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Council advances 'Respect Act' pitch to deliver workforce stabilization payments for paraprofessionals
Summary
A sponsor told the Council the Respect Act would provide up to $10,000 workforce stabilization payments for eligible paraprofessionals and argued the measure would both aid low‑paid staff and reduce costly Carter litigation tied to staffing shortages.
Council members described a planned measure, called the Respect Act, to provide workforce stabilization payments of up to $10,000 to eligible paraprofessionals for work performed in the 2026–27 school year and to pursue longer‑term pay improvements.
The bill’s sponsor said paraprofessionals in New York City start at about $32,000 a year and that the city faces roughly 1,600 vacancies in those roles. "Paraprofessionals in New York City make a stunning $32,000 a year in the most expensive city in the country," the sponsor said, and relayed stories of paraprofessionals relying on food pantries or shelters.
Speaker Menon argued the one‑time stabilization payment would help fill vacancies and reduce the city’s legally driven Carter‑case costs, which she characterized in remarks as about $1,500,000,000 annually. Council members said they had broad support within the body and would press for collective bargaining or budget remedies when possible, stressing that the payment is part of a multi‑year push to raise paraprofessional wages and stabilize the workforce.
The transcript records sponsor statements of need, vacancy counts and an asserted link between pay and Carter litigation costs; it does not show a completed vote on the measure in this session. Council members said they had 47 members supporting the measure and that, if necessary, the Council could override a mayoral veto, but the transcript does not contain a formal veto action or vote tally.
