Mayor Eric Adams and the New York City Council announced a budget deal that includes bringing Sunday service to some library branches.
Mayor Eric Adams and the New York City Council announced a budget deal that includes bringing Sunday service to some library branches.
Mayor Eric Adams and the New York City Council announced a budget deal that includes bringing Sunday service to some library branches.
New York City leaders on Friday announced a deal on a $115.9 billion city budget that included significant investments in early childhood education and expanded library hours.
The budget agreement, which arrived three days before the June 30 deadline, seemed designed as an election-year crowd pleaser, as evidenced by the “best budget ever” nickname given to it by Mayor Eric Adams, who faces a stiff re-election challenge in November.
The budget included new funding for several major initiatives, including $17 million for libraries that will bring Sunday service to 10 additional branches. The specific branches have not been determined.
The budget also had additional funding for immigrant legal services and child care programs for babies and toddlers under 2 years old and created a Department of Sustainable Delivery within the Transportation Department to regulate commercial electric bikes.
The budget negotiations between Mr. Adams and the City Council speaker, Adrienne Adams, have been proceeding as both were focused on the mayor’s race. The two leaders, who are not related, have a tense relationship and have fought over public safety, immigration and other issues.
The fourth budget deal was a rare moment of unity.
“We are pretty darn proud of this budget,” Ms. Adams said, adding: “I think it’s a model for the nation.”