St.Mary’s Recreation Center, Tax Prep Saved New Yorkers Money, Fast-Track Neighborhoods, Artist Grants Doubled, Early Childhood Apprenticeships, Free Childcare For Low-Income Kids, First Organized Labor Partnership: Mayor Mamdani

St.Mary’s Recreation Center In The Bronx, Tax Prep Saved New Yorkers Money, Fast-Track Neighborhoods, Box Street Park, Subscription Trap Rules Enforcement, Artist Grants Doubled, Early Childhood Apprenticeships, Free Childcare For Low-Income Kids, Organized Labor Partnership: Mayor Mamdani

Editor’s note: Staten Island and New York City residents who are eligible for SNAP but lost their benefits back in March are now eligible for reconsideration under the new rules.  Those who are not exempt from the new work requirements must document their work or volunteer hours in order to be approved for the benefit, which equals about $306 per month for a single person in New York.  New Yorkers are eligible to electronically file their taxes for free through the City’s portal, as discussed below.  In other states, residents must pay to file their taxes electronically, since there is no federal direct fee-free tax filing program, and many of the paid services that offer free filing don’t make it easy to pay nothing.  There are many community partners that offer assisted preparation during tax season for those who meet certain income requirements.  Staten Island’s borough presidents is publicly calling for this borough to be removed entirely from the density increasing fast-track plans which he says are wrong for the island, which already lacks the infrastructure to support the construction it already has.  

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani attends the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) Annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the The Firemen’s Memorial in Manhattan on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

 

Modernized Bronx recreation center features redesigned lobby, new elevator, new staffing and critical safety upgrades to expand programs and services

 

NEW YORK – Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura today reopened St. Mary’s Recreation Center in the Bronx following a $20.7 million renovation that makes the historic community center safer, more accessible and better equipped to serve Bronxites for generations to come. 

The renovation reconstructed the center’s façade, entrance and lobby, repaired its pool — the only indoor public pool operated by NYC Parks in the Bronx — and made the facility fully accessible with a new elevator and widened door frames.

The Mayor’s Executive Budget funded 33 new positions at St. Mary’s, ensuring the facility has the staff it needs to offer programming, maintain the center and serve the community for generations. 

“St. Mary’s is more than a recreation center. It is a place where Bronx families come to swim, exercise and spend time with their community,” said Mayor Mamdani. “This $20.7 million capital investment keeps this public space safe, accessible and open to everyone, with a new elevator, critical safety upgrades and repairs to the pool. Further, we have added 33 new staff positions, and we’re giving St. Mary’s what it needs to serve Bronxites for years to come.”

 

“St. Mary’s Recreation Center has been a cornerstone of this neighborhood for generations, and today we are proud to open its doors again,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “This renovation makes the building safer, more welcoming and accessible to everyone, from our youngest neighbors to our seniors. With a new lobby, a new elevator and added staffing to support programs, this center is ready to serve the community. We are grateful to our partners and to the residents whose voices helped shape this project.”

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Safety and code upgrades include a new fire alarm system throughout the center, repairs to the boiler and heat distribution system and upgrades to mechanical and electrical systems, including new electrical switchgear. 

Inside the center, the project reconstructed the men’s and women’s bathrooms on the second floor, as well as staff areas and a staff bathroom on the ground floor. The center also received new fitness equipment, upgraded flooring in select areas and enhanced lighting throughout the facility.

 

The project significantly improves accessibility at St. Mary’s. A new elevator provides ADA access to the upper floors, while widened door frames throughout the building make it easier for visitors of all abilities to navigate the center. The center’s pool also received critical repairs to the pool deck by in-house Parks crews.

St. Mary’s has been a center of public recreation in the Bronx for generations. In 1951, New York City opened its first full-service indoor recreation center at St. Mary’s as part of a citywide effort to provide New Yorkers with places to play, exercise and gather during the colder months. Designed by the architectural firm Brown, Lawford, and Forbes, the building originally included an indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, locker and shower rooms and meeting rooms for classes and community programs.

 

“We celebrate 75 years of the St. Mary’s Recreation Center with the reopening of a newly renovated space,” said NYS Senator Jose M. Serrano. “Thanks to a $20.7 million dollar renovation, St. Mary’s Recreation Center will be open to even more community members, with increased accessibility measures and expanded staffing to support community programming. I am grateful to NYC Parks, my colleagues in government and all those involved in this investment in the South Bronx to improve our community spaces.”

 

“For 75 years, St. Mary’s Recreation Center has been a place where generations of South Bronx families have learned to swim, stayed active and healthy, built friendships and found community,” said Assembly Member Amanda N. Septimo. “Today, we are not simply reopening its doors. We are making sure this beloved institution can fully serve the next generation. A modern, accessible recreation center and the Bronx’s only Parks indoor pool are not luxuries; they are the kind of public resources our families deserve. I’m proud to join colleagues in government and our community to celebrate this investment in St. Mary’s and, most importantly, in the people who call the South Bronx home.”  

“The reopening of the St. Mary’s Recreation Center marks a significant milestone for our South Bronx community and ushers in an exciting new chapter for the residents and families who have relied on this center for generations,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “For so many in our borough, public parks and recreation centers serve as the most accessible and affordable places to exercise, learn new skills, build community, relieve stress and participate in programs that support long‑term success. Thank you to NYC Parks, Community Board 1, my colleagues in government and all the dedicated community advocates whose leadership helped to make these transformative renovations a reality.”

“The newly renovated St. Mary’s Recreation Center is a $20 million investment in the well-being and safety of families in the South Bronx,” said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark. “It creates a valuable and accessible indoor space where people of all ages can find refuge, recreation and respite. More than 30 employees will staff this center, creating new jobs and bringing opportunity full circle, right back to the South Bronx. I thank NYC Parks leadership, my colleagues in government and the public input that made these long-awaited upgrades possible.”

“Saint Mary’s Recreational Center has always been more than a building,” said Council Member Elsie Encarnacion. “It is a place where Mott Haven families have learned, stayed active and build community. After years of closure due to construction and delay, today we celebrate not only the reopening of the center, but the restoration of an integral part of our community.”

Mayor Mamdani joins the “Building an Economy for the Many” breakfast with H.E. Pedro Sánchez, President of the Government of Spain, H.E. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados and H.E. António Costa, President of the European Council. Gracie Mansion. Wednesday, September 23, 2026. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

Mayor Mamdani Puts $226.6 Million Back in New Yorkers’ Pockets with Free Tax Prep

 

Program filed 100,216 returns in its first season since the end of IRS Direct File — $188.8 million in refunds and $37.8 million in saved preparation fees

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su and Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine announced that NYC Free Tax Prep put a combined $226.6 million back in New Yorkers’ pockets during the 2026 tax season.

New Yorkers filed 100,216 returns through the free program, securing an estimated $188.8 million in refunds and saving nearly $37.8 million in tax preparation fees. The results come during the first tax filing season since the federal government ended IRS Direct File. NYC Free Tax Prep offers free in-person, drop-off and virtual preparation, as well as specialized services for freelancers and self-employed New Yorkers. Sites remain open year-round.

