The city council passed a number of bills on Thursday. One includes banning noisy, non-essential helicopter flights from city helipads following a horrifying crash in Hudson, which killed tourist families, and a horrifying crash in Hudson, which added a new gender ID to city documents.
The two bills easily passed a Democratic majority council, but still require the signature of Mayor Eric Adams to become the law.
The proposal aimed at cracking down on tours and commuter helicopters was passed unanimously. Several people and three young children visited by a veteran Spanish and Navy pilot died when Chopper fell apart and rushed into the Hudson River.
Intro 26-A bans such “required” choppers that do not meet FAA noise standards to use two urban heliports at East 34th Street and Wall Street, which began in late 2029.
The bill passed 46-1-1, with Republican councillor Inna Vernikov voting against it, and Democrat Simcha Felder abstaining.
“Intro 26 is a bold step towards a healthier, quieter and more equitable city,” said Amanda Farias, the majority leader who sponsored the bill.
“For too long, essential helicopter flights have disrupted everyday life and put the happiness of New Yorkers at risk. The bill uses city authority over heliports to phase out the noisiest, oldest aircraft while creating space for safer and cleaner aviation.”
Meanwhile, Intro 246-A adds a gender “X” to the city documents where such information is requested, and passes despite conservative backlash.
The bill, sponsored by Democrat Rep. Crystal Hudson, calls for agencies that provide social services to add new gender identifiers as options for the relevant documents.
The legislation — which was introduced in a group of bills to protect the rights of trans and gender non-conforming New Yorkers — passed 41-5-2, with Republicans Vernikov, Joann Ariola, Vickie Paladino, Kristy Marmorato and Democrat Bob Holden Voting “no,” and Felder and Democrat Darlene Mealy abstaining.
“Let’s be clear. We’re not here to determine how the consenting adults chose to live their lives, but we’d like to bring that agenda to public schools, libraries and public spaces and not force children,” Vernikov said of the bill.
Left-handed council members fought back at her comments on LGBTQ people, including openly gay councillor Eric Bocker.
“They’re not going out and trying to recruit others. It’s a vicious, vicious stereotype,” the Democrats shot back.
The LGBTQ bill package was introduced to the Trump administration to “threate trans and gender-free New Yorkers.”
Adams did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the bill’s views.
