For all the cuts proposed, for all the rates increased, it sure was startling to see the IBO project a $1.4 billion surplus. Those fees and fines sure must add up...

A new analysis of New York City's economic outlook shows a projected $1.4 billion surplus at the end of this fiscal year. The Independent Budget Office reports spending on traditional public school classrooms will drop by $200 million next year, but spending on charter schools will increase, and no teachers will face layoffs.

The IBO also reports the local economy is expected to add more jobs than previously anticipated, but a $2.2 billion deficit is still projected for 2014.

As the Council considers Mayor Bloomberg's proposed budget, some New Yorkers are calling for lawmakers to restore cuts to subsidized child care and after-school programs. At a rally today on the steps of City Hall, parents called for funding to be continued for 47,000 slots currently on the chopping block. A budget deal is due by the end of June. What would you do?

Should the City Council fight to restore funding for subsidized child care and after-school programs? Do you want to see the City spend its surplus now on needed services, or streamline spending and plan for the long term? Should more money be spent on traditional schools or charter schools?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

John, of course the money should be spent now, it won't be there later. And it should be spent on children - before, during and after school. Are we a civilized nation or another mideastern dictatorship?

Barbara, Upper East Side

It is a shame that the money goes to charters and not to neighborhood schools. When will people understand that charters are businesses and businesses exist for one reason only, profit.

Georgia, Astoria

Yes NYC should restore childcare & afterschool. This IS planning for the future. Supporting children to succeed in school while also helping their parents work plays dividends now and in the long-term.

- Michelle, Manhattan

There is no surplus. A budget surplus is a "projected" surplus in the future. Lets get real; this city, this state, and this country is in debt well beyond its means. I don't want to see cuts to child care, but cuts are necessary somewhere - perhaps the Facebook spying NYPD unit should be considered.

Frank, Sunset Park, Brooklyn

The Mayor will hoard this money and then next year or two years down the road it will vanish, and this whole conversation will be forgotten. As for restoring cuts to child care and other programs, the Mayor and City Council won't do that because it will help the poor and middle class and minorities, who they don't care about at all. New York City is a playground for the rich and everyone else is here to serve them, if you have kids that's too bad and if you are elderly and have worked all your life they don't care if you live or die.

RL-The Bronx

Do a show on how the Governor went back on his word. He said he would restore the health benefits to NYC OTB retirees. The money was in the budget and he just now pulled it off the table. 900+ people who worked very hard and are in the NYCERS pension system need their retiree health benefits.

Thanks , Ann

Yes – the city should restore funding for after school and child care. It is essential for low income families!!

Kathy
Brooklyn NY 11215

I read recently that Mayor Bloomberg is giving away several million dollars of his own money (I think it was $220m) to India, China, Cambodia to FIGHT SMOKING in those countries. First off, the people will do what they want to do regardless of what Bloomberg wants them to do and the government officials of those countries will no doubt cream off most of the money for themselves. (They'll find a way, believe me!) Why doesn't he donate some of his money to keep the after-school programs open in the city he purports to serve? [in his illegally bought third term. truth is, he doesn't give a ff for New Yorkers, but you are not going to read that out loud!]

Frances
East Village

Families are in desperate need of after school programming…safe, nurturing places for their children to be after school! Please work to restore the funds….it is the best bang for your buck you can get…..keeping children safe, enabling parents to work, keeping young people out of the justice system and creating communities that build on everyone’s strengths!

Jennifer

The city has to make some very tough decisions. We cannot spend spend spend. This is what got the country in the mess in the first place. There are way too many people taking advantage of the system off the backs of hard working individuals. How about helping the working man for a change and lower our taxes. Stop the hand outs. There are people living across the street from me in Section 8 housing. These guys are huge and do nothing but hang out all day. Let them get a job and stop the waste full spending that everyone thinks they are entitled.

Chris

This reminds me of Aesop's Fable; The Ant and the Grasshopper. Of course it is wise to save for the "winter." However unlike the Ant, I'd like to think that we might be more charitable and split the difference, perhaps restore funding to those public programs that are in dire straits and save the rest for that inevitable snowy day. As for school funding, I believe that all schools receiving public funds should be treat as equals.

Peace,
Nick
Hell's K.

AS LONG AS THERE ARE MORE PROMISED BIKE LANES I'M GOOD TO GO, AND LET'S GET MORE PEDESTRIAN MALLS TO THE OUTERBOROS. STATEN ISLAND COULD REALLY USE ONE AT NEW DORP LANE AND HYLAN BLVD. WHAT A BUNCH OF LIARS AND THIEVES.

JOE, BAY TERRACE

no reduce property taxes, yet fat chance of that happening.

tom
Richmondtown

Hi John,

I guess it's yo yo time again. Where did this surplus come from. They still lie to us and frankly I'm getting sick and tired of hearing and seeing the same faces over and over again and again. We don’t need the city council to pretend that they are going to fight for us for anything. They have been on the side of this mayor since the beginning and therefor they vote whatever way he wants them to.

A GOOD EXAMPLE WAS WHEN THIS MAYOR WAS PROPOSING THAT NO OTHER MAYORS SHOULD NO LONGER LIVE IN CITY HALL AND I GUESS HE DOES LIVE NICELY AS HE SAYS AND ALSO I'LL BET YOU ANY AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT HE REFUSED TO LIVE THEIR SO THAT HE CAN COME AND GO AS HE PLEASES SO HE NEED NOT TELL US THAT BECAUSE HE DOESN'T LIVE THERE THAT HE HAS LESS STAFF AND THEREFOR THAT'S SUPPOSE TO BE SAVING US MONEY.

WHAT ABOUT ALL OF THE DEPUTY MAYORS THAT HE HAS HIRED TO FILL FOR HIM. IF HE LIVES SO NICELY THEN DID HE THINK OF ANY OF THE PEOPLE SLEEPING ON THE STREET LAST? I DOUBT IT VERY MUCH SO. A DICTATOR FOR SURE. LEAVE ALL OF YOU ALREADY PLEASE.

maxxiee
mp

John,

I’ve got a novel idea. Return the surplus to the taxpayers. As long as it’s in the hands of government, it will be spent on some cockamamie project.

Joe
Port Richmond, SI

The city should restore some cuts to the budget. It seemed that Bloomberg took the slash and burn technique to balance the budget, and did a lot of damage. The cuts to education are awful and many experienced teachers are choosing to retire. Our children will suffer and does he care? Let the mayor and city prove otherwise.

Rosalie from Canarsie.