City Council members raise concerns with de Blasio’s preliminary budget
The New York City Council is scrutinizing Mayor Bill de Blasio’s $82.1 billion preliminary budget, highlighting concerns over gaps in funding, particularly for libraries, the Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC), and youth programs. Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras-Copeland pointed out the need for full funding for libraries and expressed alarm over the financial state of HHC, which is set to receive a one-time $337 million to aid its restructuring. The Council is also pushing for more investment in youth programs, contrasting with the administration’s proposal to cut a $24 million summer program for youth. Councilman Jumaane Williams emphasized the importance of youth programs in preventing gun violence, expressing disappointment in the budget’s lack of sufficient funding for such initiatives.
The preliminary budget lacks new significant spending initiatives seen in de Blasio’s earlier terms, like universal prekindergarten, with City Councilman Daniel Garodnick noting that a functional and responsible budget need not be grandiose. Amidst these discussions, controversy looms over a potential $25 million expense for relocating carriage horse stables to Central Park, a plan also involving restrictions on horse carriages and pedicabs. This plan, intended to fulfill a campaign promise by de Blasio, has drawn criticism from various stakeholders, including animal rights activists, the Teamsters, pedicab operators, and park goers, leading to frustration among City Council members over the administration’s handling of the issue. City Councilman David Greenfield criticized the compromise as a “lose-lose-lose” situation that leaves no party satisfied and raises concerns about the use of public parkland for private interests.
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