Newsman: The New York City Mayor Eric Adams warns of an “economic tsunami” coming towards New York City. Back in October, New York City declared a state of emergency over its intake of asylum-seekers.
Mayor is looking to tighten the city’s budget again. This builds on what he already asked of these agencies back in September when city agencies were told to cut their budgets by 3% this fiscal year and nearly 5% the next.
Mayor Adams has ordered a partial hiring freeze as he warns of an “economic tsunami” coming towards New York City.
He cites the local and national economies, financial markets, rising healthcare costs, high energy prices and inflation as the reasoning.
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander was critical of the so-called “Program to Eliminate the Gap,” and responded to this new letter saying the directive “furthers our concerns about recruiting and retaining the staff needed to implement critical programs from traffic safety improvements to housing applications.”
The mayor bounced back,
“I just think that he needs to focus on his office and delivering services,” Adams said. “We need to be prepared for the economic tsunami that is coming toward our city… whether it is a tsunami sort of remains to be seen. We will be putting out an economic forecast out in a couple weeks.”
In a letter to commissioners of city agencies, the mayor’s budget director said 50% of open city government jobs will not be filled – about 4,700 jobs according to the CBS report.
“We’re going to do everything we can to find those efficiencies, to find the best cost savings as possible, then we’re going to move to plan b and plan c,” Adams said.
This doesn’t apply to uniformed members of the FDNY, NYPD or teachers, or positions that generate revenue.
“No one is escaping. We’re going to do it in levels that’s not going to hurt delivery of services and safety of city,” Adams said.
CBS2’s Alice Gainer reported that, a multi-billion dollar deficit is expected next year.
Elizabeth Brown is with the nonpartisan budget group the New York City Independent Budget Office. She says the number of city employees has been declining since the pandemic, according to CBS2 reports.
“These positions are currently vacant, but we have heard from certain agencies, for example the Housing Department, that has had a high vacancy rate that is impacting some of the services it provides. So as I said it remains to be seen which agencies are impacted” Elizabeth Brown said.
Back in October, New York City declared a state of emergency over its intake of asylum-seekers.
