MAYOR DE BLASIO APPOINTS LORRAINE CORTÉS-VÁZQUEZ AS A SENIOR ADVISOR

   Mayor Bill de Blasio today appointed Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez as a Senior Advisor. Cortés-Vázquez has extensive experience serving communities across New York State and was the first Latina to serve as Secretary of the State in New York.

As Senior Advisor, Cortés-Vázquez will advise and assist the Mayor’s Office, the Community Affairs and Public Engagement Units, and agencies across the Administration to expand their community outreach across the five boroughs. She will specialize in engaging the Latino community around issues related to immigration; Universal pre-K; criminal justice reform; housing and economic development; M/WBE contracting and outreach; economic justice; and job creation. Cortés-Vázquez will be working within the Mayor’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.

“Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez’s vast managerial experience in government, the private and non-profit sector, partnered with her clear dedication to the Latino community and the community as a whole, make her the perfect candidate for this advisory position,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I am looking forward to working closely with Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez as she continues to work to make an impact in the community.”

“I am honored to work with Mayor de Blasio and his team who have given this City Universal Pre-K, which will increase the educational achievements of all communities for many years; took a critical step to address income inequality by increasing the minimum wage; and who have halted the unbalanced stop and frisk policy and simultaneously brought crime down in one of the nations' largest and most diverse Cities. I am most proud to support the Mayor’s Federal and State agenda to ensure that we continue to protect and preserve the rights and dignity of all New Yorker's regardless of their status, sexual preference and religion – a New York that works for all” said Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez.

About Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez

In September 2015, Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez joined Emblem Health as Senior Vice President, Corporate Relations and Government Affairs. Previously, Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez was the Executive Vice President for the American Association of Retired People (AARP). She oversaw implementation of overall Brand Awareness and Acquisition Campaign for target audiences. She also oversaw formation of the Multicultural Markets and Engagement Unit.

Prior to joining AARP, Lorraine was Secretary of State in New York from 2007 to 2010 – the first Latina to serve in that role. During her tenure she re-aligned the Community Services Block Grant Program to target specific areas that include at risk youth, healthy families and workforce development. Before her appointment by Governor Spitzer, Lorraine served as Vice President of Government and Public Affairs at Cablevision. She also worked for 14 years at the New York City Department for the Aging's Bureau of Program and Resource Development. Earlier in her career, she held a variety of social impact positions in East Harlem.

From 1998 to 2004, Cortés-Vázquez served as President of the Hispanic Federation, aiding more than 2 million Latinos annually. She also has prior experience on the New York State Board of Regents; she was Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Roberto Ramirez; and she oversaw the Puerto Rican Hispanic Task Force and the Somos El Futuro Conference. She was also Executive Director of ASPIRA of New York, the nation’s oldest and largest non-profit Latino youth leadership development and education advocacy agency.

STATE SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION AFTER RECENT OUTBREAK OF A VERMIN-BORNE ILLNESS IN THE BRONX

Requests that the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development to Launch a Full and Exhaustive Investigation into 750 Grand Concourse and All Other Properties Owned by Ved Parkash 

    State Senator Gustavo Rivera released the following statement after one individual perished and two others were hospitalized in the Bronx after contracting leptospirosis, a vermin-borne infection, through the exposure to rat urine. One of the non-fatal victims is a resident of 750 Grand Concourse, whose owner Ved Parkash, has been identified on multiple occasions as one of New York City's worst landlords. 

In an effort to help prevent similar tragedies from occurring in known vermin-infested buildings, State Senator Rivera, the Ranking Member of the New York State Senate Health Committee, has penned a letter to the New York City's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Mary Bassett and New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Maria Torres-Springer, calling on the two agencies to work collaboratively in launching a complete and exhaustive investigation of all of the residential buildings owned by Ved Parkash and to create and implement a comprehensive plan of action that will effectively address the current vermin infestations in such buildings. The letter also calls on the two agencies to implement a similar plan for the City's shelter system and the other landlords who are a part of the Worst Landlords List given that these residences tend to also have substantial outstanding violations pertaining to vermin infestation.

