Central Current reporter Patrick McCarthy appeared Friday on NewsChannel 9’s “Newsmakers with Andrew Donovan” program to talk about the city’s budget process.

This year’s budget cycle became a political battleground as two members of the Common Council — councilors Pat Hogan and Chol Majok — run for mayor against Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens.

Councilors have accused Mayor Ben Walsh and Owens of failing to propose a fiscally responsible budget, while Walsh and Owens have said the council is trying to cut critical resources.

Ultimately, the council cut $16 million in spending from the mayor’s proposed budget. The cuts eliminated a 2% tax hike and reduced the amount of money the city will pull from its general fund by about half.

In a recent mayoral debate hosted by Central Current, the budget became a point of contention between Majok, Hogan and Owens. You can read more about the debate and the candidates’ views here.

“Newsmakers” is a weekly public affairs and news talk show hosted by Donovan. It airs Fridays at 12:30 p.m., Saturdays at 5:30 a.m. and Sundays at 5:30 p.m. You can find the program and learn more about it here.

Read more of Central Current’s budget coverage below:

Read more of Central Current’s coverage

Chris Libonati is the former managing editor of Central Current. He was a founding editorial member of the organization and was hired as Central Current's first reporter. He previously worked at the Syracuse...