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Remarks

Narcisse discloses family connections, explains vote on 692A

New York City Council · Jul 16, 2026 · starts 1:04:05 · 2 min 49 sec

Council Member Mercedes Narcisse discloses her son works for a funded nonprofit and her husband is a doctor at NYU. She delivers an extended statement supporting paraprofessionals, noting their $32,000 starting salary is unsustainable, sharing that she has sat with them in her office and seen their work with vulnerable children firsthand. She votes aye on all.

Shaun Abreu

Narcisse.

Mercedes Narcisse

I want to disclose that my son worked for a nonprofit that being funded from us and my hubby is a medical doctor at NYU.

Mercedes Narcisse

And permission to express my vote.

Shaun Abreu

Permission granted.

Mercedes Narcisse

Thank you, majority.

Mercedes Narcisse

I am proud to support the NCHU 692.

Mercedes Narcisse

First, I have to say thank you to Carmen and, of course, Keith and our chair.

Mercedes Narcisse

Today, we were able to pass it through.

Mercedes Narcisse

And I want to say thank you to all the leadership that have been advocating for the paraprofessional.

Mercedes Narcisse

And congratulations to all of you.

Mercedes Narcisse

Amazing.

Mercedes Narcisse

You've been doing the work in the city.

Mercedes Narcisse

We're supposed to be the leading city.

Mercedes Narcisse

And we were not being present for you.

Mercedes Narcisse

So today we're saying that we are with you, we are for you, we are supporting you.

Mercedes Narcisse

I'm proud to support the respect check for our paraprofessional.

Mercedes Narcisse

I have sat down with you in my office.

Mercedes Narcisse

I have seen firsthand that you do the work in the classroom.

Mercedes Narcisse

I used to be the mom in the classroom and I have seen you guys, you work.

Mercedes Narcisse

You are working for the most vulnerable kids.

Mercedes Narcisse

And we are talking about our future.

Mercedes Narcisse

So now with our future, we are saying that the starting salary is just not sustainable in the city of New York.

Mercedes Narcisse

We asked them, the paraprofessional, to do some of the most demanding work in our schools.

Mercedes Narcisse

And we have not let them, you know, we never let them to know that we care for them in their paycheck.

Mercedes Narcisse

We let them go far further.

Mercedes Narcisse

Deeper in the poverty, I would say.

Mercedes Narcisse

We make the mistake, but this bill is not just a substitute for the raise.

Mercedes Narcisse

They deserve it, and they had bargaining for it, so now let's continue to make sure they get what they deserve in New York City.

Mercedes Narcisse

With nearly 1,600 power...

Mercedes Narcisse

Power vacancies citywide, we cannot afford to keep losing our power professional.

Mercedes Narcisse

They are very special to us and let's show it.

Mercedes Narcisse

Let's continue making sure that they get what they deserve in New York City.

Mercedes Narcisse

And on that note, I would I for all.

Mercedes Narcisse

Thank you.

Chi A. Ossé

Perfect.

Chi A. Ossé

Thank you.

Shaun Abreu

Nurse.

Sandy Nurse

I vote aye.

Sandy Nurse

Congratulations, Councilmember De La Rosa.

Shaun Abreu

Just want to remind everybody to stay here so we can keep the numbers that we need in the room.

Shaun Abreu

Thank you.

Shaun Abreu

Osei.

Chi A. Ossé

I vote aye.

Chi A. Ossé

Congratulations, Councilmember De La Rosa.

Shaun Abreu

Palladino.