"As the Ranking Member of Senate Health Committee and as a Bronx elected representative, I find these incidents alarming, disturbing and frankly outrageous. Unsurprisingly, Mr. Parkash continues to show an utter disdain for his tenants and the law given the long list of unresolved violations that continue to plague his buildings. As a City, we cannot stand by while Mr. Parkash, and other landlords who neglect to address housing violations, continue to deliberately put at risk the health of tenants without any consequences. It is my hope that through this letter, both the DOHMH and HPD will launch a full investigation that will put in place a comprehensive plan of action that holds landlords accountable when it comes to addressing housing violations and providing basic health standards in residential buildings. No tenant should feel unsafe in their own home and I'm committed to work with both city agencies, community partners and constituents to ensure that every Bronx resident enjoys of a healthy and safe home environment."

Read State Senator Gustavo Rivera's full letter to DOHMH Commissioner, Mary Bassett and HPD Commissioner, Maria Torres-Springer here.

News From Congressman Elit Engel

Engel on Senate Confirmation of Scott Pruitt As EPA Administrator

   Congressman Eliot L. Engel, a leading member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement on the confirmation of Scott Pruitt as EPA Administrator:

“I am deeply troubled by Scott Pruitt’s confirmation to lead the agency tasked with protecting the American people from significant risks to human health and the environment.  Time and again, Mr. Pruitt has sued the federal government to undo the laws that protect our water and air, and openly questioned the reality of climate change.  He is a dangerous and unacceptable choice to lead the EPA.”

Engel Signs Amicus Brief Opposing Executive Order on Immigration

   Congressman Eliot L. Engel, a top member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and officials from 34 cities and municipalities across the United States, have filed an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York on behalf of the plaintiff in Darweesh v. Trump. Mr. Darweesh is an Iraqi national who worked for the U.S. military. He had a valid visa to enter the country, but he is currently in CBP custody pending removal back to Iraq, where he and his family’s lives are in danger because of the support he offered us during the war.

“This travel ban is unlawful, unconstitutional, and discriminatory,” Engel said. “It stokes hatred in the hearts of our enemies and callously turns a blind eye to our friends and others who seek refuge on our soil. Our judicial system, so far, has upheld the Constitution and halted the implementation of this ban, but we cannot rest on our laurels and assume the battle is won. This case is further proof that the fight is not over, and our brief shows that Americans across the country do not support this Muslim ban. We will not rest until this unconstitutional order is thoroughly defeated.”

Engel Opposes GOP Resolution Curtailing Health Care Access

   Congressman Eliot L. Engel, a top member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, voted against H.J. Res. 43, a resolution under the Congressional Review Act to disapprove of an Obama administration rule that ensured patients can access Title X family planning and preventive services through any Title X-qualified provider.

As the only dedicated source of federal funding for family planning, Title X allows a diverse network of providers to deliver high-quality care to low-income, uninsured, or underinsured Americans. Title X provides grants to entities that offer a broad range of services, such as cancer screenings, birth control, sexually-transmitted infection testing and treatment, and well-woman exams. More than four million women and men receive family planning and preventive care at Title-X funded clinics annually.

An Obama administration rule stopped states from blocking Title X funds to providers that use private, non-government funds to offer safe, legal abortions. Today’s GOP-sponsored resolution rescinds that rule.

“Eligibility for Title X funding should be based on a provider’s ability to provide family planning services. Period. Whether a provider offers safe and legal abortions with private funds should not be used to prevent women and men from getting preventive care, like cancer screenings or HIV tests,” Engel said. “That is all the rule requires. This should not be controversial.”

In a speech on the House floor, Engel underscored the harmful effects of the resolution, which would prevent Americans in underserved communities from seeing the health care provider of their choice – sometimes the only viable provider.

