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3mo ago

New York City Council Unanimously Adopts $116 Billion Budget to Expand Services

Leaving reserves untouched highlights concerns about sustaining $2 billion in new services facing potential federal funding cuts.

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A participant holds a “Trans rights are human rights” sign during the Reclaim Pride Coalition’s Queer Liberation March in Manhattan.
Speaker Adrienne Adams and the NYC Council Hold Prestated Press Conference on June 30, 2025. (John McCarten/NYC Council Media Unit)
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Overview

  • The City Council voted unanimously on July 1 to adopt the $115.9 billion fiscal year 2026 budget after a late-June handshake deal between Mayor Eric Adams and Speaker Adrienne Adams.
  • Nearly $2 billion in new spending will support expanded education programs, public safety initiatives, cultural institutions and social services across the five boroughs.
  • Key allocations include $54 million for immigrant legal aid, $112 million in recurring funding for universal pre-K and 3-K, and $5 million to broaden the FairFares half-priced MetroCard program.
  • No additional funds were added to the city’s Revenue Stabilization Fund or General Reserve, drawing criticism from Comptroller Brad Lander and the Citizens Budget Commission.
  • City leaders now face pressure to manage possible federal spending reductions and ensure the longevity of the budget’s newly expanded programs without reserve buffers.