Activists rally against Mayor Adams' budget cuts, as City Council suggests alternatives
NEW YORK -- A rally was held Monday at City Hall, as officials question the need for Mayor Eric Adams' budget cuts that affect public safety and quality of life.
City Council members are suggesting other ways to navigate the tough economic times.
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The rally by progressive council members and grassroots organizations seeking to reverse the budget cuts was a stark reminder the cuts the mayor has ordered to help pay for the asylum seeker crisis and to fill the gap left by the loss of federal pandemic funds are very, very, very unpopular.
"It is completely untrue that we have to make these cuts right now," Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said.
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The rally came before a City Council budget hearing into the need for belt tightening to deal with a $7 billion budget gap and the mayor's proposals that, in the first round, would:
- Cancel the next five police classes, reducing the NYPD headcount to 29,000 -- the lowest level since the 1990s
- Reduce manning in 20 fire companies
- Hit the Department of Sanitation with many cuts, including fewer litter baskets on the street
"Cutting every agency's budget indiscriminately will disproportionally impact everyday New Yorkers," Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said.
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The council issued a budget report that found an additional $1.2 billion in tax revenue, while agreeing the city does face difficult fiscal headwinds. Finance Chair Justin Brannan slammed the Office of Management and Budget -- OMB -- for not finding the funds.
"How can the public properly assess if the city needs to make these budget cuts, when OMB is working on tax revenue projections that are essentially eight months old?" Brannan said.
"We still have a gap of $7 billion to close in 37 days," budget director Jacques Jhia said.
The council is suggesting other ways to find money, including:
- Using some of the city's budget reserves
- Collecting unpaid fees and fines
- State and federal aid
- Reviewing tax breaks which are no longer necessary
The budget director said he would be happy to work with the council on the tax break issue, but he said that while it would help in the long run, it would not fill the present gaps.
The mayor is expected to ask agencies to come up with two more rounds of budget cuts, totaling 10%. Public libraries say they are especially hard hit.