New York, NY – NYC Council Approves Budget To Partially Restore Vocuhers

New York, NY – The City of New York’s Fiscal Year 2012 Budget, which was approved this afternoon by the City Council, significantly restores needed childcare services throughout Brooklyn.

The 2012 Budget, while it is far from perfect, has restored funding for thousands of vouchers. While the vouchers are being restored at a reduced rate, which is about 60% of the original value, it was important that we did not lose vouchers completely. As the budget situation improves over the year, you can count on me to fight to restore the full value of these vouchers. Compared to the childcare proposal released in May by Mayor Bloomberg, which would have devastated Williamsburg by replacing vouchers with Out-of-School Time (OST) placements, this solution will ensure that all children have quality daycare.

“This is not a perfect budget,” Councilmember Steve Levin said, “but thanks to the leadership of Speaker Christine Quinn and Finance Chair Domenic Recchia, we were able to find innovative solutions which will alleviate the most painful budget cuts. I would also like to thank General Welfare Chair Annabel Palma, who is one of the best advocates for children that this city has, along with Councilmembers David Greenfield, Brad Lander, Lew Fidler and Letitia James, who were all instrumental in restoring childcare vouchers and daycare programs for thousands of children.”

Levin,also praised the Jewish community saying “To all of you who joined our rallies, came to our meetings in Williamsburg and helped to make 5,000 phone calls to City Hall—thank you. Your advocacy and your willingness to fight for equal funding made this restoration happen.”