Council speaker outlines vision for NYC leadership

New York City Council Speaker Adrienne E. Adams delivered her fourth State of the City address at Jazz at Lincoln Center in Manhattan on Tuesday, outlining her vision for what she describes as “effective leadership of city government.”

Speaker Adams highlighted significant issues facing the city and the Council’s work to tackle them under her leadership.
She also unveiled several new proposals that advance increased resources for New Yorkers and solutions to significant challenges across the five boroughs.

Over the last three years, Speaker Adams said she and the Council have prioritized critical issues of health, housing, safety, and opportunity for all New Yorkers.
Speaker Adams said she has introduced several significant new initiatives through her past State of the City addresses, and the Council has incubated these innovative programs with its funding and through partnership.

“These programs can make an even greater impact with the increased funding support of the mayor’s office,” she said.
Speaker Adams announced her intention to establish trauma recovery centers, which are designed to provide victim services for survivors of violent crime less likely to receive help and stop cycles of crime.

She said the Council provided the initial funding and support to establish New York State’s first trauma recovery centers in New York City, within the Bronx and Brooklyn. Its multi-year commitment has provided these new services for communities experiencing high levels of violence, contributing to safer neighborhoods.

Speaker Adams first announced the intention to initiate city support for anti-poverty guaranteed income programs in her 2023 State of the City Address. The Council then passed Council Member Crystal Hudson’s Local Law 105 of 2023, clearing the pathway for the City to support guaranteed income programs.

In October 2024, Speaker Adams and Council Members announced a new Council funding initiative to support a guaranteed income program for expectant mothers to improve maternal health and reduce child poverty.

The initiative supported The Bridge Project in establishing a new cohort of 161 pregnant women experiencing housing insecurity who receive regular and unconditional income assistance.

“It is the first time in city history that municipal funds have been utilized for a guaranteed income program,” Speaker Adams said.
She also announced several new proposals, including expanding the seven-day library service, providing childcare support for more working families with infants and toddlers, and expanding CUNY programs for working adults and low-income students.

Speaker Adams proposed the creation of a minority business accelerator, a new model of holistic community centers, and solutions to non-profit contract payment delay solutions.

“Our members in the human services sector continue to face economic uncertainty despite showing up and doing the delicate work of supporting the city’s most vulnerable populations, including our children,” said Henry Garrido, executive director of District Council 37.

“We applaud Speaker Adams’ commitment to reducing payment delays to city-contracted non-profits and look forward to working with the City Council to push forward legislative solutions that will ensure our human service workers are paid on time.”

“As Speaker of the New York City Council, Adrienne Adams has been a staunch advocate for fair housing policies, social justice, and workers’ rights,” said Manny Pastreich, president of 32BJ SEIU. “We applaud her leadership on behalf of working New Yorkers and thank her for always standing up for 32BJ members.”

“During her time on the City Council and as Speaker, Adrienne Adams has been a strong voice for the injustices that continually plague women and minorities in both the City of New York and the private sector,” said Gloria Middleton, president of CWA Local 1180.

“She knows that pay inequality and lack of affordable and accessible child care are significant factors to career stagnation,” she added.

“She knows that increasing maternal death rates during childbirth, particularly in Black and Brown communities, and tensions between law enforcement and minority populations contribute to the escalating tensions of everyday life. She knows the problems that need addressing and has been tackling them one by one.”

“Speaker Adams’ State of the City address today highlighted her critical leadership and dedication to lifting New York’s working families,” said Rich Maroko, the Hotel & Gaming Trades Council (HTC) president. “From taking aim at the city’s housing crisis to delivering critical safety protections for hotel workers, Speaker Adams has pursued an agenda that promotes working New Yorkers.

“Our union was proud to participate in this State of the City event to celebrate the victories and vision of the City Council under Speaker Adrienne Adams’ direction,” he added.