CVH Echoes Public Support for Innovative Models for City Council Discretionary Funding

Community Voices Heard encouraged by Citizens Union's support for innovative pilot programs such as Participatory Budgeting; Pilot cycle of PB saw participation of more than 6,000 New Yorkers

NEW YORK, NY (05/01/2012)(readMedia)-- Agnes Rivera, co-chair of the Community Voices Heard Board of Directors, provided the following statement regarding the release today of a new report by Citizens Union of the City of New York on recommended reforms to the New York City Council discretionary funding system:

"As the lead community engagement partner in the Participatory Budgeting (PB) effort in NYC, Community Voices Heard was excited that Citizens Union noted its support today for innovative pilot programs such as Participatory Budgeting.

"Over the past year, the Participatory Budgeting pilot project saw more than 6,000 New Yorkers propose, review and vote on millions of dollars of investments that would be made in their communities. Low-income New Yorkers made up a larger portion of the PB voter turnout than traditional city elections, showing the desire for these communities to directly engage in the decisions that impact their community.

"CVH looks forward to working with our PB partners to expand this pilot project to more council districts and into city agencies over the coming years, and working to grow the funds available for community investment so that all needed projects can be fully funded."

The Citizens Union report, "Creating a More Equitable and Objective Discretionary Funding Process in NYC," states:

"GREATER INNOVATION should be utilized in the discretionary funding process. Citizens Union supports greater use of pilot programs to improve the current system such as the participatory budgeting project taking place in four council districts during the current FY 2013 budget cycle."