Thank you to the leadership of the NYC Mayor and our partners in Albany for closing the budget gap NYC was facing, aligned with the Council’s savings-focused approach.

The NYC Council, under the leadership of Speaker Julie Menin, pushed hard for these priorities, and this budget reflects our shared commitment to delivering for New Yorkers.

I also want to commend the addition of $11.3 million for DOHMH for testing and surveillance, so the city is prepared for the next public health emergency, and the addition of $26 million funding to combat hate. As co-chair of the Jewish Caucus and someone whose district was targeted with hate filled antisemitic swastika symbols in the past several days, I look forward to seeing these funds used to combat hate overall, and antisemitism in particular, which is on the rise.