On Wednesday, Mayor Adams’ administration announced the baselining of $167 million in early childhood education funding in the city budget, including $112 million for 3-K and $55 million for pre-school special education classes. However, the announcement does not include baselined funding for other education priorities championed by the Council. In response, Speaker Adrienne Adams, Finance Committee Chair Justin Brannan, and Education Committee Chair Rita Joseph released the following joint statement.

“Access to a strong early childhood education system is imperative for working- and middle-class families to remain in our city and raise their children here. While it is positive that Mayor Adams is returning and baselining some of the money withheld from his budget that the Council fought for, he is still cutting tens of millions of dollars from our children. Taking funding away from children’s programs that our families rely on and putting some of it back does not truly help in the long-term, but harms the early childhood education system. This announcement still leaves out necessary funding for special education services required by law for children in general and integrated classrooms and leaves in place tens of millions of dollars in cuts for extended-day/extended-year seats, childcare vouchers, and outreach to help families access programs. The Council has consistently led efforts in the City to prioritize early childhood education and secure the funding for these vital programs and services. The administration must fully invest in all these programs to best meet the needs of children and families, and the Council will continue fighting for all these resources to be restored and provided.”

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