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Velazquez Releases Report on Trump Budget and NYC

June 19, 2017

Velázquez Releases Report on Trump Budget and NYC

Analysis Highlights Devastating Cuts to Housing, Transit, Security

Washington, DC- Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released a new report today which paints a dark portrait of how New York City and its residents would suffer should the President's newly released budget be implemented. In the wake of the newly released budget proposal, the report takes a hard look at devastating cuts to public housing, transportation, and safety—delivering what would be a sharp blow to New Yorkers.

"For someone who calls himself a ‘New Yorker', President Trump's budget would do great damage to our City," said Rep. Velázquez. "It's hard to name one area that the Administration's reckless budget will not harm. In Congress, I remain as committed as ever to fighting these cuts every step of the way."

In 2018, the City is slated to begin major transit overhauls, including: updates to the L train which services Brooklyn and Manhattan, extension of the new 2nd avenue subway line and improvement for the Woodhaven Boulevard Select Bus Service. However, the President's budget cuts Federal Transit Capital Investment Grants by 100%, culminating in an over $2 billion loss for projects like these. In addition, the budget zeroes out the TIGER Grant program, which helps leverage private sector and municipal resources to fund innovative transportation projects like bicycle lanes and pedestrian safety, costing the City more than $26 million.

"New Yorkers rely on public transit to go about their everyday lives, get to work and travel around the City," said Rep. Velázquez. "Trump's budget will compound service delays and put on hold projects we need that make our streets safer for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. Despite all the Administration's lip service about infrastructure investment, it is clear from this budget that Donald Trump would let our transportation systems deteriorate."

The Trump budget not only hits New Yorkers on their commute, but it would also eliminate resources that provide them a place to live. The Budget proposes enormous cuts to the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), the largest public housing authority in the nation, which serves over 400,000 New Yorkers in 326 developments throughout the city. President Trump has proposed a nearly 70% cut to public housing, which would culminate in a $200 million loss.

For families and residents facing economic hardship, the Community Service Block Grant Program (CSBG) is designed to target the root causes of poverty. The city would lose over $32 million with the budget eliminating these grants.

"Targeting public housing is cruel," said Velázquez. "NYCHA relies on help from federal funding to operate and serve many of our most vulnerable New Yorkers. Further, completely eliminating the CSBG program will literally leave people in the streets."

As one of the world's most established urban hubs, New York City relies on dedicated resources and initiatives to combat the threat of terrorism. Since the tragedy of 9/11, City agencies have worked to thwart 20 terrorist plots, largely due to federal programs like the State Homeland Security Program. However, President Trump's budget proposes a nearly $10 million loss in counter-terrorism funding from this program.

Additionally, two initiatives designed to protect New Yorkers from terrorism would be cut by 100% under the President's budget. A program created to protect the ports of the city would lose over $10 million, exposing harbors and ports to greater risk. The budget also proposes slashing the Urban Area Security Initiative, the City's main source of federal homeland security funds—a nearly $140 million loss.

"It is imperative that our city be equipped to detect and stop terrorism," noted Velázquez. "It's incredibly hypocritical and ironic that President Trump is draining New York City taxpayers by requiring them to pay for his security costs at Trump Tower, while slashing cuts to keep the city safe from terrorism."

The report finds that, if adopted, these cuts would eliminate nearly $3 billion of New York City's federal funding. The report compiled by Velázquez further highlights cuts to education, arts, environment, research, and health.

"The livelihood of all New Yorkers is at risk if this budget ever sees the light of day," Velázquez concluded. "I remain deeply troubled by the vision and priorities outlined by this Administration."

The full report is online here.


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