“My Republican colleagues always talk about individual freedom, and how important it is.” Engel said. “This is an individual freedom of a woman’s right to control her own body and to make personal choices on health care. We should not interfere with that.”

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR DE BLASIO ON WATER RATE RULING

   “Wealthy landlords and high-priced lobbyists have spared nothing to line their own pockets at the expense of hardworking New Yorkers. Today’s court ruling keeps $183 of water rate relief out of the hands of everyday homeowners – for now. We will continue to fight and are confident that, ultimately, we will prevail and return that money to the 650,000 New Yorkers who earned it.”

MAYOR DE BLASIO APPOINTS GRACE BONILLA AS ADMINISTRATOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATION

   Mayor Bill de Blasio today appointed Grace Bonilla as Administrator of the Human Resources Administration (HRA), which is now part of the Department of Social Services. Utilizing her years of experience in the public and non-profit sectors – including senior-level experience at HRA, Grace Bonilla will be responsible for leading HRA to fight poverty and income inequality. She will report to Department of Social Services Commissioner Steven Banks.

“The people who work at the Human Resources Administration are tasked with achieving one of the most important goals of this City – combatting income inequality and poverty,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Grace Bonilla’s years of experience at HRA and fighting for New York’s most vulnerable make her a fine addition to the team to expand upon HRA’s critical work. I welcome Grace back to HRA and look forward to working with her.”

“I’m thrilled to welcome Grace Bonilla back to the Human Resources Administration,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Herminia Palacio. “As a longtime advocate for and champion of vulnerable New Yorkers, Grace brings critical expertise and an incredible sense of purpose to HRA. I look forward to working with her in this new role as we work to connect more New Yorkers to the critical services HRA provides.”

“We are very excited to have Grace Bonilla back in our agency in her new role as Administrator for the Human Resources Administration,” saidDepartment of Social Services Commissioner Steven Banks. “She brings with her a wealth of experience in public and community service that will be a great asset to the agency as we continue to implement our reforms to help the neediest New Yorkers. I look forward to working with her again and to her leadership of the HRA team.”

“It is with a newfound purpose that I return to HRA and look forward to serving this Administration at such a critical time for our city and country. I am honored to work with Commissioner Banks and the stellar team at HRA as we continue to strengthen the safety net and assist millions of New Yorkers. I bring with me all the lessons that I have learned from the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families staff, our parents and students, and will work to effectively represent their hopes and dreams for themselves and our city. I am humbled by Mayor de Blasio’s vote of confidence and look forward to serving the city in this capacity,” said Grace Bonilla.

As part of the 90-day review of homeless services, the Mayor determined that to better coordinate services to New Yorkers and prevent homelessness HRA and the Department of Homeless Services should both report to a single Commissioner of the Department of Social Services, with an Administrator appointed to directly manage each agency. Grace Bonilla has been selected to fill the Administrator position at HRA.

About Grace Bonilla

Grace Bonilla was most recently the President and CEO of the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families (CHCF), a non-profit which combines education and advocacy to expand opportunities for children and families. In her role as President of CHCF, Bonilla served on the Universal Pre-Kindergarten Advisory Group. She also served as co-Chair of ACS’ Racial Equity and Cultural Competency as well as the Community School Advisory Board, among others. From 2012 to 2014, Bonilla served as Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Community Affairs and Immigrant Services, working to remove potential barriers to services for 1 million limited English proficient (LEP) and immigrant clients. Prior to this, she spent 10 years in senior roles at HRA. From 2011 to 2012, Bonilla was Assistant Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Constituent Services at HRA. She oversaw the daily operational needs of the Office of Constituent Communications and Infoline, the agency’s call center. She also collaborated with senior staff to ensure that HRA effectively implement legal mandates associated with the Americans with Disabilities Act and improved collaboration between the Office of Constituent Services and other program areas.

