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 ›

Yesterday, Mayor Bloomberg signed Executive Order 120, which requires all city services to offer their services in Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Korean, Italian and French Creole--the top languages spoke in the city aside from English. The agencies and services must hire coordinators to developer a "Language Access policy" and provide interpretation services and translations of essential public documents. Mayor Bloomberg told reporters yesterday, noting 25% of residents do not speak English as their primary language, "No other place on earth can claim such incredible diversity. It is New York City's greatest historic strength. " more ›