Yesterday, Mayor Bloomberg announced about $1.6 billion in job and budget cuts, which include over 5,000 teaching positions being eliminated, 20 firehouse companies closing at night, and library service being cut by a day, as the city faces huge budget deficits. The cuts don't need City Council approval, but Council Speaker Christine Quinn said, "As we have done before the Council is prepared to act in a fiscally responsible manner. However, we must ensure these cuts do not fall disproportionately on the most vulnerable New Yorkers." more ›

After approving far-reaching transit cuts and leaving open the possibility for additional service reductions, MTA board members are urging the transit agency to use stimulus money and capital funds to balance the budget. "These are desperate times and stimulus money is intended to be used for situations like this," said board member Andrew Albert. "It's not a trend." more ›

This shouldn't come as much of a surprise. The MTA board voted 11-2 to approve far-reaching service cuts that will eliminate the W and V trains and cut more than 30 bus lines in an attempt to plug a revenue shortfall of $750 million. Despite some alterations to the planned cuts drafted after a series of contentious public hearings, the service reductions closely mirror those proposed last year. more ›

After a series of contentious public hearings in which four people were arrested, the cash-strapped MTA announced that is considering saving several bus routes that had been slated for elimination. According to the Daily News, a "small number" of bus routes might be spared, though a final decision hasn't yet been made. By making administrative cuts, MTA chief Jay Walder told the Post he can save about $5 million and keep some previously endangered bus lines running. "We have listened closely to our customers and will respond by making changes where we can," he said. Student MetroCards and the W train remain on the chopping block. more ›

Alongside other cost-cutting moves that will eliminate subway and bus lines, nix free student MetroCards, and reduce service, the MTA has announced that it will fire more than 1,000 workers. In an effort to save a projected $50 million, the agency will lay off more than 600 unionized and non-unionized administrative workers, cutting 15 percent of the MTA's administrative payroll. The agency will also deliver pink slips to up to 500 NYC Transit station agents, who are represented by the Transport Workers Union. more ›

As the MTA faces a crushing financial shortfall that could cause service cuts and fare hikes, the new president of MTA NYC Transit revealed his plans to repaint and refurbish eight recently-renovated subway stations that he says have fallen into disrepair. "I don't want to say that because of our budget issues, we can't make improvements," said Thomas Prendergast. "There's room for improvement, and I honestly think we can do it." more ›

Unless lawmakers can come up with new ways to fund the MTA, the transit agency might be forced to raise its base fare to $2.60 and increase the cost of unlimited monthly MetroCards to more than $100, according to a new study. The report reveals that even if the MTA implements far-reaching service cuts this year and ups fares by the planned 7.5 percent next year, it would still fall short of balancing its budget without additional funding. more ›

Thanks to plummeting tax revenues, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is expected to face a $400 million budget shortfall—even if it implements drastic service cuts that would terminate bus lines and subway routes and nix free Metrocards for students. So what, if anything, could be worse than the already-proposed "Doomsday" cuts? more ›

Mayor Bloomberg's plan to help balance the budget by eliminating up to 20 fire companies and letting 500 of the city's 8,500 firefighters leave through attrition would bring about the most dramatic reorganization of the fire department since the 1970s. "If we have to close 20 companies, which is a 6 percent reduction in the number of companies we have, it is going to tax us," said new FDNY Commissioner Salvatore Cassano. "It is certainly the most challenging thing we have faced in decades." more ›

Under Mayor Bloomberg's proposed budget, 20 fire companies would close, 834 city workers would lose their jobs, and thousands wouldn't get raises. The Mayor's budget calls for shutting down four more firehouses than he requested to close last year (City Council rescued them last year) and firing 299 libraries employees, 186 workers at cultural institutions, and 141 Health Department staffers. Police, firefighters, sanitation workers or corrections department workers would be spared from layoffs. more ›

With cuts for 16 fire houses, the mayor's budget is expected to leave many firefighters out in the cold—but newsman Anderson Cooper is just moving in. The NY Post reported that Cooper will soon take up residence in the century-old Greenwich Village fire house he purchased in September. With the help of conversion architect Cary Tamarkin, the globe-trotting CNN anchor will have the place homey in no time, though he plans to keep its brass poles and historic facade. No projections have been made of how much the residential conversion will cost, but the building's original price tag was $4.3 million. Now how many actual fire houses could that fund? more ›

Last month the MTA announced plans to cut service to the handicapped and elderly by $40 million this year, and yesterday officials explained in part how they'll do it. They say they'll reduce eligibility and service for the disabled and the elderly and crack down on those riders who are abusing the system (and not just by getting rides to casinos). For one, the agency wants to enforce regulations for a certain class of handicapped and elderly riders that is supposed to get rides only in extremely cold or hot weather, but under the current system, gets them when it pleases. more ›

