File #: Res 0154-2004    Version: * Name: Opposing Governor Pataki's recent proposed cuts to public assistance spending.
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Committee: Committee on General Welfare
On agenda: 2/26/2004
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution opposing Governor Pataki’s recent proposed cuts to public assistance spending, which would harm families struggling to make ends meet and would not provide appropriate supports for recipients of public assistance working towards permanent self-sufficiency.
Sponsors: Miguel Martinez, Gifford Miller, Bill De Blasio, Tracy L. Boyland, Erik Martin Dilan, David I. Weprin, Alan J. Gerson, James F. Gennaro, Gale A. Brewer, Larry B. Seabrook, Christine C. Quinn, Bill Perkins, Letitia James, Annabel Palma, James Sanders, Jr., Jose M. Serrano, Betsy Gotbaum
Council Member Sponsors: 17
Attachments: 1. Committee Report, 2. Hearing Transcript
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
6/21/2004*Miguel Martinez City Council Approved, by CouncilPass Action details Meeting details Not available
6/15/2004*Miguel Martinez Committee on General Welfare Hearing Held by Committee  Action details Meeting details Not available
6/15/2004*Miguel Martinez Committee on General Welfare Approved by CommitteePass Action details Meeting details Not available
2/26/2004*Miguel Martinez City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
2/26/2004*Miguel Martinez City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
Res. No. 154
 
 
Resolution opposing Governor Pataki's recent proposed cuts to public assistance spending, which would harm families struggling to make ends meet and would not provide appropriate supports for recipients of public assistance working towards permanent self-sufficiency.
 
 
 
By Council Members Martinez, The Speaker (Council Member Miller), DeBlasio, Boyland, Dilan, Weprin, Gerson, Gennaro, Brewer, Seabrook, Quinn, Perkins, James, Palma, Sanders, Serrano and The Public Advocate (Ms. Gotbaum)
 
 
      Whereas, Governor Pataki's proposed 2004-05 Executive Budget (the "Executive Budget") contains several proposed changes to public assistance programs statewide; and
      Whereas, In a purported attempt to reduce New York State's deficit, Governor Pataki recommends provisions aimed at significantly decreasing spending on public assistance; and
      Whereas, The proposed budget cuts would be realized through the reduction of public assistance benefits, the imposition of sanctions on struggling families and by decreasing essential supports for low income workers who remain eligible for public assistance; and
Whereas, Specifically, the Governor proposes reductions in non-shelter related benefits for any single adult or childless couple on welfare for more than one year, as well as reductions for families on welfare for more than five years; and
Whereas, The Governor further proposes full-family sanctions, which would authorize removal of welfare benefits from an entire family if the head of the household fails to comply with work requirements; and
      Whereas, The Governor also proposes to further reduce the amount of earnings public assistance recipients may disregard for purposes of determining eligibility for public assistance and benefits levels, which would reduce benefits that provide crucial supports for low income workers; and
Whereas, These proposed changes would have a severe negative effect on families in New York that are already struggling to make ends meet; now, therefore, be it
Resolved that the council of the city of New York opposes Governor Pataki's recent proposed cuts to public assistance spending, which would harm families struggling to make ends meet and would not provide appropriate supports for recipients of public assistance working towards permanent self-sufficiency.