Statement on the FY21 Budget 

After a painstaking 8 weeks of reviewing the budget line by line, on June 30th the City Council voted on the FY21 Budget.  This budget has not been easy on any of us. It comes on the heels of a pandemic that ravaged and consumed us as a city. I spent many days and nights thinking about the challenge of balancing this budget – knowing full well that a 10 billion dollar deficit would only exacerbate the devastating inequities that continue to permeate black and brown communities. We are experiencing a pandemic within a pandemic that includes aggressive policing in our community, the harmful effects of the Coronavirus, and the continuing high rates of asthma, food and housing insecurity, and economic devastation in this district.  As the Chair of the Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addictions committee, I am painfully aware of the lasting negative effects this crisis is having on our most vulnerable communities.

I am grateful to those who lifted their voices and protested to fight for awareness and justice of a broken system. I am committed to addressing police accountability and look forward to a long term dialogue of what community policing can look like.  

• Committed to a significant decrease in NYPD funding.

• Co-sponsored the following pieces of legislation to address police reform

Intro 760 A - Early Intervention System – Requires the NYPD to expand categories including civil complaints and the results of investigations conducted by the CCRB.  It also requires NYPD to increase transparency around its systems.

Intro 1309 A – Would require the NYPD to utilize a “disciplinary matrix”, which gives a recommended range of penalties for each type of violation.

Intro 721 A – This bill would codify a person’s right to record New York City police officers or peace officer acting in their official capacity, with limited exceptions.

Intro 721 B – This bill would codify a person’s right to record New York City police officers or peace officer acting in their official capacity, with limited exceptions. The bill also allows any individual whose rights are violated to sue the City in state court and requires reporting related to filming police activities.

Resolution T2020-6256 – A resolution calling upon the US Congress to pass, the Eric Garner Excessive Use of Force Prevention Act of 2019 (H.R. 4408), which would prohibit police chokeholds and other tactics that result in asphyxiation.

Resolution 27 A – A resolution calling upon NY State Legislature to pass A.6144 and S.6670A, legislation that would establish the crime of strangulation in the first degree; disregard of banned employment procedures.

Intro 536 B – A local law that criminalizes the use of restraints to the flow of air or blood by compressing the windpipe or the carotid arteries on each side of the neck, or sitting, or kneeling, or standing on the chest or back in a manner that compresses the diaphragm, in the course of effecting or attempting to effect an arrest.

Intro 1962 A – A local law requiring visible shield numbers and rank designations when an NYPD officer is on duty.

Intro 487-A – A local law requiring comprehensive reporting and oversight of NYC Police department surveillance technologies.

 

Restoration of Critical Initiatives 

In light of the fact that this was a difficult budget, I am proud that my colleagues and I were able to restore funding to critical programs and services such as:

• Youth Programming

• SYEP

• Single Shepherd

• Senior Services

• CUNY ASAP

• Eviction & Foreclosure Prevention Services

• Low Wage Workers

• Victims of Domestic Violence Services

• Immigrant Services and much more

Presently, I am working on local economic development initiatives to assist small businesses in East Harlem and the South Bronx to increase jobs and help rebuild a thriving local economy.  I am also working closely with our community-based organizations to ensure our seniors are not only staying safe and adequately cared for during this pandemic but also prepared for a potential second wave of COVID19.  

I know the strength and resiliency of my community and the many sacrifices we have had to endure.  I know many of you are disappointed. Please know this wasn’t an easy process for me.  I know this budget is not a representation of our community's needs and as we rebuild I ask for your support to join me in working towards a stronger, safe, and more robust community.

"Single Shepard" Initiative 

The Supreme Court voted on Monday in a 5-4 ruling to strike down a law that restricts abortion access in the state of Louisiana. This decision is a tremendous win for pro-choice advocates during a time in which conservative lawmakers across the country are actively passing legislation that limits reproductive freedom. It has been 47 years since Roe v. Wade, but the fight for a woman to make her own healthcare decisions without political interference continues in 2020. As a Caucus, we are committed to advocating for reproductive justice and proudly stand with the millions of women that want to have the freedom to choose what is the best decision for them and their body.

Quality of Life 

Constituent Services 
 

COVID-19 has changed the way many of us work. Council Member Ayala has not allowed this to reduce the services available to her constituents and continues to make it one of her highest priorities. In addition to staff continuing to work remotely, the Council Member has scheduled intake appointments and personally processed constituent inquiries. 

 PRC PACT Update 

Taft Houses Feed & Read Event
 

Resident Association President Beverly McFarlane and the Resident Association, kicked off the summer with a Feed & Read Event. Association members and volunteers distributed reading activity material and DIY cupcake kits for the children of Taft Houses.

Council Member Ayala's office as well as the office of Congressman Espaillat, and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer joined in the day's activities.  

New Law Protects Renters Impacted By the Pandemic

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill late Tuesday that will block tenants from being evicted for any unpaid rent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The NYS Tenant Safe Harbor Act expands on the governor’s executive order which placed a moratorium on evictions but was set to expire on August 20. This act protects renters for any unpaid rent for as long as regions still remain partially closed.

Latest Census Numbers by Council District

The number of responses in our neighborhood determines how much of $675 billion in federal dollars East Harlem and South Bronx will receive over the next 10 years — funding that should go to our schools, housing, healthcare, infrastructure, and food assistance. In 2020, only 40 percent of East Harlem residents are predicted to respond, compared to more than 75 percent nationally. So fill out your form now!

Re-opening New York City