Yesterday, Mayor de Blasio released his $88.67 million Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2019, which begins on July 1, 2018.

The Mayor explained the City’s need to be fiscally prudent given budget uncertainties created by Washington, DC and Albany.  The Mayor proposed new funding for Runaway and Homeless Youth Drop-in Centers, the creation of affordable housing through the new Basement Apartment Program, new anti-bullying and restorative justice programs in schools, and the expedited implementation of 3-K.

We believe that the fiscal climate we are living in bolsters the need for the administration to make additional investments to better address the needs of New York City children, youth and their families.  Specifically, we are disappointed that the City’s Preliminary Budget once again proposes to cut summer programs for over 34,000 middle school students; fails to take steps to address salary parity for teachers and staff in community-based early childhood programs; and would eliminate Bridging the Gap, a program that has added MSWs to schools with high rates of homeless children.  Furthermore, the City proposal to add $150 million to the cost of providing shelter to homeless New Yorkers demonstrates the pressing need for the administration to take additional steps to address the well-being of children and families at-risk of homelessness and the over 27,000 children living in NYC shelters.

You can read CCC’s full summary of the City’s Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2019.

And please stay tuned for opportunities in the coming weeks to weigh in on both the State and City budgets!