Mayor Eric Adams requests 5% budget cuts from every city agency, citing asylum seeker crisis costs
NEW YORK -- Major budget cuts could be coming to every New York City agency in response to the asylum seeker crisis.
Mayor Eric Adams is requesting 5% cuts across the board by November with a total of 15% cuts by next April.
He says the city estimates the influx of asylum seekers will cost $12 billion over three fiscal years.
The proposed cuts will not include layoffs, but the mayor says slashing services and leaving vacancies unfilled will be felt.
"For the better part of a year now, I have been clear that these costs will impact every city service ... The simple truth is longtime New Yorkers and asylum seekers will feel these potential cuts, and they will hurt," Adams said.
The mayor claims the cuts are in direct response to what he calls "inaction" from both federal and state lawmakers.
The city has spent nearly $1.5 billion since last spring to house and assist asylum seekers.
City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams released a statement saying New York City cannot be expected to handle the crisis on its own.
City Comptroller Brad Lander says his office will review the proposed cuts but adds, "Scapegoating asylum seekers will not improve education, public safety, housing affordability or quality of life for New Yorkers."