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Update on the RESPECT check

Let’s take a look at what has been going on with our RESPECT check legislation in 2026, and see where we need to go next.

What’s been happening:

  • Feb. 24: Our 2026 version of the RESPECT check bill was introduced in the City Council. A supermajority of 46 City Council members have sponsored the bill, making it veto-proof. If the mayor were to veto the bill, the Council could overturn it.
  • March 7: Julie Menin, the City Council speaker, pledged her support for the bill’s passage at our Paraprofessionals Awards Luncheon.
  • March 9: The bill had a hearing with the City Council Committee on Civil Service and Labor.
  • March 23: UFT President Michael Mulgrew testified at a City Council budget hearing and listed the RESPECT check as one of our top priorities for this year’s city budget.

Here are some highlights from President Mulgrew’s testimony at the budget hearing:

  • The city continues to spend $2 billion each year on special education noncompliance because students are not receiving special education services.
  • Passing the RESPECT check bill would cost much, much less and help to recruit and retain paraprofessionals so that students could receive the services they need.
  • Paying paraprofessionals directly will improve our school system and start to repair the harm done by the broken system of pattern bargaining.

Next steps:

First, the bill needs to be voted out of committee. Then it can be put on the agenda for a stated meeting of the full City Council for a final vote to pass it into law.

Right now, the Council is waiting for the state budget to be finalized in Albany because the outcome of the state budget will affect our city budget for next year. 

As always, we remain committed to this fight, we must keep the pressure on and we will not stop until we get the RESPECT check legislation passed. We will keep you updated.

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