$70.1 billion may sound like a lot to the average American, but according to officials, it is not enough for the city of New York to function.
On Jan. 29, Mayor Michael Bloomberg released the preliminary budget for fiscal year 2014 (FY14). The financial plan calls for a total of $70.1 billion, according to the Office of Management and Budget. As a result, many officials were outraged, with the majority feeling that the budget will cut too much from the most important sectors of the city, including education and safety.
New York City Comptroller John C. Liu issued a statement regarding what he sees as problems with the preliminary budget, saying, “In order to make up the budget shortfall resulting from City Hall’s failed negotiating strategy for teacher evaluations, the mayor has decided to scapegoat our city’s public school teachers. The real fault, however, lies with his own misguided ideology, which could cost our children over $720 million this year alone. He should look to the DOE’s runaway consultant spending rather than make cuts to the classroom.”
Liu continued, stating, “This budget illustrates the mayor’s continuous refusal to negotiate contracts with our city’s workforce, which he is leaving for the next administration. His reliance on one-shots and a ‘my way or the highway’ negotiation strategy has led us here, and, sadly, our kids will pay the price.”
A response from Brooklyn Councilman Jumaane D. Williams read, “Our economy has begun to recover and strengthen, yet we are faced with devastating cuts to major sectors of life in New York City. The ongoing and proposed programs to eliminate the gap would interrupt services to working families, services that keep us safe and keep our city moving. I would like for us to have a serious conversation this year about progressive revenue-
raising options that will prevent catastrophes like the closure of 20