Eric Adams doubles down on ask for half NYC Council’s ‘pork’ funding for $1 billion migrant cost
Mayor Eric Adams doubled down Wednesday on his demand that the City Council help foot the Big Apple’s $1 billion migrant crisis bill by giving up half of the discretionary funds they hand out as “pork” each year.
The mayor stuck to his guns, when asked at a press conference about his call earlier in the week to make the legislature fork over about half of the $563 million kitty they use to dole out cash to civic groups in their districts.
“I’m hearing from my council persons all the time that we need to give more free stuff away. This stuff costs money!” said Adams.
Adams also claimed that “some” councilmembers want to give migrants “free” cell phones and MetroCards — and that will further strain the city’s essential services and dwindling finances.
“I am not going to take away from taxpayers to go beyond what we have been doing, and we have been doing a lot,” he added.
Adams continued tough talk came after he sent a missive to Speaker Adrienne Adams (D-Queens) on Tuesday asking her to tell members they should “voluntarily” give up a hunk of their discretionary funds to fill the budget hole cause by the migrant crisis.
“The city has spent more than $250 million to house, feed, and provide wraparound services to over 31,000 asylum seekers, with more arriving if Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts lifts the temporary stay he just imposed on the Title 42 public health order that was set to expire this week,” explained Adams in the letter delivered late Tuesday night, which The Post exclusively reporters on earlier that day.
The ask sparked outrage amongst individual council members — including Speaker Adams.
“We cannot allow the mayor’s suggestion, that we cut a lifeline to communities, stand as a viable option,” the Speaker told reporters Tuesday during a press conference.
Other members like Councilman Justin Brannan (D-Brooklyn), who chairs the chamber’s Finance Committee, also said the proposal is dead on arrival.
“Nonprofits are the backbone of our city. They know their communities and deliver critical services to New Yorkers in need,” he told The Post.
“Cutting their funding, while simultaneously gutting city agencies, will leave New Yorkers in need with nowhere to turn. And that’s just not an option for this Council.”