By the DC 37 Political Action and Legislation Department As the 2025 New York State Legislative Session comes to a close, District Council 37’s Political and Legislative Department reflects on a productive and impactful season of advocacy. The state legislative session runs from January through June, and this report outlines the key legislative victories and policy advancements we achieved this year. It also highlights several important bills that we will continue to champion in next year’s session. Through strategic advocacy and member engagement, we remain committed to advancing policies that protect workers, strengthen public services, and support the communities we serve. Final New York State Budget Summary The following section provides a summary of the final enacted New York State Budget for Fiscal Year 2025–2026, with a focus on key provisions that impact DC 37 members and the communities we serve. Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention Specialists (SAPIS) The budget dedicated $2 million to SAPIS funding. Pension We successfully fought back against changes to our pension system that would threaten the viability of our DC 37 pension. Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for Direct Support Professionals under OPWDD The budget included a 2.6% inflationary increase for various human service employers [...]— Jul 24
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER DC 37 POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE We did it. We hit the streets and made calls to fellow members and pounded the pavement during a historic heatwave to get pro-labor candidates over the finish line on Primary Day. The results of our efforts are clear: the Green Machine is a force to be reckoned with. Thank you to each of you who knocked on doors, phone banked, spoke to your friends and colleagues, and showed up to the polls to make your voice heard. Because of our collective efforts, DC 37-endorsed candidates won in more than 40 priority races. DC 37 AT THE YANKEES Join District Council 37 and the New York Yankees for a fun-filled day at Yankee Stadium! Game Dates: August 25-27 against the Nationals and September 26-28 against the Orioles. Each Ticket includes: – An exclusive New York Yankees DC 37 Hat. Choose between a blue or green hat at checkout – $15 New York Yankees Food & Beverage Voucher The Yankees will send your tickets to the email address you use for purchase. Hat and voucher pickup instructions will also be provided via email prior to the event. Buy your tickets HERE. DC 37 MUNICIPAL [...]— Jun 27
DC 37 POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Tomorrow is the deadline to register to vote in the New York City Primary Election! Register to vote or update your voter registration HERE. You can vote early beginning tomorrow, June 14, through June 22! Find your early voting poll site HERE or contact 311 or 1-866-VOTE-NYC for more information. Don’t forget to bring your ID, a family member or neighbor, and your list of DC 37 endorsed candidates! DC 37 Endorsements Learn more about each of DC 37’s top picks for mayor HERE. You can also review the full list of citywide endorsements HERE to see which candidates DC 37 is supporting in your neighborhood! Ready to Ranked Choice Vote? The June Primary will utilize ranked choice voting (RCV) to determine who will take office for NYC Mayor, City Comptroller, Public Advocate, Borough President, and City Council. In Ranked Choice Voting elections, you can now rank up to 5 of your favorite candidates for each office. Click HERE to watch the video above about everything you need to know to cast your RCV ballot. You can learn more about ranked choice voting HERE and fill out a practice ballot HERE The June Primary will utilize ranked choice [...]— Jun 13
District Council 37 has endorsed the following candidates for NYC Mayor: Adrienne Adams Zohran Mamdani Zellnor Myrie What does the NYC Mayor do? Proposes the city’s budget Signs or vetos bills passed by the City Council Appoints leaders to over 40 city agencies Sets priorities and policy for city agencies Enforces all city and state laws within New York City Learn more about why DC 37 chose each candidate: ADRIENNE ADAMS Has been an ally in fighting layoffs of DC 37 members Will protect premium-free healthcare Advocated as City Council Speaker to fund city positions Will protect our pension funds ZOHRAN MAMDANI Supports a rent freeze Will strengthen labor protections for union workers Advocates for affordable childcare and essential city services Fast and free buses ZELLNOR MYRIE Advocates for 3K in pre-K Will fight to build affordable homes Revitalize and invest in NYCHA housing Committed to keeping our streets safe and restoring accountability in NYPD To learn more about how DC 37 chooses each candidate, read PEPtalk’s “How to Win Elections & Influence Policy.” To learn more about how to become more politically active in DC 37, click HERE.— Jun 10
Local 1502 Keeps Up Pressure at Brooklyn Museum DC 37 Local 1502 Brooklyn Museum Workers and United Auto Workers Local 2110 held a rally on March 6 to protest imminent layoffs of nearly 50 museum workers just days after marching the picket line in late February. The rally drew hundreds of union members, supporters, and community leaders. The workers sent a clear message to management, chanting, “Together, united, we’ll never be defeated!” Union leaders, including Executive Director Henry Garrido and Local 1502 President Wilson Souffrant, reiterated the need for strategic thinking and alternative cost savings. Souffrant emphasized that members must persevere and remain steadfast in their commitment to one another during negotiations. As of press time, the union and Brooklyn Museum reached an agreement to halt layoffs for the foreseeable future. Play Fair for Parks Demands 1% Wind and rain on March 20 couldn’t keep the Play Fair for Parks Coalition from the steps ofCity Hall to call for 1% of the city’s budget to be allocated toward public parks, maintenance, and staff. Local 1505 President Dilcy Benn and Local 983 President Joe Puleo sounded off on how essential parks are to New Yorkers’ safety and quality of life. “Every [...]— Jun 6
