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Dear John,

Communications Blackout Period

Please note: Starting on 3/26, we will enter the formal "communications blackout" period, less than 90 days before the June 2025 primary election. To comply with election law, we will be restricted in the content we can share through our emails until Election Day. However, we will continue to send out a weekly newsletter to keep our community informed. Please bear with us as we adjust our content to ensure compliance with election regulations. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

Education Preliminary Budget Hearing

It’s Preliminary Budget season, and the City Council has been holding hearings to review Mayor Eric Adams’ proposed Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Budget. Last week, the Committee on Education held its Preliminary Budget hearing to assess the administration’s proposals for the Department of Education (DOE) and the School Construction Authority (SCA). My team and I have been actively attending these hearings, closely scrutinizing the administration’s funding decisions and asking important questions about their impact.

The Preliminary FY26 budget proposes significant cuts to vital education programs, including 3-K, preschool special education classes, community schools, restorative justice, the Mental Health Continuum, immigrant family communications, arts programming, and more ([link removed]) . Unfortunately, many of these programs face cuts year after year. Since I became a Council Member, Mayor Adams has consistently proposed austerity budgets that threaten to strip our schools of critical resources—only to restore some funding at the last minute during budget negotiations. This intentional tactic forces the Council and families to fight to maintain the bare minimum, limiting our ability to advocate for new initiatives that could address emerging needs.

I was proud to join Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Education Chair Rita Joseph, parents, and education advocates from the Coalition for Equitable Education Funding ([link removed]) for a rally before the hearing to demand an end to these cuts. You can find coverage from NY1 from the rally ([link removed]) . During the hearing, I called on the administration to restore and baseline funding for these essential programs.

Additionally, I pushed for the introduction of Universal 2-Care ([link removed]) —a free, publicly funded childcare program for two-year-olds, championed by United Neighborhood Houses and New Yorkers United for Childcare. With the average cost of childcare for two-year-olds exceeding $20,000 per year, many families in our district are being forced to leave the workforce or even the city. The administration indicated that they are having internal discussions about this proposal, and I will continue to advocate for its inclusion in the final budget.

Last month, I heard directly from parents about the financial strain of childcare. Many shared that Universal 2-Care would be life-changing for their families. I recently wrote an op-ed in the Daily News about the importance of making this program a reality, which you can read here ([link removed]) .

In our district, I’ve spoken with school administrators, students, and parents who have shared how these cuts have impacted them in previous budget cycles. Teachers have been excessed, and the promise of universal 3K has been broken, leaving many parents without a seat or stuck on waitlists after being offered a seat too far from their homes or workplaces.

With Trump’s unconstitutional dismantling of the federal Education Department, it’s more important than ever that we fortify our education system here in New York City. Our students deserve a high-quality public education, and we must fight for nothing less. I look forward to seeing the administration’s revised proposals at the Executive Budget hearings in May. I’m committed to fighting for a fair and fully funded education system.

Caption: Council Member Shahana and advocates hold a press conference, rallying for increased funding for essential education programs ahead of the Education Preliminary Budget Hearing. Photo Credit: NYC Council Media Unit (above).

Restorative Justice Initiatives in District 39

I recently had the honor of meeting with Peer Mentors from Boerum Hill High School, youth who volunteer at school to support conflict resolution and de-escalation, and who have been trained by The Circle Keepers ([link removed]) . These students are learning about peer mediation, conflict resolution circles, and community-building activities. These inspiring students shared how the program has helped them strengthen their leadership skills, deepen their political education, and increase their civic participation. Through their work, they have led community service and social justice projects, creating meaningful change within their school and neighborhoods. At BHS, the Peer Mentors have supported restorative justice work to reduce bullying, suspensions, and school conflicts.

The Boerum Hill High School Peer Leaders are now collaborating with the Youth Leadership Council at my office to host a Role-Playing Our Rights Workshop ([link removed]) on Tuesday, 4/1, at 4 PM at the John Jay High School auditorium. This workshop will teach youth about restorative justice practices and equip them with the tools to defend, protect, and document ICE interactions in their homes, neighborhoods, and schools. It’s a powerful opportunity for students who want to become upstanders and leaders in their communities. This training is open to all youth, and I encourage interested students to join us to take collective action for our communities.

