Brooklyn, NY – Despite a historic $3.2 billion deficit in the year’s budget, Councilman David G. Greenfield announced that a deal had been reached between Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Council Speaker Christine Quinn to restore the funding for Priority 7 Day Care Vouchers in this year’s budget. Specifically, the program which costs the city $12 million this year will be funded for half a year, at a cost of $6 million, and will be revisited in January 2011.
“Thanks to the extraordinary leadership of Speaker Christine Quinn and the incredible generosity of Mayor Mike Bloomberg, we were able to save the most important government program serving the Orthodox Jewish community in New York. Now, thousands of needy children and families will continue to benefit from the Priority 7 childcare and after-school programs,” explained Councilman Greenfield. “In this tough budget year, this was the fiscally responsible thing to do, as Priority 7 actually saves the city money over traditional city-funded daycare.” The cost of Priority 7 is approximately $7,000 per-child per-year, while the cost of traditional daycare is nearly $13,000 a year.
Greenfield led a three month full-time effort, along with four other Councilmembers, to restore the Priority 7 vouchers. The “Brooklyn Five,” as they were known at City Hall, was led by Greenfield and included Councilmembers Steve Levin, Brad Lander, Letitia James and Lew Fidler. This dynamic group led rallies, arranged for press conferences, met with the ACS Commissioner, and this past Tuesday – delivered more than 12,000 letters from their constituents to Deputy Mayor Howard Wolfson urging the Mayor to restore funding to Priority 7.
“I am overjoyed to announce the extension of Priority 7 vouchers,” said Councilman Steve Levin. “I want to thank Mayor Bloomberg and Council Speaker Quinn for restoring these funds. This will ensure affordable childcare for thousands of our most vulnerable families.” “I am pleased that this essential after-school and childcare funding for needy families will continue thanks to the strong leadership of Speaker Quinn and Mayor Bloomberg,” said Councilman Brad Lander. ”It was not fair to ask people to choose between going to work and taking care of their kids,” said Councilman Lew Fidler. “I am delighted that we have restored one-half year’s worth of Priority 7 vouchers.”
The “Brooklyn Five” were joined in their advocacy efforts by Councilmembers Jimmy Oddo, Vinnie Ignizio and Debi Rose of Staten Island, Councilmembers Leroy Comrie, Karen Koslowitz, James Sanders and Mark Weprin of Queens, as well as Councilmembers Mathieu Eugene, Mike Nelson, and Jumaane Williams of Brooklyn and Councilmembers Annabel Palma, Oliver Koppel, Jimmy Vacca, Joel Rivera and Fernando Cabrera of the Bronx. City Council Finance Chair Domenic M. Recchia, Jr. played a critical role as an honest broker between the negotiating parties.
“The Orthodox Jewish community owes a debt of gratitude to Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Finance Chairman Domenic M. Recchia, Jr. and the four other Councilmembers who led this effort – Councilman Steve Levin, Councilman Brad Lander, Councilwoman Letitia James and veteran Councilman Lew Fidler.” said Greenfield. “This has been a tough fight in past years. However, because of the multi-billion dollar deficit, no one expected us to be successful in restoring these funds this year. Thanks to Siyata DiShmaya, and the combined hishtadlus of the councilmembers and the thousands of parents who wrote letters, the Orthodox Jewish community will continue to benefit from these vital Priority 7 vouchers.”
(YWN Desk – NYC)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
One Response
and they paid for it out of their own pockets?
or perhaps by digging an even deeper hole for the city’s finances?
Friendly but dumb when it comes to economics politicians are more dangerous than the evil and corrupt types. In the long run, they do more damage.