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6d ago

City Council Sends $10,000 Paraprofessional Stipend Bill to Mayor's Desk

The bill offers four staggered $2,500 payments to ease staffing shortages, raising legal and budget risks for city labor talks.

Three women and one man stand behind a wooden podium during a press conference.
An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows City Council Speaker Julie Menin, Image 2 shows The City Council holding a meeting
City Council Speaker Julie Menin and United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew rally ahead of the vote to give paraprofessionals a one-time bonus.

Overview

  • The City Council voted unanimously on Thursday, July 16, to approve legislation that would give full‑time public school paraprofessionals $10,000 in four $2,500 payments during the 2026–27 school year.
  • If Mayor Zohran Mamdani signs the measure within 30 days it will take effect; he has urged pay be handled through collective bargaining and has not committed to signing.
  • Union leaders including UFT President Michael Mulgrew backed the bill as a response to more than 1,500 reported support‑staff vacancies and low starting pay near $32,000.
  • Watchdogs and some insiders warn the package could cost roughly $324 million, set a precedent for off‑cycle raises, and weaken the city’s collective bargaining process.
  • Council leaders say they have enough votes to override a veto, so the next steps to watch are the mayor’s decision and possible legal or bargaining challenges if the law takes effect.