To find the value of y, we can solve the given system of equations simultaneously. Subtracting the second equation from the first equation, we get 2x = 4. Solving for x, we find that x = 2. Substituting this value of x into either of the original equations, we can solve for y. Plugging x = 2 into the first equation, we get 9(2) + 2y = 8, which simplifies to 18 + 2y = 8. By subtracting 18 from both sides, we find that 2y = -10. Dividing both sides by 2, we get y = -5. Therefore, the value of y is -5.