CITY HALL — On Wednesday, the New York City Council voted to adopt the city budget for the Fiscal Year 2020, which begins July 1st and ends June 30, 2020. The budget includes millions in funding for priorities Francisco Moya championed, including initiatives dedicated to health care, immigrant rights, local schools, libraries, trans equity, infrastructure improvements and public transportation.
“Every budget is a declaration of priorities and that’s why I’m proud to have helped pass one that reflects New York City’s values and aspirations,” Council Member Francisco Moya said. “This $92.8 billion budget puts families, immigrants, working-class and vulnerable New Yorkers first. I thank Speaker Corey Johnson and my colleagues for supporting the initiatives this budget will bring to Queens.”
Elmhurst Hospital to Receive $5.5 million for Surgical Ambulatory Center
The $5.5 million in funding will allow NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst to expand its services and improve patient access with the creation of an Ambulatory Surgical Center. The center will consist of a new operating room and four procedures rooms in the hospital’s Women’s Options Center. This project will help Elmhurst Hospital treat complex cases related to urological and gastrointestinal disorders and conditions such as prostate cancer, colon cancer, and kidney disease — conditions that disproportionally affect our community.
The funding was sponsored by Council Member Moya, who represents the hospital, Speaker Corey Johnson, Council Member Daniel Dromm and the Queens Delegation.
$390,000 in Baselined Funding for Transgender healthcare
The Council will baseline $390,000 in funding for healthcare training in trans-affirming practices at the New York City Department of Health And Hospitals.
The FY ‘20 budget also allocates an additional $2.2 million for LGBT and Transgender services and $500,000 for Trans Equity Programs. Funding for Trans Equity Programs supports services that empower the transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) community through education programs, employment services, workforce development, assistance with securing healthcare, legal guidance, community workshops, or academic research, and other service types.
$6.5 Million in Capital Funding for Local Schools
Council Member Moya secured $6.38 million in capital funding for Queens schools, as well as $75,000 for Queens College. Of that, $2,225,000 was allocated to I.S. 227 to renovate its science labs, $750,000 was earmarked for auditorium renovations at P.S. 19 Marino Jeantet and P.S. 14 Fairview was allocated $250,000 for a new soccer field and auditorium renovations. Council Member Moya and Speaker Johnson also allotted $650,000 to P.S. 16 Nancy DeBenedittis Public School and an additional $450,000 to P.S. 14.
$1.7 million Boost for the Immigrant Children Advocates’ Relief Effort (ICARE) Coalition
With Council Member Moya as a vocal champion, the City Council enhanced funding for Unaccompanied Minor and Families Initiative by $1.7 million. That funding will go to the Immigrant Children Advocates’ Relief Effort (ICARE) coalition, a public-private partnership that provides advice, legal and social services to children and families in deportation proceedings in New York City.
$800,000 to Local Libraries for Capital Funding
Council Member Moya, who also sits on the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries, and International Intergroup Relations, secured $500,000 in funding for interior renovations at the Queens Public Library’s LeFrak City branch and $300,000 to help finance the Queens Public Library’s Book Bus program. Council Member Moya also allocated $40,000 to the Library Action Committee of Corona-East Elmhurst.
Additionally, the City Council allocated $325,000 to Queens Public Library for the City’s First Readers Program. The program fosters literacy development in children age 5 or younger through direct programming, book distribution, parent engagement and in-home training. It’s designed to help children achieve reading proficiency by third grade.
The Council also provided $3,906,000 to the Queens Public Library to maintain its level of service across the borough, manage the increase in programming and circulation, and cover the rise in the cost of materials, staff, and operating expenses. Funds will allow the systems to maintain physical spaces and cover repairs and upkeep that are not capitally eligible.
$250,000 for Road Repairs
Continuing his efforts to repair degrading streets throughout District 21, Council Member Moya allocated a quarter-million dollars to the Department of Transportation to resurface worn roadways.
$200,000 for Bus Countdown Clocks in East Elmhurst
Council Member Moya allocated $200,000 to expand the installation of MTA countdown clocks across East Elmhurst. These countdown clocks provide riders with real-time tracking for convenience and transparency.
Additional highlights from the FY ‘20 Budget:
- $8.6 million to fund additional trash pickups for corner litter baskets
- Council Member Moya worked with Speaker Johnson to allocate $150,000 for the unaccompanied minors soccer program, operated by the Hispanic Federation in partnership with the DV7 Academy
- $40 million for investment to ensure a full and accurate 2020 Census
- $43 million for city parks to support 50 new Urban Park Rangers, 80 Parks Enforcement Patrol officers, 150 maintenance workers and gardeners, forestry management, and the Green Thumb program
- Adds 110 social workers in high-need schools
- Pay Parity — The City Council is calling for pay parity for the not-for-profit workers, like public defenders, are too often paid less than public employee counterparts. This budget calls for wage equity in community-based organizations and human services providers
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Council Member Francisco Moya represents the New York City Council’s 21st District, which encompasses Corona, East Elmhurst, LeFrak City and parts of Jackson Heights. He chairs the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises and sits on seven other committees: Civil Service and Labor; Cultural Affairs, Libraries, and International Intergroup Relations; Finance; Immigration; Land Use; Parks and Recreation; and Hospitals. Council Member Moya also serves as the vice co-chair of the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus (BLAC). For more information, please visit council.nyc.gov/francisco-moya/