The 7th cycle of Participatory Budgeting (PB) has begun. This is grassroots democracy at its best because it gives real power to people who may have never been involved in the political process before. Residents in participating districts directly decide how to spend a portion of the City’s capital budget.
This process begins each year with a series of public meetings called “Neighborhood Assemblies” community members discuss local needs and develop proposals to meet these needs. Community members can propose projects like improvements to schools, parks, libraries, public housing, and other public or community spaces. During the following spring, through a public vote community members decide which proposals to fund.
Districts 33 and 34 are veterans of PB and are revving up for Cycle 7. If you’d like to get involved, you can begin by submitting your ideas to the online idea map. Also, you could be part of the District Committee, or volunteer. To volunteer or join the District Committee in District 33 contact Benjamin Solotaire at bsolotaire@council.nyc.gov, or call 718 875 5200. To volunteer for PB in District 34 contact the district office at 244 Union Ave, Bk, ph. 718-963-3141.
For additional information on PB and how to get more involved, visit: council.nyc.gov/pb/ If you’d like to submit an idea: http://ideas.pbnyc.org/page/about
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