New York City’s newly elected Mayor Bill de Blasio has placed early childhood education at the center of his agenda since the beginning of his campaign in January 2013. While there is widespread support and bipartisan agreement with de Blasio’s plan for free, universal Pre-K and after-school programs, the question of how to finance these programs remains contentious.
Mayor de Blasio has proposed a modest tax increase for the very wealthy (those earning over 500,000 dollars per year) from 3.87% to 4.41%, which would raise 530 million dollars per year. Those earning between 500,000 and 1,000,000 dollars would pay a mere 973 dollars more per year—less than three dollars a day, or, as de Blasio quipped at his inauguration, “the cost of a small soy latte at your local Starbucks.” De Blasio argues that only increased tax revenue ensures a sustainable stream of funding, an unpopular claim with the state’s legislature and Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Cuomo declared in his budget address yesterday that he plans to set aside $1.5 billion over five years from existing funds, which would hardly cover the cost of de Blasio’s education initiatives. The Democratic Governor, who likely has broader political aspirations (including perhaps a 2016 presidential run), is attempting to run on a low-tax or tax-cut agenda for his reelection next fall. But Mr. de Blasio, who has asserted he has a mandate from the people, will continue to pursue his plan for these crucial programs, and the clash between City Hall in New York and the State House in Albany isn’t likely to abate soon.