De Blasio Budget Plan Leaves Vouchers, Security Funding As Is

NEW YORK
Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday presents his 2018 preliminary budget in the Blue Room at City Hall. (Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)

The budget proposed by Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday leaves two programs benefiting parents in the Orthodox community with the same level of funding as last year.

The record-high $84.7 billion election year spending plan would keep funding for priorities 5 and 7 of the after-school voucher program at $17.5 million. About 1,200 families with specific hardships benefit from this program. Since the Democratic mayor made it part of the budget two years ago, it no longer needs to be renegotiated every year.

Funding for private school security guards will continue for its second year, with the same $19.8 million. The program allows nonpublic schools such as yeshivos to hire guards and get reimbursed from the city based on their student population.

De Blasio’s budget for fiscal 2018, which begins July 1, is preliminary. He will present a detailed funding blueprint in the spring, followed by the city council’s budgetary wish list. The two versions will then be reconciled, voted on by the council and signed by the mayor.

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