From 2009 to 2011, Bonilla served as Director of Legislation and Policy in the Office of Child Support Enforcement at HRA. In this role, she supervised the legislative and policy unit in efforts to adopt best practices from around the country. She also collaborated with the New York State Family Court to bring innovative approaches to reducing arrears for low income non-custodial parents. In addition, Bonilla was a project manager for a pilot program that examined the benefits of beginning child support orders through agreements outside of court for families on cash assistance. Bonilla also assisted as a liaison with New York Family Court to eliminate millions of dollars in arrears for low income non-custodial parents. Prior to this, she served as a Senior Legislative Analyst and Agency Attorney at HRA. Bonilla is the proud daughter of immigrant parents. Born and raised in Queens, Bonilla continues to live there with her husband Michael and three sons. She is a graduate of St. Johns University and Brooklyn Law School.

About HRA

Now part of the Department of Social Services, the Human Resources Administration (HRA) provides economic support and social services to families and individuals through the administration of major benefit programs including cash assistance (CA), the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid and Child Support Services. HRA also provides homelessness prevention and rental assistance, educational, vocational and employment services, assistance for persons with disabilities, services for immigrants, civil legal aid and disaster relief. For the most vulnerable New Yorkers, it provides HIV/AIDS Services, Adult Protective Services, Home Care and programs for survivors of domestic violence.

Wave Hill Events Mar 3–Mar 10 Ray Vega!

  Just another dazzlingly peaceful week in the gardens—if you can think of a sizzling performance Sunday by Ray Vega’s quintet in that way! Also happening on Sunday, at the other end of the gardens, is the next-to-last drop-in studio time with two of the artists in our Winter Workspace Session 2 in Glyndor Gallery. And another of the Session 2 artists, Cecile Chong, offers a workshop this week.

Want some specific garden inspiration for your next visit? Check out weekly posts to our blog, each focusing on a particular plant that deserves your interest. This week it’s winter-blooming witch hazel—as attached.

SAT, MARCH 4    WINTER WORKSPACE WORKSHOP: NARRATIVES IN ENCAUSTIC

Work with Winter Workspace artist Cecile Chong to create a personal chronicle or story embedded permanently in encaustic. Fixed in beeswax and resin, your work will become a scrapbook page or visual time-capsule. $55/$45 Wave Hill Member. Registration required, online at wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. 

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 10AM–1PM

SAT, MARCH 4    FAMILY ART PROJECT: A LIVING WALL

While we are still tucked indoors for winter, let’s remember plants that provide fresh air indoors. Using the shapes, colors and names of these familiar, green friends, make paper collages incorporating many verdant hues, then participate in a group installation project—a green wall! Free, and admission to the grounds is free untilnoon. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, MARCH 4    GARDEN & CONSERVATORY HIGHLIGHTS WALK

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

SUN, MARCH 5    FAMILY ART PROJECT: A LIVING WALL

While we are still tucked indoors for winter, let’s remember plants that provide fresh air indoors. Using the shapes, colors and names of these familiar, green friends, make paper collages incorporating many verdant hues, then participate in a group installation project—a green wall! Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, MARCH 5    PRE-CONCERT TEA

Enjoy Afternoon Tea in the Mark Twain Room prior to today’s concert in Armor Hall. The Café at Wave Hill pairs a classic menu with an assortment of green, black and herbal teas. This traditional tea service includes the four classic elements of savory, scones, sweets and tea. The menu, presented by Great Performances, includes an array of tea sandwiches, scones and bite-sized desserts. Afternoon Tea also includes a glass of sparkling wine. Afternoon Tea Service is $36. Wave Hill Members receive a 10% discount. Advanced registration is required, online atwavehill.org. We will take reservations until noon, Friday, March 3.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, NOON

SUN, MARCH 5    WINTER WORKSPACE DROP-IN SUNDAY

Artists in the Winter Workspace program share their studio practice with visitors on this Drop-in Sunday. In the Winter Workspace today are Elisabeth Condon andTommy Nguyen. Stop by Glyndor Gallery to speak to the artists and get a closer look at the creative process. Free with admission to the grounds. 

