Alderperson Pierre Saint-Perez of Ithaca, N.Y. has praised the city's new Justice50 plan, which commits to investing at least 50% of all capital funds into climate justice communities. The plan was unanimously approved by the Ithaca Common Council last week [a3424482] [3c651f8d].
Ithaca, N.Y. has become the first city in the United States to adopt a 'climate justice' spending benchmark higher than the target set by the Biden Administration. The city council unanimously voted to require that 50% of the funding spent on its energy transition and major infrastructure investments go toward residents most at risk from climate change. This new framework, called Justice50, aims to address economic and social disparities in Ithaca by directing investments to vulnerable communities, including the historically Black Southside neighborhood. The city's plan goes beyond federal initiatives by applying the spending standard to its entire capital budget, including roads, buildings, and water infrastructure. The move is seen as a model for other cities and a way to ensure that federal funding reaches communities most affected by climate change [a3424482].
In other news, the Ithaca Common Council unanimously approved a resolution to help John Brazo, a 72-year-old lifelong Ithaca resident, who is facing foreclosure on his home due to an unpaid tax bill from 2022. The resolution allows Brazo to reclaim his home if he pays his delinquent taxes and associated fees by June 17. The council aims to provide relief for residents facing foreclosure due to missed tax payments and address the inadequacy of the city's notification process. The resolution sets a precedent for handling future cases of minor tax delinquencies that could result in severe consequences for homeowners. The properties of those who do not pay by the deadline will be disposed of by public auction on June 24 [47006b5e].