Defying Odds: Mayor Eric Adams and His Impressive Achievements
If I told you about a mayor who accomplished more than what’s expected in his first two fiscal years, you might find it hard to believe. Yet, Mayor Eric Adams did just that by reducing unemployment by 20% and crime rates. He also boosted the city schoolchildren’s test scores and directly raised the wages of over half-a-million workers.
Significant Contributions in Public Welfare
Remarkably, Mayor Adams made vital contributions in some other crucial fields. He reduced the childcare cost by 90%, easing the pressure on struggling families. Not stopping there, he also slashed the taxes for 800,000 New Yorkers. He further expanded the city’s low-cost health plans and paid off the medical debts of hundreds of thousands. His efforts led to increased numbers of childcare seats and allowed lower-income riders to enjoy reduced transit fares.
Stepping Up in Crisis Times
When Mayor Adams took office, he stepped into quite a challenging scenario. With an upswing in crime and an imminent recession, he faced the additional responsibility of handling the influx of 200,000 newcomers. Despite these hurdles, he did not impose any new taxes or lay off city workers.
The Unreasonable Criticism
Despite all his successes, Mayor Adams continues to face criticism. Some have even labeled him “incompetent” and demanded his resignation, mimicking the unjust flak thrown at Mayor David Dinkins three decades ago.
Remembering the Legacy of Mayor Dinkins
Like Adams, Dinkins also had a triumphant tenure marked by significant reductions in crime rates, increased recruitment in the police department, and substantial investments in housing for struggling New Yorkers. However, Dinkins also was unfairly labeled a “failure.”
Budget Boost despite Billion-Dollar Crisis
Under Mayor Adams, New York passed its third budget, records show, even amidst the losses caused by the asylum-seeker crisis and COVID-related expiration of federal funds. Yet, Adams found ways to increase spending in areas like affordable housing creation, early childhood education, and quality of life improvements that impact every New Yorker.
Staying Ahead of a Migrant Crisis
However, amidst these advances, Adams’ budget cuts due to the unpredictable migrant crisis caught negative attention. Last year’s projections of a $5 billion annual expense to support the arrival of 4000 newcomers per week made balancing the budget a daunting task.
Testing Times for Adams Administration
In November, angry cries met the proposed budget reduction. Protesters emerged in vast numbers, leading to a dip in Adams’ approval ratings. But Adams wouldn’t let the criticism deter him and found ways to increase Albany’s share in migrant spendings and reduce the cost of migrant care.
A Turnaround and Triumph
The real shift came when the Biden administration adopted policies that eased migrant working rules and slowed border crossing, both policies that Adams advocated. His negotiation skills and strategic planning allowed him to propose a robust budget that delivered for working people and average New Yorkers alike.
The gap in Action and Perception
Despite these achievements, there is a substantial disconnect between perception and reality about Adams’ administration. It’s essential for us to examine this scenario and remember Dinkins’ journey.
The Message for All New Yorkers
So, a humble appeal to all New Yorkers: Please look at the facts and figures before getting swayed by the noise. You might disagree with Adams’ politics or policies, but you can’t reject his successful record.
Mayor Eric Adams continues to serve New York City with dedication and unwavering commitment. His accomplishments echo the legacy of Mayor Dinkins, who would be incredibly proud of his successor’s work for their shared city. Let’s not allow the unfair criticism to overshadow Adams’ commendable work for our city.