Overview
- The City Council voted unanimously on July 1 to adopt the $115.9 billion fiscal year 2026 budget after a late-June handshake deal between Mayor Eric Adams and Speaker Adrienne Adams.
- Nearly $2 billion in new spending will support expanded education programs, public safety initiatives, cultural institutions and social services across the five boroughs.
- Key allocations include $54 million for immigrant legal aid, $112 million in recurring funding for universal pre-K and 3-K, and $5 million to broaden the FairFares half-priced MetroCard program.
- No additional funds were added to the city’s Revenue Stabilization Fund or General Reserve, drawing criticism from Comptroller Brad Lander and the Citizens Budget Commission.
- City leaders now face pressure to manage possible federal spending reductions and ensure the longevity of the budget’s newly expanded programs without reserve buffers.