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| De Blasio and Council, Facing Fiscal Crisis Over Virus, Agree on Budget With Big Cuts | De Blasio and Council, Facing Fiscal Crisis Over Virus, Agree on Budget With Big Cuts |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Bowing to political pressure and a bleak fiscal reality that evoked municipal crises of decades past, New York City officials on Monday agreed to an austerity budget that includes drastic cuts to city services and a $1 billion shift of resources out of the New York Police Department. | Bowing to political pressure and a bleak fiscal reality that evoked municipal crises of decades past, New York City officials on Monday agreed to an austerity budget that includes drastic cuts to city services and a $1 billion shift of resources out of the New York Police Department. |
| New York, like the rest of the country, was forced to lock down its economy to limit the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, which has taken 22,000 lives in the city. The shutdown helped control the spread of the virus, but it also created a $9 billion revenue shortfall that will have a sharp impact on New Yorkers’ lives. | New York, like the rest of the country, was forced to lock down its economy to limit the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, which has taken 22,000 lives in the city. The shutdown helped control the spread of the virus, but it also created a $9 billion revenue shortfall that will have a sharp impact on New Yorkers’ lives. |
| Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat, had already shrunk estimated spending by $7.4 billion this year, but needed to find another $1 billion in savings before the city’s July 1 budget deadline for the coming fiscal year. The gloomy $87 billion budget is nearly $6 billion less than the one the city approved last year. | Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat, had already shrunk estimated spending by $7.4 billion this year, but needed to find another $1 billion in savings before the city’s July 1 budget deadline for the coming fiscal year. The gloomy $87 billion budget is nearly $6 billion less than the one the city approved last year. |
| At the same time, another budgetary priority emerged from the killing of George Floyd after an encounter with the police in Minneapolis, as calls to defund the Police Department grew in New York. That effort came to include Mr. de Blasio’s negotiating partner, the Council speaker, Corey Johnson, a Democrat who this month embraced activists’ calls to cut $1 billion from the department’s $6 billion operating budget. | At the same time, another budgetary priority emerged from the killing of George Floyd after an encounter with the police in Minneapolis, as calls to defund the Police Department grew in New York. That effort came to include Mr. de Blasio’s negotiating partner, the Council speaker, Corey Johnson, a Democrat who this month embraced activists’ calls to cut $1 billion from the department’s $6 billion operating budget. |
| The mayor and the City Council agreed on Monday to reach that $1 billion in cuts by, among other things, canceling the planned hiring of 1,163 police officers. | The mayor and the City Council agreed on Monday to reach that $1 billion in cuts by, among other things, canceling the planned hiring of 1,163 police officers. |
| But slightly less than half of the $1 billion in cuts will come from a budgetary sleight of hand: School safety officers, who are currently under the auspices of the Police Department, will be moved to the authority of the Department of Education, according to three council members familiar with the plan. | But slightly less than half of the $1 billion in cuts will come from a budgetary sleight of hand: School safety officers, who are currently under the auspices of the Police Department, will be moved to the authority of the Department of Education, according to three council members familiar with the plan. |
| The funding changes to the Police Department fell short of the demands from protesters who have been camping out at City Hall Park for nearly a week. Tensions appeared to escalate on Tuesday morning, with video posted on Twitter showing police officers using batons to forcefully push protesters back. | |
| The budget is expected to be passed on Tuesday by the full 51-member City Council, although it is expected to garner more than a dozen “no” votes, split between council members who oppose cutting police funding at a time when crime is rising and those who think the police cuts do not go far enough. | The budget is expected to be passed on Tuesday by the full 51-member City Council, although it is expected to garner more than a dozen “no” votes, split between council members who oppose cutting police funding at a time when crime is rising and those who think the police cuts do not go far enough. |
