The Budget and the Next Public Advocate

Uninformed sources have alleged that I did nothing to restrain spending in the wake of a devastating 40% budget cut to my office. This is demonstrably false. 

The day Speaker Quinn approved this cut, I laid out several ways in which we could perform our charter-mandated functions while saving as much money as possible for the next public advocate. It was obvious, to me and to everyone who protested the cut – advocates, elected officials, and good-government groups – that there would be little money left over unless I fired most of my staff. I refused to do that. 

However, I did decide not to replace departing staff members; we have lost almost 25% of staff through attrition. I have also decided to send my mandated annual report electronically, rather than in print. And I have funded all office initiatives, including my Guide to Public Benefits for Immigrants, with privately raised money.

Additionally, with the term ending, city rules require that we pay out $190,000 in unused annual leave to staff members, which has been accrued and carried over throughout their employment. This figure does not include money paid out to staff already departed.

It’s worth noting that $1.7 million is a meager, insufficient, and disproportionately small budget for a citywide office charged with overseeing city agencies and assisting New Yorkers in need. The budget should be increased, and not set at the whims of the Mayor and Speaker. However, in this difficult situation, my office has made significant sacrifices—-for the next public advocate and for the people of New York City.