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Dear John,

We’re officially in New York City Budget Season. Mayor Eric Adams released his Executive Budget ([link removed]) at the beginning of the month, and starting next week, the City Council will hold Executive Budget Hearings to review his proposals and hear directly from New Yorkers.

For the first time, the Mayor’s Budget included many of the priorities in the Council’s Preliminary Budget Response ([link removed]) , like baselining $41 million to continue funding arts programming and $15.7 million to support library operations across the City’s three public library systems. This is a strong starting point and a significant improvement from his Preliminary Budget Proposal. But there are still significant gaps.

His Executive Budget falls short of funding critical childcare and education initiatives, including Universal 2Care, non-means-tested seats for 0-2-year-olds, and extended day care for all 3-K and Pre-K working families. Additionally, there is a $70 million gap in special education services for preschoolers with disabilities. Several components of the Progressive Caucus’s Crisis to Care plan are also absent from the Executive Budget, leaving our frontline workers without the vital support they need and our mental health network chronically underfunded. 795 staff positions for our parks, ranging from maintenance staff to programming assistants, were also excluded from this budget.

The New York City Charter requires that the City Council approve a budget by June 30th. Between now and June, the Council will negotiate the City’s $115 billion budget. I, alongside the Council’s Progressive Caucus, will be doing everything we can to ensure we land on a budget that prioritizes affordability and care for our communities.

Help shape the City’s final budget by offering your testimony at one of the budget hearings listed below, attending one of the events or rallies, or writing to us about what you’d like to see prioritized in this year’s budget.

* City Council Executive Budget Hearing Schedule: See the full schedule of Executive Budget Hearings happening through the rest of the month of May here ([link removed]) . Any member of the public can attend the hearing and testify in person. You can also sign up to testify virtually here ([link removed]) , submit written testimony up to 72 hours after a hearing, and you can livestream the hearing here ([link removed]) .
* Citywide Day of Action for Universal 2-Care: Join New Yorkers United for Childcare on Saturday, May 17th, at JJ Byrne Park, Greenwood Playground, or other playgrounds across NYC for a citywide day of action to gather 2-Care petition signatures at playgrounds all across NYC to tell Mayor Adams to fund 2-Care! More details here. ([link removed])
* Join Planned Parenthood of Greater New York on Friday, May 23rd at 10:30 AM for a Budget Rally on the steps of City Hall, in partnership with the NYC Council Women’s Caucus! As reproductive health care faces growing challenges, they’ll be calling for increased funding in the FY26 budget. Register here. ([link removed])
* Get involved with the Coalition for Equitable Education Funding’s budget advocacy campaign ([link removed]) to urge Mayor Adams and the Council to not only restore essential programs but also to make the bold, long-term investments our students and school communities urgently need.
* Play Fair Rally in Prospect Park: Join me, Council Member Crystal Hudson, Prospect Park Alliance, and New Yorkers for Parks at Prospect Park on Sunday, May 18th at 10 AM to advocate for full funding for the NYC Parks in this year’s budget. RSVP here ([link removed]) .

Community Supported Agriculture Launch for NYCHA Residents

My office, together with Gowanus Mutual Aid, GrowNYC, West Brooklyn Waterfront Mutual Aid, and NYCHA tenant leaders, will launch this year’s bimonthly Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Distribution on Saturday, May 17th, from 8 AM to 10 AM. Distributions will take place every other Saturday until mid-November.

This initiative offers FREE, locally-sourced, high-quality produce to residents of three Brooklyn public housing communities in our district: Gowanus Houses, Warren Street Houses, and Wyckoff Gardens Houses. If you live in any of these NYCHA communities, complete this form to enroll in the program ([link removed]) . Produce will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis to enrolled participants (one bag per household).

Volunteers play a crucial role in ensuring that this healthy produce reaches as many neighbors as possible. With rising food prices and cuts to hunger relief programs, we anticipate an even greater need. If you’d like to help with this effort, you can sign up toassist at an upcoming distribution ([link removed]) , join Gowanus Mutual Aid’s WhatsApp chat for volunteer opportunities, ([link removed]) or fill out this volunteer interest form. ([link removed])

Columbia Waterfront Concrete Recycling Facility Update

The Columbia Waterfront SIMS Concrete Recycling Facility, operated by the New York City Department of Transportation, is causing persistent dust pollution, affecting nearby homes, vehicles, sidewalks, and the surrounding environment. My office continues to receive reports from residents about the deteriorating air quality and the health risks associated with its operations, especially during high winds. It’s clear that the site needs to be shut down and moved immediately.

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has conducted air quality testing on Columbia Street and will present their findings before Community Board 6 on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 6:30 PM via Zoom ([link removed]) . I encourage all impacted residents in the area to attend and share their experiences.

Calling All Public School Parents: Vote by Tuesday, May 13th, for your CEC Representatives!

If you’re a parent of a New York City public school student, you can help shape the future of our schools by voting in the 2025 Community and Citywide Education Council (CEC) Elections. ([link removed]) Voting is open now through Tuesday, May 13, and is one of the most impactful ways to influence policies that affect your child’s education.

Parents can review candidate profiles for all Councils ([link removed]) , watch recordings of Candidate Forums ([link removed]) , and then cast their vote by signing into their NYC Schools Account. If you do not have an NYC Schools Account yet, you can sign up for your account at schoolsaccount.nyc ([link removed]) or contact your school’s Parent Coordinator for assistance.

Community Bulletin
* Join free group yoga classes for adults and teens ([link removed]) at Park Slope Library on Mondays (5/12, 5/10, 6/2, and 6/9) from 4 PM to 5 PM or Zumba classes for adults ([link removed]) on Thursdays (5/15, 5/22, 5/29) in May from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
* Are you confused about student loan repayments, forgiveness programs, or federal student loan policy updates? Join this free online webinar hosted by Neighbors Helping Neighbors and Empire Justice Center on Tuesday, 5/13 at 6 PM to learn from experts who will break down these topics. Registration and Zoom details here ([link removed]) .
* Calling all homeowners: Learn how tax lien sales work, their impact, and how to avoid foreclosure with Anthony Coker, HUD-Certified Housing Counselor, at Neighbors Helping Neighbors’ webinar on Wednesday, 5/14 at 6 PM ([link removed]) .
* Join the Jobs NYC May Hiring Hall on Thursday, 5/15, from 10 AM to 2 PM at Sofive Soccer Centers (2015 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 1120) to learn more about employment opportunities with the City of New York and connect with other private employers that are hiring across NYC. Register here ([link removed]) .
* Do you or someone you know have hospital bills that you can’t afford? Come learn about hospital financial assistance programs, which are available at every hospital in New York City, at the Central Library’s Medical Debt Info Session on Thursday, 5/15, from 6 PM to 7:30 PM ([link removed]) , or Thursday, 5/29, from 3 PM to 7 PM. ([link removed])
* The Rent Guidelines Board is proposing another hike to the rents of working-class tenants for the fourth straight year in a row. Join Fifth Avenue Committee for a workshop on Tuesday, 5/20 at 6 PM for rent-stabilized tenants at the Park Slope Library, to learn more about how to push back against these hikes and how tenants can give their input.
* Join my office’s Youth Leadership Council for an open-street activation onKensington Plaza ([link removed]) (at the corner of Church Avenue and Beverley Road) in partnership with Street Lab and The Singing Winds ([link removed]) on Sunday, 5/18 from 3 PM to 5 PM!
* Check out these upcoming events ([link removed]) hosted by the Hospital for Special Surgery, offered in person and virtually throughout the month of May, in honor of Lupus Awareness Month.

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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