HISPANIC FEDERATION ISSUES STATEMENT ON STATE OF PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS IN NEW YORK CITY
For Immediate Release: December 14, 2023
Contact: media@hispanicfederation.org
Hispanic Federation President and CEO Frankie Miranda issued a statement regarding the deep budget cuts proposed for New York City services:
“Hispanic Federation is deeply concerned about the proposed November plan, which reflects substantial cuts to city agencies, community-based organizations, and essential social services that New York families rely on every single day.
Underfunded and over-stretched organizations are working night and day to provide for communities across New York City. Due to overwhelming needs within their communities, they have been providing services that they were never built to provide. When COVID-19 devastated the city, non-profits and CBOs were on the frontlines providing services. When New York City accommodated the influx of migrants seeking refuge, non-profits and CBOs were the safety net.
Unfortunately, CBOs have largely been excluded from discussions about the current and future needs of our city. Our input is crucial to ensure that the needs of New Yorkers are met and to prevent arbitrary budget cuts that will ultimately harm them.
Agencies across the city have continued to pivot and quickly adapt to provide direct services. Our city’s CBOs are the backbone of New York City. They have been there time and time again, during, before, after crisis. New York City cannot afford to chip away at its safety net any further and balance the budget on the backs of our city’s hard-working families. New Yorkers depend on fully funded agencies and the vital services provided by grassroots non-profits and community-based organizations to thrive.
Hispanic Federation calls on New York City to prioritize keeping community-based organizations and essential social services whole in the upcoming budget. Cuts across the board cannot be justified when city expenditures have incredibly different purposes.
This week, new fiscal projections from the New York City Council became public and show tax revenues are up, and New York avoided a recession. These new projections should convince City Hall to reconsider its budget recommendations an ensure vital city services are not eliminated and continue to remain funded to benefit New Yorkers in every borough.”
About Hispanic Federation
Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, founded in 1990, committed to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income, marginalized and immigrant Latinos. With programs in 40 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia, HF’s focus areas include immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, disaster relief, philanthropy, education, health, and the environment. HF also maintains ongoing public education campaigns and meets the organizational development needs of its member agencies through grant-making and capacity-building assistance.
