Dinowitz discloses CUNY affiliation, explains vote on 692A

Denowitz.

I'd like to disclose on the record that we're funding CUNY and the transparency resolution, and while I don't hang out too much,

at Hunter like Gail does, I am affiliated with that institution.

Permission to explain my vote?

Permission granted.

Thank you, Mr.

Majority Leader.

I want to thank Councilmember De La Rosa, Speaker Menin, Chair Aldebal, for moving the paralegislative

forward.

Being in a classroom with students with disabilities, the people who care most oftentimes for the most vulnerable students are our paraprofessionals.

The ones who are there day in and day out, the kids who have the most significant needs.

Are the ones with power professionals, and they do just such incredible work.

And I would always say thank you, right?

Because that's what we can do.

But as a city council member, we don't just have to say thank you.

We can demonstrate our gratitude.

And today we demonstrate that gratitude through this legislation, through the respect check, through recognizing the dignity in their work, through recognizing their work.

And addressing, beginning to address the inequities in the pay that they receive.

And as elected officials, we talk all the time about supporting our students.

But we cannot support our students without supporting the people who do the work.

We have to support the people who support our students in the classroom.

Those are our paraprofessionals.

So I am an emphatic yes on this legislation, on all pieces of legislation on today's agenda.

And I once again want to thank

Councilmember De La Rosa, Chair Aldebol, and of course,

Speaker, and for really moving forward this really critical piece of legislation for our powers and for our students.

Thank you.

Encarnación.

I vote aye or no.

Epstein.