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Council Member Crystal Hudson explains her vote for Julie Menin as Speaker
0:49:09
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112 sec
Council Member Crystal Hudson explains her vote for Julie Menin, emphasizing the need for leadership that centers marginalized communities and rejects government by the wealthy elite.
- She highlights the importance of innovation over bureaucracy to address affordability, housing, and public transit
- She notes the challenges posed by the national political climate and the incoming Trump administration
- She calls for a collaborative leadership style that shares power and remains focused on serving constituents
Crystal Hudson
0:49:09
Thank you.
0:49:10
Our city has embarked on a new chapter in its storied history.
0:49:13
New Yorkers have made their demands clear.
0:49:15
Out with government by few for the few, in with leadership that centers communities too often push to the margins, out with lobbyists and special interests delivering for the wealthy elite, and in with leadership that centers communities too often push to the margins.
0:49:30
Rather than accept conventional thinking that the city can't boost affordability, raise wages, improve public transit, or make our city safer, New Yorkers are now asking, how can we make this happen?
0:49:42
Though it may be the enemy of bureaucracy, innovation is the friend of the people.
0:49:46
Today, we are selecting a new speaker to represent us during what will be the final term for many members of this body.
0:49:52
This council, under this speaker, has the opportunity to continue the work we began under speaker Adrian Adams and deliver the agenda New Yorkers want, went to the ballot box in record numbers last fall to support.
0:50:04
One that calls on government to help make our city more affordable, build more housing, bolster safety, improve mass transit, and ensure our most marginalized neighbors have what they need to thrive.
0:50:14
I know many in this body are committed to delivering that agenda and will fight tooth and nail to enact it over the next four years.
0:50:20
We are governing at a time when democratic norms are under strain nationally and when progress is regularly framed as unrealistic.
0:50:26
We'll certainly face numerous challenges with those coming from the Trump administration, not the least of them.
0:50:31
And we know our constituents are the ones who will be most impacted.
0:50:34
But we also know who we are.
0:50:36
New York is resilient.
0:50:37
We are a city of problem solvers and of innovators.
0:50:39
We have faced profound crises before, and each time we have met the moment by working towards our shared goals.
0:50:45
As Ella Baker reminds us, strong people don't need strong leaders, but they do need leaders willing to share power.
0:50:51
My hope is that in the next four years, we will lead with collaboration and innovation and never lose sight of who we are here to serve.
0:50:59
Congratulations, speaker Menon.
0:51:00
I vote aye.