Hanks explains vote - NYC Kids Rise, public safety, no property tax increases
Council Member Hanks praises the budget for making life more affordable without raising property taxes or cutting services. She highlights NYC Kids Rise, Fair Fares, cultural institutions, and advocates for first responders and public safety. Votes aye on all.
Hanks.
Permission to explain my vote?
Permission granted.
Today I'm proud to vote yes on the FY27 budget.
It delivers real investments for you New Yorkers.
This is a budget that makes
life more affordable, strengthens neighborhoods, and protects essential services.
I want to thank Speaker Menon, Finance Chair Linda Lee, and the Council's finance staff and everyone who worked through this process to deliver a responsible budget that meets this moment.
This budget makes meaningful investments in fair fares, homeowners, older adults,
cultural institution, and it also proves an important point.
We can invest our communities without raising property taxes, raiding reserves, or cutting essential services.
I'm especially proud of the expansion of NYC Kids Rise.
Every New York City public school kindergartner will now have a stronger financial foundation from the very beginning, and that is how we help families build wealth, expand opportunity, and invest in the next generation.
But I also want to be clear, throughout this process, we fought for our first responders.
We fought for the additional resources for our police officers and firefighters to keep New Yorkers safe.
Public safety must always remain a priority, and we will continue that fight.
As a member of this body and a representative of District 49, my commitment remains the same, to support responsible investments that strengthen our neighborhoods, improve lives, and deliver for the people we serve.
Speaker Menon, you made us proud with a budget that reflects our values, and I am proud to support a budget that meets this moment for New Yorkers, and I vote aye on all.