OCTOBER: THE MONTH AHEAD

The People’s Money! Citywide Participatory Budgeting
This year, NYC residents aged 11 and up will decide how to spend $5 million of mayoral expense funding. Beginning with the Idea Generation phase, residents will get together to learn about how the city spends public funds, identify community needs and priorities, and brainstorm ideas for expense projects. To see examples of expense projects funded through a PB process last year, go here. To hold these conversations across the city, we’re partnering with 82 community-based organizations in all 5 boroughs. You can find an updated list of the events that will be happening in your neighborhood and/or borough here. If you can’t make it to a virtual or in person event, you can also submit an idea online at participate.nyc.gov by creating an account and submitting a project idea for your borough here.

Once the ideas have been submitted, we’ll move on to the next phase of PB, Project Vetting and Development. In this phase, NYC residents will be selected to represent their borough and will help to narrow down the submitted project ideas and determine which ones will end up on the ballot. We welcome all NYC residents to apply! It is critical to the process that we have members that are representative of our city. All you need is a commitment to a more equitable New York and the willingness to contribute and work with your committee. This is a great opportunity to gain or build upon your leadership skills and learn about local government. To apply, fill out this form!

November General Election

The November General Election is coming up quickly! The last day to register is Oct. 14th. Make sure you're registered to vote and your address is up to date: https://vote.nyc/page/register-vote 

What is on the back of your ballot?

In addition to voting for elected offices, there will be three proposals on the back of your ballot that you can vote yes or no on. For more information on these ballot proposals, visit: nyc.gov/racialjustice

CEC IN THE NEWS

The People’s Money

• It's the people's money: Why we're expanding participatory budgeting, NY Daily News
  In an opinion piece for the Daily News, CEC Chair & Executive Director Dr. Sarah Sayeed outlines the historic announcement of “The People’s Money” - NYC’s first-ever citywide participatory budgeting process.
  
  
• Mayor Adams wants to hear how you would spend $5M of NYC’s budget, Paul Liotta, SI Advance
  
  
• New citywide participatory budgeting effort launches Wednesday in the Bronx with public event, Aliya Schneider, Bronx Times
  
  
• City Launches Citywide Participatory Budgeting, Michael V. Cusenza, The Forum
  
  
• NYC allowing residents ages 11 and up to decide how to spend $5M, Jonathan Rizk and Henry Rosoff, PIX 11
  
  
• First Citywide Participatory Budgeting Program Seeks Ideas from Public, Cassidy Strong, CityLand
  
  
• NYC Government Wants New Yorker’s Advice on Funding Community’s Needs, Fern E. Gillespie, Our Time Press
  
  
• Why the city’s participatory budgeting process needs your voice, Ariama C. Long, NY Amsterdam News

National Voter Registration Day

• In Manhattan, free giveaways helped entice unregistered voters to sign up before the October 14 voter registration deadline, Ron Lee & Chelsea Katz, NY1

Press Release

• Mayor Adams, Civic Engagement Commission Announce Launch Of First-Ever Citywide Participatory Budgeting Process, September 14, 2022
  “The People’s Money” Empowers New Yorkers to Decide How to Spend $5 million

CEC IN THE COMMUNITY

The People’s Money Kick-Off Event

Beginning with a kick-off event in the Bronx on September 14th the CEC and a diverse group of 82 partner organizations launched the first phase of the city’s first ever citywide participatory budgeting process. A full list of partner organizations can be found on our online platform participate.nyc.gov. On top of our organizational and community partners, elected and government officials joined in attendance to voice remarks and support for The People’s Money, including: Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, and Assemblymember Amanda Septimo.

Little Amal Walks NYC

We partnered with St. Ann’s Warehouse and Amal Walks to host an event welcoming Little Amal to Washington Heights. Little Amal is a giant puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl who has traveled over 9,000km with her message of hope and solidarity for displaced people everywhere. Little Amal interacted with our civic, arts, and cultural activations, and submitted an idea for The People’s Money.

National Voter Registration Day

The NYC Civic Engagement Commission partnered with HeadCount, the nonpartisan, nonprofit voter registration organization, and Tony’s Chocolonely in honor of National Voter Registration Day. Voter registration and civic participation activities with The People's Bus were held throughout the day. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams was in attendance to show support for our efforts in registering voters.