Caption: Council Member Shahana with Boerum Hill High School Peer Mentors.
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Caption: More information about Role Playing Our Rights Youth workshop (above).

Constituent Services Corner

George purchased a coop in Park Slope in 2021, but he struggled to get the NYC Department of Finance (DOF) to recognize him as a shareholder of the unit. Without this recognition, he was unable to receive New York State School Tax Relief (STAR) credits ([link removed]) . After over four years of attempting to resolve the issue with the DOF, George was feeling completely dejected—until he was recommended to reach out to our office for assistance. Iqra, our Park Slope Constituent Liaison, worked closely with George and the DOF to provide proof of residency to correct the issue. As a result, George is now able to receive STAR checks for his property.

Make a Plan to Vote for Participatory Budgeting! March 29 to April 6

Participatory Budgeting Vote Week is just around the corner! I’m proud to announce that our polling sites across the district have been finalized. Check them out below and make a plan to vote for Participatory Budgeting!

Curious about the projects on this year’s ballot? Check out this Zine ([link removed]) , created by this year’s Participatory Budgeting Delegates, for all the project details and get ready to cast your vote. We still have some open shifts available if you’re interested in volunteering at a poll site! Sign up here to help us make this year’s voting week a success ([link removed]) !

Community Bulletin
* It isn’t too late to RSVP for these events tomorrow, Monday 3/24:
+ My office is organizing volunteers with Brooklyn for Reproductive and Gender Equity (BKForge) ([link removed]) from District 39 to join Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY) ([link removed]) at the Preliminary Health Budget Hearing ([link removed]) on Monday, 3/24 at 1:30 PM. This is an important opportunity to show support for PPGNY during the public testimony period. Sign up to volunteer ([link removed]) !
+ My office, in collaboration with Council Member Lincoln Restler, Steven Winter Associates, Inc., and Building Energy Exchange (BEEX), is hosting a workshop for small building owners, co-op and condo board members, managers, and operators to learn from experts about building decarbonization and electrification strategies on Monday, 3/24 from 6 PM to 8 PM at PS 261, 314 Pacific Street. RSVP to attend ([link removed]) !
* Join the next Gowanus Oversight Task Force (GOTF) ([link removed]) Public Meeting to hear the latest updates from NYC agencies on Gowanus Rezoning commitments related to the affordable housing lottery and artist studios on Thursday, 3/27 at 6 PM at PS133, 610 Baltic Street. RSVP here to attend ([link removed]) !
* Applications are open now through 3/28 for Summer Rising ([link removed]) , a free, full-day enrichment program for all NYC students in grades K-8, including multilingual learners, immigrant students, and students with disabilities, with field trips, art activities, outdoor recreation, and free breakfast and lunch options.
* G train service between Bedford-Nostrand Avenues and Church Avenue will be suspended from 9:30 PM on Friday, 3/28, to 5 AM on Monday, 3/31, due to ongoing signal modernization on the Crosstown line.The last stop will be Court Square.
+ Free B93 shuttle buses will make stops between Bedford-Nostrand Avenues and Hoyt-Schermerhorn Streets and provide connection to the F train at Jay Street-MetroTech.
+ For service between Bergen Street and Church Avenue, take the F.
+ Manhattan-bound F trains will run express from Kings Highway to Jay Street-MetroTech.
* Tired of aircraft noise? Join a community forum ([link removed]) with Quiet Communities, Stop the Chop NY/NJ, and the NY Community Aviation Roundtable at the Picnic House in Prospect Park on Thursday, 4/3, from 6 PM to 8 PM.
* Spring is just around the corner! Save the dates for our Shredding Truck (Friday, 4/4) and E-Waste Recycling (Saturday, 4/5) events at the Old Stone House for all your spring cleaning needs.
* The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has a walk-in vaccine clinic ([link removed]) that provides low-cost and no-cost immunizations to New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, including measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), COVID-19, and flu vaccines.

In Solidarity,

Council Member Shahana
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Our mailing address is:
New York City Council Member Shahana Hanif
197 Bond Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217
USA
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