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Q&A
Addressing unfunded mandates and rising costs in the cultural sector
5:14:30
·
87 sec
Representatives from cultural organizations raise concerns about unfunded mandates and rising costs that impact their operations, even with the proposed $75 million baseline funding increase. Council Member Rivera acknowledges these challenges.
- Cultural organizations highlight ongoing increases in pension benefits and healthcare premiums as unfunded mandates
- The need for additional support beyond the $75 million baseline is emphasized due to uncontrolled expenses
- Rivera recognizes the importance of sustaining the sector and addressing unfunded mandates
- Representatives stress that the proposed funding increase merely brings them back to a functional level, given ongoing inflation and rising costs
UNKNOWN
5:14:30
I'd also wanted to say don't be necessarily distracted by that number.
5:14:33
I mean, it's important.
5:14:34
But the things that I mentioned, these unfunded mandates that are coming in constantly for pension benefits, healthcare premiums, they continue to rise.
5:14:44
The city mandates it and we're left holding the bag.
5:14:48
So even with $75,000,000 baseline, it still doesn't catch us up to those increases that just keep rising.
5:14:54
And we have nothing to say or do or even have an ability to advocate against those benefits because we all want our employees to have those benefits.
5:15:05
We all want the pension program to be healthy.
5:15:08
But we also need help because there are uncontrolled expenses that continue to rise that are outside of that 75,000,000.
5:15:16
So if there's a way to also talk about that, that would be super helpful.
Carlina Rivera
5:15:20
I think that's that's fair.
5:15:21
I think that's the pivot.
5:15:22
It's not about where each dollar is going.
5:15:24
It's about sustaining the sector and these unfunded mandates.
5:15:28
So I appreciate that.
Angel Hernandez
5:15:30
And we always want a fair share with split between both sectors.
5:15:35
However, when it gets to the agency, it's, you know, it's a different story.
5:15:40
So and when we mentioned 75,000,000, it's historic levels, but it's historic.
5:15:46
There's as my colleague is saying, costs is they're still rising.
5:15:51
Inflation is still rising.
5:15:53
So we just wanna get back to a level where it's comfortable for us to function.