City Council Budget Victories

Jun 26, 2007 2:43 PM

Legislation and Budget

On Friday, June 15, the City Council finalized the city budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008.  Although most of the news coverage has focused on the surplus, the decrease in property and other taxes and the funding of libraries for six day operation, there are many good things in this budget for our members and their students. UFT supported items account for more than 10 percent of the discretionary funding (council member items or earmarks.) In a change from past policy, the budget now identifies the council member or members who sponsored appropriations for what are called "discretionary allocations" or special grants.

Some highlights of the budget:

•Almost $21 million for Teacher's Choice.  The City Council restored $19.696 million for the program, which the Mayor's budget proposal had eliminated, and then provided an additional $1.2  million;

•A $1.7 million allocation for Provider's Choice.  This program, modeled on our Teacher's Choice program, provides funding for educational supplies and equipment for family day care providers. The City Council restored $500,000 and added $1.2 million.

Some of these discretionary allocations that will benefit our members and the parents and students in their schools are:

•The UFT Dial-A-Teacher Program received $50,000;

•Council members allocated $300,000 to upgrade teacher preparation rooms;

•Council members also allocated various amounts to schools around the city to, among other uses: support PTA  activities; provide funds for purchasing of special equipment such as musical instruments; and fund special school  programs.

The city budget continues to fund $600,000 for workstations.