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** Dear Neighbors,
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The size of the city's budget --$93 billion-- can seem daunting. One way to break it down is to think of the budget as the moral document that lays out the priorities of the city. Every year, as a member of the City Council’s budget negotiating team, I am laser focused on confirming that our values are reflected in the budget.

I'd like to share with you the public policy priorities that I fought for this year.
* Full funding for NYC's essential social services providers (community, senior, after school, and day care centers). For the first time, the City has committed to paying the actual overhead costs for all contracted human service organizations, which collectively serve 2.5 million New Yorkers. This historic agreement reflects our commitment to those most in need: seniors, children, people with disabilities and mental health conditions, and the homeless.

* Pay parity for all Universal Pre-K providers. Pay parity will end the disruption from staff turnover at daycare centers that provide universal Pre-K, but have historically been paid less than their NYC Dept of Education counterparts. This will ensure consistent, high-quality services for all families. We can finally say that all children have access to universal Pre-K.

* Increased investment in our youth. This includes 200 new social workers in our public schools, more afterschool programming, and additional support for the Summer Youth Employment Program.

* Funding for seven new Title IX coordinators in the city's school system, to combat gender-based discrimination, abuse, and harassment, and ensure a fair and safe learning environment for all students.

* Additional investment in our city's young women, including leadership programs, domestic violence services, sexual health education, and other critical programming.

Read more about the City's fiscal year 2019-20 (FY20) budget here ([link removed]) .

DISTRICT 6 FY20 EXPENSE (PROGRAM) FUNDING

District 6 fared very well this year. I was able to secure additional funding for Upper West Side schools, parks, senior and community centers, cultural institutions, and libraries.

My allocations for our district reflect my commitment to our public schools and making sure they have the technology and other tools they need and deserve, along with special services and programming for neighborhood seniors, tenants, lower-income residents and more.
* Schools/Youth -- $636,000
* NYCHA -- $139,000
* Sports & Parks -- $108,500
* Culture -- $144,000
* Health & Mental Health -- $35,000
* Senior Centers/NORCs -- $284,000
* Housing & Legal Services/Clinics -- $168,500
* Community Groups & Food Pantries -- $151,000
* Environment -- $235,000
* Business Improvement Districts -- $51,500

TOTAL: $1,952,500

To see these funding allocations by organization, go to HelenRosenthal.com ([link removed]) .

DISTRICT 6 FY20 CAPITAL (INFRASTRUCTURE) FUNDING

Similarly, my infrastructure investments this year reflect my commitment to ensuring top-notch educational facilities for our children, as well as necessary upgrades for our incredible cultural institutions and beautiful parks. You can see a project-by-project breakdown of my FY20 capital allocations for District 6 at HelenRosenthal.com ([link removed]) .

TOTAL: $5,000,000

Through my advocacy, the City Council and Mayor have also allocated capital funds to:
* American Museum of Natural History: $2 million for infrastructure maintenance for Buildings 1, 8 and 11
* New York Shakespeare Theatre: $6 million for the Delacorte Theatre
* New York Historical Society: $4 million for the Academy for American Democracy Annex
* Symphony Space: $1.3 million for the 360 Theatre renovation
* Vivian Beaumont Theatre: $250,000 for HVAC replacement
* City Parks Foundation: $622,000 for Summer Stage
* Children’s Museum of Manhattan: $3.275 million for the new museum building
* Metropolitan Museum of Art: $4.75 million for AAOA gallery refurbishment
* PS 87: $400,000 for the gym’s HVAC system
* West End Secondary School: $600,000 for the library
* PS 9: $500,000 for the auditorium

As was the case last year, the Council and the Mayor were confronted by two difficult objectives for the FY20 budget -- safeguarding our fiscal health in the face of possible federal funding cuts and/or economic downturn, and strengthening our social safety net in order to protect the most vulnerable New Yorkers. With your support, we were able to accomplish both goals.

Senior Resource Fair Next Tuesday (7/16)
I am delighted to join State Senator Brad Hoylman in co-sponsoring a Resource Fair for Seniors next Tuesday, July 16th, from 2 to 4pm. Location: SEIU 32BJ, 25 W. 18th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues. RSVP requested but not required: 212-633-8052 or [email protected]. Learn more here ([link removed]) !

Senior Fresh Food Program Has Begun!
Please spread the word that low-cost, local, fresh produce are available to seniors through mid-November via my and Borough President Brewer's Fresh Food for Seniors Program. Click here ([link removed]) for the delivery schedule and additional information.

Upper West Side seniors should check in with their local senior or community center for the ordering and pick up process. If you do not belong to a center and your building is not participating, you may order and pick up at:
* Goddard Riverside Community Center, located at 593 Columbus Ave. CONTACT: Marisa Maack at (212) 873-0282, x203 or [email protected]
* National Council of Jewish Women, located at 241 W. 72nd St. CONTACT: Denise at (212) 687-5030


As always, don't hesitate to contact my City Hall (212-788-6975) or District (212-873-0282) offices with any questions about our work.

Warmly,

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