Saving the City

New York City — To help the Big Apple deal with it's $5-billion budget deficit without cutting services, DC 37 has submitted to Mayor Michael Bloomberg a list of proposals that could save the city $500 million to $1 billion.

Among the recommendations: an aggressive plan to convert some police functions into civilian positions that could be acted upon immediately for a savings of $126 million; reinstating the tax on commuters, which would require legislative action; and contracting-in some work.

"We reached out to our 125,000 members" and took their suggestions, says DC 37 Exec. Director Lillian Roberts.