Bronx Council members are pleased with the finalized budget for the next fiscal year which was announced last week. The $70 billion budget includes no tax increases and will restore hundreds of millions of dollars in planned cuts to public housing, libraries, and after-school programs.

Overall, the budget for the new fiscal year, which began on July 1, is roughly the same as the previous one. “There’s not a lot of news here because this mirrors the last year,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg at a City Hall news conference. “It was done responsibly, without a lot of acrimony.”

Outgoing Bronx Council Member Oliver Koppell called the new budget “good news.”

“Since this is the last budget in which I will be involved, I am pleased that it maintains support for my priorities and for the critical services needed to protect and enhance the lives of residents in our communities,” he said.

Kopell added that he had been able to designate funds for a number of projects in his district including building a new roof for the Spuyten Duyvil Library, a new building for the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center and $500,000 more for a new library at the Kennedy High School Campus. Koppell said he also used discretionary funds for tech grants at “virtually every school in the district.”

Other Bronx members were just as content. “Above all, the budget will keep intact many services for New Yorkers and will not raise taxes,” said Council Member James Vacca.
Member Annabel Palma called the budget “another hard-won victory for the Bronx” because it continues to fund after-school and childcare programs.

Council Member Joel Rivera was also pleased. “In my district, we allocated funding for new technology in public schools, including smart pads and computers.” he said. “We have also allocated some capital money for affordable housing.” Rivera adds that while the budget will have a positive impact on the Bronx, it could be better. “While there’s no doubt the budget will benefit the Bronx, we could have done with more.” he said.