Page 10 - QT Edition #2 01-08-26

PAGE 10 THE QUEENS TIMES THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2026

NYC Council Highlights Legacy of
Attorney General Letitia James Publishes Op-ed on Historic, Women Majority
Women in Leadership Legislature in New Report

The New York City Council supporting expecting, housing
New York Attorney General ter luncheon captured that same our work on the federal level closed out 2025 by releasing a insecure mothers and a second
Letitia James published an op-ed resilience. Dr. Janelle Luk, a receives the most attention, it is comprehensive report detailing initiative for youth experiencing
in USA recently on the challeng- first-generation Asian-American the work we’ve done here in New the accomplishments of the first homelessness.
es facing female leaders in New built her career by proving her York of which I am most proud. women majority and most diverse Housing, Opportunity, and
York and their successes. In the expertise again and again, and We successfully defended our Council in city history—an era led Services
op-ed, Attorney General James now helps hundreds of women state’s gun safety laws, secured by Speaker Adrienne E. Adams, The Council described itself
reflects on her work delivering navigate fertility and holistic $7.4 billion from Purdue Pharma the first Black Speaker of the as “the most pro housing Council
for New Yorkers in 2025 and wellness. Debbie Burrell-Butler, and the Sackler family for their Council. in generations,” citing approval
her priorities heading into 2026 who began as a teenage clerk at role in the opioid crisis, worked According to the report, the of more city initiated housing
on affordability, public safety, the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau, with law enforcement partners Council focused its four year proposals than the previous two
housing, health care, and more. now leads the entire agency and to stop drug and gun trafficking term on confronting longstanding decades combined. It also secured
The full text of the op-ed oversees programs that reach in our communities, secured inequities in housing, education, more than $8 billion for afford-
is available below and can be more than 1,400 young people $106 million from Vanguard health, economic opportunity, and able housing, homeownership
viewed online. each year. When little girls see for cheating investors, kept an public safety, while also filling programs, tenant protections, and
How Women in Leadership women like Janelle and Debbie all-girls Catholic high school what it described as a “leader- neighborhood investments.
Keep New York Strong leading, building and thriving, open, protected children from ship and trust gap” in City Hall Other major actions included:
This past year has been they see themselves as leaders, the harms of social media, went amid ongoing controversies sur- • Expanding worker protections
challenging for so many lead- CEOs, founders and presidents. after Zillow for cheating renters, rounding the mayor and several for construction, delivery, hotel,
ers navigating tough economic New York government also ben- and so much more. associates. and security guard workers.
conditions and a changing land- efits from female leadership As Attorney General, I see ev- “We have led city government • Overhauling street vending
scape. Last month, I had the plea- We also saw extraordinary ery day how female leaders fuel to invest in our diverse communi- laws for the first time in decades.
sure of joining an extraordinary leadership within government it- our state’s success — and how ties, bringing attention and deliv- • Strengthening early childhood
group of leaders at the Women self from leaders like Gov. Kathy essential it is that we continue ering solutions to issues that have education and safeguarding key
in Business Awards Luncheon in Hochul, Senate Majority Leader to support women’s leadership long impacted people across our K–12 programs.
Westchester County. The women Andrea Stewart-Cousins, New across our great state. In 2026, city who were historically over- • Reversing cuts to libraries and
honored came from different York Police Department Com- my office will continue advanc- looked,” Speaker Adams said in a cultural institutions, ultimately
sectors, different stories and dif- missioner Jessica Tisch and so ing the issues that matter most statement. She credited the Coun- expanding seven day library
ferent paths, but they are united many more. Under the leadership to women and all New Yorkers: cil’s progress to members whose service.
by one shared commitment: de- of NYPD Commissioner Tisch, affordability, safer communi- lived experiences reflect those of • Defending immigrant com-
livering for New Yorkers. crime rates have significantly ties, access to health care and an working class New Yorkers. munities through litigation, leg-
Throughout my career and decreased with subway crime, economy that works for working Innovative Programs Launched islation, and historic investments.
especially this past year, I have shooting incidents and murders families. That means we need The report highlights several Public Safety and Health Equity
seen firsthand how female lead- down to record lows. Her leader- more affordable and accessible new initiatives created and funded The Council emphasized its
ers across New York are stepping ship reflects what I witnessed all childcare, stronger protections by the Council to address dispari- work to expand access to crime
up despite mounting pressures. year: women get things done, against companies that are using ties across the city: prevention resources, improve
So many of them are navigat- even when the circumstances technology to drive up costs, and • CUNY Reconnect, which has police accountability, and address
ing the sting of inflation and are tough. programs that keep us all safe, already brought more than 62,000 safety concerns related to fire,
an affordability crisis, while There were many challenges while taking meaningful action former students—primarily wom- streets, and water infrastructure.
shouldering the burdens of child- brought by the federal adminis- to ensure women can thrive in en and people of color—back to Members also continued efforts
