Statement of New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer on Mayor de Blasio’s FY 2019 Executive Budget

“Mayor de Blasio’s FY19 Executive Budget includes a number of important investments in the City’s infrastructure and social programs.

“I applaud the Mayor for bringing Fair Student Funding up to the highest average funding in more than a decade, investing in cybersecurity to protect the City’s data and operations, continuing funding support for the City’s growing population of homeless students, and funding the NYC Transit Subway Action Plan. These are critical missions which will define our City in the years to come.

“As we confront the challenges ahead, we must pay closer attention to keeping our fiscal house in order. In my analysis of New York City’s Preliminary FY19 Budget, our office highlighted the need to build up our budget cushion and prepare New York City for the possibility of tough times ahead. While our economy is in a solid position, with continued hostility from Washington, it is critical that we harness this year’s extraordinary inflow of one-time, non-recurring revenue to bolster City reserves.

“We must continue to vigorously scrub City agencies for savings and I urge the Administration to shine a bright light on the effectiveness of agency spending. We will continue to closely monitor the progress of City agencies toward achieving their goals in the most cost-effective manner possible, particularly those highlighted on our Agency Watch List: the Department of Correction, the Department of Education, and the Department of Homeless Services.

“New York must always be a place that lifts everyone up. We cannot stop investing in our City – and pushing for all New Yorkers to get a fair shot.

“Over the coming weeks, we will closely examine the FY19 Executive Budget and provide more detailed comments on the proposals. I look forward to working with the Administration and my colleagues in government to enact a responsible budget for the people of New York City.”

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