“New York City’s economy has proven to be durable and resilient, resulting in greater tax revenues that the Council’s economists accurately projected. It is imperative that the City’s resources are meaningfully invested in solutions to the challenges facing working-class New Yorkers, and the Administration’s investments must align with its stated goals. While housing and infrastructure investments from the Council’s City for All plan are included in the FY26 Preliminary Budget, there are still investments missing from major city priorities. Vital education programs that help our students and were funded in last year’s budget are not supported in the mayor’s new proposal. The Administration’s proposed responses to mental health also fail to present the adequate level of investment that matches the scale of need in our city. While we are pleased to see funding for more positions in the Parks Department to clean hot spots that require more maintenance, the mayor’s previous cuts to our green spaces remain unrestored.

“As stewards of our city’s budget and financial health, the Administration must examine and curb wasteful spending that does not serve New Yorkers’ needs, as recent allegations of overtime corruption that are part of repeated budget overages consistently flagged by the Council indicate. The Council will more closely examine the details of the Preliminary Budget, hold oversight hearings on agency budgets, and continue to prioritize investments that advance a stronger and more equitable city for all.”

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