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Protests over proposed NYC budget cuts
FOX 5 NY's Ashlie Rodriguez has the story.
NEW YORK CITY - Mayor Eric Adams’ budget cuts came under fire Monday by City Council members on the finance committee demanding he find other ways to close the city’s looming $7 billion deficit.
They say these cuts are aggressive and unnecessary, and the mayor is choosing to cut from agencies at a time when they could just choose to account differently.
"He’s done it five times in two years. His one move is to cut. It’s to cut, it’s to cut, and it’s to cut again," said Lincoln Restler, Council member District 33, at a rally Monday.
Mayor Adams wants every city agency to cut costs by 5%. Those cuts will help the city close its $7 billion gap, caused in part by the multi-billion-dollar migrant crisis. But some city departments don’t have a lot of fat to trim.
"We are extremely concerned," said Pierina Sanchez, Council member, District 14.
The New York City Progressive Caucus claims the cut will impact:
- Schools and after-school programs
- Social safety nets like job training programs
- Community composting
- Parks
- Taking money from health, fire, and library services
Proposed 2024 budget cuts:
- Department of Education: $2.5B
- Department of Social Services: $531M
- FDNY: $364M
- Department of Youth and Community Development: $179M
- Health & Hospitals: $110M
- Libraries: $90M
Mayor Adams' approval rating falls to 28%, lowest for any NYC mayor since 1996
Just 28 percent of New Yorkers approve of Mayor Eric Adams' job so far in office, the lowest number for any mayor since 1996.
"So, what are we doing? Shame on you," Joseph said.
The Finance committee believes it found a way to close the gap, without cuts.
- Cause reverses
- Collect fines and fees
- Eliminate unnecessary tax giveaways
- Make sure the wealthy pay their fair share
But the Mayor, they say, protects his wealthy friends from the city’s scissors.
"We knew what he was long before the FBI seized his phones," said Tiffany Caban, Council member District 22.
PREVIOUSLY: Mayor Adams unveils sweeping NYC budget cuts, blaming migrant crisis
The Mayor responded to the rally on Monday, saying the billion-dollar migrant crisis is to blame and, if he could, he would stand with the city council against these budget cuts.
"We are being undermined by Washington DC," Adams said. "They gave New York City a national problem and the price tag to go with it. It’s unfair to New Yorkers. It’s unfair to the migrants. It’s unfair to the people of the city."