“New Yorkers work hard for every dollar they earn, and they shouldn’t have to hand a chunk of that money over to a tax preparer just to get the money they’re owed,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “NYC Free Tax Prep put $226.6 million back where it belongs: in the pockets of working New Yorkers. At a time when Washington has made filing taxes more complicated, New York City is making it simpler – for free. I’m grateful to every volunteer who helped make it happen, and we’re calling on more New Yorkers to join us next year.”

“As filers faced confusion over the end of IRS Direct File and other federal policy changes, NYC Free Tax Prep gave them a place to turn,” said DCWP Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine. “Our preparers make sure New Yorkers get their full refund and every credit they qualify for, with no hidden charges, hoops, or fine print.”

Who Is Eligible

NYC Free Tax Prep is available to anyone who lives or works in New York City, regardless of immigration status, who earns:

• $100,000 or less annually and files as a family; or
• $70,000 or less annually and files as an individual or couple without a dependent.

DCWP estimates that about half of all New Yorkers qualify for the program.

How It Works

From January through April, NYC Free Tax Prep services are available at more than 100 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) sites citywide, including locations at NYC Health + Hospitals and MetroPlusHealth.

Volunteer preparers provide free tax preparation and can answer questions about issues including how student loan debt may affect a refund. 

Sites remain open year-round for new or amended returns and for self-employed filers.

The 2027 filing season begins in January 2027. New Yorkers can find the nearest NYC Free Tax Prep site using DCWP’s interactive map at nyc.gov/TaxPrep.

Protecting Filers from Predatory Preparers

DCWP also paired NYC Free Tax Prep with enforcement against paid tax preparers.

The agency conducted sweeps of paid tax preparer locations across the city to check compliance with City law and sent notices warning preparers that overcharging and hidden fees are illegal in New York City.

Volunteer for the 2027 Season

NYC Free Tax Prep is now accepting volunteer preparers for 2027.

Volunteers commit a few hours a week from January through April and complete about 40 tax returns. DCWP estimates that each volunteer helps neighbors claim more than $90,000 in refunds and save an average of $15,000 in preparation fees.

New Yorkers interested in volunteering can register online to receive information about free training and upcoming events.

Mayor Mamdani joins the “Building an Economy for the Many” breakfast with H.E. Pedro Sánchez, President of the Government of Spain, H.E. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados and H.E. António Costa, President of the European Council. Gracie Mansion. Wednesday, September 23, 2026. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

Mamdani Administration Puts 12 Neighborhoods on Fast Track for Affordable Housing 

Voter-approved process will speed up affordable housing development in neighborhoods that have produced the least

12 Fast Track districts produced just 1.1% of the city’s new affordable housing over the past five years, averaging just 12 affordable homes per district per year

NEW YORK – Today, New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Department of City Planning (DCP) Director Sideya Sherman announced the 12 community districts where the voter-approved Affordable Housing Fast Track will take effect in January 2027, bringing the City one step closer to a housing system where every neighborhood does its part to meet the needs of New Yorkers.

The 12 Affordable Housing Fast Track districts with the lowest rate of affordable housing production are:

• Brooklyn CD 10: Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights 
• Brooklyn CD 12: Borough Park, Kensington
• Brooklyn CD 18: Canarsie, Flatlands
• Manhattan CD 7: Upper West Side 
• Manhattan CD 8: Upper East Side, Roosevelt Island 
• Queens CD 4: Corona, Elmhurst 
• Queens CD 5: Ridgewood, Maspeth, Middle Village 
• Queens CD 10: South Ozone Park, Howard Beach 
• Queens CD 11: Auburndale, Bayside, Douglaston 
• Queens CD 13: Queens Village, Bellerose, Rosedale 
• Staten Island CD 2: Mid-Island 
• Staten Island CD 3: South Shore 

For too long, affordable housing production has been concentrated in a small number of neighborhoods, while other communities have produced little or none. The 12 Fast Track districts represent roughly one-fifth of New York City’s 59 community districts but produced just 883 of 63,870 new affordable homes over the past five years — 1.1% of the citywide total.

The four lowest-producing community districts each produced fewer than 10 affordable homes over five years. The highest-producing district created eight times as many affordable homes as all 12 Fast Track districts combined. The AHFT summary dataset is available here.

“New York’s housing crisis is not going to be solved by asking the same neighborhoods to do all the building,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Every New Yorker deserves a home they can afford, and every neighborhood must be part of delivering it. The Affordable Housing Fast Track gives us a new tool to cut through red tape and make sure our housing growth is shared more fairly across all five boroughs. We are going to build – block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood — at the scale this crisis demands.”

“Last November, New Yorkers went to the polls and delivered a mandate for affordability. We’ve moved quickly to implement these new tools like the Affordable Housing Fast Track, with clear criteria for where it will apply. Soon, it will be easier to build affordable housing in the districts that have added the least — an important step in our work to deliver the housing options in every neighborhood that New Yorkers deserve,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning.

“For too long, affordable housing production has been deeply uneven across New York City, leaving too many New Yorkers with too few choices about where they can live,” said DCP Director Sideya Sherman. “The Affordable Housing Fast Track gives us a new tool to help change this by making it easier to advance permanently affordable housing in communities that have produced the least. We look forward to using this tool to expand housing opportunities across these 12 districts and bring meaningful housing relief to New Yorkers.”

“Every neighborhood has a part to play in making our city fairer and more affordable. Supported overwhelmingly by voters last November, the Affordable Housing Fast Track is an essential new tool to cut red tape and build affordable housing in the places that need it most. Neighborhood by neighborhood, this will help us achieve our collective goal of building a more affordable city,” said Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Dina Levy.

In November 2025, New York City voters approved changes to the City Charter to address the uneven distribution of affordable housing. Beginning January 1, 2027, eligible rezoning proposals that create affordable housing in the 12 designated districts will use a streamlined 90-day public review process, cutting roughly four months from the traditional Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP). The Fast Track preserves Community Board and Borough President review and opportunities for public input. It does not change environmental review requirements or landmark protections.

The Mamdani administration moved quickly to put the Fast Track into action, adopting a clear and consistent methodology in April to measure affordable housing production relative to each community district’s existing housing stock. The 12 districts will be recalculated every five years based on updated affordable housing production, with the next list issued in October 2031.

DCP will host a virtual public information session on December 3 to explain how the Affordable Housing Fast Track works and answer questions from New Yorkers. Additional information, including an interactive map, is also available on DCP’s website.

The Affordable Housing Fast Track is a key part of Block by Block, the Mamdani administration’s housing plan. The plan calls for creating 200,000 new affordable homes and preserving another 200,000 over the next decade, backed by a $22 billion investment in affordable housing capital over five years.

In the coming months, the administration will explore City-sponsored land use actions in these districts to deliver urgently needed affordable housing. The administration has also moved quickly to implement other voter-approved land use tools, including the City’s first Expedited Land Use Review Procedure (ELURP) at 351 Powers Ave. in the Bronx. Approved by the City Council in May, the project will create approximately 84 affordable homes.

