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Council Member Justin Brannan criticizes federal funding cuts and administration's absence
0:05:39
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3 min
Council Member Justin Brannan delivers opening remarks at an oversight hearing, criticizing the administration's absence and addressing the impact of federal funding cuts on New York City. He highlights recent clawbacks of federal funds and expresses concern over the disproportionate treatment of billionaires versus working people in budget allocations.
- Brannan emphasizes that approximately 10% of the city budget comes from federal funding.
- He cites specific examples of recent federal funding cuts, including $80 million for migrant shelters and $188 million in migrant reimbursement funds.
- The council member contrasts these cuts with the favorable treatment of billionaires like Elon Musk.
Justin Brannan
0:05:39
you, chair Ressler, and good morning, everyone.
0:05:42
Welcome to today's oversight hearing on how New York City is preparing or failing to prepare for a fiscal assault from Donald Trump and his so called Department of Government Expenditures or DOGE.
0:05:55
Before we begin, let me say this.
0:05:57
It's an absolute disgrace that the administration chose to refuse to show up today.
0:06:02
We were told late last night, the night before this hearing, that instead of testifying, they'll just be submitting written remarks.
0:06:10
That's not just disrespectful.
0:06:11
It's a slap in the face to every New Yorker who deserves answers.
0:06:16
At a moment of unprecedented budget threats, the administration at city hall should be standing with us and not ducking accountability.
0:06:24
When we held our March hearing on the preliminary budget, we were warned that cuts were coming.
0:06:29
Well, now they're here and they're hitting hard.
0:06:31
Let's be clear.
0:06:33
Approximately 10% all in of our city budget comes from federal funding.
0:06:37
And just a few months ago just a few months into Trump's return, the federal government has already clawed back hundreds of millions in legally appropriated dollars from congress, money we counted on to provide housing, health care, food, and shelter for New Yorkers.
0:06:51
In February, FEMA yanked $80,000,000 meant for migrant shelters.
0:06:56
In March, the feds announced they were pulling all remaining COVID relief for cities and states.
0:07:02
And just last week, mayor Adams confirmed another $188,000,000 in migrant reimbursement funds were being pulled.
0:07:10
And while working people are getting squeezed, the billionaires are doing just fine.
0:07:15
Let's talk about Elon Musk.
0:07:17
He's taken more than $38,000,000,000 in government handouts, federal contracts, tax breaks, you name it.
0:07:24
Now he's the de facto president since he spent some three hundred million dollars to buy the election in charge of crafting a federal budget that slashes aids to seniors, veterans, and working families.
0:07:36
You'd be surprised to know what federal programs didn't get cut a single cent.
0:07:40
That would be Elon Musk billions in defense contracts.
0:07:44
While everyday New Yorkers pay their fair share, Elon Musk games Elon Musk games the system and laughs all the way to the bank.
0:07:50
Our tax dollars built his empire, but now that it's time to reinvest in our communities, suddenly it's all cuts and clawbacks.
0:07:58
It's always socialism for the rich and austerity for the rest of us.
0:08:03
This isn't about belt tightening.
0:08:04
It's about broken priorities.
0:08:06
That's why today's hearing matters.
0:08:08
That's why the administration should be here with us telling us what their plan is to fight back against these cuts from the federal government.
0:08:16
We need a real plan to protect New Yorkers and their services, one that doesn't cave to Trump or cater to billionaires and one that stands up for the working people who make the city work.
0:08:26
Before I hand it back to chair Wesseler, I wanna thank the folks behind the scenes on the council side who make these hearings happen, especially our incredible finance division team, Brian Sarfo, committee counsel, Julia Hiramis, the finance unit head, Michael Sherman, the principal financial analyst and my senior advisor John Yenon.
0:08:46
I'll now turn it back over to my co chair today, Councilman Ressler.
Lincoln Restler
0:08:50
I just wanna ask, we have not actually received this supposed written testimony from the administration?