Join us this Wednesday, at 1:00 PM, for our hearing on Child Care Program Background Checks! We'll be joined by the Mayor's Office of Child Care, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, parents, providers, and more -- sign up now to make your voice heard.
Last week, I spent a morning at Cuddles Child Care Center in Williamsburg with @cmrestler. As Chair of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood Education, I value these visits as an opportunity to connect with providers, hear their experiences, and better understand how we can support their work.
I've joined other elected officials, and advocates in pressing Gov. Hochul for more voucher funding. It's an exciting time to work towards universal childcare for the future -- but we need to be able to provide for the families that already need it. Read more at https://bit.ly/ECEVouchers
At yesterday's Stated Meeting, I was proud to introduce my new bill -- the Supporting Early Educator (SEED) Act -- as well as another bill I co-primed with Council Member Pierina Sanchez. I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues to pass these pieces of important legislation!
Middle school offers for the 2026-2027 school year are now available! Your student’s offer letter also includes a list of programs where they’ve been waitlisted -- you can check their place on the waitlist for any school, in real time. Visit: on.nyc.gov/MS
💰FY27 BUDGET UPDATE💰
My statement on Governor Hochul's proposal for a pied-à-terre tax for luxury NYC homes worth over $5M, which will result in $500M in revenue for the State a year.
Join us at 1:00 PM today for our hearing on the ECE Educator Workforce Development and Pipeline! We'll be joined by the Mayor's Office of Child Care, Department of Education, parents, providers, and more -- sign up now to make your voice heard.
This week is Black Maternal Health Week! Focusing on justice, joy, and community care, we affirm each and every day that every mother deserves to be heard and respected in her journey. Learn more about NYC’s Black Maternal Health Week programming at https://bit.ly/MaternalWeek
PB Vote Week is here, starting tomorrow (April 11–19)! If you are 11+ and live, work, or study in the district, you can vote.
Take a look at this year’s projects and rank your top three. Vote at a pop-up site, a permanent site near you or online -link in bio.
We’ve just launched the "Get Online NYC" campaign to make it easier for all New Yorkers to find free internet, devices, and digital skills training at more than 450 locations across the city. Read more at https://bit.ly/GetOnlineNYC
Opening and operating child care centers in New York City just got a lot simpler! Mayor Mamdani has launched a new, fully online permitting portal that brings everything into one place, with real-time updates along the way. Read more at https://bit.ly/ECEPortal
Our social workers are not paid enough. That's all I have to say.
Celebrate Earth Day early! Join your neighbors for a street tree care event with BIG Reuse + Clean Bushwick Initiative + District 34 Trash Force
Sunday, April 19 | 10 AM – 12 PM | BIG Reuse Bushwick, 378 Troutman St
Register here/Regístrese aquí: bit.ly/TrashForceVols (link in bio/enlace en bio)
Nearly 90% of young people stop seeing their mental health provider after age 21.
At the budget hearing, I asked NYC Health + Hospitals about their new Youth Centers at our local Woodhull hospital that is designed to keep young people connected to care as they transition into adulthood.
I’m grateful to have spent time at the Satmar Broadway Matzah Bakery with members of the Jewish community ahead of Passover.
The care and dedication that go into preparing for the holiday are truly inspiring. Thank you for the warm welcome, and Chag Sameach!
I had a fantastic time visiting PS 274 in Bushwick, during Civics Week! It’s always great to see students learning, asking questions, and engaging with their community.
I also had the pleasure of meeting Amanda and Cindy Serrano. Fun fact: they attended this very school!
Happy Passover to all those celebrating this year! Wishing you a joyous season of renewal and connection from District 34. Chag Pesach Sameach!
Stay informed. Stay prepared. Stay connected.
Join our Know Your Rights + ICE Awareness training to better understand your rights and access legal consultations and community resources.
April 1 | 5 - 8 PM | Address shared after RSVP, virtual option available
RSVP required: BIT.LY/BKBPKYR
Let's give our street trees some love, join us in Williamsburg for a street tree care day with @bigreuse @nbkparks and PS 319!🌳
Sat, April 18 | 10 AM - 12 PM | Rodney and South 5th
Register/ Regístrate: Bit.ly/TrashForceVols (link in bio/enlace en bio)
Last week at the hospital budget hearing, I asked NYC Health + Hospitals about the Correctional Health Services and how they’re actually expanding care for people in custody and what they’re doing right now to keep people alive.
Doing some spring cleaning? Stop by to safely dispose of unwanted electronics and drop off textiles you no longer need. Swipe to see what items are accepted.
Sat, April 11| 10 AM - 2 PM | El Puente Williamsburg
Register: Bit.ly/TrashForceVols
Earlier this month I visited StartCare in Bushwick, It was really great to meet with the staff and providers and hear more about the work they’re doing every day. I’m grateful for the care and support they provide to individuals navigating substance use and mental health challenges in our community.
Want to get involved in the community? We’re always looking for volunteers across the district, especially during PB vote week and warmer months.
Learn more - link in bio!
I may not be the Chair of the Technology Committee anymore, but I’m still committed to using my time in budget hearings to ask tough questions about how AI is being used in our hospitals and what that means for both nurses and patients.
Budget hearings continue! Earlier this week, I questioned ACS about the 17,000 children currently on the waitlist for childcare vouchers.
Economic development and workforce development go hand in hand, and at this week’s economic development budget hearing, I asked how EDC is addressing the workforce challenges tied to our childcare economy.
Earlier this month, I visited I.S. 347 School of Humanities in Bushwick and met with students to talk about ways to improve their school community.
I look forward to continuing the conversation about expanding resources for students in our district!
Today, I spoke at the Economic Development budget hearing to raise concerns about the new SBS RFP, which risks undermining our industrial business service providers and the businesses they support across the city.
3-K update! On Tuesday, Mayor Mamdani announced a major expansion of 3-K across New York City, adding more than 1,000 new seats across 56 zip codes - with this investment, the city moves one step closer to a 3-K program that is truly accessible and universal for all.
TBT to last week’s first-ever hearing of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood Education.
Early childhood providers - overwhelmingly women of color - are the backbone of this system. Yet too many are paid poverty wages & forced to work 2nd and 3rd jobs.
We have to stop paying women less to do more.
