The Post editorial writers, not the City Council, need a refresher on the City Charter (“No Permission Needed, Chris,” Editorial, Sept 25).
The city budget process that takes place in the spring fully involves two branches of government, both the legislature and the executive.
Unfortunately, the charter does not distribute these powers in the same way as it relates to midyear budget modifications, which can only be initiated by the mayor.
In fact, the authority to make midyear budget cuts and sizable restorations rests almost exclusively with the mayor’s office.
Therefore, The Post’s assertion that the council should have simply stopped the mayor’s cuts or added money to the midyear budget flies in the face of how the charter assigns these powers.
New Yorkers can rest assured that public safety is the council’s highest priority, which is why I stood with my colleagues to express our view that Police and Parks Enforcement Patrol officers should be held harmless in these proposals.
Christine Quinn
City Council Speaker
Manhattan