New York City Council Asks For $103M To Repair Roads In Budget Response
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) - The New York City Council wants to spend more to fix roads. However, the money wasn't outlined in the mayor's original budget proposal.
Staten Island Councilwoman Debi Rose said the response to Mayor Bill de Blasio's budget asks for additional money to repair roads -- specifically "to increase the baseline funding to include $103 million in capital funds to fix our roads."
New York City Council Asks For $103M To Repair Roads
"I have had more than eight flat tires in this season," Rose said.
As WCBS 880's Ginny Kosola reported, Council Speaker Melissa-Mark Viverito said budget negotiations with the mayor's office are continuing.
In the response, the council is also proposing the hiring of more 1,000 more police officers, creating a bail fund for low-level offenses, expanding services for immigrants and providing free lunch for all public school students.
Mark-Viverito says putting more officers on the ground will help improve relationships between police and the community. She says too many New Yorkers spend time in jail for non-violent offenses because they cannot afford bail.
Mayor Bill de Blasio rejected adding more officers in last year's budget negotiations. The issue has come under increased scrutiny this year, in the wake of de Blasio's rift with police union leaders and rank-and-file officers.
The budget must be completed by June 30.
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