Surplus Now $4.4B
Budget Aids Parks, EMS, Traffic Staff

By MEREDITH KOLODNER

Mayor Bloomberg proposed a $59-billion budget last week that includes $1.25 billion in tax cuts and improvements to the city's infrastructure, and uses part of the current $4.4-billion surplus to pay down a projected deficit in future years.

MAYOR BLOOMBERG: Flourishing financially.

About $700 million in city agency savings from this year will be used to fund new initiatives such as $3.5 million for new schoolyards, $2.8 million for more Emergency Medical Service teams and fire marshals, and $75 million for school needs. It also significantly bolsters the corps of traffic personnel.

Park, Street Upgrades

The Mayor's 10-year capital budget outlines $83 billion for city infrastructure improvements, including $387 million for parks, $28.2 billion for school construction and $3.5 billion to fix the city's roads.

The Mayor emphasized fiscal responsibility and stressed the expected slowing of economic growth in explaining his plan. "We won't squander what we have on politically popular giveaways that would jeopardize our future," he said in a statement. "Instead, we'll protect that future, both by wisely reducing our looming liabilities, and also by encouraging continued economic growth."

PAT BAHNKEN: Budget good for EMS, members.

Mr. Bloomberg proposes to spend $2 billion to cut an expected deficit in fiscal year 2009. The projected surplus for fiscal year 2007, which ends June 30, has jumped by $1.3 billion since the Mayor's preliminary budget proposal was announced in January. Mr. Bloomberg said that a stronger-than-expected real-estate market and soaring Wall Street income contributed to the increase in tax revenues. Last year, Wall Street companies generated $20.9 billion in profits - double the amount in 2005.

$28M for 9/11 Health

Next year's budget would include about $199 million for the Mayor's PlaNYC proposals, which are aimed at cutting carbon gas emissions by 30 percent and preparing for an increase of 1 million residents by 2030. Included in the budget proposal is $28 million for 9/11 health programs and $8.1 million for tree maintenance.

"This guy is friendly to the parks," said Mark Rosenthal, president of Local 983 of District Council 37, which represents parks workers. "Playgrounds have to be maintained, so it's good for the neighborhoods and the workers will have work."

CHRISTINE QUINN: She'll get her say.

Mr. Rosenthal said that he thought most of the proposals were an appropriate use of tax dollars, including the $42 million over 10 years to build new soccer fields. "New York is an international city," he said. "Soccer is a big culture to a lot of people from South America and other countries, and the Mayor is taking care of the multicultural needs of the city."

Expanding Staff

The plan also includes the previously announced $1 billion to build a new Police Academy, $81 million to make city-owned buildings more energy-efficient, and $500 million for city retirees' health benefits.

The proposal would increase staff at a number of city agencies, allocating $1.4 million to hire 32 more fire marshals, funding 162 more traffic agents and an addition of about 30 new Emergency Medical Service personnel.

"I'm very happy to see the Mayor, through the budget, make a continued investment in the emergency services," said Pat Bahnken, president of Local 2507 of DC 37, which represents uniformed Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics.

The capital plan also includes funding for several new battalions, which will increase the number of buildings that house EMS workers.

"It will enable us to decompress some stations and modernize them," said Mr. Bahnken, "which will reduce travel time and result in quicker response times."

Tax Breaks

The Mayor's previously promised $1.25 billion in tax cuts would include continuing the annual $400 property-tax rebate for homeowners, as well as $110 million in tax breaks for small businesses. The plan would also grant $140 million in tax relief by getting rid of city sales tax on clothing and shoes.

The Mayor's plan includes several of the City Council's proposals, including money for 10 state-of-the-art health clinics in high-needs neighborhoods and $13 million for district attorney's offices plus an additional $5 million for the prosecution of child abuse cases.

But notably absent was Council Speaker Christine Quinn's proposal to give renters a $300 tax credit and money to keep libraries open six full days per week.

The Mayor and the City Council will begin negotiations over a budget deal this month, which must be finalized by June 30.