“All levels of government must come together to share responsibility for the nation’s response to the dire humanitarian conditions that have led increasing numbers of people to seek asylum here. As this international crisis continues, New York City needs more support from our federal and state governments to provide and set up shelter locations and devote additional funding. Expedited federal work authorization is immediately needed to help our newest arrivals enter the workforce, achieve the self-sufficiency they desire, and contribute the benefits to our economy that we know are possible.

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Council also votes on legislation to protect New Yorkers against lead exposure, create Office of the Homeowner Advocate, support striking actors and writers’ fight for fair contracts, reduce barriers to building environmentally friendly homes, develop a map of bicycle infrastructure, and call for state law to eliminate legacy admissions preferences at colleges in New York

City Hall, NY – Today, the New York City Council voted to establish a newly revised permanent outdoor dining program under local law that incorporates lessons from the emergency pandemic outdoor restaurants program.

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Landmark Summit will bridge community development financial institutions with small businesses that need capital resources to grow

New York, NY – In honor of National Black Business Month, New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, in collaboration with The Black Institute (TBI) and Department of Small Business Services’ Black Entrepreneurs NYC (BE NYC), will host a landmark summit designed to empower minority and women-owned businesses (MWBEs).

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“Congratulations to NYSNA’s public sector nurses on their hard-fought victory for a fair contract with NYC Health + Hospitals that secures pay parity wage increases, safe staffing ratios, and additional measures to improve retention. Our public sector nurses serve patients that are overwhelmingly from low-income, immigrant, and underserved communities. Their work is essential to advancing healthcare, economic, and racial justice throughout our city.

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“For decades, our communities have experienced the debilitating impacts of gun violence, which robs New Yorkers of their lives and futures, especially those living in neighborhoods that continue to suffer from years of disinvestment. Achieving public safety requires deep levels of sustained funding for proven solutions that strengthen communities most impacted by violence and support their resilience – through healthcare, housing, mental health support, economic and educational opportunities, and violence prevention.

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In response to the NYPD confirming that it has begun to encrypt radio transmissions that have been available to the media and volunteer first responders for decades, the New York City Council released the following statement from spokesperson Rendy Desamours.

“Transparency is key to achieving and maintaining public safety. It is troubling that the NYPD began encrypting its radio system without an adequate transparency plan implemented first, which can jeopardize the safety of New Yorkers.

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“True accessibility and inclusivity requires that people with disabilities have pathways to opportunities and the tools to progress in their careers. The Council has made the nearly one million New Yorkers with disabilities a priority, especially related to improved access to employment and workforce development. This critical investment and new Center for Workplace Accessibility and Inclusion will support these efforts to help even more New Yorkers access opportunity and contribute to our city.

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“Congratulations to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and their 340,000 members for securing a well-deserved and historic contract agreement with UPS that will deliver fair pay and benefits to these frontline workers. As the daughter of a longtime Teamster who drove an 18-wheeler for UPS, I’m proud to support the labor unions and workers who are essential to our city and nation’s daily operations.

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City Hall, NY – In response to the City Council’s historic override of the Mayor’s veto of Introduction 878-A, 893-A, 894-A and 229-A to address the city’s homelessness and rising eviction crises, the following housing and homelessness advocates and providers said:

“During his campaign Mayor Adams publicly pledged to give youth experiencing homelessness in the Department of Youth and Community Development shelter system access to CityFHEPS vouchers within the first hundred days of his term.

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Council also votes on legislation from Mental Health Roadmap, bills to protect New Yorkers against lead, provide pathways to civil service for justice-involved New Yorkers, and preserve access to gender affirming care    

City Hall, NY – Today, the New York City Council overwhelmingly voted, 42-8, to override the Mayor’s veto of the Council’s legislation to address record homelessness and the eviction crisis by reforming the CityFHEPS rental assistance voucher program.

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