The lone Metropolis Council Democrat who opposed the Massive Apple’s newly-passed roughly $126 billion funds slammed Mayor Zohran Mamdani, claiming he short-changed her constituents whereas wealthier districts acquired extra funding.
Bronx Councilwoman Althea Stevens blasted the democratic socialist mayor over what she known as a scarcity of “fairness” in his first funds — accusing him of not allotting sufficient money for her district, which faces excessive charges of poverty and gun violence.
“What made this much more troublesome was seeing districts with larger incomes and better entry to assets obtain considerably bigger investments whereas neighborhoods like mine proceed to battle for the fundamentals,” she mentioned in a press release.
“Fairness can not merely be a phrase we use in speeches or marketing campaign slogans. Fairness means directing assets the place the wants are best.”
The Council late Tuesday permitted the record-breaking $125.8 billion spending plan for the 2027 fiscal yr that began July 1 in a 45-6 vote, with Stevens crossing occasion traces to affix the 5 dissenting Republicans on the legislative physique.
Some lefty Council Members, together with Brooklyn DSA Councilwoman Shahana Hanif and Progressive Caucus Co-Chair Sandy Nurse (D-Brooklyn) publicly voiced their help for Stevens, regardless of voting to approve the funds.
“I help her 100%,” Hanif posted to X, in response to a Metropolis and State op-ed Stevens wrote about her opposing vote.
“Really, a shameful end result this yr. Standing with @althea4theBX!” Nurse posted.
Stevens’ District 16, which covers the South Bronx communities of Morrisania, Concourse, Highbridge and Morris Heights, acquired some $11.1 million in capital and expense funding, a Council spokesperson mentioned.
“We’re happy with this funds, and the overwhelming help it acquired from 45 Democratic Council Members,” mentioned the rep for Council Speaker Julie Menin’s workplace.
Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers (D-Queens), who additionally voted sure on the spending plan, nonetheless lambasted Hizzoner for failing to fund a trauma heart in her District 31, which covers Far Rockaway and different neighborhoods.
“The @NYCMayor has repeatedly mentioned ‘healthcare is a human proper.’ However these phrases ring hole when his funds contains no capital funding for Far Rockaway’s Healthcare Trauma Entry Heart,” she posted on X.
In an interview with The Put up, the councilwoman mentioned {that a} trauma heart would have saved the lifetime of NYPD Det. Jonathan Diller, who was fatally shot throughout a March 2024 site visitors cease outdoors of her district workplace.
“His son can be raised by him. His spouse wouldn’t be a widow right this moment. And I feel it’s irresponsible to not put money into communities that we all know have this hole,” she mentioned.
Neighborhood advocates have lengthy pushed for a Degree 1 or Degree 2 trauma heart on Far Rockaway which has relied on Jamaica Hospital for critical accidents after the closure of Peninsula Hospital in 2012.
The trauma heart nonetheless requires state approval and would wish to seek out an operator earlier than something might be constructed.
Whereas Far Rockaway doesn’t meet the case quantity for the Degree 1 or 2 trauma heart that locals have advocated for, officers have thought of pushing for a Degree 3 heart with larger staffing.
Former Mayor Eric Adams’ administration allotted $50 million in capital funding cash, in addition to scratch to facilitate a land switch for a possible website for a middle.
The mayor’s workplace didn’t touch upon Stevens’ claims, however mentioned it was in contact with Brooks-Powers and “dedicated to persevering with the dialog and dealing on an answer.”
“We’re working along with her and the opposite electeds within the space to try to give you different various choices, equivalent to increasing trauma care entry via current amenities on the peninsula or a standalone emergency facility, in addition to exploring different technique of transporting sufferers to the closest trauma care amenities,” mentioned a mayoral spokeswoman.
“We’ve dedicated to assembly with them over subsequent month to try to come to a conclusion.”
A Council supply claimed that Stevens was the one member who didn’t meet with the speaker to debate her funds priorities throughout negotiations. A rep for Stevens didn’t return a request for remark.
