“Protecting New York City’s fiscal health is a priority that must go hand-in-hand with ensuring New Yorkers’ health and safety is secured  through investments in essential education, health, and social service programs. Early childhood education programs, such as Universal 3-K, are pivotal to the economic success of our city and must be a priority in which to invest. In the midst of housing and mental health crises, our financial plans should reflect the scale needed to solve our challenges, and it is not clear this one meets the moment.

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“The path to stability for unhoused New Yorkers begins with a safe, affordable, and permanent home. Today’s announcement by the Administration to expand eligibility for CityFHEPS vouchers, increase staffing at key agencies, and connect New Yorkers directly to supportive housing represents important steps to help alleviate homelessness and transition people from shelters to permanent housing in our city. The successful implementation of these efforts will be essential to removing barriers to these housing programs that have remained, even when the City has expanded investments in them.

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“From the beginning of this humanitarian crisis facing our city, the Council has advocated for Humanitarian Emergency Relief and Recovery Centers (HERRCs) to be sited indoors and identified several large hotels that were not remotely located. People who seek asylum in our city deserve to be treated with dignity, care and compassion, and we always believed this was more appropriate.

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The legislative package, passed by the Council in October, makes child care services more accessible in New York City

City Hall, NY – Speaker Adrienne E. Adams, along with sponsors of the New York City Council’s child care legislative package – Council Members Jennifer Gutiérrez, Crystal Hudson, and Julie Menin – celebrated the bills being signed into law today. 

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“New York City voters made clear that they support our city government prioritizing racial justice by confronting the structural and systemic inequities that have long impacted New Yorkers. Black New Yorkers, as well as many other communities of color have long endured disparities in access to economic and educational opportunities, health, and safety. By asserting a commitment to equity, justice, and remedying past harms in the City Charter, City government will be explicitly obligated to address these injustices and creating ‘a just and equitable city for all’ New Yorkers.

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“New York City students deserve to have the resources and support they need to excel and thrive in the classroom. The Department of Education (DOE)’s decision to use federal stimulus funding to hold schools harmless from mid-year adjustment enrollment declines and provide additional funds for schools with increased enrollment is a positive step. This use of federal stimulus funds reflects how the Council previously urged the DOE to apply them – to protect the health of our schools in light of decreased enrollment.

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City Hall, NY – Today, the Council passed a legislative package that will improve the diversity, equity and inclusion practices at the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY). The bills in this package seek to address the historic lack of racial and gender diversity in the FDNY. The package addresses the recruitment and retention of diverse firefighters, confronts exclusionary practices that undermine diversity, and increases transparency about FDNY’s efforts.

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City Hall, NY – The New York City Council applauded a new agreement with the Department of Education (DOE) to resolve delayed reimbursements that have threatened the operations of early childhood education programs citywide. The agreement releases key funding for the programs that more adequately reflect their contracts, and follows sustained advocacy by providers, advocates, and labor unions, with key support from Council Members.

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“The continued deaths and violence on Rikers Island make clear that it remains unsafe for everyone there, and the relentless harm inflicted on detainees and staff alike underscores the seriousness of this crisis.

“I was deeply disturbed and saddened to learn of the death of Gilberto Garcia while in custody on Rikers Island, and offer my condolences to his family, friends and community.

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“Addressing pay inequities that have long impacted our diverse communities and workforce is critical to both our economy and gender and racial justice. As the Salary Transparency Law (Local Law 32) takes effect today, New York City is demonstrating the importance of salary transparency for job seekers and employees alike as a pivotal step towards pay equity. We must narrow stubborn gender and racial pay gaps, especially for Black, Latina, indigenous and Asian women.

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