Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
QUESTION
What is the impact of budget cuts on New York City's cultural programs and economy?
2:58:07
ยท
105 sec
Commissioner Laurie Cumbo explains that the significant budget cuts were necessary due to the fiscal crisis faced by Mayor Eric Adams' administration, which lacked federal support.
- The budget constraints required cost-saving measures across agencies.
- The reductions severely impacted cultural affairs and arts programs.
- Efforts were made to support organizations during this challenging fiscal period despite the harmful cuts.
Carlina Rivera
2:58:07
I mean, I think you have said I think we all understand that arts and culture are these economic drivers.
2:58:14
They increase our revenues.
2:58:16
They create jobs.
2:58:19
Do you think it is fiscally responsible to cut programs that help our economy.
Laurie Cumbo
2:58:25
I would just say that, again, when I participated in this road to becoming mayor.
2:58:34
The budget crisis that mayor Eric Adams was facing was not the budget that he ran on.
2:58:39
It was not it was not the goals and aspirations that he wanted to to become mayor on.
2:58:47
There were so many things in different agencies that he wanted to see delivered, but because of the challenges that we were facing fiscally, and not having the federal support help to support the fiscal crisis and challenges that we were having we, as the taxpayers, we had to suffer because we needed to make those really important changes and and cost saving measures.
2:59:12
In order to move the city forward.
2:59:15
I would say these reductions hurt every agency on every single level and we had to fight really hard to make sure that we tried to help support so many of those organizations during this fiscal time.
2:59:28
Did you want to add to that, Lance?
Carlina Rivera
2:59:31
Well, I just want to again underline the return on our investment.
2:59:36
The public investment in arts and culture by the city's budget, the return that it brings in terms of visitors, what it does for businesses, what it does for communities, what we need in terms of development for our young people, our seniors, everyone.
2:59:51
That that is unquantifiable.
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What are the details regarding the funding calculations and impact on Cultural Development Fund (CDF) groups due to budget cuts?