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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Angel Hernandez, Director of Government Relations at New York Botanical Garden
3:53:57
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156 sec
Angel Hernandez from the New York Botanical Garden testifies in support of increasing the cultural budget baseline by an additional $30 million in the upcoming fiscal year. He emphasizes the importance of this funding for preserving jobs, creating opportunities, and expanding programs at cultural institutions.
- Highlights the impact of the proposed increase on NYBG's educational programs, including the potential to serve more Bronx Public School students
- Advocates for increased funding for paid internships for city high school students through the SIDA network coalition
- Mentions a new "Rooted in Accessibility" initiative that could be implemented with additional funding
- Invites council members to visit NYBG's latest summer installment, "Van Gogh's Flowers"
Angel Hernandez
3:53:57
Good afternoon.
3:53:58
My name is Angel Hernandez.
3:54:00
I'm director of government relations for the New York Botanical Garden, a fun guy.
3:54:05
The recent announcement of oh you got it now.
3:54:07
Thank you.
3:54:08
The recent announcement of a 45,000,000 baseline in the cultural budget marks a historic moment for DCLA.
3:54:14
On behalf of New York Botanical Garden, I want to thank speaker Adams, Chair Rivera and Chair Brennan for your unwavering support and efforts in this achievement.
3:54:23
The increase allows the agency to make pivotal investments in our city's cultural institutions, an accomplishment that will empower these local economic engines to preserve jobs and create more opportunities for the communities they served.
3:54:38
After many years of advocating for a baseline, cultural institutions now focus on withstanding federal cuts as they currently grow while inflation has rapidly swelled since the last cultural budget baseline fifteen years ago.
3:54:52
This is why I stand with my colleagues in the cultural community today and ask for your support in baselining $30,000,000 in the cultural budget in the upcoming fiscal year adaption.
3:55:04
Baseline would make an economic impact that can bring our city's cultural institutions to a steadfast position.
3:55:12
At NYBG for instance, our school partnership programs at the Edible Academy and Children's Adventure Garden would see an increase of staff and resource capacity to serve more Bronx Public School Students.
3:55:26
We also advocate with our side network coalition colleagues to increase the initiatives funding with a $30,000,000 baseline so that paid internships for city high school students can increase three fold from previous fiscal years.
3:55:42
Yet a full baseline does not only help extend and expand current initiatives at NYBG but it can also help create new ones as well.
3:55:51
The yet to be instituted rooted in accessibility initiative which funds the enhancement and expansion of accessibility programming at NYBG along with three other CIG botanical gardens can become a reality.
3:56:07
I want to conclude this testimony by extending an invitation to you all to visit our latest summer installment, Van Gogh's Flowers, which opens this week.
3:56:17
With only a baseline of $30,000,000 in FY '20 '6, can that New York Botanical Garden is allowed to continue its mission of public engagement on this level despite the obstacles that lie ahead.
3:56:32
Thank you very much.