Council also votes to increase healthcare cost transparency, require programs for incarcerated transgender, gender non-conforming, non-binary and intersex (TGNCNBI) New Yorkers, expand resources for LGBTQ+ and runaway homeless youth, improve access to automated external defibrillators, provide vision testing and eyeglasses to low-income individuals, and provide information about pediatric emergency care   

City Hall, NY – Today, the New York City Council passed the “Zero Waste Act,” a legislative package of zero waste legislation that will advance our city’s efforts to divert organic waste from landfills, fight climate change, and create a greener, more sustainable future for all New Yorkers.

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“We are grateful to our partners in the federal government, including Senate Majority Leader Schumer and House Democratic Leader Jeffries, for helping secure $104.6 million for New York City in this latest round of FEMA funding. As our city continues to experience high levels of homelessness and provides aid to significant numbers of people seeking asylum in our country, this and continued funding is vital to our efforts.

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“The Clean Slate Act can help provide an equitable boost to our communities, economy, and public safety by removing the barriers to employment, housing, education, and other economic opportunities for more than 2 million New Yorkers with an old conviction record. At a time when our city and state are recovering from the economic effects of the pandemic, this bill is estimated to generate over $7 billion more in state earnings and help address our workforce shortage.

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“The Federal Monitor’s latest report detailing recent incidents of violence and deaths within city jails was jarring and illustrated repeated failure by the Department of Correction (DOC) to notify the Monitor of serious incidents in a timely manner. Rather than pursuing accountability and reform, the Department’s response has outrageously and unacceptably been to declare it will no longer provide public information about when someone dies in its custody.

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“I feel it is important to remind Director Jiha that the Council’s charter-mandated responsibility is to hold the Administration accountable, and that means examining and questioning their assertions and numbers. It’s not personal, it’s our job. The Council is not a rubber stamp, nor is this a monarchy. Rather, we are a co-equal branch of city government, and we will not respond to arrogance and tolerate disrespect.

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City Hall, NY – Today, Speaker Adrienne Adams and the New York City Council announced the winning proposals of the 2022-2023 Participatory Budgeting cycle. During the voting period, which took place from March 25th until April 2nd, more than 60,000 New Yorkers voted to allocate nearly $32 million in capital funding for local improvements to schools, parks, libraries and other public spaces across 29 Council Districts in New York City.

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The elimination of the 90-day shelter rule, among other bills, will make it easier for individuals and families to enroll in the CityFHEPS program

Council also votes on bills providing transportation safety protections for students with disabilities; establishing technology access and training programs; requiring coordination of summer youth employment program opportunities; making the Open Culture Program permanent;

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“The Administration’s troubling application, which appears to pursue an elimination of more than 40 years of legal protections for our city’s most vulnerable, leaves in question whether New Yorkers will be left to sleep on our streets, parks, roadway shoulder exits, and subways. It’s beyond disturbing that so much effort is being spent on rolling back protections for all New Yorkers, instead of implementing immediate and long-term solutions that can help us avoid and move out of shelters.

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Latest analysis projects $1.8 billion more in revenues than OMB’s FY ‘23 and ‘24 estimates in Executive Budget, and stronger outyear revenues outpace OMB forecast

City Hall, NY – Today, the New York City Council unveiled its Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Executive Budget Economic and Tax Forecast, with key findings on the national and local economies, as well as tax revenue projections.

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“People seeking asylum in our country, who are now in our city, have made abundantly clear that they want to work to achieve stability and economic independence. The federal government should remove barriers to facilitate these opportunities that can also help crucial businesses close gaps in their workforce that have been undermining. The Council has repeatedly reiterated the need for expedited federal work authorization for asylum seekers to our federal partners since last fall, and once again urge immediate action to echo the Governor and Mayor’s calls.”

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