New York, NY— The following statement can be attributed to New York City Council Member Ben Kallos, Chair of the Committee on Governmental Operations:
 
"The budget agreement between the Mayor and the City Council will make life easier, better and safer for New Yorkers of all backgrounds now and in the future.

It contains key items that I am proud to have advocated for strongly, including: supporting schools with access to food, wrap around services, and crossing guards; making us safer by hiring 1,300 new officers; and billions of investment into managing debt responsibly and restoring aging infrastructure.

Children will have more access to city services and support in the form of $12.7 million for renewal schools, and be able to get to and from school more safely thanks to 80 more crossing guards. Hungry kids will face less stigma at school because of $17.9 million for 'breakfast after the bell'  for 339,000 children at 530 elementary schools, which I rallied for and introduced legislation supporting. New York City is now an important step away from being near last among big cities in public school breakfast participation. 

New Yorkers will be safer against threats of terror and in our communities with $170 million to add 1,300 new NYPD officers to protect our streets and savings generated by putting more officers on the streets rather than behind desks. 

I am also pleased to see a Capital Stabilization Reserve of $500 million. Saving during the good times will help protect us in the long run, and I advocated for this smart fiscal approach at multiple executive budget hearings this season."