De Blasio’s first preliminary budget funds pre-K, housing, fire companies
Storm clouds: Open union contracts, troubled hospitals
In Mayor Bill de Blasio’s preliminary 2015 Fiscal Year budget presentation on Wednesday, the Mayor outlined a plan that will invest in full-day pre-K; fund an inspector general for the NYPD; enforce the paid sick leave act; give relief to the New York City Housing Authority; and provide help for homeless youth and HIV/AIDS patients.
Saying that a “progressive agenda goes along with fiscal responsibility,” Mayor de Blasio said he would put an end to the yearly “budget dance” and restore $59 million in funding for the 20 FDNY companies – eight in Brooklyn — that were previously cut from the FY 2015 budget by Mayor Bloomberg.
One of the FDNY companies Mayor de Blasio restored is Engine Company 205, at 74 Middagh Street in Brooklyn Heights. With Ladder Company 118, the company lost eight firefighters during the September 11 terrorist attacks.