New York voters should force the de Blasio administration to sock away more money to cover municipal workers’ future health costs, which are now more than $90 billion, a legislator said Monday.
City Councilman Dan Garodnick (D-Manhattan) said the city’s liability is the second-largest among all cities and states, exceeded only by California’s.
As a result, he called for a voter referendum to amend the City Charter so mayors would have to set aside a fixed amount every year toward the staggering tab.
“Better to put away money slowly now than to be faced with necessary tax increases or radical service cuts when we get hit with the bill,” Garodnick said.
“When government makes a deal, we need to live up to it.”
The health benefits fund now has $2.3 billion, but the estimated liability is $92.5 billion.
Garodnick’s plan is being backed by the Citizens Budget Commission and Citizens Union, two government watchdogs.
Mayor Bill de Blasio quickly rejected the proposal, saying his administration has already added $800 million to the reserves and has reinstated $1 billion that was to be cut.