Here is a pop quiz, can you guess how much the budget is for the Bronx Borough President's office -- $1 million, $3 million or $5 million? If you guessed $5 million you would still be short a few hundred thousand! That is right, we spend over $5 million to fund the Borough Presidents offices in the Bronx and Brooklyn (this is one of the few occassions Manhattan does not get more than the outer boroughs -- their budget is only $4.4 million). As Michael Saul of the Wall Street Journal reports, if the Mayor has his way, there will be little to dance about as those budgets will be cut dramatically. In the Bronx, it could amount to a cut of 24 percent. Traditionally, the City Council has restored threatened cuts to these offices, but in a year where there are few dollars to go around it may be difficult this time around. But the real question is whether these offices should have $5 million budgets? Do you think they are worth that kind of investment, and are we getting a good return on our precious tax dollars?
Add on the corrupt Bronx Community Boards and their budgets and the Beep has more than six million dollars worth of campaign resources at his disposal.
ReplyDeleteGee, Mr. Cassino why didn't you feel this way during the Carrion administration as Bronx Borough President?
ReplyDeleteCommunity Boards are the best buy in city government for what they do. In a city this large with such diverse needs, BPs are also important but the budget listed seems excessive. While I don't agree with Diaz on some big issues I credit him for sticking his neck out and championing the borough. That said, is his budget any more excessive than any council member or state legislator, all of whom have at least half a dozen flunkies, dedicated office space, etc. and mostly just vote the party line?
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