NEW YORK (1010 WINS/ WCBS 880 NEWS) – Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the FY 2025 Executive Budget on Tuesday, allocating $2.4 billion to address the migrant crisis in New York City.
“This budget makes it clear that fiscal discipline can co-exist with progressive, people-driven policies,” Hochul said. “I am committed to fight the right fights on behalf of New Yorkers, and to pursue the common good with common sense – by seeking common ground.”
According to the press release, Hochul aims to invest in making New York more affordable, livable, and safe, with a total spending of $233 billion, a 4.5 percent increase.
Hochul, who allocated $1.9 billion last fiscal year for the migrant issue, has now raised state support to over $2 billion. This increase includes using $500 million from the state's reserves, which are set aside for one-time emergencies.
The Adams administration has opened over 200 shelter sites, including 18 large-scale relief centers, across New York's five boroughs to accommodate the record influx of approximately 165,000 migrants since 2022.
In a statement on X, Hochul highlighted that the budget is dedicated towards supporting New York City during the migrant crisis. She emphasized that a real resolution requires policy shifts.
There, she plans to endorse federal legislation and seek increased funding for the city's needs.
Hochul revealed that she will be in Washington on Friday to support federal legislation and push for more funding to help the City.
Mayor Eric Adams also released New York City's $109.4 billion Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2025, focusing on recovery through public safety and support for people, with $8.2 billion in reserves.
"The growing asylum seeker crisis, COVID-19 stimulus funding drying up, tax revenue growth slowing, and unsettled labor contracts that we inherited widened the FY25 budget gap to a record level," Mayor Eric Adams said in response to the announcement. "But, with responsible and effective management, we have been able to provide care for asylum seekers and balance the budget — without unduly burdening New Yorkers with a penny in tax hikes or massive service reductions, and without laying off a single city worker."
Despite a $7.1 billion gap from the asylum seeker crisis and reduced federal funding, the city avoided major service disruptions and tax hikes, according to the statement.
According to Adams, the administration reduced spending on the asylum crisis by 20 percent over the next two years and provided care to over 170,700 asylum seekers.
Cost management strategies include renegotiating shelter rates and transitioning to nonprofit-managed facilities, saving approximately $1.7 billion.
Adams emphasized the city's continued fiscal responsibility and the need for federal and state support, maintaining New York City as a center of hope and progress.
"We are not out of the woods — while we have put New York City on the right track, to keep moving forward, we still need help from the federal and state governments," Adams said. "But this carefully planned and disciplined budget allows us to keep helping working families, keep providing opportunity for all New Yorkers, and keep our city a beacon of hope, while we deliver a safer, cleaner, and fairer New York.”