Mamdani Promised a New Era for Parks and Libraries. His First Budget Falls Short.

Budget shortfall may close the book on Mamdani’s library funding promise

After vowing on the campaign trail to give libraries up to 0.5% of the city’s budget, Mayor Mamdani in his preliminary spending plan included a $30 million cut. The proposal takes a page from the playbook of his predecessor, former Mayor Eric Adams, who did a budget dance with the City Council before eventually restoring full funding. But that restoration wasn’t permanent funding, and libraries across the five boroughs could find themselves in a…

Mamdani Promised a New Era for Parks and Libraries. His First Budget Falls Short.

The new mayor pledged to dedicate 1% of the city budget to parks and 0.5% to libraries. His preliminary spending plan delivers less.

New York Mayor Mamdani is breaking his promise on library funding.

Fitting that a few days after Valentine’s Day, New Yorkers may be reaching the end of their Mamdani honeymoon. Earlier this week, the Mayor released his preliminary budget for the 2027 fiscal year, and New Yorkers and library advocates were shocked to see lower proposed spending for the public library system than what Mayor Mamdani had promised on the campaign trail. In his election platform and subsequent public statements, Mayor Mamdani backed…