De Blasio Introduces New Budget, Slashing It in ‘a Time of Uncertainty’

By Austin Santiago

 

On Thursday, Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled the city’s budget for the next fiscal year.

The mayor made clear his uncertainty in the current economy, as for the first time in his mayoralty, he is requiring city agencies to cut their budgets.

“We well may have to limit some of our investments or slow down some of our investments or in fact cut some programs and some investments outright,” he said.

“We have some choices up ahead.”

 

Despite the tough choices awaiting the city in the future, the budget has risen to $92.2 billion from last year’s $89 billion budget.

De Blasio made it clear that despite cuts coming to city programs, some will remain untouched, most notably public safety. “We are the safest big city in America,” he said.

Perhaps the most notable change in the budget will come in the form of $2.7 million being dedicated to the city’s buses.

 

“Buses are a critical link in our public transportation system, and we’re doubling down on improvements to help get New Yorkers moving.”

The plan is to coordinate traffic lights at 300 different intersections with the intention of making the city’s buses move 25 percent faster than they are currently.

However, despite the hoped-for progress of the city’s buses, it appears that the subways may not change as quickly. When asked if the new budget will increase funding for the MTA, the mayor answered simply, “No.” In a time of economic uncertainty, de Blasio and his team will be

forced to finally decide what is most important for New York City.