DC 37 Political Action Committee
PAC Minutes – Thursday, March 14, 2024
Chairman Donald Nesbit opened the meeting at 6:08 pm, welcoming members to our March PAC meeting. He thanked everyone who attended DC37’s Lobby Day in Albany. He briefly turned it over to Erica Vargas, Assistant Director of DC37 Political Action. Ms. Vargas led all members present in the pledge of allegiance.
Chairman Nesbit introduced our special guest speaker, Assemblywoman Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas representing the 34th Assembly District in the borough of Queens. Assemblywoman Gonzalez-Rojas thanked everyone who she met during our DC37 Lobby Day in Albany and was honored to attend the meeting during women’s history month. Assemblywoman Gonzalez-Rojas has spent her career as an advocate for reproductive justice, health justice, racial justice, immigrant rights and all the intersecting issues that have an impact on women and families every day. The Assemblywoman mentioned the bills she has been fighting for, such as Coverage for All, which would allow a federal waiver to be submitted so undocumented people can get access to the New York State essential health plan. She is also working on the reproductive freedom equity fund, which would provide resources to clinics and to patients who would need abortion care. She is also in support to reform Tier 6. Lastly, she has been fighting on behalf of children and families in need of health coverage through Medicaid. Chair Nesbit, listed all the legislative priorities that werelobbied for such as good cause eviction, SAPIS funding and fair pay for Human service workers.
Chairman Nesbit introduced Susan Chin, Assistant Director Political Action, to give a city hall report. City Council hearings started for the FY 2025 preliminary budget. DC 37 requested restorations to parks, libraries, and cultural institutions. There was a hiring freeze that was lifted, but the 2 for 1 hiring is not keeping pace attrition rates. The Mayor reversed himself with restorations to the POP Program in Parks and $60m to the school food program in DOE.
Sis Chin gave a brief update on Speaker Adrienne Adams State of the City:
Support towards human service providers by adding $50m to the FY 25 budget for human service workers. This is in addition to the $100m that was included in the FY 2024 budget, for a total of $150m to the human service sector.
Prioritizing cultural institutions to make sure they remain the great institutions that they are as economic drivers in NYC.
Funding libraries – making sure 7 day service is restored and adding funding to ensure that late nights remain. Being that they provide educational classes, offer computer usage, and are safe havens for the community.
Invest in CUNY as an engine of social mobility and build on CUNY Reconnect, which provided an opportunity for people to go back to college to earn a degree. Expanding job opportunities to support city government. Proposal to start a career pipeline from CUNY to civil service work.
Lastly, connect seasonal workers to permanent city jobs so people can provide for their families and have a stable job, which would include working with DC 37 to provide these career opportunities.
Chairman Nesbit introduced Sybil McPherson, Assistant Director in the Albany office. McPherson gave a recap on DC37’s Lobby Day that was successful. She mentioned the legislative ask during the state’s budget season, which included the following:
- Tier 6 Reform bill where all three branches would discuss the amendment, which would include parts of the Tier 4 system language.
- Affordable Housing – request for affordable housing units for workers who have a residency requirement.
- Workers comp reform that would include components such as post-traumatic stress coverage and a injuring hearing request.
- Home care workers and human service workers for Just Pay and COLA that would provide a 3.2% cost of living adjustment for this year.
Old Business: None
New Business: None
Good & Welfare: None
Ana Berry, member of the Retirees, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. John Lafferty, member of Local 1359, seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned at 7:10 pm