The Epoch Times: Childcare Baselined in 2014 Budget; FDNY Still Faces Cuts

NEW YORK—For at least one year, childcare services, homeless services, and libraries will be kept off the dance floor for the annual “budget dance.”

Millions in additional funding were base-lined into the fiscal year 2014 budget plan for these critical programs, including nearly $140 million for childcare services. The move came following an announcement by Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Thursday that he would be handing over a balanced budget to Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio due to better than expected tax revenue and cost saving measures.

“Following years of advocacy calling on Mayor Bloomberg to baseline these funds, we are thrilled that his administration has taken an enormous step toward stabilizing New York City’s early childhood education and after-school systems—systems that, despite their proven effectiveness in improving outcomes for children and working families, have consistently faced deep budget cuts and have struggled with the instability and uncertainty caused by one-year funding,” according to a statement from the Campaign for Children, a group of 150 advocacy and provider organizations.

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