By the DC 37 Political Action and Legislation Department As the 2025 New York State Legislative Session comes to a close, District Council 37’s Political and Legislative Department reflects on a productive and impactful season of advocacy. The state legislative session runs from January through June, and this report outlines the key legislative victories and policy advancements we achieved this year. It also highlights several important bills that we will continue to champion in next year’s session. Through strategic advocacy and member engagement, we remain committed to advancing policies that protect workers, strengthen public services, and support the communities we serve. Final New York State Budget Summary The following section provides a summary of the final enacted New York State Budget for Fiscal Year 2025–2026, with a focus on key provisions that impact DC 37 members and the communities we serve. Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention Specialists (SAPIS) The budget dedicated $2 million to SAPIS funding. Pension We successfully fought back against changes to our pension system that would threaten the viability of our DC 37 pension. Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for Direct Support Professionals under OPWDD The budget included a 2.6% inflationary increase for various human service employers [...]— Jul 24
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER DC 37 POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE We did it. We hit the streets and made calls to fellow members and pounded the pavement during a historic heatwave to get pro-labor candidates over the finish line on Primary Day. The results of our efforts are clear: the Green Machine is a force to be reckoned with. Thank you to each of you who knocked on doors, phone banked, spoke to your friends and colleagues, and showed up to the polls to make your voice heard. Because of our collective efforts, DC 37-endorsed candidates won in more than 40 priority races. DC 37 AT THE YANKEES Join District Council 37 and the New York Yankees for a fun-filled day at Yankee Stadium! Game Dates: August 25-27 against the Nationals and September 26-28 against the Orioles. Each Ticket includes: – An exclusive New York Yankees DC 37 Hat. Choose between a blue or green hat at checkout – $15 New York Yankees Food & Beverage Voucher The Yankees will send your tickets to the email address you use for purchase. Hat and voucher pickup instructions will also be provided via email prior to the event. Buy your tickets HERE. DC 37 MUNICIPAL [...]— Jun 27
DC 37 POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Tomorrow is the deadline to register to vote in the New York City Primary Election! Register to vote or update your voter registration HERE. You can vote early beginning tomorrow, June 14, through June 22! Find your early voting poll site HERE or contact 311 or 1-866-VOTE-NYC for more information. Don’t forget to bring your ID, a family member or neighbor, and your list of DC 37 endorsed candidates! DC 37 Endorsements Learn more about each of DC 37’s top picks for mayor HERE. You can also review the full list of citywide endorsements HERE to see which candidates DC 37 is supporting in your neighborhood! Ready to Ranked Choice Vote? The June Primary will utilize ranked choice voting (RCV) to determine who will take office for NYC Mayor, City Comptroller, Public Advocate, Borough President, and City Council. In Ranked Choice Voting elections, you can now rank up to 5 of your favorite candidates for each office. Click HERE to watch the video above about everything you need to know to cast your RCV ballot. You can learn more about ranked choice voting HERE and fill out a practice ballot HERE The June Primary will utilize ranked choice [...]— Jun 13
District Council 37 has endorsed the following candidates for NYC Mayor: Adrienne Adams Zohran Mamdani Zellnor Myrie What does the NYC Mayor do? Proposes the city’s budget Signs or vetos bills passed by the City Council Appoints leaders to over 40 city agencies Sets priorities and policy for city agencies Enforces all city and state laws within New York City Learn more about why DC 37 chose each candidate: ADRIENNE ADAMS Has been an ally in fighting layoffs of DC 37 members Will protect premium-free healthcare Advocated as City Council Speaker to fund city positions Will protect our pension funds ZOHRAN MAMDANI Supports a rent freeze Will strengthen labor protections for union workers Advocates for affordable childcare and essential city services Fast and free buses ZELLNOR MYRIE Advocates for 3K in pre-K Will fight to build affordable homes Revitalize and invest in NYCHA housing Committed to keeping our streets safe and restoring accountability in NYPD To learn more about how DC 37 chooses each candidate, read PEPtalk’s “How to Win Elections & Influence Policy.” To learn more about how to become more politically active in DC 37, click HERE.— Jun 10
Local 1502 Keeps Up Pressure at Brooklyn Museum DC 37 Local 1502 Brooklyn Museum Workers and United Auto Workers Local 2110 held a rally on March 6 to protest imminent layoffs of nearly 50 museum workers just days after marching the picket line in late February. The rally drew hundreds of union members, supporters, and community leaders. The workers sent a clear message to management, chanting, “Together, united, we’ll never be defeated!” Union leaders, including Executive Director Henry Garrido and Local 1502 President Wilson Souffrant, reiterated the need for strategic thinking and alternative cost savings. Souffrant emphasized that members must persevere and remain steadfast in their commitment to one another during negotiations. As of press time, the union and Brooklyn Museum reached an agreement to halt layoffs for the foreseeable future. Play Fair for Parks Demands 1% Wind and rain on March 20 couldn’t keep the Play Fair for Parks Coalition from the steps ofCity Hall to call for 1% of the city’s budget to be allocated toward public parks, maintenance, and staff. Local 1505 President Dilcy Benn and Local 983 President Joe Puleo sounded off on how essential parks are to New Yorkers’ safety and quality of life. “Every [...]— Jun 6
