You are reading

Constantinides Hospitalized With COVID-19 Complications Again, Misses City Budget Vote

Queens Council Member Costa Constantinides (NYC Council)

July 1, 2020 By Michael Dorgan

Council Member Costa Constantinides missed the city budget vote Tuesday after being hospitalized with COVID-19 complications again.

Constantinides suffered breathing difficulties and chest pain at around 8 p.m. last night and checked into Mount Sinai Queens, according to his spokesperson Terence Cullen.

Constantinides notified the city council that he would be unable to attend the vote as he arrived at the Emergency Department.

He spent several hours in the hospital and has now returned home, Cullen said.

It was the first time Constantinides missed a budget vote since being elected to office in 2013. The city council passed an $88.1 billion budget for FY 2021 with a 32-to-17 vote around midnight.

Constantinides, who represents Astoria and East Elmhurst, first contracted COVID-19 in late March and has been battling it since.

He was hospitalized on three separate occasions in April due to COVID-19.

“Last night I was once again forced to go to the hospital with complications from COVID-19,” Constantinides said in a statement Wednesday. “You don’t know how frustrating this has been, as I want to fully focus on my job. But breathing is at times difficult, especially as the weather gets hotter.”

The lawmaker, who didn’t say whether he would have voted for the budget or not, has previously called for cuts to the NYPD budget. In a statement, he vowed to continue to fight for a smaller police force despite being term-limited in 2021.

“While I was not able to make a stand last night, I am committed to using whatever time I have left in the council to fight for a scaled-down police department,” he said.

email the author: news@queenspost.com

Featured Events

Post an Event

View All Events…

One Comment

Click for Comments 
Tell us how you would have voted

This guy is a joke and once again escapes accountability. Lots of empty talk and not a whole lotta results, just a mediocre nice guy local politician. Laughing at anyone who thinks otherwise.

3
Reply

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News
Run through the cold: 4 February races in Queens to help keep your New Year’s resolutions

Feb. 4, 2025 By Paulina Albarracin

Amid the busy month of February, with Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, and even snow days, it can be easy to lose track of your running schedule. During these cold winter months, the urge to stay indoors and avoid the harsh winds is strong. However, having the support of friends, family, and the local community can be the motivation needed to lace up your running shoes and push forward. Stay committed to your New Year’s resolutions and sign up for these races in Queens this month, some of which benefit important causes.

Read More
0
Op-ed | Neighborhood rezoning: A better path for Astoria

Feb. 4, 2025 By Richard Khuzami

In the ever-evolving landscape of New York City, the need for thoughtful urban planning has never been more critical. As we look to the future, it’s clear that neighborhood rezoning offers a more comprehensive and beneficial approach compared to individual rezoning requests for specific projects. Locally, in Community District 1 in Queens, OANA has been advocating for such a rezoning of the general area south of Broadway in Astoria to Dutch Kills.

Read More
0
Load More Articles