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 1–3PM

SUN, MARCH 5    CONCERT: RAY VEGA LATIN JAZZ QUINTET

Trumpeter Ray Vega brought the audience to its feet on his prior visit to Wave Hill. “A dean of golden tones and elegant, melody-respecting improvisational development" (JAZZIZ Magazine), the South Bronx native and his Latin Jazz ensemble return triumphantly to Armor Hall with a mix of his own works and his unique take on standard tunes. Performances begin at 2PM and last approximately one hour with no intermission. Ticket prices: Adults $28/$22 Wave Hill Member, Children (ages 8-18) $15/$12. Order tickets online or onsite at the Perkins Visitors Center. For additional information, please call 718.549.3200 x251.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 2PM

SUN, MARCH 5    GARDEN & CONSERVATORY HIGHLIGHTS WALK

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

MON, MARCH 6    

Closed to the public

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS  Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM–4:30PM.  Closes 5:30PM, March 15–October 31.

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the W. 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELESS SERVICES TERMINATING ALL HOTEL AND CLUSTER-SITE CONTRACTS WITH BEDCO

DHS seeks new nonprofit service providers to manage cluster shelters as first step toward phasing BEDCO out over coming months

  The NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS) today announced that it will end the use of Bushwick Economic Development Corporation (BEDCO) as a nonprofit service provider sheltering homeless New Yorkers in hotels and cluster sites. Over the coming months, BEDCO’s hotel and cluster-site portfolio will be completely eliminated and/or transitioned to other providers—the result of an ongoing comprehensive review of all aspects of shelter operations. Last year, DHS took steps to end the use of two nonprofit service providers with a history of noncompliance and serious shelter conditions issues, terminating contracts with We Always Care and transitioning the Housing Bridge portfolio to new providers. These changes were made after last spring’s 90-day review of homeless services, during which time DHS took a fresh look at City shelter policies and contractors and proposed critical reforms, many of which had long been called for by advocates. This was the first such review to happen in decades.

“As part of the 90-day review of homeless services, we are aggressively reforming decades-old policies and practices, including ending relationships with providers who have had a history of serious shelter conditions or other issues,” said Department of Social Services Commissioner Steven Banks. “Wherever possible, we are working to keep New Yorkers in their homes and out of shelter through a prevention-first strategy. But for our homeless neighbors in shelter, we are making an unprecedented number of changes to dramatically improve shelter conditions and services. Last year alone, we eliminated more than 10,000 shelter building code violations that had built up over many years.”

Today, as the first step toward phasing BEDCO out of these sites, DHS released a negotiated acquisition to secure new providers for all BEDCO-run cluster shelter locations. Over the coming months, DHS will take other measures to phase out BEDCO at hotels where the City provides shelter to homeless New Yorkers.

Comptroller Stringer Presents Analysis of New York City’s Preliminary FY 2018 Budget and January Financial Plan

   With the City’s economic growth beginning to slow, and rising fears of federal budget cuts under a Trump White House, New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer today presented his analysis of New York City’s Preliminary Fiscal Year 2018 budget and the January Financial Plan.

“Our economy is strong, but with the pace of growth slowing and with uncertainty surrounding the Trump White House mounting, we have to prepare for whatever comes our way. I believe that we must prepare for the challenges ahead,” New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer said. “Mayor De Blasio has presented a Preliminary Budget that contains a number of laudable new initiatives, which I support.  Yet, as we face challenges ahead, we will have to grow our budget cushion and a more vigorous agency savings program will be necessary.”

The presentation covered several aspects of the City Preliminary budget and the state of the City’s economy, including:

The Comptroller’s Economic Outlook: Slowing Growth

The rate of economic growth is expected to slow for New York City during the Financial Plan period (2017-2021). 