The administration is also advancing an ambitious land use agenda that includes a citywide transit-oriented development proposal, neighborhood plans including two already underway in the Bronx and Brooklyn and new housing on City-owned land. At 100 Gold Street, for example, the administration is advancing a plan for nearly 4,000 new homes, including approximately 1,000 permanently income-restricted affordable and rent-stabilized.

Block by Block meets the city’s housing crisis with the scale and urgency New Yorkers deserve. Alongside building and preserving affordable homes, the plan includes standing up to negligent landlords, strengthening tenant power, investing in public housing and cutting the red tape that prevents affordable homes from becoming reality.

As Mayor Mamdani has said, New York cannot afford half-measures or delays when working people are being pushed out of the city they built.

“NYHC is excited to see changes approved by voters last year start to take effect. The Affordable Housing Fast Track is an important step toward creating more affordable housing in neighborhoods that have historically added too little. Our NYC Housing Tracker has shown the same pattern over the past five years: affordable housing is not being distributed equitably across the city. As New York confronts its housing crisis, every neighborhood must do its part to expand the city’s affordable housing supply,” said Rachel Fee, Executive Director of New York Housing Conference.

“Less than a year after voters approved the Affordable Housing Fast Track, the city is taking a major step towards making it real. By streamlining land-use review in the districts that have built the least, the city can get shovels in the ground faster to build the housing New Yorkers need. Today’s unveiling of these 12 districts means more affordable homes, delivered sooner, in the neighborhoods that need them most. The Building Congress is proud to stand with the City as we build a more affordable New York together,” said Carlo Scissura, President and CEO of NY Building Congress.

“Last November, New Yorkers voted overwhelmingly for a city that builds, because they know more homes mean lower rents, stronger neighborhoods, and a chance for the next generation to stay here. Open New York fought alongside a broad coalition to pass these measures to make our city fairer and more affordable, and we are excited to see them put to work. Many of the Community Districts on this list have built almost no housing in years, and new homes there would bring real relief to families being priced out. These reforms are already changing our housing landscape, and we are already seeing some of the Council Members representing these low-growth neighborhoods bringing solutions to the table. Everyone has a part to play, especially the people who know their neighborhoods best, and we look forward to working with anyone ready to be a proactive leader in building more homes for their neighbors and a more affordable city together,” said Annemarie Gray, Executive Director of Open New York.

“New York City’s housing shortage is too large for any one neighborhood to solve, and meeting it will require every part of the city to be part of the solution,” said Tom Wright, President & CEO of the Regional Plan Association. “That is why voters approved the implementation of the Affordable Housing Fast Track. It is an important tool to help move critical affordable housing projects forward, while maintaining a meaningful role for communities in the review process. With the City estimating a need for roughly 700,000 additional homes over the next decade, progress requires better processes and more collaboration to ensure we deliver on what New Yorkers have voted for.”

“ANHD supported creation of the Affordable Housing Fast Track because we’ve long recognized the need for a fairer distribution of affordable housing development across all New York City neighborhoods,” said Barika X. Williams, Executive Director of the Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development (ANHD). “Today’s release of the 12 Fast Track Community Districts brings us closer to a more equitable city where every community contributes to expanding the affordable housing we so desperately need.”

“There are pronounced geographical disparities in the construction of affordable housing, with many neighborhoods producing none or next to none,” said Howard Slatkin, Executive Director of Citizens Housing and Planning Council. “The launch of a fast track process for approving land use actions that create affordable housing will speed the process of remedying these disparities, and ensuring that no neighborhood is off-limits to people seeking affordable homes.”

“Over half of New York City renters are rent-burdened. To build the housing New Yorkers need, we need all hands on deck—and all districts contributing their fair share. The Affordable Housing Fast Track speeds up the process to approve new housing, with a focus on neighborhoods that have built the least affordable housing. It is both an efficient and equitable solution to a shortage decades in the making,” said Catherine Vaughan, Co-Executive Director, Abundance New York.

New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani split the G (train) with Taoiseach Micheál Martin and visit the New York Irish Center in Queens for a little BINGO on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

After Decades of Delays, Mayor Mamdani Announces Greenpoint’s Box Street Park is Finally Underway 

Project will transform waterfront parking lot into 2.5 acres of new public green space with an esplanade, terraced seating, dog runs, native plantings, public restroom and more 

NEW YORK – Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura and NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) Commissioner Anthony Shorris today announced the start of construction on Box Street Park in Greenpoint, Brooklyn — delivering on a decades-old promise to transform a former parking lot into new public green space for North Brooklyn.

“Today, we are finally making good on a promise that Greenpoint families have been waiting decades to see fulfilled: turning a parking lot into a park,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Box Street Park will give New Yorkers a place to walk, play, rest and gather along the water, with lush gardens, open green space and pathways connecting neighbors to the waterfront. And it is proof of what becomes possible when communities organize and government delivers.”

“Our waterfront is one of our city’s great natural resources, and this new park will give New Yorkers an accessible and welcoming place to connect with their natural environment and with their neighbors,” said Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “This community never gave up on this park — and neither did we. This project is an important step toward delivering the greenspace and waterfront access that all New Yorkers deserve, and it builds on the work we’re doing up and down the Greenpoint-Williamsburg waterfront.”

“More than 20 years ago, Greenpointers were promised a new park on Commercial Street as part of the Williamsburg-Greenpoint waterfront upzoning. I’ve been fighting alongside neighbors ever since then to secure our desperately needed green space,” said Council Member Lincoln Restler. “While we’ve built tens of thousands of new homes in our community in the intervening years, Box Street Park remained a broken promise. After years of relentless advocacy, I’m thrilled that we’re finally breaking ground on this beautiful new multipurpose public park complete with lush greenery, waterfront seating, dog runs, a basketball court and a public bathroom. I’m thankful to all the neighbors who refused to give up on our promised park and to Mayor Mamdani for helping us get this done and showing that City Hall has Greenpoint’s back.”

The $40 million capital project will transform the former site of a Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) facility into a 2.5-acre public park along Newtown Creek. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of summer 2028.

The park will feature an elevated esplanade, ADA-accessible pathways, terraced granite seating, lush gardens, a green lawn, a basketball court, a picnic area, separate dog runs for small and large dogs and a public restroom.

Native plants will cool and clean the air while strengthening the site’s resilience to extreme weather and creating habitat for local wildlife. Visitors will enjoy blackgum and Eastern redbud trees, colorful purple love grass and little bluestem grasses, and Virginia rose and seaside goldenrod shrubs and perennials.

“New Yorkers cherish our city’s outdoor public spaces, and every community across the five boroughs deserves a high-quality park close to home,” said NYCEDC President & CEO Anthony Shorris. “NYCEDC is thrilled to break ground on Box Street Park alongside our partners at NYC Parks and across city government, closing a key gap on the Brooklyn waterfront and delivering a new vibrant green space the Greenpoint community will enjoy for generations to come.”

Once complete, the project will fill a critical gap along the waterfront at the northern tip of Greenpoint, connecting with waterfront esplanades to the east and west. The park will ultimately expand an additional 0.5 acres after the MTA’s Emergency Response Unit (ERU) is relocated from the southeastern corner of the site.