care and caregiving. When the tration this year and my office every corner of our state. CUNY to complete degrees. to close Rikers Island and respond
economy takes a bad turn, it is stepped up to defend New York- New York is stronger because • Trauma Recovery Centers, the to the humanitarian crisis in city
women who feel the brunt of the ers. We fought to protect funding of women who step up and first in New York State, estab- jails.
consequences. And yet they con- for Planned Parenthood, SNAP deliver. And I will continue to lished in the Bronx, Coney Island, On health equity, the Council
tinue to lead, serve and keep their benefits, wind energy projects, fight to protect all New Yorkers’ East Flatbush, and Downtown advanced initiatives targeting
communities moving forward. funding for libraries and schools rights, their opportunities, and Brooklyn, with another planned maternal mortality, reproductive
Two honorees at the Westches- and so much more. And while their futures in 2026 and beyond. for Jamaica, Queens. health access, and the city’s ongo-
• CUNY Social Work Fellows, ing mental health crisis.
designed to strengthen the mental Accountability and Good Gov-
ACS Survey Shows Overwhelming Satisfaction With health workforce by reducing ernance
financial barriers for graduate The report also outlines reforms
Prevention Services students entering public interest aimed at improving transpar-
social work. ency and trust in government,
• Minority Business Accelerator, including efforts to increase
the city’s first, aimed at expanding disclosure around 9/11 toxins,
The NYC Administration for personal information, and feeling serve nearly 30,000 children access to private sector contracts streamline nonprofit contracting,
Children’s Services (ACS) has listened to during goal setting. from 15,000 families each year. for minority owned businesses. and strengthen oversight of city
released the results of its annual These high marks mirror re- The services are free and vol- • Deed Theft Prevention Estate agencies.
Prevention Family Experience sults from previous years, dating untary, designed to help parents Planning, offering free legal sup- Speaker Adams said the Coun-
Survey, revealing consistently back to the first survey in 2019. build problem solving skills, port to protect homeowners from cil’s work demonstrates “steady,
high satisfaction among families ACS Commissioner Jess connect to community resources, predatory schemes. unwavering, and principled lead-
receiving prevention services Dannhauser said the findings and create safer home environ- • Guaranteed Income Pilots, ership—prioritizing the needs of
across the five boroughs. reflect the dedication of frontline ments. including the city’s first program New Yorkers above all else.”
More than 2,400 caregivers staff and the value of community The agency’s Support Line—
participated in this year’s survey, based supports. “Families are reachable at (212) 676 7667 or Riders Congratulate Mamdani DOT
which measures how well ACS overwhelmingly satisfied with connect@acs.nyc.gov—now re-
contracted community providers the services and supports they ceives nearly 400 calls per month And Deputy Mayor Picks
support families through coun- are receiving,” he said. “Caregiv- from families seeking assistance
seling, domestic violence inter- ers trust their case planners and with needs such as food, cloth- Riders Alliance Executive Direc- Transportation that not only deliv-
ventions, concrete assistance, feel listened to, which is a testa- ing, and cribs. tor Betsy Plum said: ers stalled projects from the last
and other services. According ment to the dedication of those This year’s survey was administration, but reimagines
to ACS, the findings show that on the frontlines.” offered in English and 10 ad- “Riders congratulate Deputy how the city shows up for riders:
prevention programs continue to Dannhauser added that ACS ditional citywide languages. Mayor Julia Kerson and Com- energizing planners and designers
help families meet their goals and will continue strengthening ser- Thirty five percent of eligible missioner Mike Flynn (a Riders to do their best work, partnering
feel supported by case planners. vices, particularly in response families chose to participate. Alliance member!) and we look with communities to make proj-
Among the key results: to families’ requests for more Their feedback is already shap- forward to working with the en- ects stronger, and championing
• 95% of caregivers said they concrete resources and help navi- ing ACS initiatives, including tire Mamdani administration to those projects in every corner of
are happy with the services their gating complex systems. an $8 million reinvestment put bus service first on New York government.
families received. Luisa Linares, Deputy Com- aimed at expanding concrete City streets. “Fast and free buses can’t be an
• 94% reported that services are missioner of the Family Services supports like food, diapers, and “This moment calls for a new aspiration tucked behind compet-
helping them achieve their goals. Division, echoed that commit- clothing, as well as funding new way of engaging communities, ing priorities. They must be the
• 92% would return to their ment. “Making sure families staff roles to help families navi- one rooted in real organizing, measure of success. A city that
provider for help in the future. have the services and support to gate available resources. where New Yorkers are partners works for bus riders is a city that
• 92% would recommend keep their children safe and well ACS says the survey results in shaping bold, city-defining works for everyone, and we’ll be
services to a friend or family is the heart and soul of what we will continue to guide improve- investments that make our neigh- looking to this administration to
member. do,” she said. “While these re- ments in prevention services, borhoods safer, more affordable, make that standard real — and to
• 97% expressed satisfaction sults are encouraging, our work ensuring families receive flex- and more connected. hold the entire system accountable
with their case planner’s work, is not yet done.” ible, responsive support tailored “We’re eager to work with for getting riders where they need
including trust, safety in sharing ACS’s prevention programs to their needs. a transformed Department of to go, quickly and reliably.”