Wilson explains vote - first budget, ICE detention, immigrant legal services

Wilson.

Permission to explain my vote.

Permission granted.

I'm excited to vote yes on this year's budget, my first one.

I know I just got here a few weeks ago, so I can't take credit for everything, but I do want to point to some of the bigger wins in the budget.

This budget comes at a time when the Trump administration is taking health care away from the neediest, violating the rights of transgender New Yorkers, trying to instill fear in our immigrant communities, and doing incredible damage to the cultural, social, and legal fabric of our country.

This budget, by contrast, demonstrates our city's values by fighting back and representing a more hopeful and humane alternative.

There are aspects of this budget that are a long time coming that are huge wins.

The expansion of City FEPS is an incredible win for the city, and I want to congratulate Councilmember Pierina Sanchez for her tireless work on this initiative.

The expansion of fare fares, which is going to provide access and reliability to transit for thousands of New Yorkers.

And we've got big news for New York's cutest, with every New York City public school kindergartner now receiving a college savings account, which will help families build wealth, expand opportunity, and invest in the next generation.

We here at the City Council just welcome back to our co-worker, Rafael, who was wrongfully detained by ICE for over five months.

We fought hard for him and have been outspoken about the atrocities of ICE.

In this budget, we made sure to back up our...

our word by providing over 86 million for our service providers to continue providing legal support for our immigrant neighbors in need.

I want to thank Speaker Julie-Menin for her leadership in holding firm on the Council's priorities, Finance Committee Chair Linda Lee for her expertise, and Mayor Mondami for his partnership, as well as advocates and all of my colleagues here.

While no budget solves every New York problem, I believe we are passing a budget that supports all members of the District 3 community and brings us closer to a more equitable, fair, and progressive New York City.

And with that, I vote aye on all.

Thank you.

One.

I want to disclose on the record that my son attends an early childhood education center, 3K, from the Department of Education in my district, and I vote no on Intro 929A, Intro 553A, and aye on the rest.

Thank you.

Wong.

I vote yes and no except for intro 31, intro 92, and pre-consider resolutions 530, 531, 532, 534, and 535.

Thank you.

Thank you.