NEW YORK (AP) — The New York City Council is expanding the public’s influence on its budget process.
Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, a Democrat, announced Wednesday that 22 members will abide by what’s known as participatory budgeting.
That’s more than double the 10 council members who did so a year ago.
The process is increasing in popularity in the council’s liberal circles.
It allows community members to vote on projects that council members fund from their pool of discretionary money.
Each council member will have at least $1 million from this year’s city budget to dole out.
The remaining 29 council members will continue to spend their discretionary funds without a community vote.