| Councilman Ben Kallos, a Democrat who represents the Upper East Side, said he planned to vote no on the budget, in part because he said the police cuts were insufficient. | Councilman Ben Kallos, a Democrat who represents the Upper East Side, said he planned to vote no on the budget, in part because he said the police cuts were insufficient. |
| “It is worse than it was before,” Mr. Kallos said in an interview. | “It is worse than it was before,” Mr. Kallos said in an interview. |
| “We are not seeing a meaningful reduction in head count and the changes that people are literally marching in the streets for,” he said. “I don’t think anyone marching for Black Lives Matter is doing it to see school safety agents moved from the N.Y.P.D. budget to the schools budget.” | “We are not seeing a meaningful reduction in head count and the changes that people are literally marching in the streets for,” he said. “I don’t think anyone marching for Black Lives Matter is doing it to see school safety agents moved from the N.Y.P.D. budget to the schools budget.” |
| Councilman Brad Lander, a Brooklyn Democrat, said he would also vote against the budget because he said the changes to Police Department funding were not “real meaningful cuts.” Among other things, he is skeptical that the department will actually achieve $350 million in overtime reduction costs, as the city has argued will happen. | Councilman Brad Lander, a Brooklyn Democrat, said he would also vote against the budget because he said the changes to Police Department funding were not “real meaningful cuts.” Among other things, he is skeptical that the department will actually achieve $350 million in overtime reduction costs, as the city has argued will happen. |
| The redistribution of Police Department resources to other departments achieves political and possibly policy ends, but will do little to close the city’s yawning budget gap. | The redistribution of Police Department resources to other departments achieves political and possibly policy ends, but will do little to close the city’s yawning budget gap. |
| To close that gap, the city will demand across-the-board savings from city agencies, and slash services that city residents have come to rely on, such as eliminating the residential composting program and closing city pools for the summer. | To close that gap, the city will demand across-the-board savings from city agencies, and slash services that city residents have come to rely on, such as eliminating the residential composting program and closing city pools for the summer. |
| Trash pickups will be reduced, and overnight service on the Staten Island Ferry will be curtailed. Fewer police traffic agents will be deployed at intersections, and tree pruning and tree stump removal will be less frequent. | Trash pickups will be reduced, and overnight service on the Staten Island Ferry will be curtailed. Fewer police traffic agents will be deployed at intersections, and tree pruning and tree stump removal will be less frequent. |
| And for the first time in his tenure, the mayor drew down on the city’s reserves, tapping $4 billion in savings to help balance the budget, much of it from the retiree health benefits fund, a move that does not affect retiree benefits in the short term. | And for the first time in his tenure, the mayor drew down on the city’s reserves, tapping $4 billion in savings to help balance the budget, much of it from the retiree health benefits fund, a move that does not affect retiree benefits in the short term. |
| Mr. de Blasio still believes the city needs to find $1 billion in labor savings or face 22,000 layoffs, unless the federal government comes through with aid or the state grants the city borrowing authority, according to Mr. de Blasio’s spokeswoman, Freddi Goldstein. | |
| But the budget is expected to restore more than $100 million in funding for youth programs that was cut under the mayor’s executive budget, according to a council member. Ms. Goldstein declined to confirm that number. | |
| “The mayor had two goals for this budget: maintain safety and invest in youth and our hardest-hit communities — all while facing the toughest fiscal situation the city has seen in decades,” Ms. Goldstein said. “We believe we presented a plan that accomplishes that mission and look forward to working with the Council to pass a budget that helps this city rebuild stronger.” | “The mayor had two goals for this budget: maintain safety and invest in youth and our hardest-hit communities — all while facing the toughest fiscal situation the city has seen in decades,” Ms. Goldstein said. “We believe we presented a plan that accomplishes that mission and look forward to working with the Council to pass a budget that helps this city rebuild stronger.” |
| Updated June 24, 2020 | Updated June 24, 2020 |
| Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles. | Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles. |
| A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. | A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. |
