Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
De Blasio Trims $1.3 Billion From City Budget With Cuts To Fair Fares, Summer Jobs, And Vision Zero
By
Brigid Bergin
Published Apr 8, 2020
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Photographer/Mayoral Photography Office
By
Brigid Bergin
Published Apr 8, 2020
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
When Mayor Bill de Blasio presented his $95.3 billion preliminary budget proposal in January, the biggest threat came in the form of Medicaid cuts that he said would damage the health of the city’s public hospital system. At the time, he announced a $1.3 billion so-called PEG, program to eliminate the gap, to help meet the city’s fiscal needs. And that was before Covid-19.
While the mayor is not expected to present his executive budget until later this month, his office released some initial information about how city agencies will achieve these savings. This is only the first round of what will inevitably be more cuts, his spokesperson confirmed. In this round, there are no layoffs, and many of the savings come from suspending non-essential operations and programs.
While cuts are spread across city agencies, the largest program to be singled out came from the Department of Youth and Community Services which cancelled its Summer Youth Employment Program this year for a savings of $124 million. The program is the largest of its kind in the nation and provided jobs to young people ages 14 to 24.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams criticized the move in a statement, noting the last time the summer youth employment program was cut was under the Bloomberg administration. “It is deeply disappointing to see the Mayor following the model of his predecessor, but the fight to preserve this critical program is not over. In fact, it is even more vital now to preserve the employment and educational opportunities available," said Williams.
With city schools closed to fight the spread of the pandemic, the Department of Education also plans to postpone the expansion of its 3K early education program next year in four school districts including district 1 in Manhattan, district 12 in the Bronx, district 14 in Brooklyn and district 29 in Queens. That delay is forecast to result in $43 million in savings next fiscal year. The DOE also plans to recover money from programs that are not being used because of the shutdown, like its middle school after school programming.
The city’s Fair Fares program, which provided half-price MetroCards to low income New Yorkers, will produce a savings of $46 million this fiscal year with ridership down on the city’s transit system because of COVID-19. Other transportation initiatives also took a hit in this first round.
Due to restrictions related to unnecessary gathering, the NYPD will delay its April officer class until July for a savings of $9.6 million in the current fiscal year. The department will also close additional facilities, reduce posts and overtime for a savings of at least $100 million next fiscal year.
The Sanitation Department will suspend its $21 million organic composting program. And thanks to the mild winter, the department can return $52 million planned for snow removal to this year’s budget.
An ongoing hiring freeze and elimination of vacancies across city agencies will produce $106 million over the next two fiscal years. Additional cuts are spread across city agencies.
The mayor is expected to deliver his full executive budget plan for fiscal year 2021 on April 23 if not sooner. That plan is supposed to include input from the City Council, but the legislative body has been suspended since March 16.
“New York City has never seen such a rapid change in its economic outlook, or as much uncertainty in our future. Our budget process is just beginning, and the challenges we face will be unlike any we’ve ever faced before,” said New York City Council Communications Director Jennifer Fermino.
She added, “The Council is proud that under Speaker Johnson’s leadership, we have fought for increased budget reserves and expansions to the social safety net. The Council’s chief priority, as always, is doing what is right for this city. This will be our guiding principle throughout the difficult weeks and months ahead.”
Tagged
COVID-19
city budget
budget
Brigid Bergin
Brigid Bergin is an award-winning senior reporter on the People and Power desk. She is fiercely committed to telling stories that help people engage and support democracy. In 2022, she hosted a live, ten-week call-in politics show ahead of the midterm elections called The People's Guide to Power. Brigid's reporting in 2017 included some of the first coverage of a political newcomer now known as AOC. In 2016, she broke the news of a voter purge in Brooklyn just days before New York’s presidential primary, triggering city, state and federal investigations. Brigid also guest hosts The Brian Lehrer Show and All Of It. She graduated from the University at Albany and the CUNY Newmark School of Journalism. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or Signal 917-723-4719.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .