Maloney explains vote - Bellevue psychiatric care, Rainy Day Fund, Stuy Town

Maloney.

First, I want to disclose on the record of the council proceedings that the New York Foundation for Senior Citizens is funded in this budget that we're adopting, and my sister serves on the board.

And I also want to disclose that City University of New York, the Floating Hospital, 92NY, the Metropolitan Opera Association are funded in the budget, and my mother is associated with those entities.

Permission to explain my vote?

Permission granted.

A budget is a reflection of values, and this one makes a long-term commitment to our parks, to our libraries, to our cultural institutions by restoring and baselining funding for these services that New Yorkers rely on every day.

It creates more opportunities for the next generation by increasing New York City

kids'rise, college savings accounts, expanding housing vouchers to help more New Yorkers find stable and affordable homes, and I'm proud to share that we have a $25 million

commitment to expand psychiatric care at Bellevue Hospital, located in my district.

This delivers library renovations for Hunter College, ADA upgrades at the Met and CUNY Graduate Center,

and funding for Stuy Town Tenants Association, all in my district, the nation's largest tenants association dedicated to preserving affordability.

And we did all of this while strengthening our city's fiscal footing, adding $300 million to the Rainy Day Fund, bringing that to $400 million this year.

So congratulations to Speaker Menon, to Finance Chair Lee, to Mayor Mondami, and to all of my colleagues in the New York City Council

for delivering a budget that protects essential services, strengthens our neighborhoods, and invests in New York families.

For all these reasons, I'm proud to vote yes.

Thank you.