Funding consistently sought by Council and advocates, recommended by Independent Rikers Commission’s Blueprint to Close Rikers, is finally available after years of delayed investments have led to inflated jail population and increased jail-related deaths

City Hall, NY — Today, New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Council Members, advocates, and New Yorkers impacted by Rikers jails celebrated newly expanded mental health and safety investments secured in the City’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget and called on Mayor Adams’ administration to urgently implement them, as intended, to stem the ongoing mental health and jail crises.

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More than 30 branches across the city will offer seven-day service beginning September 7   

$2 million expansion secured in city budget first proposed by NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams 

City Hall, NY — Beginning September 7, 11 additional library branches across New York City will now offer service on Sundays, as a result of new operational funding secured in the City’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

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City Hall, NY – Today, New York City Council legislation to prevent immigration legal services fraud, including Introduction 205-A and Introduction 980-A, automatically became law, after the mayor took no action within 30 days of their being passed. Together, the new laws will help protect New Yorkers from being the victims of fraud by immigration legal services providers falsely advertising services.

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Bill was passed by Council with 40 votes

In response to Mayor Adams vetoing Introduction 47-B late last night, the New York City Council issued the following statement from a spokesperson, Julia Agos: 

“Int. 47-B implements a recommendation of the City’s Street Vendor Advisory Board, a collection of the city’s business, immigrant rights, real estate, and vendor leaders that developed solutions to improve the environment of vending for everyone’s benefit.

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City Hall, NY – Today, Council Members Gale Brewer and Kevin Riley celebrated their legislation that expands public access to school playgrounds and basketball courts automatically becoming law, after inaction by the mayor within 30 days of their passage. Introduction 566-B, sponsored by Council Member Gale Brewer, will increase public access to school playgrounds on weekends and during after school hours, prioritizing environmental justice neighborhoods.

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“I extend my solemn condolences to the loved ones of those murdered in tonight’s horrific Midtown Manhattan shooting, including NYPD Officer Islam and several other New Yorkers. My heart is with the victims’ loved ones, all those affected by this traumatic incident, and the entire NYPD family, and I pray for the recovery of the injured.

“This horrible act leaves us angry to once again mourn yet another display of senseless gun violence that has repeatedly harmed our city and the entire nation.

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Today, Mayor Adams’ Charter Revision Commission voted to adopt five proposals to be placed on voters’ ballots in November, including several to expand mayoral power over land use decisions. In response to the decision, Speaker Adrienne Adams, Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, Majority Leader Amanda Farías, Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, and Council Members Justin Brannan, Keith Powers, Carlina Rivera, Rafael Salamanca Jr., and Sandra Ung issued the following statement:  

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City Hall, NY – The New York City Council voted to pass legislation to expand support for vulnerable youth in the foster care and juvenile justice systems. This package of bills represents the fifth segment of the Council’s Mental Health Roadmap, a comprehensive and evolving plan to improve mental health outcomes for New Yorkers. The legislation makes the innovative Fair Futures program that supports foster youth permanent under city law, improves data collection on foster youth, and requires evidence-based training for staff in juvenile detention facilities.  

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Council also voted to strengthen support for displaced tenants and foster youth, increase transparency on Rikers deaths, extended or impeded investigations into NYPD, and 9/11 WTC environmental toxins

City Hall – Today, the Council voted to extend protections for all contracted delivery workers, including those delivering food, groceries, or other goods, to address pay, transparency, and safety standards.

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City Hall, NY – Today, legislation passed by the City Council, including Introduction 272-A, 573-A, and Introduction 206-B were automatically enacted into law, 30 days after being passed by the Council and sent to the mayor. Together, the laws will enhance transparency in the city’s plan to increase public bathrooms, expand the number of park water drinking fountains citywide, and implement new measures to prevent opioid overdose deaths in city jails.

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