| The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. | The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. |
| The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. | The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, a Democrat, and the State Legislature have declined to give New York City the authority to borrow money to pay for operating costs, even though the state has granted that authority to the state’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and to itself. | |
| “The New York City bond ratings went up in the last 12 months, for God sakes, this is not the 1970s,” the mayor said on Monday, shortly before Mr. Cuomo invoked the 1970s as a rationale for why he was reluctant to grant the borrowing authority to New York City. | “The New York City bond ratings went up in the last 12 months, for God sakes, this is not the 1970s,” the mayor said on Monday, shortly before Mr. Cuomo invoked the 1970s as a rationale for why he was reluctant to grant the borrowing authority to New York City. |
| Mr. de Blasio has not provided a detailed enough plan about how he would use the borrowed money, said Mike Murphy, a spokesman for the Democratic majority in the State Senate. After speaking with Senate Democrats on Monday, Scott M. Stringer, the city comptroller and a 2021 mayoral candidate, agreed. | Mr. de Blasio has not provided a detailed enough plan about how he would use the borrowed money, said Mike Murphy, a spokesman for the Democratic majority in the State Senate. After speaking with Senate Democrats on Monday, Scott M. Stringer, the city comptroller and a 2021 mayoral candidate, agreed. |
| “The mayor has requested $7 billion and now $5 billion in borrowing authority without providing data or rationale,” Mr. Stringer, a Democrat, said in a statement. “Our children do not owe the mayor a blank check.” | “The mayor has requested $7 billion and now $5 billion in borrowing authority without providing data or rationale,” Mr. Stringer, a Democrat, said in a statement. “Our children do not owe the mayor a blank check.” |
| The city’s budget has grown drastically under Mr. de Blasio — to $92 billion in 2019 from roughly $73 billion in 2014. | The city’s budget has grown drastically under Mr. de Blasio — to $92 billion in 2019 from roughly $73 billion in 2014. |
| Budget hawks at the Citizens Budget Commission, a nonpartisan civic group, have argued that Mr. de Blasio is ignoring other levers at his disposal that are politically difficult to pull but that preclude burdening future generations with having to repay long-term debt. | Budget hawks at the Citizens Budget Commission, a nonpartisan civic group, have argued that Mr. de Blasio is ignoring other levers at his disposal that are politically difficult to pull but that preclude burdening future generations with having to repay long-term debt. |
| In addition to the possible layoffs, the mayor could cut some 9,000 jobs through attrition from the city’s work force of nearly 330,000, whose head count has expanded some 30,000 since Mr. de Blasio took office. He could also negotiate with labor to require more employees to contribute to their health care premiums. | In addition to the possible layoffs, the mayor could cut some 9,000 jobs through attrition from the city’s work force of nearly 330,000, whose head count has expanded some 30,000 since Mr. de Blasio took office. He could also negotiate with labor to require more employees to contribute to their health care premiums. |
| “The longer we sit around and bow to the altar of borrowing or federal aid, the less we actually try to solve the problems,” said Andrew Rein, the Citizens Budget Commission’s president. “All the risk is on the downside. The chance that it gets worse is high.” | “The longer we sit around and bow to the altar of borrowing or federal aid, the less we actually try to solve the problems,” said Andrew Rein, the Citizens Budget Commission’s president. “All the risk is on the downside. The chance that it gets worse is high.” |
| Budget experts expect the economic situation to markedly worsen in the 2022 fiscal year, in part because of the city’s diminishing reserves. Based on the mayor’s last budget plan, the Independent Budget Office estimates that the city will face a $6 billion shortfall next year. | Budget experts expect the economic situation to markedly worsen in the 2022 fiscal year, in part because of the city’s diminishing reserves. Based on the mayor’s last budget plan, the Independent Budget Office estimates that the city will face a $6 billion shortfall next year. |
| The city has also taken hits from the loss of state aid and Mr. Cuomo’s successful efforts to shift state costs to the city, such as Metropolitan Transportation Authority capital funding. | The city has also taken hits from the loss of state aid and Mr. Cuomo’s successful efforts to shift state costs to the city, such as Metropolitan Transportation Authority capital funding. |