Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.1755-C/A.2720-B, to establish a temporary state commission to conduct a feasibility study on the formation and control of a state public bank.

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Res. No. 651 ..Title Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.1755-C/A.2720-B, to establish a temporary state commission to conduct a feasibility study on the formation and control of a state public bank. ..Body By Council Members Williams, Riley, Brooks-Powers, Banks, Oss� and Hudson Whereas, According to 2021 data from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, 305,700 households in New York City have no bank account, or are "unbanked"; and Whereas, The 9.4 percent unbanked rate among New York City households exceeds the 4.5 percent nationwide rate; and Whereas, Since 2015, eight of the nine New York City neighborhoods with the highest unbanked rates have been consistently predominantly Black or Hispanic neighborhoods; and Whereas, Since 2015, eight of the nine New York City neighborhoods with the highest unbanked rates have been among those with the highest poverty rates and lowest median household incomes; and Whereas, A public bank is a financial institution created by the state for the public benefit of the community; and Whereas, A public bank is capable of facilitating banking services to economically disadvantaged communities, providing affordable credit lines, loans, and other such financial tools to small businesses, homebuyers, and prospective college students; and Whereas, The state of North Dakota has operated a public bank, the Bank of North Dakota, since 1919; and Whereas, The Bank of North Dakota has made a profit every year since its founding while offering affordable loans to students, farmers, and small businesses; and Whereas, New York State Senator James Sanders Jr. has introduced S.1755-C, now pending in the New York State Senate, and New York State Assembly Member Crystal Peoples-Stokes has introduced companion bill A.2720-B, now pending in the New York State Assembly, which would establish a temporary commission to determine what benefits a public bank owned by the state of New York or by a public authority constituted by the state of New York can provide; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.1755-C/A.2720-B, to establish a temporary state commission to conduct a feasibility study on the formation and control of a state public bank. LS #17371 10/24/2024 2:03pm MJT 2

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