Pass a People-First Budget!

Ithaca Common Council

Conservative Common Council members are introducing amendments to the Ithaca City Budget that would defund and eliminate essential city services like youth services and critical infrastructure. This comes only a year after conservative councilors attempted to defund Southside Community Center, before public pressure forced the motion to be withdrawn. These cuts would completely paralyze the city’s ability to do its basic functions: repairing streets and sidewalks, securing affordable housing and supportive services, and providing childcare for young children and working families.

This budget also includes progressive wins like planning to implement reparations for Black Ithacans, increasing sidewalk winter maintenance, and funding for much-needed housing initiatives — all added at a very low tax burden. However, one area where cuts can be made is to unfilled police positions in the budget. The city continues to tax residents for unfilled police positions. This way, we can lower the tax burden without interrupting city services or causing layoffs.


While wages stagnate and inequality gets worse and worse, the tax burden is a concern for residents, but the services that build up our city need to be preserved. Sign this petition and come to City Hall on Wednesday 11/13 at 5:30 PM to tell the Common Council to reject any harmful cuts to our city’s youth services and public works.

Sponsored by
Idsa_logo_new-classic
Ithaca DSA

To: Ithaca Common Council
From: David Foote

Conservative Common Council members are introducing amendments to the Ithaca City Budget that would defund and eliminate essential city services like the Youth Bureau, the Department of Public Works. This comes only a year after conservative councilors attempted to defund Southside Community Center, before public pressure forced the motion to be withdrawn. These cuts would completely paralyze the city’s ability to do its basic functions: repairing streets and sidewalks, securing affordable housing and supportive services, and providing childcare for young children and working families.

While wages stagnate and inequality gets worse and worse, the tax burden is a concern for residents, but the services that build up our city need to be preserved. Sign this petition and come to City Hall on Wednesday 11/13 at 5:30 PM to tell the Common Council to reject any harmful cuts to our city’s youth services and public works.
​