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Discussion on CUNY funding and budget priorities
1:11:48
ยท
103 sec
Council Member Brannan questions OMB Director Jiha about CUNY funding in light of the city's overall financial picture. Jiha defends the administration's approach to CUNY funding and explains the difference between program cuts and one-time funding decisions.
- Jiha asserts that there are no CUNY PEGs (Program to Eliminate the Gap) in the preliminary plan
- He emphasizes that the administration is working with CUNY to ensure their obligations are met
- Jiha distinguishes between programs funded on a year-to-year basis and actual budget cuts
Justin Brannan
1:11:48
Let me talk about CUNY.
1:11:50
CUNY is once again being asked to do more with less despite being one of the biggest economic engines and drivers of opportunity in our city for working and middle class people.
1:12:00
How does OMB justify cutting CUNY funding while the city's overall financial picture remains stronger than projected?
Jacques Jiha
1:12:10
We don't have any CUNY PEG.
1:12:14
We don't have any PEG discipline, this preliminary plan to begin with.
1:12:17
So we've been working with CUNY to ensure that CUNY met all of its obligations.
1:12:27
None of their program is currently at risk of being caught.
1:12:31
We met two weeks ago with some members of the leadership of CUNY to basically work on plan, the plan terms going forward.
1:12:41
But we have a good working relationship with them.
1:12:42
We're working with them and I want to make sure that they are funded appropriately.
1:12:47
But there is no cut in the budget for CUNY.
Justin Brannan
1:12:49
And by your accounting, how how much is CUNY down based on several pegs?
Jacques Jiha
1:12:58
I I can't get back to you too with that answer.
1:13:01
I mean, doc I'm I'm trying to avoid, you know, programs that are funded one year at a time that we work with the council every year to fund them, and I don't want to confuse them with the PEGs.
1:13:11
Okay?
1:13:12
Am I correct?
1:13:13
Yep.
1:13:13
Yep.
1:13:14
These are two different things.
1:13:15
There are programs that are funded one year at a time, and there is a big.
1:13:18
So right now, it's Tuning and Connect.
1:13:22
There are certain programs.
1:13:23
We fund them one year at a time, like working with the council at adoption to fund them.
1:13:27
But these are not cuts to any programs.
Justin Brannan
1:13:31
So let's let's stay on the this the the one shot game.