The Editorial Board: Federal Stimulus Money Brings Relief in Brown’s Buffalo Budget Proposal | Editorial

The effects of remote work and school, along with other measures containing Covid-19, have resulted in a dramatic drop in the number of vehicles on city streets, resulting in falling revenues from violations parking. City statistics show that the number of traffic notices issued increased from 40,363 in 2019-2020 to 18,060 in 2020-2021. The parking labels issued have gone from 15,000 to 1,015. No motorist likes to contribute to the city’s coffers in this way, but the city depends on this income.

In the past, the mayor has raised reserve funds and borrowed money to cover budget deficits, options that are not needed this year. He also relied on the Seneca Nation of Indians to cash in on the casino revenues it owes to the state – and through it, to the city. That money remains in the hanging column as the Senecas continue to drag their showdown with the state.

A “living wage increase” to $ 15.84 an hour, the end of the wage freeze caused by Covid-19 and rising pension costs are some of the constraints on this year’s budget that money stimulus will relieve. The stimulus money won’t last forever, so the city will have to make some tough choices down the road to cover these costs.

Still, municipal taxpayers can be thankful that President Biden and the new Congress did what their predecessors didn’t even want to consider: use the influence of the federal government to make states and municipalities whole after billions of dollars in losses. linked to the pandemic. While some of these losses were less than initially feared, they were nonetheless substantial. The mayor’s budget makes proper use of this wise decision.