Res. No. 715

Resolution calling upon the United States Congress to pass legislation in response to the “Reducing Poverty in America by Promoting Opportunity and Economic Mobility” Executive Order signed by the President in April 2018.

By Council Members Levin and Grodenchik

Whereas, On April 10, 2018 the President signed the “Reducing Poverty in America by Promoting Opportunity and Economic Mobility” Executive Order; and

                     Whereas, the Executive Order calls on federal agencies such as Treasury, Agriculture, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, and Education to examine existing regulations regarding these programs and to make recommendations about additional work requirements, restricting eligibility and block granting programs to states; and

                     Whereas, the Executive Order comprises a series of “Principles of Economic Mobility” which call for adding these additional hurdles and weakening accesses to such programs including Medicaid, SNAP and public housing among others that service low-income Americans; and

                     Whereas, the Executive Order seeks to raise the age limit for those recipients who are currently exempt from work requirements and would restrict the ability of states to issue waivers for such requirements; and

                     Whereas, there are 1.5 million SNAP recipients and 1.6 million Medicaid enrollees in New York City as of October 2018; and

                     Whereas, many of the city’s vulnerable children, families, elderly and disabled people rely on these programs for their well-being and livelihood and this Executive Order puts their ability to receive such benefits at risk; and

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the United States Congress to enact legislation to protect safety net programs and oppose the expansion of work requirements as outlined in the Executive Order.

N.O.

12/19/2018

LS # 6471