“The Mayor’s announcement today addressing our city’s mental health crises is a welcome one. The isolation and stressors of the pandemic continue to exacerbate the multiple mental health crises already facing our communities, and they require evidence-based solutions and sustained investment.

“People experiencing substance abuse challenges require treatment, not years spent cycling through courts and jails. Instead of criminalization, we must invest in health-based programs that divert people from the justice system and towards treatment, with a focus on racial equity.

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Council also votes to strengthen violence prevention programs, provide mental healthcare in homeless shelters for families with children, require performance evaluation of criminal justice programs, and create board to advise city on juvenile detention issues

City Hall, NY – Today, the New York City Council voted on a legislative package strengthening fire safety of e-bikes and scooters, and the lithium-ion batteries that power such devices.

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City Hall, NY – Today, Speaker Adrienne Adams was joined by her New York City Council colleagues, and several philanthropic foundations to announce a new public-private partnership to support the organizations assisting asylum seekers and communities in New York City. The $2.2 million dollar initiative, “Welcome NYC,” will fund organizations providing urgent legal services, workforce development, literacy programs, youth services, faith-based services, and food assistance across the City.

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New York, NY – Speaker Adrienne Adams and the New York City Council celebrated several of its bills being signed into law today. These included two legislative packages focused on addressing pay disparities across the municipal workforce and improving the accessibility of buildings and homeless shelters for New Yorkers with disabilities, respectively. The final bill signed into law requires quarterly reporting on family homelessness. 

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“I extend my congratulations to DC37 and its over 100,000 members on reaching a new tentative agreement with the City. Our municipal workforce is the foundation of what keeps our city running and helps us persevere through the difficulties of living during a global pandemic. This City must always stand by its workers in order for us to succeed in the face of any challenges.”

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Council also expanded domestic violence victim protections for economic abuse, co-named street for former Council Member Al Vann with 128 other street co-namings

City Hall, NY – Today, the New York City Council ushered through legislation that would accelerate the phasing out of oil grade No. 4 in boilers. This legislation will create cleaner air and reduce negative health outcomes by expediting the phasing out of the most harmful type of heating oil still used in city buildings.

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Albany, NY – Today, New York City Council Speaker Adrienne E. Adams delivered testimony at the New York State Joint Legislative Public Hearing on the Executive Budget for State Fiscal Year 2024, focused on state support for affordable housing, NYCHA, Pre-K and 3-K early childhood programs, education, physical and mental healthcare, and services for asylum seekers.

The Speaker’s complete submitted testimony is available here.

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“With rents now reaching record highs, the time to act with urgency to address this housing crisis through comprehensive solutions is now. We must prioritize the production and preservation of affordable housing, while addressing the backlogs in housing development caused by agency understaffing and underinvestment. These were all priorities outlined in my housing agenda released last December.

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“New Yorkers’ rights to publicly protest are essential to a functioning democracy and must be protected. Today’s CCRB report about widespread abuses and misconduct by NYPD officers during the 2020 protests demonstrates that the City’s police department fell short of this responsibility. While administrative charges have been brought against dozens of officers and some have received command discipline, there are several outstanding proceedings in which officers should be held accountable.

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“Our city’s workforce carried us through the pandemic and led us forward to a better and safer environment, with over 96 percent receiving the full COVID vaccination. As the mayoral administration announced the end of the vaccine mandate for municipal employees, we must be clear that vaccines are safe, effective, and save lives. Since November 2021, the vaccine mandate has made it possible for us to protect ourselves and others from severe illness and helped curb the spread of COVID-19.

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