budget cuts

Budget cuts are threatening to cancel a popular after school program enjoyed by 70 children at P.S. 150.

Parents and City Council Members rallied on the steps of City Hall Thursday.

City agencies were informed Wed. that they must find ways to cut their spending by at least another 2 percent.

The State Board of Regents is considering proposals to lengthen the school day as well as the year.

Schools will lose 30 percent of the money they have saved at the end of the fiscal year in June.

The city will close the Independence Plaza center unless the state puts more money into the budget.

Elected officials say the proposed closure of area senior centers will have dire consequences for Upper Manhattan.

Officials and parents lashed out at Mayor Michael Bloomberg's proposal to lay off 4,700 teachers.

Special programs like translation services and kosher meals are at risk unless funding is restored, local officials said.

Bloomberg warned of more harsh cuts, but said he was "optimistic" about a deal on merit-based teacher layoffs.

The cash-strapped Armory Police Athletic League is looking for ideas to raise funds for its after school and summer programs.

The Spruce Street School would be the most hard-hit by city layoffs, losing three of its six teachers.

An upper Manhattan coalition wants state legislators to hear their budget concerns.

Construction on a new 400-seat school in lower Manhattan will not begin until 2014, the city said.

Between 100 and 110 of the city's 256 senior centers will be forced to close because of budget cuts, officials said.