Yesterday evening over a contentious Zoom call, New York City Council Members approved Mayor de Blasio’s 2021 budget proposal. The final vote total was 32 Yes to 17 No.

The approved $88.2 billion budget includes $1 billion in changes to NYPD funding. However those who opposed the budget say that the $1 billion is a half measure and did not in actuality cut NYPD funding as much as advertised. An example of this is the reallocation of funds for paying NYPD Officers working in City public schools out of the NYPD Budget and into the Education Budget. A net zero change in actual funding for the activity, just a nominal change in the NYC department responsible for the spending. These  departmental shifts accounted for $354 million or over one-third of the budget ‘cuts.’ The rest of the cuts had more teeth to them. Reduced spending which includes a promise of less overtime and a reduction of NYPD headcount made up close to half of the cuts at $484 million. 

The 17 No Votes, included Council Members on the left and right of the Mayor.  The left accusing de Blasio of not going far enough with cuts and the right arguing that the budget cuts were too aggressive.