The current 2.5-acre capital project is fully funded with $34.5 million from the Office of the Mayor — including a $2 million investment the Mamdani administration made in the September Capital Commitment Plan released this week, $500,000 from the City Council and approximately $5 million from local developers through air rights sales and private funds.

“For more than a decade, I’ve been proud to stand with Greenpoint residents and community leaders in the fight to make Box Street Park a reality,” said Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez. “For years, this site has been a missing tooth in the string of waterfront parks promised as part of the 2005 rezoning. Now, this community will finally get the open space it was promised and a place for families and neighbors to gather for years to come. I’m thrilled that construction is moving forward and grateful to Mayor Mamdani, Council Member Restler and everyone who helped get us to this point.”

“Greenpoint has some of the lowest park space per person in the city,” said Assemblymember Emily Gallagher. “As our district has seen an explosion in development and population over the past two decades, the need for greenspace — which make our neighborhoods more livable and serve as places to build community — has only become more urgent. Though long overdue, I’m so excited that the city will finally begin construction on Box Street Park.”

“Box Street Park has been part of the vision for a continuous Greenpoint-Williamsburg waterfront for more than twenty years, and today’s groundbreaking is an important step toward realizing that promise,” said Katie Denny Horowitz, Executive Director of the North Brooklyn Parks Alliance. “Throughout that time, this particular site has required extraordinary coordination across New York City and New York State, and we are grateful to Mayor Mamdani and Council Member Restler, alongside the elected officials, agency partners and community advocates who have remained committed to seeing this project through. With an accessible shoreline, new green space and a much-needed dog run, Box Street Park marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for northern Greenpoint, with major investments along Commercial Street still to come.”

Mayor Mamdani meets with H.E. Dr. Alexander Van der Bellen, Federal President of Austria. City Hall. September 23, 2026. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

Mayor Mamdani Tells Subscription Traps: Click-to-Cancel — or Pay Up 

New York City’s Click-to-Cancel rule takes effect today, with fines starting at $525 per violation

In 10 weeks, the City’s PIT Crew built a new online portal to make filing complaints faster and easier for New Yorkers 

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) Commissioner Lisa Gelobter announced that New York City’s “Click-to-Cancel” rule is now in effect, giving the City new authority to crack down on businesses that make it difficult for consumers to cancel subscriptions.

The administration also launched a new online complaint portal, built in just 10 weeks by OTI’s Public Interest Technology (PIT) Crew, making it easier for New Yorkers to report subscription traps and seek help from the City.

The rule follows Mayor Mamdani’s Jan. 5 signing of Executive Order 10, which directed DCWP to prioritize enforcement against deceptive subscription practices and consider new rules to stop them. Starting today, businesses that make it difficult for consumers to cancel a subscription can face restitution and civil penalties, with fines starting at $525 per violation. The Roosevelt Institute estimates the rule could save New Yorkers up to $162.5 million per year.

New Yorkers can file complaints at nyc.gov/click-to-cancel.

“No one should need 45 minutes of hold music to stop paying for something they never wanted,” said Mayor Mamdani. “New Yorkers work too hard for their money to have it drained by a subscription they can’t cancel. If a company can take your money with one click, you should be able to get your money back with one click. And now, if they won’t let you cancel, the City is coming for them.”

“This administration is putting its enforcement power behind affordability for working New Yorkers,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su. “The rule gives DCWP the authority to hold businesses accountable, and the portal gives New Yorkers a straightforward way to ask for help. I thank Commissioners Levine and Gelobter and their teams for delivering both.”

“If you signed up for a subscription online, you should be able to cancel online,” said DCWP Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine. “To any company taking money from working people through subscription tricks and traps: you’re on notice. And to New Yorkers struggling to cancel a subscription, file a complaint through our new portal today. We have your back.”

“Government technology should work for the people, not against them,” said CTO and OTI Commissioner Lisa Gelobter. “Building this tool in house let us move quickly and design it around what New Yorkers told us they needed. We are proud to partner with DCWP to defend consumers in all five boroughs.”

What the Rule Requires

The rule gives DCWP citywide authority to enforce simple cancellation practices for consumers. It targets practices including “free trials” that quietly convert into paid subscriptions and cancellation processes buried behind unnecessary steps or unclear instructions.

Under the rule, businesses must provide consumers with a straightforward, transparent way to cancel a subscription. Businesses must also provide clear disclosures when consumers purchase, enroll in, or cancel a subscription.

The rule applies to subscriptions that qualify as automatic renewals or continuous service offers.

New York City is the first municipality in the country to implement a Click-to-Cancel rule.

File a Complaint at nyc.gov/click-to-cancel

OTI’s PIT Crew teamed up with DCWP to build a new, easy-to-use way for New Yorkers to file complaints about subscription traps. The PIT Crew, launched in July by Mayor Mamdani and CTO Gelobter, built the tool in just 10 weeks, designing and testing it with New Yorkers throughout development. The new portal is designed to make filing a complaint faster and easier, connect seamlessly with DCWP’s enforcement teams, meet high accessibility standards and be available in every major language spoken in New York City.

New Yorkers can file complaints online, by mail or by fax. After filing, they can check the status of their complaint using the complaint number they receive. In many cases, DCWP mediators will review the complaint and work with the consumer and the business to resolve it.

New Yorkers should file a complaint at nyc.gov/click-to-cancel if:

• The business did not clearly explain the terms of the subscription.
• The business made it difficult to cancel. For example, requiring a consumer who signed up online to cancel by phone or in person.
• The business delayed canceling the subscription.
• The business sent products the consumer did not request and expected the consumer to return or pay for them.
• The business did not notify the consumer about changes to the subscription terms.
• The business did not disclose that the subscription would automatically renew.

Mayor Mamdani participates in a fireside chat at Climate Desk Live: AI, Energy, and Our Fight for Democracy and a Healthy, Affordable Future. Tishman Auditorium, Manhattan. Thursday, September 24, 2026. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

Mayor Mamdani participates in a fireside chat at Climate Desk Live: AI, Energy, and Our Fight for Democracy and a Healthy, Affordable Future. Tishman Auditorium, Manhattan. Thursday, September 24, 2026. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

Today’s announcement builds on NYC Talent’s work to expand apprenticeship opportunities citywide through its Apprenticeship Accelerator team, which has invested $2.1 million to pioneer innovative workforce models and expand apprenticeships in diverse sectors, including early childhood education, tech, and healthcare. These investments reflect the administration’s commitment to build a stronger workforce and support working families through improved access to good jobs and child care.
“Investing in early child care apprenticeships is how we build the workforce capacity necessary to deliver universal childcare and create more pathways to careers in education,” said Mayor Mamdani. “This model benefits employers, workers and students: it reduces turnover, expands the educator talent pool, and enhances the quality of education for our youngest learners.“
“Child care workers and educators are the foundation of our economy, making it possible for parents across the city to join the workforce and children to lead long, healthy lives,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su. “When we invest in apprenticeships, we are investing in the future of our workforce, the future our kids, and the future of our city.”
“Early childhood education is a critical part of our city’s infrastructure, and we know it is only as strong as the workforce behind it,” said Doug Lipari, Executive Director of NYC Talent. “NYC Talent is proud to deliver for workers through these apprenticeship programs that offer New Yorkers a paid pathway to skills, credentials, and career advancement, while helping employers build sustainable talent pipelines. Apprenticeship is a critical part of an equitable citywide workforce strategy that connects New Yorkers to good jobs, and helps create a strong, inclusive economy.”