Here are some things that Albany lawmakers might cut under Governor Paterson's proposed budget: free student MetroCards, the W train, 18,500 New York City jobs, $101 billion in school funding, and $1 billion in health care funding. Here's one thing that's not at risk: a $5.2 million renovation of hearing rooms for Albany lawmakers. According to an Associated Press report, the renovations include new 3- by 5-foot television screens, better lighting and technology for TV coverage, new carpets, refurbished seats, and "more prominent name plates for lawmakers." According to a spokesman, this is the first major renovation of the hearing rooms in 35 years and it will improve "the openness of the Legislature's work and make the rooms more accessible for the disabled." more ›

Mayor Bloomberg blasted Governor Paterson's proposed budget as overly harsh on New York City and urged Albany to give "New York City a fair deal." Under Paterson's $134 billion budget, Bloomberg says the city would have to fire 18,500 employees including 8,500 teachers, 3,150 police officers, and 1,050 firefighters. "Such budget cuts would inevitably damage the quality of life in the city that drives the economy of the entire state. It's in your power to prevent many of those dire consequences—simply by giving the people of New York City a fair deal," Bloomberg said. more ›

As state legislators prepare to face the worsening financial situation in Albany, Mayor Bloomberg warned that budget cuts from could make life particularly miserable for New York City residents. "We're just going to have to suffer," he said on his WOR radio show. Following his warning yesterday that the state might cut even funding for the MTA as it attempts to plug a budget deficit of about $10 billion before the April 1 deadline, the Mayor warned that that cuts could be widespread, according to the Post. He also shared these less-than-encouraging words: "If they start taking it out on us, and disproportionately on us versus the rest of the state ... then we're in big trouble." more ›

When the smoke clears from Albany's latest inept attempt to get a grip on the budget crisis, one casualty will likely be the state's anti-smoking campaign. Governor Paterson, a committed proponent of the anti-smoking program, has nevertheless proposed a $10 million cut in order to help address a $3.2 billion deficit. The cutback would reduce funding for programs that provide free nicotine patches and help Medicaid patients quit smoking, among other things. Naturally, the cigarette industry and its allies are passing around the cigars. more ›

With NY State running out of money because the State Legislature has been unable to offer a plan for billions needed in budget cuts, Governor Paterson announced he was moving ahead with a plan for $1.6 billion in savings, "I first presented my Deficit Reduction Plan on October 15, and since that time the Legislature has refused to take necessary action to maintain our State’s fiscal stability. As I said directly to New Yorkers last week, if legislators won’t face up to their responsibility and join me in making the tough decisions - I’ll do it myself. I will continue to fight every single day to keep New York State afloat in the midst of this historic economic crisis - with or without the help of the Legislature." more ›

The Observer reports that Mayor Bloomberg wants to cut $1.2 billion from next year's budget and $550 million from this year's, according to a letter from budget director Mark Page: "For the current year, Bloomberg is seeking to cut 1.5 percent from the Department of Education, 2 percent from 'uniformed forces' and 4 percent from all other agencies. For next year, Bloomberg wants 4 percent cuts from the Department of Education and uniformed forces, and 8 percent cuts from all other agencies. The cuts should lower the city's budget by $1.2 billion." The letter also says, "The target can be met by reductions in personal service costs or other than personal service costs and/or assured, recurring revenue actions." more ›

At first, it seemed like budgetary reasons would prevent El Museo del Barrio from having three camels—as well as sheep—for its 32nd Annual Three Kings Day Parade. Renting the animals would have cost $3,500, money the museum decided would better be put towards programming. But in a New Year's miracle, WCBS 880 reports the city's Office of Immigrant Affairs "secured a donation from Atlantis Management Group, which develops gas stations and Dunkin' Donuts shops," which has helped bring the baa back into the parade. Residents also chipped in for the rental fee to make sure the kings get to bring the gold, frankincense and myrrh in style. The Three Kings Day Parade starts at 11 a.m. at 106th Street & Third Avenue; the route goes up Third, across 116th, down Lexington and will ultimately end 115th & Park (PDF with details). more ›

Mayor Bloomberg wants city residents--and his agency commissioners--to know they need to get on board with some tax hikes and slashing budgets! The Mayor reiterated that property taxes will go up yesterday, "We will raise property taxes back to the level they were a year and a half ago next June. In other words, the 7 percent reduction will just be put back in." As for any city commissioners who might feel aggrieved about cutting their budgets, Bloomberg--who also praised them for being "as good a group as anyone's put together"--said they need to "suck it up and get back to work, because that's the job and they’re going to have to do it.” So there! more ›