Running for office is exciting, rallies, crowds shouting your name, and, if you win: ecstatic!
After winning, managing is tough, constant decisions, frequently no “right” answer, crowds applauding as well as calling for your head! Everything you inherit becomes your fault, blizzards, 5 degree weather, your fault. Friends working in your campaign become enemies when you make a decision they oppose: welcome to the new age of politics.
The governor running for office, a mayor struggling, and “friends” lobbing political rocks. Better get used it!
The State budgeting process begins with the governor’s preliminary budget, a political document, a brief 140 pages , including a four year extension of mayoral control and a final budget approval due April 1.
The NYC budgeting process begins with a substantial deficit and the governor’s promise to cover part of the deficit. NYC budgets must be balanced by law.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani [in his budget press conference] New York City may have to raise property taxes to close a multibillion-dollar deficit if Albany does not impose new taxes on the rich or corporations as he unveiled a $127 billion budget.
“Tax the rich” requires approval of the state legislature and the governor.
The media reports,
The mayor’s threat signaled that the democratic socialist remains committed to raising taxes on the wealthy, even as he forges an alliance with Gov. Kathy Hochul on expanding child care, a popular initiative with voters.
The governor, a moderate Democrat who is seeking re-election, would have to sign off on any income tax increases. She has been steadfastly opposed to any kind of tax hikes.
“We do not want to have to turn to such drastic measures [increasing property taxes] to balance our budget,” Mamdani said during a press conference at City Hall. “But faced with no other choice, we will be forced to.”
The City budget requires the approval of the City Council, usually towards the end of June, and the new Council Speaker must be onboard.
City Council Speaker Julie Menin objected to Mamdani’s proposal, saying the Council would work to find additional savings and revenues “before increasing the burden on small property owners and neighborhood small businesses.”
The newly elected Comptroller has no statutory role, however, he’s already planning for ….. maybe a run for mayor down the road
City Comptroller Mark Levine said the city was “under the greatest fiscal strain since the Great Recession,”
“To rely on a property tax increase and a significant draw-down of reserves to close our gap would have dire consequences,” Levine said. “Our property tax system is profoundly unfair and inconsistent, and an across-the-board increase in this tax would be regressive.
The mayor’s “last resort” proposal would also draw nearly $1 billion from the city’s reserves and$229 million from a fund to pay for health benefits for municipal retirees.
Mamdani endorses the governor and promises his foot soldiers, Hochul finds $1.5B in the state budget for the mayor. Hugs and kisses, the mayor still wants to “tax the rich,” the governor, no way. Any marriage counselors out there?
The governor’s preliminary budget is a starting point: over the next two months in Albany the governor will tussle with Assembly Speaker Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Stewart Cousins while in City Hall Mamdani will face a new Speaker of the City Council, Julie Menin, with substantial budgetary differences.
On the education front,
Will the state budget revise the funding formula emphasizing student needs,,i.e., special education, ESL, migrant children, poverty?
Will the state reduce funding in districts with shrinking student populations? [They never have …]
Community Schools are highly effective, will the budget increase funding?
Career and Technical Education (CTE) has been a low priority, will the budget begin to emphasize the importance of CTE education?
Will Tier 6 be “fixed?” meaning reduce the Tier 6 retirement age from 63 to the Tier 4 age 55 and reduce the Tier 6 member contribution. How much would it cost? Who would pay for the changes? the state or the local school districts? Since Tier 6 members are, at most, in their thirties no one will retire in Tier 6 for years, the cost will impact years in the future. Would Fixing Tier 6 increase teacher retention and attract new teachers? Probably
Does Hochul need a NYSUT/UFT endorsement? Absolutely
Will Mamdani’s army of volunteers knocking on doors result in the MTA funding “faster, free buses?”
The early June legislative adjournment makes the end of the session, the “big ugly,” a scramble, which bills will emerge and which bills will Hochul sign?
A new player, City Council Speaker Menin has aspirations beyond her four years as Speaker, will she support the paraprofessional “respect” initiative, a $10,000 pay bump? With the current deficit and a larger deficit looming for next year derail?
Will a Mamdani v Council conflict emerge? Will Mamdani and Menin “make nice?”
Especially over funding schools. The initial budget funds the Class Size Reduction Law, see his budget here
The budget dance has begun, musical chairs, when the music stops who will be eliminated? Standing alone deflecting the angry arrows. A dangerous dance, Mamdani’s threat, raising property taxes. is an opportunity: resolving the budget crisis without raising property taxes is a major plus, folks will say, “he really can manage the city,” and “freezing the rent,” easy. he appoints the Rent Guideline Control Board, “fast and free buses,” maybe a reduced fare if you earn under a set amount, and, of course avoid antagonizing the powerful and building alliances.
Could alleged “allies” be undercutting you behind your back?
Ostracism was an annual democratic vote in 5thc BC Athens where citizens banished a politician for ten years to protect the democracy from potential tyrants with the majority of a quorum required and considerable behind the scenes deal-making. Do we do the same today?
“Every crisis is an opportunity”
Listen to Leonard Cohen: “Teachers” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RB8z124akI
Ed in the Apple: Blogging on the Intersection of Education and Politics Title 