“Tyre Nichols was a loving father to his young son, an avid photographer and skateboarder, and a valued member of his community. Our thoughts go out to the family and loved ones of Tyre Nichols, who have been shrouded in grief over these last few weeks. As a mother and grandmother, my heart aches for Tyre’s mother, RowVaughn Wells, and entire family as they mourn.
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“Mayor Adams’ focus on jobs, safety, housing, and care offers many proposals that align with the Council’s priorities to create a safer, healthier, and more equitable city. A strong city government and workforce, supported through our city budget, is essential to the goals that New Yorkers need us to fulfill.
“As we seek to address a dire housing crisis, it is imperative that we advance comprehensive neighborhood planning that helps us build more affordable housing for New Yorkers at an increased pace with equity.
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“The Fair Student Funding (FSF) formula has long been in need of reform to better support our students and school communities. Today’s announcement that the Department of Education will adopt key recommendations from the Working Group to provide greater funding for students living in temporary housing, as well as to schools with the greatest number of students with disabilities, specialized academic needs, and living in poverty is a welcome step.
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“The Department of Education has made the right decision to withdraw its proposal to co-locate new Success Academy charter elementary schools within school buildings in Southeast Queens, including Building Q072 in School District 28. The Southeast Queens community united in opposition to the co-location plans, which would have impeded the academic progress of our students.
“Placing an additional charter school in Q072 would have undermined access to the shared facilities, including the gymnasium, cafeteria, bathrooms, and outdoor recreational space, for the existing schools.
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Legislation also passed to require SuperPAC spending disclosures, help students with disabilities obtain accommodations at higher education institutions, and increase services for older adults
City Hall, NY – Today, the New York City Council voted on the “Skip the Stuff” legislation to decrease plastic waste in New York City. The legislationwould prohibit restaurants, third-party food delivery services, and courier services from providing eating utensils, napkins, condiment packets, and extra food and beverage containers to customers with their take-out and delivery orders, unless specifically requested.
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“As our city continues to recover from the pandemic, we must prioritize smart investments that maintain essential services to keep all New Yorkers healthy and safe. We also must prioritize solutions to the staffing challenges that have hindered city agencies in delivering key services to New Yorkers, such as housing and food assistance. To that end, many of our concerns with the Mayor’s November Plan remain with the Fiscal Year 2024 Preliminary Budget.
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“The budget vision put forward by the Administration to cut funding for CUNY, libraries, social services, early childhood education, and other essential services for New Yorkers is one this Council cannot support. The city is facing multiple crises that require smart investments, and the approach in the November Plan only undermines the health, safety, and recovery of our city. We also reject the false choice in this budget modification of having to choose between cuts to city agencies or cuts to non-profit organizations providing services on the frontlines in our communities to underserved and vulnerable New Yorkers.
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“Governor Hochul proposed a thoughtful State of the State address that advances housing, mental health care, and economic opportunity as key priorities. As New York faces a serious housing crisis that impacts the health and safety of all New Yorkers, our city and state’s leaders are all prioritizing solutions and Governor Hochul’s plan contributes to helping ensure housing is available to New Yorkers.
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“Today, our hearts are heavy in remembrance of the lives lost last year to one of the deadliest fires in our city’s history. I stand with the families and community gathering today to reflect on the seventeen lives that were cut short too soon. Many are also coming together today for a street co-naming ceremony in honor of Abdoule Touray, a beloved father and Islamic community leader, who embodied the spirit of New York.
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“Given that the Administration and the Municipal Labor Committee are moving forward to implement Medicare Advantage in alignment with the courts and arbitrator’s decisions, the Council is formally considering legislation to preserve retirees’ choice of health insurance rather than have them automatically enrolled in Medicare Advantage as the sole plan on January 29. We are deeply concerned with the challenges in our health care program for municipal retirees and employees.
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