February 20, 2026 — As we continue our preliminary FY27 budget analysis, we are disappointed to see that library spending has been cut by $29 million in the Mayor’s preliminary budget proposal. Additionally, key educational programs such as restorative justice and Learn To Work programs have not been included in this budget. We recognize the city’s legal obligation to balance the budget and the difficult choices that come with that responsibility. Those choices, however, must not come at the expense of New Yorkers.

The state must provide sufficient funding for the city to address its structural issues. While the City waits on action from the state, the Administration should review and cut wasteful contracts and consultants, rein in uniformed overtime, and find ways to bolster city revenue by adopting proposals such as the People’s Plan’s “Make ‘Em Pay” proposal, which seeks to collect $1 billion from corporate bad actors.

We urge the Mayor and the City Council to start serious work now towards a final budget that protects public libraries, education, and essential services while pursuing long-term revenue and savings solutions that do not burden New Yorkers. The City has its own responsibility to budget equitably and to make sure our budget prioritizes care, not cuts. And the state must do its part. New York City voters voted for a government that taxes the rich and invests in people.  

As the People’s Budget watchdogs, we will continue to talk to our coalition members and do our own analysis on the city budget and update the public.