“There is no early childhood education without early childhood educators. As we expand high-quality, affordable, and universal childcare, expanding the pool of professionals working with our youngest New Yorkers must be a priority in tandem,” said Emmy Liss, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education. “These apprenticeships will give educators access to additional resources and support that can help carve a path to long-term career advancement and ultimately deliver every child the bright start in life they deserve.”

In fields like entry-level early childhood education, which have historically struggled with lower wages and high turnover, apprenticeships break down systemic barriers to employment, scaffold against common pitfalls, and provide a vital pathway to long-term career advancement. The apprenticeship programs at PDI and KCC, both blend robust community outreach, certifications in industry-recognized credentials, ongoing mentorship, college advisement and education subsidies, paid on-the-job training and access to vital supportive services to help apprentices break ground and build their careers in early childhood education. While childcare businesses citywide struggle with employee retention, these apprenticeships are demonstrating the value of apprenticeship in improving outcomes that are equally important to workers—who are overwhelmingly women of color—and the families that depend on them:

• CUNY PDI’s apprenticeship posted one-year retention rates of 80%;
• KCC’s apprenticeship improved their overall retention by more than 20%, with 86% of early childhood educator apprentices still employed after one year.

New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani joins Prime Minister Rob Jetten of the Netherlands for a discussion with LGBTQ+ youth at the The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in Manhattan on Thursday, September 24,, 2026. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

NEW YORK – Mayor Mamdani and the NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) today announced that the city will deliver free child care to more than 10,000 children by moving them off the child care voucher waitlist. Supported by a $1.2 billion investment from Governor Kathy Hochul towards the city’s free child care initiatives, today’s announcement will support low-income children ages 6 weeks to 13 years, and through age 19 for children with special needs.

As part of today’s announcement, the City has added a new feature to its child care map and website – nyc.gov/childcare – which allows families, for the first time ever, to search for licensed child care programs and filter for which of them accept child care vouchers. This announcement comes on the heels of a $5.2 million investment by Mayor Mamdani to eliminate all out-of-pocket fees for families receiving child care vouchers in New York City and builds upon the launch of 2-K, the city’s first free, universal child care program for two-year-olds.

“For families struggling to make ends meet, and the providers who deliver them high-quality and consistent child care, access to vouchers is nothing short of transformational. Today’s voucher expansion is a critical step in ensuring no family is left behind in our movement towards universal childcare,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Raising a family in the wealthiest city in the wealthiest country should never be the source of fear, stress and worry. In partnership with Governor Hochul, we will work tirelessly to make sure New York City is a place families are proud to call home.”

“Today’s historic free child care expansion will bring relief to thousands more families across New York City,” said Governor Hochul. “In partnership with Mayor Mamdani, we’re building a child caresystem that lifts up every family, from launching 2-K and expanding 3-K to moving families off waitlists and into high-quality care. No family should struggle to afford the child care they need and deserve, and I’ll keep fighting to deliver universal child care for every family across our city and state.”

“Thanks to the commitment of Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul, over the coming months, ACS will be able to provide child care assistance to thousands more children. This is a win for children and families; a win for providers; and a win for the City of New York,” said ACS Commissioner Rebecca Jones Gaston.

“For many of the City’s lowest-income families and the child care providers who serve their communities, the Child Care Assistance Program is a lifeline, providing access to subsidized care that can make the difference between whether a parent can go to work and afford to raise their family here,” said Emmy Liss, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education. “The Administration’s plan to expand access to care, enabled by the Governor’s investments, is a critical step in our overall commitment to deliver universal child care for all.”

The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) provides subsidized child care for eligible children ages 6 weeks through 13 years old, and through age 19 for children with special needs. On day eight of this Administration, Governor Kathy Hochul committed $1.2 billion towards child care in New York City, including $475 million specifically to child care vouchers. Today’s announcement is a culmination of significant work by the city to stabilize vouchers for existing recipients and identify funds for expansion.

Over the next few weeks, ACS will begin inviting families with children on the waitlist to apply for a voucher. If they are eligible, they will receive a voucher to cover the cost of care at a provider of their choice. Families will be invited on a rolling basis over the next few months. As mandated by the federal government, ACS will prioritize families that have income under 300 percent of the federal poverty line, are unhoused, or have a child with special needs.

“By harnessing the power of technology and data, the Mamdani administration is making it easier for New Yorkers to access the government services they need,” said NYC Chief Technology Officer and Office of Technology and Innovation Commissioner Lisa Gelobter. “Our Child Care Map update means NYC families don’t have to make phone calls to learn if the center they want accepts vouchers. For the first time, the City is providing this information directly to families in a single place at the click of a button — saving them valuable time and empowering better, more informed decisions.”

“Today’s announcement marks a significant step forward in ensuring access to quality childcare for thousands of families across our city,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “Too often financial barriers stand in the way of our youngest residents receiving the highest quality care, support, and opportunities they need to excel. This investment will help ease that burden for families in our borough and provide greater peace of mind as they work to build a brighter future for their children. Thank you to Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul for continuing to prioritize initiatives that bring our city one step closer to achieving universal childcare”

“The $475 million that will directly fund the Childcare Assistance Program vouchers, which removes thousands of children off of the waitlist and into quality care, will be transformative for families and our communities” said Chair of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood Education, Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez. “The growing number of children on the waitlist was a cause of concern for me and so many of my colleagues. Working families have more to worry about now than ever before. With the cost of groceries, housing, and healthcare so high, these CCAP vouchers provide a sigh of relief for so many families, knowing the cost of their childcare is taken care of. I applaud the Mamdani and Hochul administrations for their unwavering support to improve the way our city shows up for parents, and I look forward to the program’s implementation.”

“I am excited to see the City begin moving children off the CCAP waitlist and connecting thousands of families with the child care vouchers they have been waiting for. Our families deserve access to safe, quality, affordable child care, and parents deserve the support they need to work, provide for their families, and give their children the best opportunities to thrive. As Chair of the Committee on Children and Youth, I will continue to push for transparency and accountability to ensure that families are receiving the support they are eligible for and that we continue working to reach the thousands of children who remain on the waitlist. This is an important step forward, and we must keep moving until every family who needs a voucher has an opportunity to access one,” said Councilwoman Althea Stevens, Chair of the Committee on Children & Youth.

“I’m ecstatic today. For years, underfunding at the state level has let New York City’s waitlist for child care vouchers balloon. But with this announcement, the parents of 10,000 children can rest easy knowing that they didn’t wait in vain. It’s a huge leap forward, and I’m glad Mayor Mamdani worked so hard for this,” said State Senator Jabari Brisport, Chair of the Committee on Children & Families.

