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COMMUNITY OP-ED FEBRUARY 23, 2024 | The Indian Eye 14

Rebuilding our economy and making our city

more livable: What we need from Albany

New York City public schools are leading the way in New York state and across the nation because of
mayoral accountability. Thanks to mayoral accountability we were able to launch New York City Reads, a

nation-leading curriculum that teaches our kids the fundamentals of reading

ERIC ADAMS

ew York City is all about what
is possible. It’s a place where
Nyou can start a business, raise New York City is proud to uphold our legacy as a city of immigrants (File photo/NYIC)
a family, and make a difference. Our
administration came into office with school district statewide. We also inspect and permanently shut down still in the city’s care.
the aim of keeping that American became the first city in the country these shops. When you add in the over 55,000
Dream alive by protecting public to screen every child for dyslexia to Rebuilding our economy means longtime New Yorkers in the city’s
safety, rebuilding our economy, and make sure no child falls through the creating homes that working-class care, that means we have close to
making our city more livable for ev- cracks, like I almost did as a young New Yorkers can afford. Our ad- three times the number of people
eryday New Yorkers. I went to our undiagnosed dyslexic child. ministration is playing our part and in our shelter system than when we
state capital last week with the goal Mayoral accountability allowed becoming a City of Yes — “yes” to came into office. While we appreci-
of furthering that vision. us to deliver on countless wins: gift- building more in our backyards, ate the commitment the governor
We laid out an agenda to ad- ed and talented programs in every neighborhoods, and everywhere else. made last year to cover one-third of
vance working-class families by ex- neighborhood, full-time mental Now, Albany needs to play its part. the city’s asylum seeker costs, this
tending mayoral accountability of health professionals for every school, We are calling for a new affordable was based on the premise that the
our public schools for four years, outpacing the state in reading and housing tax incentive; a pathway to city, the state, and the federal gov-
granting the city the authority to shut math while closing racial disparities, legalize safe, existing basement and ernment would split the costs three
down illegal smoke shops, and creat- and more. Prior to mayoral account- cellar apartments; incentives for of- ways. We are again asking the state
ing more affordable housing. Finally, ability, high school graduation rates fice conversions; and lifting the cap to increase its commitment and cov-
we outlined the city’s fiscal challeng- stagnated at 50 percent — they are on density for new construction. er at least 50 percent of New Yorkers’
es, including state funding for asylum now over 80 percent. Again, all of These measures will enable us to costs. Then, to meet ongoing capital
seekers and increasing New York this is possible because of mayoral build more affordable homes that needs, we are asking the state to in-
City’s debt limit. accountability. If Albany fails to ex- working-class New Yorkers urgently crease the city’s debt capacity. All of
New York City public schools tend mayoral accountability, we risk need. these financial investments will allow
are leading the way in New York seeing test scores and graduation Finally, New York City is proud us to continue to invest in cleaner
state and across the nation because rates fall back. to uphold our legacy as a city of im- streets and welcoming public spaces
of mayoral accountability. Thanks to Additionally, New Yorkers migrants. And we are proud that we that benefit all New Yorkers.
mayoral accountability we were able should be able to walk down our have demonstrated leadership and Our administration looks for-
to launch New York City Reads, a na- streets without worrying about illegal compassion, when so many others ward to turning our agenda into a re-
tion-leading curriculum that teaches smoke shops selling cannabis to our showed only cruelty. We have helped ality and working with our colleagues
our kids the fundamentals of read- children. Legal cannabis remains the tens of thousands file Temporary in Albany to improve the lives of
ing. This is more than a curriculum right choice for our city and our state, Protected Status, asylum, and work everyday New Yorkers now, and for
change — it is a reading revolution. but New Yorkers are fed up with authorization applications, bringing generations to come.
And Governor Hochul announced these illegal storefronts and their un- them one step closer to living a more
that she is following our model lawful business practices. We asked stable life. However, right now, there Eric Adams is the Mayor of
and bringing our approach to every Albany to grant us the authority to are more than 66,000 asylum seekers New York City, NY

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