Stevens explains vote - voting no, District 16 received inadequate investments

Councilmember Stevens.

I would like to disclose on the record of these council proceedings that Columbia Presbyterian and the YMCA are funded in the budget, and we are adopting in my child the civil, respectively, are associated with those entities.

Permission to explain my vote?

Permission granted.

Our budget is more than numbers on a spreadsheet.

It's a more document.

It reflects who we value, who we prioritize, and whether we are willing to invest in communities that have been asked to do more for less for generations.

I represent District 16 in the Bronx, one of the poorest districts in our city.

Yet, our district allocations were more than disappointing.

And for the first time, we got little to no investments.

Given the level of investments, it's just inadequate.

For the community facing deep challenges in housing, youth services, public safety, education, economic opportunities, the amount feels like crumbs.

Equality cannot simply mean a slogan.

Equality means people who need more should get more.

If we truly believe in fairness, the community carrying the greatest burden should be the ones not left fighting over the smallest resources.

Dr.

Martin Luther King once said, our America who often have

been taking necessities from the masses to give luxury to the classes.

God never intended for one group of people to live with wealth while others lived in poverty.

Those words still challenge us today.

When I ran for office, it was not for a title.

It was to ensure that our voice would be heard and that who are often overlooked.

For families, young people, seniors, and working class residents who deserve more

than just symbolic support.

It saddens me that I cannot tell my constituents that this budget fully meets the urgency of their needs.

And while I respect the hard work of the negotiations, I must be honest where District 16 stands.

So today I will be voting no on this budget, not because I've given up on my community, but because I believe we deserve better.

And let's be clear, the Sweet 16, we're resilient.

We will continue to organize, advocate, raise our voices into our community, receive the investments, dignity, and opportunity we've always deserved.

I will also be voting, I will be voting no on Intro 92A, Intro 929A, and Reso 529.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman.

Thomas Henry.

I am disclosing on the record of the council proceedings that the Learning Tree STEM Arts School, Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning, and Edge School of the Arts are funded in the budget we are adopting, and my children are associated with those entities.

With that being said, I vote aye on all.