“This is an extremely meaningful reopening of the CCAP waitlists that will give thousands of families the support they need right now. I’m incredibly grateful to Assembly Speaker Heastie, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Governor Hochul, Mayor Mamdani, and all of their leadership teams who worked tirelessly to get this done,” said Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi, Chair of the Committee on Children & Families.

“This sweeping expansion of childcare vouchers will be lifeline for thousands of low-income families in New York City,” said Council Member Lincoln Restler. “These vouchers will keep thousands of young families in New York City by providing the reliable, full-time childcare they desperately need. I deeply appreciate Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul’s unprecedented investments in childcare vouchers and their commitment to expanding affordable early childhood education for New York City families.”

“With Governor Hochul making a major investment in child care and Mayor Mamdani bringing a clear commitment and focus to expanding access, thousands of New York City families and children will see real benefits,” said Council Member Eric Dinowitz, Chair of the Committee on Education. “As a former public school teacher, I know firsthand that the best investment we can make is in our children and working families. Affordable, high-quality child care gives children a strong start while giving parents the security and opportunity they need to work and support their families.”

“Funding the Child Care Assistance Program is critical to the families I represent. Through multiple administrations, I have pushed for increased funding so vulnerable families who rely on this program are not stuck on a seemingly endless waitlist,” said Council Member Simcha Felder. “With today’s announcement, relief is coming to thousands of parents and caregivers. I want to thank our parent and provider advocates for their tireless work, and Mayor Mamdani for making this a priority.”

“Affordable child care is essential for families and for New York City’s economy. It allows parents to stay in the workforce, creates jobs for child care providers, and gives children a safe place to learn and grow. I appreciate the Mayor and ACS making this investment and beginning to move children off the voucher waitlist after 16 months. This will make a real difference for working families, and I look forward to continuing this work so even more families can get the child care they need,” said Council Member Gale A. Brewer.

“Affordable and reliable child care can be life-changing for working families. Ten thousand New York families will soon have access to these benefits when they move off the waitlist for the Child Care Assistance Program and are able to apply for vouchers that will allow them to afford the program of their choosing. I commend Mayor Mamdani for increasing access to child care for low-income families,” said State Senator Kristen Gonzalez.

“As a father and a leader in advancing policies and investments that support children and families, I know that access to affordable, quality child care can shape the stability and future of an entire household,” said Council Member Kevin C. Riley. “Providing child care assistance to more than 10,000 children currently awaiting support is meaningful progress for working families across our city. When parents have reliable child care, they have greater freedom to work, pursue opportunities and build a stronger future for their families. I commend Mayor Mamdani, Governor Hochul and ACS for their partnership and continued investment, and I look forward to remaining a strong partner in our shared work to make quality child care more accessible and affordable for every New York family.”

“More than 10,000 children now have a place in free childcare and their parents have one less worry,” said Council Member Julie Won. “The Child Care Assistance Program affordable helps working class and immigrant families live more comfortably and thrive in New York City. Thank you to Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul for investing in this program, opening up the ACS Childcare Voucher waitlist until all eligible families and their children have free or affordable care.”

“Expanding access to child care vouchers represent an important step for families who have been waiting for this support, including many families in the Bronx and specifically throughout the 32nd senatorial district that I am proud to represent. Moving more than 10,000 children off the waiting list means addressing an urgent need that directly affects the stability of working households across our city. For too many families, the cost of child care can mean making difficult choices between work, education, and other basic household needs. For this reason, access to affordable, high-quality child care is an investment in our children, but also in the economic security and well-being of their families. I commend Mayor Zohran Mamdani for expanding access to this critical support and Governor Kathy Hochul for the significant state investment helping make it possible. I look forward to continuing our work together to make child care more accessible and affordable for families in the Bronx and across New York City,” said New York State Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda.

“Every parent should be able to know their child is safe, cared for, and supported while they work, go to school, or provide for their family. For more than a year, nearly 29,000 low-income children have been waiting for child care assistance, and behind every number is a family trying to build a stable future. I’m glad we are finally able to begin moving children off the waitlist and connecting thousands of families to the care they need, but we cannot stop here. New York must stop treating child care as a benefit available to some families and build a truly universal system where every child has access to affordable, high-quality care, regardless of their family’s income. We need to keep investing until there are no waitlists, no gaps in coverage, and no families left behind. Universal child care must be the destination, not a promise for someday, but the standard we build toward now,” said Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas.

“Families across Brooklyn and the Assembly District 58 know firsthand that access to quality, affordable child care can make all the difference. When parents have the support they need to work, provide for their families, and build a better future, our entire community benefits. As a mother of four, a former child care provider, and now a legislator, I am proud to support this investment in our children and families; and grateful to Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul for making child care access a priority,” said Assemblywoman Monique Chandler-Waterman.

”This expansion of access creates a strong early childhood education pipeline that will be a tremendous benefit to families. Every day, we hear concerns about childcare access and the affordability of programs. This critical and necessary investment will help eliminate those barriers, ensuring that more families can access the quality care and educational opportunities they need while navigating life in one of the most expensive cities in the world,” said Assemblyman Khaleel Anderson.

“For too many New Yorkers, raising a family in the city they love can feel like an economic burden rather than a joy. The Child Care Assistance Program is a lifeline for working parents, and moving 10,000 children off the waitlist is a huge step toward ensuring no family is left behind,” said Assemblymember Micah Lasher. “I’m grateful to both Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul for delivering the investments needed to make quality, affordable child care a reality for more New Yorkers.”

“Child care is about more than a seat in a classroom, it’s about whether a parent can go to work, pay the rent, and build a better future for their family. Getting more than 10,000 children off the waitlist is a real step forward. I commend Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul for making this investment, and I’ll keep fighting to make sure we continue to expand access to high quality childcare for every child in our state,” said Assemblyman Landon Dais.

Opening the waitlist opens doors for families. ECE on the Move thanks Mayor Mamdani for helping release funding that had been held back so more families can access child care. This is a welcome step, and our work continues until every family waiting can receive care. We need the Mayor and Governor to build on this progress with sustained new investment, full CCAP funding, living wages for educators in every setting, and benefits comparable to K–12. Access for families and pay justice for educators must move forward together,” said Gladys Jones, Founder and CEO, ECE on the Move.

“As New York City moves toward universal child care, connecting more families to care while making full use of the child care capacity that already exists in our communities is the most effective and immediate way to expand access. Moving families off the child care voucher waitlist makes an immediate difference in their ability to work, go to school, and support their families with the peace of mind that their children have a safe place to learn and grow. At the same time, filling available seats helps sustain the programs and educators who make quality child care possible every day. This investment puts existing capacity and resources to work for more New York City families,” said Tara N. Gardner, Executive Director, Day Care Council of New York.

“Vouchers are how most two-year-olds reach publicly funded care today: nearly three in four in the 2-K pilot districts, according to CCC’s analysis released today. Recurring funding to move families off the waitlist connects more children with care, year after year. As the City builds toward universal 2-K and universal child care, voucher access must keep growing alongside investment in providers, the workforce, and facilities, especially in neighborhoods where care is hardest to find,” said Raysa S. Rodriguez, executive director of Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York.

