On Tuesday, July 14, New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin and several Asian American city council members held a roundtable meeting with representatives from the city’s Asian American media to discuss investments in the Asian community outlined in the new fiscal year budget plan. The discussion covered topics such as the gifted and talented programs, streamlining regulations for small businesses, affordable housing, culture, immigration, and public safety, all of which are of significant interest to the Chinese community.
Having a background in law and former small business owner in the Lower East Side, Speaker Julie Menin brings decades of public service experience to the table. In the new fiscal year budget, Menin championed investments in the Asian community, including $5 million to support Asian and Pacific Islander community organizations, nearly $2 million for Asian American education programs, almost $1 million for the Asian American Research Institute at the City University of New York (AAARI), and over $2 million for legal services for the Asian Pacific community.
During the meeting, Menin emphasized the importance of the gifted and talented (G&T) programs that are highly valued in the Asian community. She stated, “I am a staunch supporter of the G&T programs myself. In my district in the East Side of Manhattan, there are many G&T programs, and I believe every community should have access to them.”
Furthermore, Menin successfully established the largest college savings program in America by depositing $1,000 into a college savings account for every new kindergarten student in public schools.
“This is exciting because studies show that children with college savings accounts are three times more likely to attend college and four times more likely to graduate. This initiative, called ‘NYC Kids Rise,’ now covers all schools in New York City, and I believe this expansion is crucial,” Menin said.
Menin received widespread support and gratitude from Asian American city council members for her focus on education. Sandra Ung, the Deputy Leader of the City Council and council member from Flushing, expressed her appreciation and announced her efforts to involve several banks in the “NYC Kids Rise” program, leveraging the council’s investment to create more value for families.
“Our investment this year is $1,000, but you can work with community partners to increase this amount over time, which I think is really meaningful,” Ung said. “I am very thankful for the Speaker bringing this up because it holds great significance for our community.”
Council Member Phil Wong from Queens also thanked and praised Speaker Menin for her support for New York City’s education.
“Speaker Menin’s proposal for the $1,000 savings account is amazing. It not only encourages more children to return to public schools but also helps them start saving for college,” Wong said. He highlighted the loss of student population in New York during the pandemic, and he believes the Speaker’s emphasis on education is crucial in attracting children back to public schools. “Moreover, programs like the G&T program are essential, making public schools more attractive; we need initiatives that appeal to children, and the G&T program and specialized high schools are reasons many parents choose public schools for their children. I appreciate Speaker Menin’s efforts in this regard and thank her for championing the G&T program.”
Council Member Susan Zhuang from Brooklyn expressed her gratitude to Speaker Menin for her attention to issues related to small businesses. She pointed out that many businesses have to spend years navigating bureaucracy before they can open a restaurant.
“I find this situation unacceptable. Thanks to the Speaker’s support, we will introduce a bill aimed at reducing red tape, providing convenience for our small businesses,” Zhuang said. “This is significant for our Asian community because many Asian immigrants start as small business owners, launching their lives, careers, and businesses… This will truly create more income for the community, help families develop, purchase homes, and have a stable living environment.”
Speaker Menin also discussed the City Council’s actions to make New York City safer, more affordable, and address the housing crisis. Finally, she expressed gratitude to the Asian community media, stating, “The City Council will continue to listen to the voices of Asian residents in New York and advocate for policies and investments to support them. My outstanding colleagues, including many present today, have been tirelessly advocating for the Asian American communities in all five boroughs, their support makes our efforts even stronger.”