• The current economic expansion since the Great Recession will go on record as one of the strongest. The city has created 635,000 jobs since 2009, totaling a historic high of nearly 4.4 million jobs, and unemployment rates are down in all five boroughs.
• Over half of new jobs have been in industries such as retail, leisure and hospitality, and healthcare, where wages are generally low.
• Real earnings for high-income sectors saw dramatic rises between 2009-2015. Lower paid workers, in contrast saw much smaller gains, with workers in the healthcare and education super-sector, who earn on average just $52,000, seeing no gains in real earnings at all.
• This year and next, the Comptroller’s Office expects growth to be sustained at better than two percent, due to a predicted artificial stimulus through potential tax cuts and proposed infrastructure spending.
• If President Trump implements his threats regarding trade and immigration restrictions, a more drastic slowdown should be expected in the years to come.

Possible Federal Budget Cuts Would Fall Most Heavily on the Safety Net

Federal budget cuts could seriously harm New York’s ability to protect its most vulnerable citizens, who rely on numerous programs funded with Federal Aid.

• The City relies on $7 billion annually in federal aid to help fund a wide range of city programs and services.
• Examples include 124,000 families who rely on HUD Section 8 vouchers, 770,000 low-income and elderly households who get federal assistance to keep their homes warm in winter, and 105,000 jobseekers who were served by City Workforce One centers last year.
• Repealing the Affordable Care Act could have a devastating impact on 1.6 million newly enrolled New Yorkers and the NYC Health + Hospitals system. NYC Health + Hospitals is in the midst of a Transformation Plan to address budget gaps that reach $1.8 billion by 2021, which could be derailed by ACA repeal.

The Budget Cushion Needs to Be Built Up to Meet the Challenges Ahead

The City’s budget cushion – the amount available in reserves and accumulated surpluses at the beginning of each fiscal year – is below the optimal level to meet the likely challenges.

• The Comptroller’s Office believes the optimal range for a budget cushion is between 12 percent and 18 percent of adjusted City expenditures.
• The City began fiscal year 2017 with a cushion of $9.6 billion, or 11 percent of spending.
• As of the Preliminary Budget, the City would start 2018 with a cushion of 10 percent of spending – about $8.5 billion.
• An additional $1.7 billion would be required to reach the minimum 12% threshold.

Great Effort Will be Required by Agencies to Identify Savings

City agencies will need to make a greater effort to identify savings and efficiencies in order to help build up the budget cushion.

• The Comptroller’s analysis found that the vast majority of the City’s $2.1 billion savings in FY 2017 and FY 2018 comes from spending re-estimates, funding shifts, and debt service, while $139 million – or just seven percent of all savings – comes from City agency efficiencies.

• As a percentage of total spending, agency savings have averaged just 1.0 percent in the last three budgets, compared to 2.7 percent in the six budgets during and after the Great Recession.

Homelessness Spending Continues to Climb Steeply

The continuing rise in homelessness spending shows the need for a clear strategy with measurable and transparent milestones.

• Citywide spending on homelessness has nearly doubled from $1.2 billion in FY 2014 to $2.3 billion in FY 2017. Spending on citywide homeless services is projected to increase by $460 million over last year.

• Those dramatic rises are driven in part by the cost of commercial hotels, spending for which reached $102 million in calendar year 2016.

• DHS has failed to update the metrics in its online dashboard for over a year.

Risks and Offsets Analysis Shows Somewhat Higher Gaps than the Mayor’s

The Comptroller’s analysis of the assumptions and methods in the Mayor’s Preliminary Budget proposal, as required by the City Charter, show somewhat higher budget gaps.

• The Comptroller’s Office is more optimistic in its tax revenue forecast than OMB’s. However, the assumption that the City will realize $731 million from the sale of taxi medallions may be optimistic, and the Preliminary budget continues to leave out the intercept of sales tax revenue imposed by the State last year to recapture savings from the 2014 refinancing of STAR-C bonds.
• The analysis also shows several areas where spending is likely underestimated, including overtime, homelessness, DOE’s Medicaid claiming, and City support for NYC Health + Hospitals.
• As a result, budget gaps beginning in FY 2018 are projected to be somewhat higher than those predicted by OMB.

To view Comptroller Stringer’s budget analysis presentation, click here.