“As Chair of the UFT Family Child Care Providers Chapter, I know firsthand that child care vouchers support both the families who need care and the providers who make that care possible. When families have access to vouchers, children gain stable, nurturing learning environments, parents can work, and child care providers can maintain enrollment and sustain their programs. This investment strengthens the entire child care system of New York City,” said Tammie Miller, UFT Chapter Chair – NYC Childcare Providers.

“New York City’s child care voucher waitlist has left families with fewer care options and providers with unstable revenue on top of very thin operating margins. Access to high quality, full day, full year child care is life-changing for families who otherwise could not afford to pay. Mayor Mamdani is taking the right steps by addressing the waitlist so that more New Yorkers have the support they need,” said Susan Stamler, Executive Director, United Neighborhood Houses.

“Thousands of struggling New York City families have been stuck waiting for access to a CCAP voucher that would allow them to afford childcare. We’re excited to stand with the Mayor and allies across the city as he announces that for many families the wait is finally over. The call to make childcare universal is one of the reasons NYCC supported Mayor Mamdani’s campaign from day one. Today his administration takes yet another step towards fulfilling that promise. But truly universal childcare includes budgeting for the true cost of providing child care — including the cost of thriving wages and benefits for the entire workforce — while guaranteeing care for every family. We will continue to fight to ensure that the city has the resources we need to make the promise of universal childcare a reality for every family that needs it,” said Olivia Leirer, executive director of New York Communities for Change.

“We applaud the City’s increased investment in the child care voucher program. Vouchers are an especially important source of support for many children and parents who rely on family child care programs. As these programs begin to restore their rosters, parents will be able to work without worry, and children will be able to get back to the business of learning through play. We are thrilled to see the City take this important step toward fully funding the child care voucher program,” Jessica Sager, Co-Founder and CEO, All Our Kin.

“We commend Mayor Mamdani and his administration for beginning to clear NYC’s child care assistance waiting list. Families who have been waiting for child care assistance will finally get some relief, as will the educators and providers who serve them. The waiting list is the product of chronic underfunding and increased need, and while the state has begun to address this crisis, it must go further and act boldly. Mayor Mamdani has rightly called for taxing the ultra-wealthy to pay more so we can invest in our New York. We stand by that call, and are ready to fight alongside families and providers for the well-funded, truly universal child care system New Yorkers need,” said Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari, Co Executive Director, Alliance for Quality Education.

“For working parents in this city, finding affordable, high-quality childcare is one of the primary sources of stress and anxiety. With over 25,000 students on waiting lists for childcare vouchers, immigrant and working-class parents often have to make the difficult decision between sending their children to daycare so they can get to their job or putting food on the table. No family should ever be put in that position. Mayor Mamdani has taken seriously the concerns of our community, and we applaud his administration’s efforts to cut down the waiting list. We look forward to continuing to work with him to make universal childcare a reality in New York City,” said Julissa Bisono, Director of Base Building, Make the Road NY.

“Las Doñas applauds Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his administration for taking a major step toward reducing the child care waiting list—a priority that parents, providers, and advocates have organized around for years. This progress brings New York City closer to the promise of truly universal child care and reflects the power of families and providers who have continued to demand change. But universal child care must also mean investing in the providers who make the system possible. Las Doñas will continue to collaborate, advocate, and organize until every family has access to affordable, quality child care and every provider receives the fair wages, dignity, and respect they deserve,” said Tony Alarcon, Executive Director, Las Doñas.

“We are overjoyed to hear that in the coming days, the families of more than 10,000 New York City children will be receiving the life-changing news that they will receive a child care assistance voucher. For these families, this will mean the end of months of juggling bills, work shifts, and care arrangements; months of stress, sleepless nights and worry.  And for the child care providers who supported these families as best they could during these months of uncertainty, they too can breathe a sigh of relief,” said Dede Hill, Vice President of Policy, Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy. “Today we thank Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul for their historic leadership on child care, and celebrate this exciting news; tomorrow we will redouble our efforts to ensure State and City leaders deliver child care assistance to the tens of thousands of additional families in New York City and around the state still waiting for relief.”

“The Empire State Campaign for Child Care has been advocating for clearing the growing Child Care Assistance Program waitlist since February 2025. We commend Mayor Mamdani and the Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education for taking this significant step to alleviate the struggle for so many of New York City’s children and families, and the educators who care for them. To deliver universal child care in the city and across the state, clearing this waitlist must remain a top priority for elected officials. We will continue to advocate for sustained investments in the Child Care Assistance Program in every region of New York,” said Shoshana Hershkowitz, Campaign Manager for the Empire State Campaign for Child Care.

“Providers and parents have been rallying to demand that City and State officials clear the CCAP waitlist for over a year, since before Mayor Mamdani took office. Today, we can pause to celebrate that our organizing has made a difference for thousands of NYC families and providers. At the same time, we are excited to stand with the Mayor and allies across the City to make our case together: Governor Hochul must fully fund CCAP. Full funding means budgeting for the true cost of providing child care — including the cost of thriving wages and benefits for the entire workforce — while guaranteeing care for every eligible family. Our coalition recognizes the important step the Mayor is taking today and the meaningful strides this administration has made to take providers’ voices seriously. Now, we look forward to advocating together to finish the job in the upcoming budget season,” said Ben Parisi, Director of Strategic Campaign Initiatives at The Action Lab and a coordinator of the Providers Organized for Power coalition.

“Child care costs are crippling families in New York. Parents struggling to make ends meet shouldn’t have to shell out the equivalent of a mortgage for child care.While no family should have to jump through hoops just to access an essential public good, today’s announcement will bring much needed relief to so many families, and it’s welcome news as we build toward the universal child care program that Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani are committed to developing,” said Rebecca Bailin, Executive Director, New Yorkers United for Child Care.

“Moving families off the child care voucher waitlist means relief for thousands of New Yorkers, who can now access the care they qualify for. Child care programs in every borough, especially family child care providers, have been holding seats for these families. They can fill those seats and keep their doors open. More parents can go to work. Most importantly, our youngest children will have access to steady, quality early learning. This is a giant step toward Universal Child Care, and we applaud the Mamdani administration for making it happen,” said Jaime-Jin Lewis, Founder and CEO, Wiggle Room.

New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani joins Prime Minister Rob Jetten of the Netherlands for a discussion with LGBTQ+ youth at the The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in Manhattan on Thursday, September 24,, 2026. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

NEW YORK – Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Yume Kitasei today announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with organized labor unions to revitalize the civil service system and speed up hiring for jobs in City government.

The Civil Service Modernization Advisory Committee is comprised of government and labor partners and will prioritize both in-house solutions and legislative recommendations to improve the civil service system.

DCAS Commissioner Yume Kitasei will chair the committee, with DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido serving as vice-chair. Committee members include:

• Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson

• Office of Labor Relations (OLR) Commissioner Renee Campion

• Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Sherif Soliman

• Law Department Corporation Counsel Steve Banks

• Chief Counsel Ramzi Kassem

• Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Erin Dalton

• CWA Local 1180 President Gloria Middleton

• SEIU Local 246 President Joseph A. Colangelo

• SSEU Local 371 President Anthony Wells

• COBA President Benny Boscio Jr.

