As we worked on the FY’ 2026 budget, my colleagues and I stayed focused on building a safer, more affordable, and more compassionate New York City, one where every neighborhood gets the investment and attention it deserves.
Thanks to strong advocacy from the City Council and my role on the Budget Negotiation Team, we were able to make sure the Council’s priorities remained front and center. I’m glad to share that this budget was unanimously passed by the City Council, reflecting a shared commitment to protecting essential services and making smart, people-first investments across the five boroughs.
Affordable childcare, education, and legal services have been my top priority, and it is reflected in our FY’ 26 budget. This fiscal year, we funded $10 million to launch a new 2K childcare program for 2 year-olds, 2.5 million for an AAPI studies curriculum, and $74.7 million for immigration legal services. Here are other notable investments citywide.
As the Chair of the Contracts Committee, I also want to celebrate the funding allocated to the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services, an agency that plays a vital role in getting nonprofits paid for delivering essential services.
This includes a $12M boost in the Executive and Adopted budgets I negotiated as Chair of Contracts:
- $7.4M for investments in PASSPort
- $1.1M for OTPS
- $1.5M in baselined funding for the Non-Profit HelpDesk
- $2.05 additional from admin at adoption: $270,000 for OTPS and $1,781,000 for staff
When MOCS lacks resources, providers face delays, go unpaid, or shut down programs. These investments help keep vital services like shelter, food, and mental health care running.
In the district, I focused on education, housing & immigration legal services, and environmental & sanitation services. Here are some notable investments I helped secure for my constituents living in District 26 with more to come:
This budget wouldn’t be possible without neighbors who spoke out, rallied, and testified to protect essential services. There’s still more to do to ensure the budget meets the needs of our most vulnerable New Yorkers. As the budget evolves, we’ll keep fighting for what our city deserves.