CONTACT:
Alex Taylor, Communications Director
ATaylor@council.nyc.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW YORK ––– Council Member Farah N. Louis, Vice Co-Chair of the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus, issued the following statement on approval of the 2022 budget.
STATEMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER FARAH N. LOUIS
“I am proud of Speaker Corey Johnson and my colleagues in the City Council who worked tirelessly to pass a $98.7 billion budget for FY 2022. This historic spending plan offers New Yorkers critical and significant investments in quality-of-life services, education and anti-violence initiatives while restoring many of the service cuts caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. It also makes historic investments in working-class families and communities of color that were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. These investments will drive New York City’s comeback and lay the foundation for a more fair and equitable future for years to come.
Last year’s budget process was fraught with challenges and difficult choices including a $2 billion cut from New York State and a $7 billion loss in revenue. My colleagues and I fought hard to protect essential workers and service providers in the face of this enormous $9 billion deficit. But thanks to the Biden Administration’s $1.9 trillion stimulus bill, we were able to restore funding in this year’s budget as well as enhance crucial initiatives for everyday New Yorkers.
Click here to read what FY2022 includes: https://conta.cc/3H7JHtS
It has truly been an honor to work with Speaker Johnson. As Chair of Mental Health, Disabilities and Addiction Committee and as Co-Chair of the Women’s Caucus, I have fought for – and won – greater access to mental health services, maternal and reproductive health rights and equal pay. As Co-Chair of the Black, Latino and Asian Caucus, I have championed cleaner streets, more affordable housing, youth services, anti-violence initiatives and other issues of critical importance to District 45. I want to thank the advocates, residents, community leaders who advised and worked with me to get an equitable budget. I look forward to our continued partnership together on behalf of all New Yorkers.
Congratulations to Speaker Corey Johnson, Finance Chair Daniel Dromm, Subcommittee Chair Helen K. Rosenthal and our Finance Division led by Latonia R. McKinney for managing New York City’s budget process during a global pandemic.
Although no spending plan is ever perfect and many difficult choices were made, I believe the 2022 budget candidly reflects the aspirations, challenges and day-to-day essential needs of New York City and its citizens as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic and come back strong.”
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New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis represents the 45th Council District, which comprises Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Marine Park, Flatlands, & Kensington in Brooklyn, NY. Currently, she serves as Chair of the Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addictions. She is also a member of the committees on Civil Service and Labor; Economic Development; Education; Finance; Housing and Buildings; Youth Services; Women and Gender Equity. Council Member Louis is the Co-Chair of the Women’s Caucus and Vice Co-Chair of the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus.