NEW YORK CITY — The $7 billion New York City annually receives from the federal government helps provide affordable housing, fund the NYPD's counterterrorism efforts and protect the most at-risk children.
But all of that is in jeopardy once President-elect Donald Trump takes office, according to an analysis by Comptroller Scott Stringer.
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“What we know with absolute certainty is that any cuts in Federal aid to New York will have a devastating impact," Stringer said in a statement. "I urge President-elect Trump to remember that behind every Federal line item is a human face — a family in need, a victim of domestic violence, an AIDS patient, a hungry school child."
Trump has threatened to withhold federal aide from so-called sanctuary cities that do not cooperate with the federal government on efforts to deport undocumented immigrants.
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Mayor Bill de Blasio has said the city will not participate in some of Trump's most controversial campaign promises such as deporting undocumented immigrants, ramping up the use of stop-and-frisk in an unconstitutional manner, and forcing Muslims to join a registry.
The city would also refuse federal aid if it is tied to discriminatory policies, according to de Blasio.
But any loss of federal funding would be devastating, said Stringer. Approximately 9 percent of the city's almost $84 billion budget comes from federal funds. However, some agencies are dependent on the money more than others.
Eleven city agencies that account for 59 percent of city spending receive 92 percent of all city federal tax money. Among the areas that would suffer due to a loss or reduction in federal aid are:
- The NYPD funds 61 percent of its $380 million counterterrorism and intelligence programs using federal money.
- 39,000 households receive fully funded federal Section 8 vouchers worth $481 million.
- 600,000 New Yorkers rely on some form of public assistance grant totaling $1.5 billion. The federal government funds 38 percent of that amount.
- Child Protective Services' $247 million budget could be slashed by half.
- The city's $194 million HIV/AIDS prevention programs is almost entirely funded by the federal government.
Eliminating federal aid as Trump has promised would be difficult under federal rules. And Trump has recently begun to, at least publicly, soften his stance on issues that were the centerpiece of his campaign.
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"There's a good chance that Trump will not punish the city in certain areas," said Kenneth Sherrill, professor emeritus of political science at Hunter College. The fact that Trump is from New York City and lives here should make a difference, he added. And New York City could benefit from a Trump infrastructure proposal.
"What would normally be a vindictive Trump punishing New York City is going to be balanced by Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer who will be taking more moderate positions," Sherrill added.
Evan Thies, a political consultant who is co-founder of Pythia Public Affairs, said the biggest danger for New York might not come from Trump.
"It's more likely than not that New York will suffer not because of Trump, but an emboldened Republican Congress. If they roll back key elements of Obamacare it will create a deficit for the city and state where some of our main institutions are hospitals and the healthcare field in general," said Thies.
Trump has backpedaled slightly on his campaign promise to repeal Obamacare, saying that he likes certain elements of the plan. He has not unveiled a proposed replacement.
That's why the city should remain alert once Trump takes office, said Stringer.
“We are going to remain vigilant, because these cuts could have devastating impacts on the heart and soul of our city. We are going to do everything possible to protect our most vulnerable,” he said.
