SPEAKER CHRISTINE C. QUINN AND FINANCE CHAIR DOMENIC M. RECCHIA JR. PRESENT THE CITY COUNCIL\u2019S RESPONSE TO MAYOR BLOOMBERG\u2019S FISCAL YEAR 2011 FINANCIAL PLAN<\/p>\n
New York, NY \u2013 Outlining a number of problematic proposed cuts, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and Finance Committee Chair Domenic M. Recchia Jr. today presented the Council\u2019s response to Mayor Bloomberg\u2019s Fiscal Year 2011 financial plan. The Council, recognizing the severe economic state the City is currently facing, noted the need to make difficult budgetary decisions, but also noted that any cuts must be reviewed in the most responsible and thoughtful process possible. Additionally, the Council expressed particular concern about cuts that will potentially impact the most vulnerable New Yorkers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe recognize the difficult times we face and the need to make cuts to help address next years budget gap,\u201d said Speaker Quinn. \u201cAs we have done before the Council is prepared to act in a fiscally responsible manner. However, we must ensure these cuts do not fall disproportionately on the most vulnerable new Yorkers. We must look harder at how agencies are managing operations and where the City can find alternative savings in order to reach a fiscally responsible budget and meet the needs of New Yorkers.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Council detailed a number of significant concerns with proposed cuts included in the plan including:<\/p>\n
\u2022 The Administration for Children\u2019s Services \u2013 the Administration has proposed eliminating child welfare staff, reducing the Division of Child Protection\u2019s headcount and conducting unspecified layoffs. Totaling a loss of more than 200 through direct layoffs and attrition, this staff reduction would further strain agency workers who are already overburdened and place children in the agency\u2019s care at risk. <\/p>\n
\u2022 Senior Services \u2013 the proposal to restructure case management at the Department for the Aging would limit a vital resource seniors depend on, the gateway to services that they turn to when they are in need of any assistance from finding food programs and delivery to health benefit programs.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Youth Programs \u2013 proposals to reduce funding for a number of programs would negatively impact youth throughout the city who are at risk and in need. Cutting runaway homeless youth services, literacy and afterschool programs would leave thousands of youth without critical programs.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Firehouses \u2013 the Council views the proposed nighttime closures of firehouses as an area of concern, and will be closely evaluating the consequences associated with the closures.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Library Services \u2013 at a total of nearly $17 million, the administrations proposal to reduce subsidies provided to the city\u2019s library system would result in a loss of programs and services that millions of New Yorkers depend on, including literacy, afterschool, job training and other programs.<\/p>\n
As part of the Council\u2019s response the Speaker and Council Member presented a number of alternative savings measures including:<\/p>\n
\u2022 In-source Professional Development Contracts \u2013 these Department of Education underutilized and non-core contracts should be eliminated, which would result in a savings of $4 million. Instead, schools should rely on in-house coaches, teacher centers, superintendents and their network of staff for professional development.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Non-core Evaluations \u2013 both the Human Resources Administration and the Department for Health and Mental Hygiene currently conduct programmatic evaluations that, given the current economic climate, are not critical services. Both of these evaluation programs should be postponed until the budget allows for their funding. Together, this would amount to a savings of more than $4 million.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Sanitation Civil Enforcement Agents \u2013 the Department of Sanitation\u2019s enforcement program area has increased by 30 percent since FY 2008, but revenue from citations has not increased at a similar rate. The elimination of this program would save nearly $5 million.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Department of Sanitation Public Information \u2013 the majority of information people search for regarding the agency is done through 311 or the department\u2019s website. Cutting the public information budget of $2 million would not significantly impair New Yorkers\u2019 ability to obtain necessary information.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Department of Transportation Staffing \u2013 headcount within the department\u2019s inspection and quality assurance, meter collection and vehicle maintenance staff has increased in recent years. Eliminating positions within each of these programs is a potential source of approximately $3 million in savings.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a budget gap, and we need to close it. We\u2019re going to have to make a lot of tough decisions in the next few months, but as always, our priority will be to ensure that we spend and cut responsibly, without compromising public safety or harming our vulnerable populations,\u201d said Finance Committee Chair Domenic M. Recchia, Jr. \u201cThat being said, I believe eliminating nearly $3 million from the district attorneys\u2019 budget is a mistake. It will deprive them of the support they need to fight crime, treat drug addiction and provide domestic violence assistance, among other important issues. This is one of the issues we need to address moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
Over the next several weeks, the City Council will be conducting hearings and closely reviewing on the proposals included in the November plan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SPEAKER CHRISTINE C. QUINN AND FINANCE CHAIR DOMENIC M. RECCHIA JR. PRESENT THE CITY COUNCIL\u2019S RESPONSE TO MAYOR BLOOMBERG\u2019S FISCAL YEAR 2011 FINANCIAL PLAN<\/p>\n
New York, NY \u2013 Outlining a number of problematic proposed cuts, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and Finance Committee Chair Domenic M. Recchia Jr. today presented the Council\u2019s response to Mayor Bloomberg\u2019s Fiscal Year 2011 financial plan.<\/p>\n
…<\/p>\n