“The Council has been clear that the school budgets should be restored, and the Department of Education (DOE) must immediately fix the problems it has caused for New York City public school students. It has become clearer than ever that DOE lacks transparency and accountability and removed hundreds of millions of dollars more from school budgets than it ever conveyed in the city budget.
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“The Department of Education (DOE) continues to pull the wool over the public’s eyes. DOE has avoided transparency and accountability for its unilateral actions to remove funds from school budgets that do not reflect the city budget. Now they are enacting changes to school budget policies that provide funding flexibility within the existing budget, something the Council demanded they exercise all along.
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City Hall, NY – As the New York City Council redistricting process continues with newly announced hearings by the New York City Districting Commission, Speaker Adrienne Adams outlined her concerns with the first draft maps for dividing communities of color and communities of interest, conflicting with the Charter-mandated protections to ensure fair representation. The Speaker also reiterated her encouragement for the public to participate in the next steps of the redistricting process.
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“New York City is the epicenter of the nation’s aggressive monkeypox outbreak, with positive cases rising every day at an alarming rate. It has become an increasingly urgent crisis that must be addressed with swift and thorough action by every level of government. Eligible New Yorkers, especially those most at risk, must have equitable access to vaccinations, and vaccines must reach all communities throughout our city.
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City Hall, NY – Today, Speaker Adrienne Adams and Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, Chair of the Council’s Committee on General Welfare, announced a hybrid hearing scheduled for Tuesday, August 9 at 10 am in Council Chambers at City Hall, conducting oversight on the long-term issues in New York City homeless shelters and the recent increase in asylum seekers.
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City Hall, NY – Today, the City of New York filed a notice of appeal indicating its intention to fight the Richmond County judge’s ruling last month invalidating Local Law 11 of 2022. The City believes that the judge erred in finding that the law was inconsistent with the State Constitution, Election Law, and the Municipal Home Rule Law, and is hopeful that the appellate court will reverse this erroneous ruling.
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“As a city and nation, we must never forget Eric Garner. He was a dedicated father, a loving son, and a true New Yorker. His death sparked a national movement for racial justice and police accountability that continues to this day. While the Council is proud to have co-named a street in his honor, the City must fulfill a commitment to his legacy by ensuring accountability for the misconduct surrounding his death and ever inflicted upon New Yorkers.
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“Supporting New Yorkers with accessible mental health care and support is critical, especially in light of the challenges exacerbated by the pandemic. With the launch of the National 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, individuals experiencing mental health-related distress finally have an easy way to reach the help they need. This new dialing code serves as an alternative to 911 for mental health crises, which will result in a more appropriate response for those seeking assistance.
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“I am devastated and heartbroken by the loss of former Council Member and Assembly Member Albert Vann. He was a dedicated public servant, an educator, a strong advocate for the empowerment of Black communities, and a steadfast champion of Central Brooklyn. Council Member Vann mentored generations of leaders in New York City and faithfully served his constituents for nearly four decades in elected office.
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“We are reviewing the preliminary maps of Council Districts released today by the NYC Districting Commission. It is critical for the public to provide input on these first drafts as part of the ongoing redistricting process. We strongly encourage all New Yorkers to participate, and we will continue working to ensure communities’ interests are prioritized and protected.”
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