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Mayor de Blasio: New York City Needs Every Dollar of Counterterrorism Funding

Mayor Bill De Blasio gives his annual State of the City address at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio addressed a range of topics, from proposed federal cuts to counterterrorism funding to the battle over encryption between Apple and the FBI.

On federal funding, Mayor de Blasio said it's "a huge mistake by the White House to submit a budget that cuts anti-terrorism funding, just as the terrorism threat is increasing and we're the number one terrorism target int he country."

The assessment by the White House found that previous budgeting for counterterrorism in New York City and State had overshot the need, but Mayor de Blasio said there's been no unspent or unallocated money.

"I can say for sure for the City of New York, every dollar is being spent on necessary elements for our counterterrorism efforts. We have tremendous needs going forward. Every new dollar will be spent."

The Mayor also weighed in on New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito's recent proposal to close Rikers Island (she spoke about it on our show earlier this week - click here to listen):

"A noble idea, and we’re going to work with Judge Lippman who’s leading her commission to see what’s possible. But I’ve been very clear about the fact that first we have to work on fixing Rikers Island."