City Hall detailed its plans to whack $1.3 billion from its spending plans Tuesday as the coronavirus pandemic threatens to capsize the Big Apple’s finances with billions in lost tax revenues and massive new costs to treat the sick.
The cuts stretch across the massive municipal bureaucracy, including education, transportation, social services and benefit programs, according to a detailed list released by Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration.
“Many of these cuts are responsive to our current reality of suspension of non-essential operations, while maintaining our commitment to Pre-K for All, health care, access to food, workplace protections, critical Thrive services and public safety,” said City Hall spokeswoman Laura Feyer.
The cuts include $46 million from the Fair Fares program that provides half-priced Metro cards to poor New Yorkers — cash available since so few people are using mass transit during the outbreak.
City Hall also slashed $124 million from the summer youth employment program because it’s “unclear if feasible at all as a practical health matter.”
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams is already urging the mayor to preserve summer jobs for teens.
“It is even more vital now to preserve the employment and educational opportunities available,” Williams told The Post. “The long-term recovery will rely on the expansion of programs we know can work and the SYEP has proven each year to be one of the most vital programs for young people in our city.”
The Department of Education faces the biggest cut — $264 million overall, including $100 million from Fair Student Funding program that helps schools with the neediest kids.
The $256 million in funds slashed from health and social services includes $12 million from Chirlane McCray’s embattled mental health plan ThriveNYC.
Additionally, budget writers are cutting $24 million from the Transportation Department and $80 million from the Sanitation Department, though $52 million comes from a budget surplus thanks to a mild winter season.
Another $106 million will come from a public sector hiring freeze and vacancy reductions.
City Hall rolled out the budget cut details two weeks after de Blasio ordered city agencies March 24 to brace for at least $1.3 billion in reductions as officials struggle to preserve resources to fight coronavirus outbreak.
He hinted Monday that more cuts may be included in his major budget proposal, due April 23, and warned that “it’s going to be a very sober day.”
Andrew Rein, president of the nonprofit Citizen’s Budget Commission, said that the initial $1.3 billion in cuts are simply a “first downpayment” on what’s to come.
“It’s a beginning but it’s far from the end,” Rein told The Post. “The bottom line is we are so far from the bold action that’s needed to even start to address this budget gap that we’re running into.”
He added: “We know between this year and next year we’re facing about $6 billion and possibly greater revenue shortfalls plus the hits from the state budget, plus new spending that the city should do and is doing to address the pandemic,” Rein said.
Brooklyn Councilman Justin Brannan said the cuts are tough but necessary.
“We need to make saving money for dark days sexy again and preparing for the worst,” Brannan said. “For now we need to focus on saving lives and keeping the lights on.”
City officials also confirmed a story first reported by Politico that they are eyeing emergency short-term borrowing to pay bills, a nearly unprecedented financial move last used after the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
“We are in an unprecedented crisis and nothing is off the table for consideration,” said Feyer. “This, however, would require state legislation,” she said.