“It should be easy, fast and fair to find a good-paying job serving the city we call home,” said Mayor Mamdani. “In this historic partnership with labor leaders, our administration is prioritizing the quick fixes and long-term solutions that speed up hiring in City government. From addressing the current time to hire to advancing new and innovative testing strategies, this committee is already at work coming up with ideas to build a civil service system truly worthy of our city.”

“The civil service system is a foundational component of municipal work, and after over a hundred years, it is time to update,” said DCAS Commissioner Kitasei. “Through our first-ever modernization committee, we’ll be working with partners from across the city to make the civil service system faster, more transparent, easier for workers to navigate and aligned with the 21st-century workforce and operational needs.”

“A strong, efficient civil service system is vital to both our municipal workforce and the New York City residents who rely on city services every day,” said OLR Commissioner Renee Campion. “By partnering closely with our labor leaders, we can cut through administrative hurdles and build a faster, more modern hiring framework. This committee is a crucial step forward in ensuring we continue to attract and retain the dedicated talent our city deserves.”

The New York City civil service system, administered by DCAS, promotes fair, merit-based hiring and promotion, creates career pathways for job seekers and employees and provides important legal protections for the workforce.

Though New York was the first state to adopt a civil service system in 1883, the system suffers from outdated technology, burdensome administrative processes, lengthy timelines and fragmented responsibility across agencies — limiting its ability to meet today’s needs. 

The Civil Service Modernization Committee will put forth recommendations for in-house solutions and legislative actions to create a hiring system that is fast, transparent and modern. Key priorities include:

• Fast and high-quality process: Faster ways to hire qualified talent while still ensuring a system of integrity.

• Transparent and trustworthy: A fair, merit-based, easy-to-navigate system that attracts top talent.

• Clear pathways: Easy access to City service opportunities and career advancement. 

• Modern tech systems: A digital interface that meets the demands of the 21st-century and allows for seamless navigation for City workers and agencies alike. 

Since taking office, the Mamdani administration has prioritized connecting New Yorkers with job opportunities in City government. In July, Mayor Mamdani announced free civil service exams for New York City high school students and first-time test takers. In August, DCAS doubled the Civil Service Pathways Fellowship, creating a direct pathway from college to City government careers for 400 New Yorkers. And just last month, the Mayor opened the Jobs NYC Center, a walk-in hub connecting New Yorkers to good-paying jobs in public service.

The administration has also advanced new and expanded programs to increase opportunities and improve daily life for current City workers. Mayor Mamdani opened The Little Apple, the City’s first free child care center for municipal employees and their families and launched the City’s first undergraduate scholarship program for City workers.

The City of New York employs one of the largest workforces in the nation, with more than 300,000 employees; approximately 80% of positions are typically filled through the civil service system via an exam. This includes positions like sanitation worker, electrician, caseworker and staff analyst. DCAS administers about 175 exams per year.

“The civil service system levels the playing field for entry into the public sector and ensures candidates have the baseline knowledge and skills to perform the job,” said Henry Garrido, Executive Director of DC 37. “A well-trained, well-qualified workforce is essential to providing efficient services for New Yorkers.”  

“This task force gives us a chance to explore ways of improving and strengthening the civil service process and system,” said Anthony Wells, President of SSEU Local 371. “The Civil Service system has provided an even playing field and pathway to government service, and I look forward to participating in the task force.”

“As a veteran civil servant, working in the New York City Department of Correction for nearly thirty years, and as a proud union president for over six years, I’m very grateful for the opportunity to participate in the DCAS civil service task force,” said Benny Boscio Jr., President of COBA. “I look forward to collaborating with my union colleagues to examine ways to revamp and potentially enhance the civil service hiring process so the City of New York can continue to hire the best-qualified men and women to serve as essential civil servants.”

“I look forward to participating in the newly created committee, working with my fellow labor leaders and DCAS Commissioner Yume Kitasei’s team to modernize and improve the civil service exam process,” said Joseph A. Colangelo, President of SEIU Local 246. “Since the establishment of the New York City Municipal Civil Service Commission in 1884, this process has given thousands of New Yorkers rewarding careers serving the citizens of this great city.”

“I am honored to serve on the Civil Service Modernization Advisory Committee and to have the opportunity to bring the voices and experiences of our members directly to the table,” said Gloria Middleton, President of CWA Local 1180. “The civil service system has a tremendous impact on our members’ careers, from hiring and promotions to advancement opportunities and workplace protections. As the City looks at ways to strengthen and improve that system, it is critical that the workers who navigate it every day are part of the conversation. I look forward to working with the task force to help identify meaningful changes that make civil service more responsive, equitable and effective while protecting the merit-based system that public employees depend on.”

“Civil service is one of the great democratic promises of government, but a promise only matters if people can reach it,” said State Senator Robert Jackson, Chair of the Senate Civil Service and Pensions Committee. “Modernization means opening the doors of public service wider, shortening the distance between talent and opportunity and moving qualified New Yorkers through the system faster without sacrificing the merit and fairness at its foundation. I commend Mayor Mamdani, Commissioner Kitasei, DC 37 and labor leaders for bringing government and workers together to build a civil service prepared for the New York of tomorrow.”

“As Chair of the NYC Council Civil Service and Labor Committee, I am committed to improving our City’s workforce pathways and modernizing our civil service system,” said Council Member Shirley Aldebol. “The new Civil Service Modernization Advisory Committee is a massive step forward in these efforts. By bringing together a diverse coalition of experts across government and labor from the start, this committee effort has the real potential to break through the roadblocks that halted past efforts. Throughout my career, I have experienced the challenges facing our City workforce system from all angles — first as a City social worker, then as a union organizer and now as an elected official. I know firsthand the tangible impacts of long-term vacancies, slow hiring timelines and high turnover on City workers and services. I am grateful to Mayor Mamdani, DCAS Commissioner Kitasei, DC37 Executive Director Henry Garrido and all other partners for their readiness to tackle the challenges facing our City’s municipal workforce systems head-on. I look forward to working in partnership with the coalition moving forward.”

“Municipal employees are the backbone of our city, and we must foster opportunities in our efforts to hire and retain a diverse workforce,” said Council Member Carmen De La Rosa. “As the former Civil Service and Labor Chair at the Council, our committee spent years tracking and raising alarm over double-digit vacancies that plagued our agencies and impacted services to New Yorkers. Our public sector needs to be that beacon of opportunity and upward mobility once again, and waiving fees for first-time applicants under Local Law 57 of 2025 removes barriers to entry. People want work, meaningful work, so they can afford to live and have secure employment that isn’t at the mercy of mass corporate layoffs. Why not make it easier to serve the greatest city in the world?”

Mayor Mamdani hosts an international business roundtable with Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su and President and CEO of New York City Economic Development Corporation Anthony Shorris. City Hall. Thursday, September 24, 2026. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

Banner Image:  Mayor Mamdani joins the “Building an Economy for the Many” breakfast with H.E. Pedro Sánchez, President of the Government of Spain, H.E. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados and H.E. António Costa, President of the European Council. Gracie Mansion. Wednesday, September 23, 2026. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.