It's often said that budgets are statements of priorities. So what does Mayor Bill de Blasio's budget say as he seeks a second term in office? NY1's Courtney Gross filed the following report.
Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled a nearly $85 billion budget proposal on Wednesday, filling his fiscal plan with voter-friendly initiatives.
De Blasio is up for re-election this year, and his budget seems to have that in mind.
"We think investing in things like pre-k and 3k builds a better future for everyone," de Blasio said.
Many of these proposals were already revealed by City Hall weeks ago, but their cumulative price tag was unknown.
The plan includes universal preschool for 3-year-olds rolled out over the next four years. It includes more than $1 billion to design community jails ahead of the closure of Rikers Island. And it has funding for air conditioners for city classrooms.
Capital construction spending alone is slated to increase by $6 billion since the mayor's budget proposal in January.
All this spending comes as the city faces uncertain times, with threats of funding cuts from Republicans in Washington. It's something budget watchdogs cautioned against.
"All of this just creates an environment where one would think the prudent thing to do would be keep spending as close to level as possible," said Carol Kellermann of the Citizens Budget Commission.
"We could sit around dead in the water and wait around for the unknown, or we can keep building our city," de Blasio said.
Like-minded Council members agreed.
"Save for a rainy day, yes, we are doing that. But make preemptive cuts to deny services to New Yorkers, no way," said City Councilman Brad Lander of Brooklyn.
De Blasio's budget may be best seen as a political statement. At the Council's behest, he's including $16.4 million for legal services for immigrant New Yorkers facing deportation.
"I wish we didn't have to include this in our budget. But we have to because of the policies emanating from Washington," de Blasio said.