PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Rebekah Cook-Mack, Staff Attorney at Legal Aid Society, on the Need for Adequate Funding for the NYC Commission on Human Rights
2:27:05
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161 sec
Rebekah Cook-Mack from Legal Aid Society testifies on the urgent need for increased funding and staffing for the NYC Commission on Human Rights. She emphasizes that without proper resources, the Commission cannot effectively enforce anti-discrimination laws or serve New Yorkers facing discrimination.
- The Commission's budget has shrunk while its responsibilities have grown, leading to long wait times and poor outcomes for cases.
- Legal Aid Society and other organizations are hesitant to refer cases to the Commission due to these issues.
- There is a pressing need to reinvigorate the Commission, especially in light of potential federal retreat from anti-discrimination efforts and the needs of undocumented New Yorkers.
Rebekah Cook-Mack
2:27:05
Good afternoon.
2:27:06
Thank you for having us here.
2:27:08
Thank you for for this hearing and for the opportunity to testify.
2:27:11
My name is Rebecca Cook Mack.
2:27:12
I'm a staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society.
2:27:16
And as the proposed legislation under discussion today exemplifies, counsel is very clearly committed to the work of the commission and to expanding the protections that the commission enforces.
2:27:26
But to meaningfully impact the lives of New Yorkers, the city council's commitment to the work of the commission and the enforcement of anti discrimination laws must include adequate funding, so that the Legal Aid Society and other organizations can be sure that when we refer a New Yorker who has faced discrimination to the commission, their case will be investigated promptly and thoroughly and effectively.
2:27:50
Unfortunately, today, the commission does not function as a partner in protecting the people of New York City and bringing bad actors to justice.
2:27:57
Its staff has not kept pace with its responsibilities.
2:28:00
And even if it's as its purview has grown, its budget has shrunk significantly.
2:28:05
Nonprofits like the Legal Aid Society used to file regularly in the commission because it allowed us to help more people, but today, we do not.
2:28:12
We rarely file there.
2:28:14
We are hesitant to refer pro se individuals there because the waits are too long and the outcomes are poor.
2:28:20
We listened to your questions today, and we agree they are very, very important.
2:28:24
Council member Joseph asked questions.
2:28:26
Council member member Ferreras asked questions, how is the commission staffed and ready to help New Yorkers?
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And the answer is it is not.
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And without adequate funding and the ability to attract and hire staff to fill openings, New Yorkers who have been discriminated against will go without justice.
2:28:44
Without funding, the laws council has passed will not reach their intended effect.
2:28:48
And without attention now today, the cost of this disinvestment to vulnerable New Yorkers will become acute as federal agencies retreat from this arena and they have nowhere else to turn.
2:29:01
Reinvigorating the commission and rebuilding its staff will take time and requires immediate funding and focus.
2:29:08
We ask counsel and the mayor to act now so that the commission can rebuild and be prepared to meet the needs of New Yorkers in the coming years, especially undocumented New Yorkers under this upcoming new administration.
2:29:22
The time to act is now, and and where we are at is nowhere near where we need to be, and it will be really tragic if the city of New York cannot move forward to really have a commission that New Yorkers deserve in a moment when they will not be able to get help elsewhere.
2:29:39
So, you know, we implore counsel and the mayor's office the mayor to to to reinvest in this commission.
2:29:45
Thank you.
