed by these countries is especially important during these harsh economic times; and
Whereas, The City is currently faced with the difficult decision of making severe cuts to essential services and programs that New Yorkers depend on; and
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the United States Congress to pass legislation which would require the U.S. State Department to distribute to the City of New York withheld foreign aid funds equivalent to unpaid diplomatic parking fines owed to the City.
 
 
 
LS #354
3/10/10
12:30 p.m.
TC