Last week, Mayor Mamdani, Speaker Julie Menin, and the City Council adopted a historic $125.8 billion budget for FY27. From parks funding to transportation wins, the adoption of this budget is a positive step and we look forward to working with the Administration and City Council to keep fighting for a sustainable and equitable future.
Key components of the FY27 Adopted Budget
NYC Parks
We are pleased to see great strides in New York’s commitment to parks, including funding for increased maintenance and park workers. As a co-founder of the Play Fair for Parks Coalition, we applaud the Mamdani Administration and City Council’s baselining funding for 276 parks workers whose jobs were at risk in this year’s budget negotiations. This $29 million investment adds stability to the agency and will allow existing Parks Enforcement Patrol, GreenThumb staff, Urban Parks Rangers, City Parks Workers, Forestry workers, and more to go to bed knowing they will have permanent jobs going forward.
The budget also establishes a brand new Parks “Renew Crew”, that focuses on quick physical improvements for sites like playgrounds, courts, and fields that do not rise to the level of a capital project. This program will help keep our recreational areas safe and usable and address smaller maintenance needs before they grow and require costly and disruptive repairs.
Despite the positive steps, these investments don’t change the overall headcount of the Parks Department – rightly described by Commissioner Shimamura as the City’s “Agency of Affordability” – nor does it increase the department’s overall budget, which remains far below 1% of the City’s overall spending – a benchmark Play Fair has set and which the mayor has committed to achieving.
Additionally, as a member of the Forest for All NYC Coalition, NYLCV commended the publication of the city’s first ever Urban Forest Plan in April. Looking forward, we urge the city to commit funding to implement this plan so our tree canopy is equitable and well maintained.
Fair Fares
In addition to the $120.6 million previously allocated to the Fair Fares program, the FY27 budget adds $54 million to increase eligibility to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), up from 150%. This adjustment will allow an additional 340,000 low-income residents to access half-price subway and bus fare. This marks the largest increase since the program’s creation in 2019.
NYLCV applauds the Mayor and City Council for their commitment to this program, and we encourage a further expansion of eligibility to 300% of the FPL, including free fares for households under 150% of the FPL. In addition, NYLCV supports expanding Fair Fares to include half-priced tickets on MTA Express Buses and CityTickets on the LIRR and Metro-North railroads within New York City, as well as automatic enrollment of qualified households.
Also included in the budget is $700,000 to provide OMNY Cards to CUNY students and additional funding for current programs which provide similar support. Fair Fares, and the CUNY pilot program uphold the commitment to accessible public transit for all New Yorkers.
Community Composting
Community composting was allocated $5.2 Million in the FY27 Budget for. This funding aims to raise awareness among city residents by providing educational resources and fostering community engagement, while also increasing community composting efforts across the city.
It is important to note this area received $1 Million less than the previous year.
Community Composting empowers residents to manage their own waste and localize the process. Not only does it lower emissions and improve our soil, but it also benefits neighborhoods located near landfills – many of them predominantly low-income communities or communities of color – by minimizing the organic waste that ends up there and which over time releases toxic methane emissions.
Local Law 97
A new, expanded NYC Accelerator Co-op and Condo Hub has been allocated $1.8 million per year to provide specialized Local Law 97 assistance to low- and middle-income buildings through engagement, decarbonization planning, and connecting with existing incentives and financing.
NYCHA Sustainability
As part of NYCHA’s Clean Heat for All (CH4A) program, $38.4 million will be invested to install window-based heat pumps and energy upgrades at NYCHA’s Beach 41st Street development in the Rockaways to deliver reliable, clean heating and cooling to residents while reducing emissions.
Coastal Resilience
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)’s Bureau of Coastal Resilience received expanded funding, starting with $10.6 million in FY27. This will establish critical in-house capacity to manage the city’s growing portfolio of shoreline protection assets and strengthen coastal resilience planning.
Waste Containerization
Mayor Mamdani designated strong funding for DSNY’s waste containerization program, including $14.8 million in FY27 and growing to $162 million in FY30, moving the city towards a cleaner future towards our zero waste goals.
Public Transportation
Public transportation will also receive the funding and attention it deserves. The Mamdani Administration designated millions in capital and expense funding to expand the city’s bus and bike lanes, especially with the new publication of Next Stop: Fast Buses, Better Service, a sweeping action plan for bus service in New York City. By developing new rapid transit bus routes and expanding dedicated bus lanes across NYC, this plan to modernize public transit is a crucial step towards a sustainable, accessible city.
Looking Ahead
NYLCV commends Mayor Mamdani, Speaker Menin, and the City Council for delivering a FY27 Adopted Budget that demonstrates affordability and climate action go hand in hand. In the coming years we must see an even greater push for environmental funding, and we look forward to working with the Mamdani Administration and City Council to build a healthier, more affordable, and more sustainable New York City for generations to come.