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Council Member Frank Morano explains his vote for Julie Menin as Speaker
0:55:36
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3 min
Council Member Frank Morano explains his enthusiastic support for Julie Menin on behalf of the Republican conference and the Staten Island delegation, emphasizing the Council's role as an independent legislative body.
- Morano thanks the other candidates for sharpening the debate and engaging with the Republican minority
- He shares a personal anecdote about Menin's encouragement when he first considered running for office as a political outsider
- He stresses the need for the Speaker to represent middle-class homeowners, parents, and those who feel unheard by the current administration
- He calls for the Council to act as a necessary check and balance on the executive branch
Frank Morano
0:55:36
Moreno.
0:55:38
Permission to explain my vote.
0:55:39
Permission granted.
0:55:40
Before explaining my vote, I I wanna begin by thanking the other candidates who put themselves forward during this process.
0:55:47
Each of you did this body, I think, a real service.
0:55:50
You forced ideas to be sharpened, priorities to be clarified, and ultimately, I think you made this a better body and you made the person that we're about to elect a better candidate, I believe, and a better speaker.
0:56:03
On a personal level, I want you to know how much I appreciated the opportunity to get to know each of you that reached out to not only me, but the Republican conference.
0:56:11
As a Republican and a freshman, neither of which is typically viewed as a powerhouse combination in this chamber, It meant a great deal to me that you took the time to meet with me, to listen, and to offer advice, and those conversations made me a better council member, and I'm grateful for them.
0:56:26
But I'm also proud to enthusiastically, vote for council member Menon for speaker.
0:56:33
Today, in unity with the Staten Island delegation and to my 10 new colleagues, by the way, who joined this body this year, I would just gently suggest you keep Staten Island's new nickname in mind going forward, the speaker maker.
0:56:47
I've known Julie Menon for a long time.
0:56:50
I've always been impressed by her energy, her intellect, and her deep command of the issues.
0:56:55
But since becoming a candidate for city council, I've been especially struck by her genuine passion for this body and its members.
0:57:03
When I first considered running for office, I had a pretty successful career as a radio commentator.
0:57:08
And more than a few people, some out of genuine concern, others out of cynicism, asked me, why would you wanna do this?
0:57:14
Do you really think you'll be able to make a difference?
0:57:17
And I'll admit, there were moments when I wondered if I was crazy.
0:57:19
And when I told Julie I was thinking about running, she didn't hesitate.
0:57:24
She was encouraging.
0:57:25
And then she followed up with a call and said something I'll never forget and has stuck with me since then.
0:57:30
She said, you're going to love it.
0:57:33
And that reassurance meant more to me than she probably realized, and she's been right every day of these last eight months.
0:57:39
But the the reason I'm most enthusiastic about voting for Julie Menon today is because my constituents are counting on this body to speak for them.
0:57:48
I know a lot of my colleagues are excited about the new administration, but nearly a million New Yorkers voted for someone else and something different.
0:57:57
They're not excited.
0:57:58
In many cases, they're fearful.
0:58:00
And on behalf of middle class homeowners, small landlords, parents of children in gifted and talented programs, Jewish New Yorkers, and, yes, people who still think capitalism is a good thing, I believe they're counting on this council and on the new speaker to be a voice for them.
0:58:17
Republicans are New Yorkers too, and they deserve just as much of a voice as anyone else.
0:58:22
And, madam speaker, that's my hope and, quite frankly, my expectation that we can work with the administration whenever we can, but to be a check on the administration when it goes too far.
0:58:33
I'm proud to enthusiastically cast my vote for Julie Menon.
0:58:37
I wish you the very best of luck.
0:58:38
I know you're going to be terrific, and have a great new partner in the minority leader as well.
Michael McSweeney
0:58:46
Council member, how do you vote?
Frank Morano
0:58:48
I enthusiastically vote aye for Julie Menon.