TESTIMONY
Carolyn Conroy on Prioritizing Budget for Immigrant Services and the Impact of Austerity Measures
6:11:51
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132 sec
Carolyn Conroy, the Senior Director for Policy and Program at the New York Immigration Coalition, addresses the city council to argue against austerity measures and for increased budget allocation to immigrant services.
- Conroy highlights the false narratives of budget scarcity used to justify cuts that harm New York's most vulnerable, including immigrants.
- She calls for sustained funding in critical areas such as childhood education, language access, and housing to support immigrant communities.
- Specific programs needing support include the Access Health Initiative, Key to the City Initiative, the 3K and PreK programs, and language learner transfer schools.
- Conroy advocates for the expansion of the Promise NYSE childcare voucher program and a comprehensive approach to housing solutions to benefit immigrant families.
- She emphasizes the need for a budget that ensures the safety, quality of life, and rights of all New Yorkers, particularly immigrants.
Carolyn Conroy
6:11:51
Good evening.
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My name is Carolyn Conrad, and I'm the senior director for policy and program.
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The New York Immigration Coalition, an umbrella policy and advocacy organization that works statewide with over 200 immigrant serving member organizations.
6:12:02
Thank you, speaker Adams.
6:12:03
Brennan and the members of the city council for convening his hearing.
6:12:06
New York seem to be in a crossroads in Holland who chooses to prioritize when budgets are concerned.
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False narratives of budget scarcity and scapegoating of new arrivals have been used to justify unnecessary austerity measures, but not only harm our most vulnerable communities, but all New Yorkers.
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Critical programs like childhood education, language, and housing accessibility and support cannot properly function without guaranteed consistent funding.
6:12:28
Given this administration's misleading statements in relation to our city's financial health, aggressive cuts to critical services and programs, and then willingness to publicly commit to funding restoration, Despite increases in revenue, we call on the council to continue to support and allocate funding to the following priorities and programs in the upcoming city council budget to protect the interest, safety and quality of life.
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For all New Yorkers.
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We must renew funding for critical outreach programs, for immigrants, including access health initiative, and the key to the city initiative, which help connect thousands of immigrant New Yorkers to critical services.
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In trying the restoration of funding to 3 k and pre k programs, which are the only free early childhood and education and care available to many immigrant families.
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Interlinked to higher academic outcomes, less engagement with the criminal justice system, and higher ultimate financial stability for children who go through these programs.
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Expand promise NYSE childcare voucher program at at least 20,000,000 to continue providing childcare to the youngest immigrant children who are not eligible for other forms of childcare vouchers.
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Fully invest in the near public schools in Quni, including protecting and expanding investments in the 6 English language learner transfer schools outside of Manhattan support newcomers and asylum seekers.
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And looking to, as of late February, over 55,00038 notices have been given out to single over 9 1000 60 day notices have been given to families.
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We must fight back against mayor's 30 and 60 day shelter role and adopt fiscally sensible policies, including addressing longstanding affordability and accessibility crises facing New York City and embrace comprehensive housing solutions.
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By allocating adequate funding to the budget for city Firms.
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Also investing 5,000,000 in the city's language access working cooperatives, Thank you for your time.