Adams Seeks 3% NYC Government Spending Cut: Report

NEW YORK CITY — Mayor Eric Adams sent New York City governmental agencies a stark request: cut your spending by 3 percent, according to a new report.

The admittedly “difficult” goal is outlined in a letter sent to city department heads Monday, as first reported by the New York Daily News.

Adams promised on the campaign trail to make the city’s government more efficient and often returned to the theme in his still-fledgling days in office.

“We know that governmental inefficiencies lead to inequities throughout our city – and unfortunately, inefficiency plagues our City agencies right now,” he said in a December statement. “Making government more responsive and streamlined will be one of my top priorities as Mayor.”

Adams’ frequent talk about “inefficiencies” was seen by many as an implicit swipe against former Mayor Bill de Blasio, who expanded the size of New York City’s budget to roughly $100 billion.

Many of de Blasio’s critics lambasted him for leaving Adams to deal with potential budget shortfalls.

The letter obtained by the Daily News states Adams’ potential cuts will not be made through layoffs. Likewise, certain departments affected by the coronavirus pandemic — such as the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and Health + Hospitals — will be exempt from reductions, the Daily News reported.

Instead of layoffs, Adams asked departments to restructure programs, improve revenue collection and other efficiency-related steps.

Read the New York Daily News report here.