“The Mayor’s Executive Budget contains important pieces and addresses many of the City Council’s core priorities. This includes a strong capital investment which will be critical toward upgrading New York’s aging infrastructure while also ensuring the City has strong reserves to plan for the future. The City Council was also pleased to see funding for more after-school programs for our students, a robust investment in mental health services and funding to help fix New York’s homelessness crisis. We were especially gratified to see a strong investment in NYCHA which is the cornerstone of affordable housing in New York City.

The City Council is disappointed that the Executive Budget does not contain funding for new Police Officers who will help give Commissioner Bratton the tools he needs to continue to keep crime low while also improving police-community relations. The Council was also disappointed to see the Executive Budget does not expand funding for universal free school lunches and breakfast after the bell — both critical needs for students across the City, along with funding for year-round youth jobs. The Council will continue to advocate for these priorities moving forward.

The next step is the Executive Budget hearings, which begin on May 18, and we look forward to working with the Administration to pass a budget which will uplift and empower all New Yorkers.”

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