A New Era for Our Office!

View this email in your browser ([link removed])
[link removed]

Hi Friend,
* Saturday volunteers needed: help distribute free produce, including fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables to public housing residents at Gowanus Houses, Wyckoff Gardens, and Warren Street Houses. We need volunteers to unload, bag, and distribute produce every other Saturday morning starting May 4th. Sign up here ([link removed]) for a shift. More questions? Email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .
* CHiPS volunteers needed: we need your help with our CHiPS food distribution on May 3rd at Kensington Plaza – sign up here ([link removed]) .
* We’ve signed a lease for our new office and will be available for visits soon! In the meantime, we are unable to offer in-person appointments with extremely limited exceptions. If you need help, call us at (718) 499-1090 or send us an email at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

Executive Budget Hearings Preview

In April, Mayor Eric Adams released his Executive Budget for FY25 and with hearings starting this week, I wanted to give you a recap of what’s in his vision for the city and what it’s lacking. Essentially, the Executive Budget is the Mayor’s “last draft” of the yearly budget that gets presented before the Council and the public to evaluate. The idea is that it provides a chance for the City Council to give feedback and ultimately get to a better final budget by the time we get to a vote at the end of June. While the Mayor has backtracked on some of his previously proposed cuts, there are still significant gaps between what he’s suggesting and the needs still remaining for integral, life-saving programs.

There are still proposed cuts to libraries that would keep them closed on Sundays while adding Saturday closures, as well as delaying reopenings of branches under renovation. While Mayor Adams’ budget restores some of the cuts made to 3-K and Pre-K programs, they would still be seriously underfunded. Additional cuts to CUNY, community composting, immigration and mental health services, among other important programs are simply unacceptable.

While the Mayor’s office has approached this budget season with a troubling lack of transparency, I want to bring clarity about this process to my constituents. I encourage those who can to follow along, as all budget hearings will be livestreamed ([link removed]) . These hearings are an opportunity for the Council to pick apart what is and isn’t included in the budget. Additionally, it gives us the chance to ask the Administration tough questions on the implications of these cuts. We will learn a lot about the Administration's financial plans for the city in the coming days and I will do my best to provide you with comprehensive updates during that time. As a reminder, I sit on the Committees for Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addiction, Criminal Justice, Cultural Affairs, Libraries, and International Intergroup Relations, Education, Governmental Operations, State & Federal Legislation, and Immigration. I also plan to attend the budget hearings for Public
Housing as I want to understand how the Mayor’s office is investing in our public housing residents and building infrastructure.

There are also opportunities for the public to join us at City Hall to ask questions and give testimony on the budget during these hearings. Learn more here ([link removed]) .

A Few Budget Priorities From My Office:
* Comprehensive Cradle to Tassel funding: dollars for child care, 3-K/Pre-K, K-12, and CUNY to ensure young people have what they need to learn and thrive.
* Allocate $2B for the Progressive Caucus’ Homes Now, Homes for Generation campaign that would put money towards critical housing programs and address the housing crisis facing working and middle-class New Yorkers.
* Reverse cuts to our libraries to ensure that they can operate 7 days a week
* Full funding for immigration legal services for asylum seekers to expedite work authorization and reduce their dependence on the shelter system.
* Restore the full $7.1 million in funding for NYC’s Community Composting program which Mayor Adams cut to zero.
* Comprehensive public safety reforms that do not over rely on punitive and carceral solutions.

May is Lupus Awareness Month

Last year, I passed Resolution 550 ([link removed]) which enshrined May as Lupus Awareness Month in NYC. I had the privilege of speaking at a Lupus Day of Action at NYU Medical Center and heard from Lupus experts who are invested in finding treatments that make living with Lupus easier. It was also inspiring meeting so many patients who have been on the same journey as me. Lupus warriors are powerful!

As many of you know, at the age of 17, my life took a different path when Lupus became a part of it. From maneuvering our City's nebulous healthcare system uninsured to standing up for change and equity in the Council, I have led with resilience and an unwavering determination. Lupus Awareness Month is pivotal to elevating the voices of Lupus survivors, driving forward research efforts for a cure, and fighting for policies that make NYC more accessible and just.

Council Member Hanif at the Lupus Awareness Month Day of Action at NYU Langone.

Welcome Our New Chief of Staff, Matt!

It’s a brand new era for our office! We have new district lines, are opening a new office (more to come soon), have new committee assignments, and are embracing these changes to better represent our community – and for that new era, we have a new Chief of Staff, though he’s a familiar face!

Matthew Malloy has served as Council Member Hanif’s Constituent Services Director since May of 2023. He is a lifelong Brooklynite and a graduate of CUNY Hunter College. Matt has roots in public housing and has been able to utilize his experience as a former tenant to identify solutions to hard to resolve problems. In addition to his experience as a staff member in our office, Matt has served as a Bargaining Committee and Executive Board Member with the Association of Legislative Employees, who have just secured a historic first union contract for Council staff. Matt hopes to use his experience to successfully lead our team through this exciting time as our Chief of Staff. Don’t hesitate to reach out to him at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) !

Also Welcoming Our New Communications Associate, Brandon!

We're thrilled to welcome Brandon Warrick to the District 39 Team as our new Communications Associate! Brandon brings a wealth of experience in politics, advocacy, and media communications, making them a valuable asset to our office. With a background spanning over a decade, Brandon has cultivated expertise in crafting compelling narratives and managing communication strategies across various platforms. He will assist in managing social media operations, press releases, and coordinating with media outlets to amplify our office’s visibility. Additionally, he brings a strong commitment to the progressive policies our office continues to advance in the City Council. Recently having completed a Master’s program at NYU’s Wagner School of Public Service, specializing in Advocacy and Political Action, Brandon is eager to bring those skills to communicating with the diverse people of District 39. For any press inquiries or to submit items to our Community Bulletin, please reach out to him at
[email protected].

Community Bulletin
* Get your vote in for “The People’s Money!” – Now through June 12th, all New Yorkers over 11 have the opportunity to vote on a ballot for their home borough on how to spend over $3 Million! Vote online ([link removed]) or by paper ballots that will be available citywide at sites listed on Participate.nyc.gov ([link removed]) .
* A free Mammogram Early Detection Bus co-hosted by our office and Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon will be at 341 Smith Street on Thursday 5/9 from 9:00 AM– 4:30 PM. You can schedule at 718-246-4889 or 1-877-628-9090. Eligibility: women ages 40 - 79, currently living in New York City, and no mammogram in the past 12 months.
* The Bandung 2024-2025 Residency is calling on AAPI artists, educators, and organizers to join them as they help uplift your work! Find out more and apply here ([link removed]) .
* The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) is hosting a NYC Small Business Month Expo to provide a variety of free information, resources, and direct services – sign up here ([link removed]) .
* South Brooklyn Sanctuary is offering free legal help for TPS applications and Work Authorization permits. Sign up for their resources in Arabic ([link removed]) , French ([link removed]) , and Spanish ([link removed]) .
* As the Summer and hot weather approaches, did you know the City can offer assistance in the purchase of a cooling system? The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can help eligible New Yorkers heat and cool their homes – learn more and determine your eligibility here ([link removed]) !
* Sign up by 5/24 for the chance to be a part of White Bird Productions’ Summer “Creative Families Residency” – learn more and apply here ([link removed]) .

In Solidarity,

Shahana
[link removed] [link removed] [link removed]

Our mailing address is:
New York City Council
456 5th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11215-8125
USA
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences ([link removed]) or unsubscribe ([link removed])
[link removed]