REMARKS
Council Member Diana Ayala introduces the vote on Resolution 227-A and provides context on food insecurity
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Council Member Diana Ayala, chair of the General Welfare Committee, introduces the vote on Resolution 227-A, which calls for Congress to pass and the President to sign a renewed Farm Bill with increased funding for food aid. She provides context on food insecurity in New York City and explains the importance of SNAP and the Farm Bill.
- Ayala cites research showing high rates of food hardship in NYC: 31% of adults and 44% of families with children
- She notes that nearly 2 million NYC residents receive SNAP benefits
- Ayala acknowledges committee staff and council members present for the vote
Diana I. Ayala
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Good morning, everyone, and welcome to today's hearing.
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My name is Diana Ayala, and I am the deputy speaker of the New York City Council and the chair of the General Welfare Committee.
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Today, we are holding a vote on resolution 227 a, resolution calling on congress to pass and the president to sign a renewed farm bill that increases funding for life saving food aid.
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According to research from Columbia University Center For Poverty and Social, Policy, in 2023, 1 in 3 adults, 31%, and nearly half of all families with children, which equals to 44%, in New York City experience food hardship.
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Each year, almost 2,000,000 New York City residents receive benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP.
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The United States Farm Bill is a multiyear package of legislation reauthorized every 5 years that provides a federal framework for food policy and funding, including for SNAP.
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This resolution calls for the federal government to renew this important legislation to increase funding for SNAP and other food and nutrition programs to ensure food insecure New Yorkers have access to sufficient and nutritious food.
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I would like to thank the committee staff who worked hard to prepare this vote, Sahar Moazami, legislative counsel, Nina Rosenberg, policy analyst, Julia Haramas, unit head, Elizabeth Childers Garcia, finance analyst, Andrea Skoll, data analyst, and as well as my chief of staff, Elsie Encarnacion.
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I would like to acknowledge my colleagues who are here today, council members who's here?
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Let me give you the list.
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Sorry.
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Give me one second.
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Someone's not chatting.
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Council members Cabang, Aviles, Jose, Russell, Stevens, Ong, and Banks.
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I would, I will now turn it over to the council to council member Brewer to deliver remarks on her legislation.