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.”
Ms. Adams is currently fourth in the preliminary election results in the Democratic mayoral primary; Mr. Adams, who launched his re-election campaign as an independent this week, was not on the ballot.
Ms. Adams, who has repeatedly pushed back against the mayor’s budget cuts to libraries and preschool, had pledged to expand Sunday service at 10 library branches during her State of the City speech in March.
“I have repeatedly insisted on our need to move away from a budget of restoration to one that strengthens investments in New Yorkers,” she said. “This year we are making big strides toward that goal.”
The new department for regulating electric bikes was a key priority for the mayor. The department will receive $6 million for 60 positions dedicated to implementing regulations and enforcement.
Mr. Adams had pushed for a new department to focus on regulating delivery workers. Some New Yorkers have complained that they move too quickly and have hurt pedestrians.
Mr. Adams, who has received criticism over his coordination with the Trump administration on immigration enforcement, highlighted $12.5 million in funding for pro bono lawyers who will assist unaccompanied minor immigrants in removal proceedings.
He also defended his administration’s handling of an influx of migrants into the city in recent years.
“History will be kind to this administration because we were kind to people who came here and showed them dignity,” the mayor said.
Last summer’s budget deal included additional funding for libraries that allowed some branches to reopen on Sundays and prevented cuts that would have closed some branches on Saturdays.
The leaders of the city’s three library systems thanked the mayor and the Council leaders for the funding for seven-day service in a statement.
“At a time when libraries across the country are under threat, New York City has once again safeguarded our vital institutions,” they said.
But Andrew S. Rein, the president of the nonpartisan Citizens Budget Commission, said that the budget was “unaffordable and unprepared” for federal cuts that are expected from Republicans in Washington.
“Everyone knows that federal risks are real and substantial, yet they are shockingly ignored,” he said.
Mr. Rein lamented that the budget increased spending by more than twice the rate of inflation and did not set aside enough money for future economic downturns.
Parks supporters were also disappointed. A group called New Yorkers for Parks said the city must hire more parks workers, especially in light of forest fires and heat waves.
“This moment demands that New Yorkers see tangible improvements to their quality of life,” the group said.
Emma G. Fitzsimmons is the City Hall bureau chief for The Times, covering Mayor Eric Adams and his administration.
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